Every well-rounded theatre-goer should see at least one Gilbert and Sullivan production in their lifetime and Santa Rosa’s 6th Street Playhouse is presenting a delightful opportunity to do so right now. Their robust production of The Pirates of Penzance runs through June 21.  

Perhaps W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s most-produced piece, the comic opera debuted in New York in 1879 and has remained a favorite of light opera companies and adventuresome community theatres. The demands of costume, set, music, and especially voice make it somewhat of a gamble to produce for a non-operatically-inclined company, but if done correctly can pay off with very satisfied audiences.   

6th Street hedged their bet by double casting the five principal roles. The “Bones” cast features Aidan Cumming, Caroline Flett, Drew Bolander, Ginger Beavers, and Ted C. Smith. The “Skull” cast has Andrew Cedeño, Nicole Stanley, Skyler King, Laura Downing-Lee, and Tim Setzer. While I attended a performance with the “Bones” cast, the caliber of talent in both groups would lead one to assume a similar high quality of performance.

Pirates is the tale of young Frederick (Cumming) who, upon his impending 21st birthday, will end his indentured apprenticeship with a pretty inept band of pirates led by the Pirate King (Bolander). Frederick looks forward to his return to respectable society and the extermination of his former “employers”.

Their undiscoverable pirate’s lair is soon discovered by a group of giddy girls who all turn out to be the daughters of Major-General Stanley (Smith). The eldest, Mabel (Flett), and Frederick quickly fall in love, but before wedding bells can ring a complication arises. It seems like Frederick’s apprenticeship may not be over after all.

Co-directors/choreographers Jonathen Blue and Emily Lynn Cornelius and music director Les Pfützenreuter all do yeoman’s work in bringing this colorful tale to life. The same goes for costume designer Donnie Frank, lighting designer April George, and co-scenic designers Aissa Simbulan and Peter Crompton. The show looks and sounds great.

The leads all deliver strong voices and clearly-defined comic characterizations with Beavers gloriously chewing the scenery as Frederick’s nursemaid Ruth. The show is also gifted with a very strong ensemble and excellent seven-piece orchestra. (Note to audiences: Please show some respect for the musicians and stop talking during the overture. It’s as much a part of the show as anything.)

What ought you to do? You ought to join a rollicking band of pirates and two young lovers for this very entertaining show. And bring the kids. It’s a great show to introduce them to the magic of theatre.

Yo-ho-ho!

‘The Pirates of Penzance’ runs through June 21 in the GK Hardt Theatre at 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W. Sixth Street, Santa Rosa. Thurs-Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $29–$56. 707.523.4185. 6thstreeetplayhouse.com

Photos by Erika Spears

This review originally appeared in an edited version in the North Bay Bohemian.