by Mark G. Auerbach
Kyle Dean Massey and Will Swenson in The Pirates of Penzance at Pittsfield’s Barrington Stage. Photo by Kevin Sprague
A couple of years ago, Barrington Stage sent its production of On The Town to Broadway, receiving rave reviews and some Tony Award nominations for the Pittsfield theatre. This season, Barrington Stage reassembled the team to present the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance. This 1879 New York hit, revised by Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival almost one hundred years later, is one of the unexpected summer delights, and a must-see in Pittsfield through August 13.
The Pirates of Penzance, which unlike other Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, made its debut in New York before moving to London, has been performed frequently on both sides of the Atlantic ever since. However, when Papp revised the musical, adding some musical snippets from other Gilbert and Sullivan hits, Ruddigore and HMS Pinafore, and casting rocker Linda Ronstadt in her Broadway debut, alongside teen idol Rex Smith, and movie star Kevin Kline, The Pirates of Penzance returned to Broadway with SRO status.
Director John Rando has cast The Pirates of Penzance with some of Broadway’s and London’s brightest talents; and cleverly set them in action onstage and throughout the theatre. Darren R. Cohen’s musical direction brings out the best of Sullivan’s score, which sounds surprisingly “current”. A fine example is David Garrison’s “I Am The Very Model of a Modern General” is a patter song with hints of
David Garrison and the Daughters in The Pirates of Penzance at Pittsfield’s Barrington Stage. Photo by Kevin Sprague
Sondheim, for example, mixed in with a cadence of Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. Joshua Bergasse’s choreography keeps the ensemble moving non-stop, and his dance numbers or the police are showstoppers. The Pirates of Penzance feels fresh and new, with simply dazzling staging, on a par with just about anything on Broadway today.
Broadway’s Tony nominee Will Swenson, with his matinee idol good looks and cartoonish swagger, is a highly comedic Pirate King. Kyle Dean Massey, direct from Broadway’s Pippin and the national tour that played Hartford last year, is an appealing Frederick with a rich voice. David Garrison is a polished Major General. Jane Carr gives a satisfying performance as Ruth, the woman who raised Frederick. I loved Scarlett Strallen’s performance as Mabel, with a powerful coloratura soprano and a winsome demeanor. Alex Gibson’s physical dexterity as the police Sargeant played to good effect in Bergasse’s choreography for the cops. The ensemble was terrific. So was the band.
Beowulf Borritt’s sets for the pirate ship and the Major General’s estate are clever, and the stage extends out into the audience to bring
The Major General’s Daughters in The Pirates of Penzance at Pittsfield’s Barrington Stage. Photo by Kevin Sprague
audience closer to the action. Jess Goldstein’s costumes and Leah Loukas’ wig and hair designs are fantastic. Jason Lyons’ lighting design enhanced the sets, and Ed Chapman’s sound design brought the intricate Gilbert lyrics and Sullivan music clearly to the ear.
Three sailors on leave in New York in On The Town brought Barrington Stage significant recognition on the Broadway scene. The Pirates of Penzance, under the helm of the same creative elements could bring Barrington Stage back to New York with even more accolades.
Barrington Stage Company presents The Pirates of Penzance. Music by Arthur Sullivan. Libretto by W.S. Gilbert. Directed by John Rando. Music direction by Darren R. Cohen. Choreography by Joshua Bergasse. Scenic design by Beowulf Boritt. Costume design by Jess Goldstein. Lighting design by Jason Lyons. Wig design by Leah Loukas. Sound design by Ed Chapman. Fight choreography by Ryan Winkles. Cast: Will Swenson as The Pirate King, Kyle Dean Massey as Frederick, David Garrison as The Major General, Jane Carr as Ruth, Phillip Boykin as Samuel, and Scarlett Strallen as Mabel.Through August 13… Barrington Stage Company’s Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, Pittsfield, MA. 413-236-8888 or www.barringtonstageco..org
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Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
