Words and Images Courtesy of the Virginia Opera
Norfolk, Richmond, Fairfax VA
Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic operetta docks in theatres statewide this November at Virginia Opera. One of Virginia Opera’s most popular productions, The Pirates of Penzance presents a great opportunity for audiences of all ages to return to the theatre for a rollicking good time. With Family Day activities scheduled for select matinees and special pricing for kids, young patrons—and the young at heart—will be treated to world-class performances.
The Pirates of Penzance tells the topsy-turvy tale of the young pirate, Frederic, who is out of his indentures and hopes to “lead a blameless life.” The Pirates of Penzance takes audiences on a wild ride as timeless characters through classic songs grapple with duty, love, honor, acceptance, and the complications of being born during Leap Year. As Frederic’s heart and “sense of duty” is pulled in different directions, the difficulties of modern life and the fine line that exists between pirates and upstanding citizens create glorious chaos.
“The Pirates of Penzance is a delight from start to finish, and we cannot wait to enchant audiences across the state,” said Peggy Kriha Dye, general director and CEO of Virginia Opera. “What makes this show unique is that it appeals to everyone regardless of age, experience, or background. Whether you are interested in hit tunes, pirate antics, lavish spectacle, clever staging, witty puns, or social satire, The Pirates of Penzance meets you where you are.” Adam Turner, artistic director of Virginia Opera, chimes in, “I totally agree. Everyone needs comedy in their lives. Especially when the world feels chaotic, we all need a place to come together, enjoy one another’s company, and poke fun at ourselves along the way.”
While Gilbert & Sullivan operettas are over one hundred years old, they continue to be performed across the world, bringing new audiences to opera houses. “It’s incredible that these pieces have had such staying power,” muses Turner. “Most comedy doesn’t stick around very long, and yet, these operettas continue to be popular. The music never gets old, and the jokes are always funny. I think it’s because—despite its silliness—The Pirates of Penzance is about ideas and emotions we can relate to in 2022. What is our duty to one another? How do we live a good, honest life? How do we balance personal happiness with civic obligations?”
On select matinees in Norfolk and Richmond (November 5th and 20th), pirate actors and activities will take place in the lobbies and gathering spaces before the show. Pirate Day was organized by Virginia Opera’s Civic Engagement Coordinator, Michelle Ford. “The opera house is fun and welcoming to all. Therefore, everything we are doing surrounding The Pirates of Penzance is about celebrating the joy that’s possible when we come together as a community to experience great art.”
Virginia Opera’s production will be directed by perennial favorite Kyle Lang who has led some of Virginia Opera’s biggest hits in recent years. “Kyle was our first choice,” says Dye. “His shows are funny and clever. I think audiences will be delighted with the staging, spectacle, and choreography he and our production department are putting together.”
The Pirates of Penzance will be sung in English with English surtitles, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra will accompany the production from the orchestra pit. With Adam Turner and Brandon Eldredge sharing conducting duties, the orchestra, cast, and chorus of twenty will be the largest musical forces assembled by Virginia Opera since 2020.
The cast of The Pirates of Penzance is filled with wonderful singing actors, many of which will be making their Virginia Opera debuts with this production. Tenor Martin Bakari and Amy Owens will play the central heroes Frederic and Mabel, while Troy Cook and Aubrey Allicock square-off as Major-General Stanley and The Pirate King. Lucy Schaufer will vie for Frederic’s affections as the unscrupulous Ruth, and an ensemble of Virginia Opera Emerging Artists and local singers will round out the cast, including Jeremy Harr as the Sergeant of Police, and Taylor-Alexis DuPont, Katherine Sanford, and Kaileigh Riess as the featured daughters of the Major-General.
“If you’re wanting to experience opera for the first time, venture back into the theatre again, or bask in timeless fun, The Pirates of Penzance is for you,” concludes Turner. “In short, this piece is for everyone—including you—and we can’t wait to see you at the theatre.”
Tickets for The Pirates of Penzance can be purchased at vaopera.org/the-pirates-of-penzance or by calling 866.673.7282.
