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“Much of the magic of this show comes from its tunefulness,” said director Gary Briggle, returning to Dayton Opera for an unprecedented 15th time. “Sir Arthur’s score is sweet, energetic and relentlessly engaging. The songs fall sweetly on the ear as well. The variety of parodies, from Verdi melodrama to English music hall novelty songs, provides a huge, varied musical spectrum. Gilbert’s story is relentlessly hopeful and filled with joy, love and the fulfillment of young romance. I also think people just love pirates in any description. Pirates are kind of a wild card in the theatrical deck. You never know how they’re going to be portrayed. In this show, they turn out to be tenderhearted and seekers of romantic comedy, which makes them beloved of audiences.”
Getting to know the Major-General
Equally beloved is the iconic patter song “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General,” which is well known to Briggle who has played the eccentric role countless times and will do so again at the Schuster next weekend. A hilarious, impressive, intellectual, and boastful laundry list of accomplishments and traits, from proficiency in history and calculus to all things vegetable, animal and mineral, the number requires speed, skill and concentration to the utmost. At the same rate, the Major-General also arises as a timely, cautionary figure.
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“This song is about Gilbert sharpening his satirical pen in order to describe someone who has obtained high rank in the military and political world without many credentials to back it up,” Briggle said. “The Major-General seems to be a powerful figure, but it turns out that he’s not really everything he says he is. The redeeming part of him is that he’s kind and has a conscience. As for the patter song, I always say if the Major-General were a peacock this is when he shows all of his feathers in order to take away the pirates’ motives to marry his daughters. Technically, the song is a matter of relaxation, energizing diction and trusting in my preparation. In the moment, I can’t think about what I’m saying. I just have to jump in, set my mouth on speed dial and go. I must admit it’s nerve-wracking!”
Strong cast of fine singers
In addition to Briggle, who notably directed the Dayton Opera’s outstanding 2015 local premiere of “Dead Man Walking,” the principal cast includes former Dayton Opera Artist-in-Residence soprano Olivia Yorkers as Mabel, current Artist-in-Residence tenor Jacob Ryan Wright as Frederic, baritone Tyler Alessi as the Pirate King, and former Artist-in-Residence Noragh Devlin as Ruth, the pirate maid in love with Frederic who feels betrayed as he falls for Mabel.
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“(Dayton Opera Artistic Director) Tom Bankston has assembled a young and extraordinarily talented cast,” said Patrick Reynolds, who will conduct the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. “From the very first rehearsal the cast bonded and everything has just clicked. Our ‘Pirates’ is a great combination of light opera and high comedy. Audiences love the tunes and the exciting choruses, and the humor of the story simply never ages.”
Also, the men and women of the Dayton Opera Chorus will take the stage under the direction of Chorus Master Jeffrey Powell.
A great introduction to opera
The enduring popularity of “The Pirates of Penzance” has continued for generations thanks to many high school and collegiate productions as well as the 1983 cult film version starring Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt. It remains a great introduction to opera thanks to its endearing characters and accessible score.
“You don’t have to be super educated in the operatic tradition to appreciate the music,” said Wright, who portrayed Frederic for Piedmont Opera last year and recently participated in the Artist-in-Residence’s in-school production in collaboration with the Muse Machine. “This is such a witty, clever show appealing to everyone no matter how old you are. The in-school production in particular was a wonderful way to expose kids to opera when they certainly wouldn’t have been while also kind of cultivating an audience for the main stage production.”
“This is a great show for families to enjoy together,” Briggle added. “It’s also more operatic than any of the other pieces Gilbert and Sullivan wrote. There’s more music packed into these two hours than in any of their greatest hits. This show is very affirming, joyful, hilarious, and hopeful. Complete with a full chorus, full orchestra, and sung in English it’s an open invitation to come to the theatre and have a ball.”
IF YOU GO
What: "The Pirates of Penzance"
Where: Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton
When: 8 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday Cost: $25-$100
Tickets: Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com
More: One hour prior to both performances, University of Dayton music professor Dr. Sam Dorf will conduct a pre-performance talk about "The Pirates of Penzance" in the Mead Theatre.
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