The Pirates of Penzance
Gilbert & Sullivan- Friday, May 20, 2016 at 7 pm
Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 7 pm - Bradley Fair
| Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan — Libretto by Sir William S. Gilbert A Comic Opera in Two Acts Sung in English World Premiere: Fifth Avenue Theatre, New York, December 31, 1880 | ||
| John Stephens | Edward Lada | |
| Stage Director | Conductor | |
| Set Design | Margaret Ann Pent | |
| Lighting Design | Kirk Longhofer | |
| Assistant Stage Director | Michael Nansel | |
| Costume Provided by | Marriott Theatre | |
| Chorusmaster | Jen Stephenson | |
| Head Coach | J. Bradley Baker | |
| WGO Orchestra and Chorus | ||
| CAST OF CHARACTERS | ||
| Frederic, the Pirate Apprentice | Clark Sturdevant | |
| Mabel, General Stanley’s daughter | Lydia Bechtel† | |
| The Pirate King | Michael Nansel | |
| Major-General Stanley | Brian Frutiger | |
| Ruth, a piratical maid | Tara Curtis | |
| Sergeant of Police | Andrew Hernandez† | |
| Samuel, a Pirate Lieutenant | Charles Turley* | |
| Edith, Gen. Stanley’s daughter | Stephanie Goodwin† | |
| Kate, General Stanley’s daughter | Skyler Dykes† | |
| Isabel, General Stanley’s daughter | Maura Grace† | |
| CHORUS: Pirates, Police, General Stanley’s daughters | ||
| *WGO Resident Artists †WGO Academy Fellow | ||
The Pirates of Penzance Synopsis
Act I: The Coast of Cornwall
Frederic celebrates 21 years of age and the end of his apprenticeship to a band of pirates. Frederic announces that upon leaving his apprenticeship, his sense of duty regrettably demands that he devote himself to exterminating his former pirate companions. The pirates wish Frederic well and take their leave.
A group of beautiful young girls approach, and Frederic hides before they can see him. As the girls prepare to wade in the surf, Frederic reappears, duty-bound to inform the girls they are not unobserved. One girl, Mabel, quickly falls in love and offers to help Frederic mend his piratical ways.
Suddenly, the pirates return, capturing the girls with plans to marry them. The girls’ father, Major-General Stanley, soon arrives and pleads for his daughters’ release, falsely claiming that he is an orphan. The softhearted pirates release the girls and go so far as to make Major-General Stanley and his daughters honorary pirates.
Act II: The Major-General's estate.
The Major-General is haunted by his lie to the pirates, but greets the policemen who are preparing to go forth to arrest the pirates. Left alone, Frederic reflects on his opportunity to atone for a life of piracy, but is interrupted by the arrival of the Pirate King. He has realized that Frederic’s apprenticeship was to last until his twenty-first birthday, and because his birthday is February 29, he technically has only passed five birthdays. Frederic is duty-bound to rejoin the pirates, and soon informs them of the Major-General’s deception.
Mabel agrees to be faithful to Frederic until he returns, and Frederic departs. The sleepless Major-General appears with his daughters in tow. Meanwhile, the pirates easily defeat the police, but yield to the Sergeant “in Queen Victoria’s name.” It is revealed that the pirates are “all noblemen who have gone wrong.” All is forgiven, Frederic and Mabel are reunited, and the Major-General is happy to marry his daughters to the noble pirates after all.
To read more about the story and history of The Pirates of Penzance, click here.
The Cast
-
Clark Sturdevant
Frederic
-
Lydia Bechtel
Mabel
-
Michael Nansel
The Pirate King
-
Brian Frutiger
Major-General Stanley
-
Tara Curtis
Ruth
-
Andrew Hernandez
Sergeant of Police
-
Charles Turley
Samuel
-
Skyler Dykes
Kate
What to Expect
Let Us Help You Plan Your Opera Visit
Whether this is your first visit to Wichita Grand Opera or you’re a regular patron, we have all the information you need to plan your evening.
Before the Opera
Where to Stay
If you are visiting Wichita from out of town, we suggest staying at one of these recommended hotels.
Where to Eat
Downtown Wichita and the nearby Delano District provide many dining options to enhance your opera experience. Concessions are also available at the opera.
Location
Except as noted, Wichita Grand Opera performs in the Century II Performing Arts Center in downtown Wichita.
Century II Performing Arts Center
225 W. Douglas Ave. Wichita, KS 67202
Get Directions
Seating (Including for Disabled Patrons)
To comply with ADA requirements, the following seats are reserved for our handicapped patrons:
Concert Hall
On House Right, Seating is available at:
- Row M, Seats 123 & 124 (Best seating – $85 per seat)
- Row S, Seats 124 & 125 (Better seating – $58 per seat)
- Row KK, Seats 101-106 (Better seating $58 per seat) – Promenade Box
- Row LL, Seats 107-112 (Good seating, $37 per seat) – Promenade Box
On House Left, Seating is available at:
- Row M, Seats 22 & 23 (Best Seating – $85 per seat)
- Row S, Seats 24 & 25 (Better seating – $58 per seat)
- Row KK, Seats 1-6 (Better seating – $58 per seat) – Promenade Box
- Row LL, Seats 7-12 (Good seating, $37 per seat) – Promenade Box