Harrison Opera House, Norfolk, Virginia
Wednesday, November 2, 2022, Student Night at the Opera
Friday, November 4, 2022, at 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 2:30 pm
Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:30 pm
Center for the Arts at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 13, at 2:00 pm
Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center, Richmond, Virginia
Friday, November 18, 2022, at 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 20, 2022, at 2:30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance Production Notes
Music by Arthur Sullivan & Libretto by W.S. Gilbert
Sung in English with English Surtitles
Orchestra provided by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra
The Pirates of Penzance Cast and Creative
Conductor
Adam Turner
Brandon Eldredge (Nov 18 & 20m)
Stage Director
Kyle Lang
Assistant Director
Nora Winsler
Lighting Designer
Driscoll Otto
Associate Lighting Designer
James Lawlor
Associate Conductor & Chorus Master
Brandon Eldredge
Principal Coach
Jeremy Reger
Production Stage Manager
Karen Federing
CAST
Troy Cook
Baritone, Major-General Stanley
Last Virginia Opera Appearance: Jupiter, Orpheus in the Underworld, 2015
Recent Highlights: Enrico, Lucia di Lammermoor, Madison Opera; Marcello, La bohème, Spoleto Festival USA; Dr Falke, Die Fledermaus, Central City Opera
Upcoming: Sharpless, Madama Butterfly, Palm Beach Opera; Marcello, La bohème, Opera Philadelphia; Soloist, Messiah, Winston Salem Symphony
Aubrey Allicock
Bass Baritone, The Pirate King
Last Virginia Opera Appearance: Alberich, Das Rheingold, 2021
Recent Highlights: Yusef Salaam, Central Park Five, Portland Opera; Tiridate, Radamisto, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra; Argante, Rinaldo, Glyndebourne
Upcoming: Dick Hallorann, The Shining, Lyric Opera Kansas City; Dick Hallorann, The Shining, Opera Parallele; John Henry, We Shall Not Be Moved (recording), Philly Music Lab
Martin Bakari
Tenor, Frederic
Last Virginia Opera Performance: Parpignol, La bohème, 2015
Recent Highlights: Prince Claus, Becoming Santa Claus, Chicago Opera Theater; Sportin' Life, Porgy and Bess, Alte Oper Frankfurt; Tenor Soloist, United Kingdom Recital Tour, Mirror Visions Ensemble
Upcoming: Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker's Yardbird, New Orleans Opera; Tenor Soloist, A Nation of Others, Oratorio Society of New York (Carnegie Hall); Dr. Caius, Falstaff, Houston Grand Opera
Amy Owens*
Soprano, Mabel
Virginia Opera Debut
Recent Highlights: Controller/Tina (cover), Flight, Dallas Opera; Yan, Becoming Santa Claus, Chicago Opera Theater; Johanna Sweeney Todd Michigan Opera Theater; Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Kicks the Sun, Santa Fe Opera; Soprano Soloist, Carmina Burana, National Symphony
Lucy Schaufer*
Mezzo Soprano, Ruth
Virginia Opera Debut
Recent Highlights: Cecilia March, Little Women, Opera Holland Park, London, UK Premiere (Artist Producer); Woman 4, The Blue Woman, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, World Premiere; Madeline Mitchell, Three Decembers, Opera della Luna at Wilton’s Music Hall, UK Premiere
Upcoming: Governess (cover Countess), The Queen of Spades, The Grange Festival, UK
Jeremy Harr*^
Bass, Sergeant of Police
Virginia Opera Debut
Recent Highlights: Don Alfonso, Così fan tutte, Finger Lakes Opera; Don Basilio, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Opera Saratoga; Zuniga, Carmen, Pittsburgh Opera
Upcoming: Potter’s Assistant/Bookseller/Technician/French Priest/Party Guest, Fellow Travelers, Virginia Opera; Dottore Grenvil, La traviata, Virginia Opera
Kyle White*^
Baritone, Samuel
Virginia Opera Debut
Recent Highlights: Nardo, La Finta Giardiniera, The Hungarian State Opera; Schaunard, La bohème, Kentucky Opera; Older Thompson, Glory Denied, Boston Conservatory Opera
Upcoming: Tommy McIntyre (Hawkins Fuller cover), Fellow Travelers; Giorgio Germont (cover and performance), La Traviata, Virginia Opera
Katherine Sanford*
Soprano, Edith
Virginia Opera Debut
Recent Highlights: Musetta, La bohème, Opera Modesto
Taylor-Alexis DuPont*^
Mezzo Soprano, Kate
Virginia Opera Debut
Recent Highlights: Archangel Gabriel, Holy Ground (World Premiere), Glimmerglass Festival; Reba, Taking up Serpents, Glimmerglass Festival; Louisa Fernanda, Louisa Fernanda, Florentine Opera
Upcoming: Mariah, You do not recognize the bodies in the water, Opera America; Flora, La Traviata, Virginia Opera
Kaileigh Riess*^
Soprano, Isabel
Virginia Opera Debut
Recent highlights: Caroline (cover), A Thousand Acres (world premiere), Des Moines Metro Opera; Anne Trulove, The Rake's Progress, Boston University; Contessa Almaviva, Le nozze di Figaro, University of Southern California
Upcoming: Lucy (Mary Johnson cover), Fellow Travelers, Virginia Opera; Annina (Violetta cover and performance), La Traviata, Virginia Opera
*Denotes VA Opera Debut
^Denotes Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist
ABOUT VIRGINIA OPERA
Virginia Opera, the official opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is one of the finest regional opera companies in the nation and is the only company to perform regularly in three separate main stage venues: the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. Organized in 1974, Virginia Opera is respected nationwide for the identification and presentation of the finest young artists, for the musical and dramatic integrity of its productions, and for the ingenuity and variety of its education and outreach programs.
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Virginia Opera
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