PIRATES OF PENZANCE the play

It has been a very loooong week. For more than the last month, Elijah has been going to rehearsal several times a week. It has worked out well for me because Joe has been able to pick him up most days after work. That all changed last week when they had rehearsal every day until late in the evening. I spent a lot of time waiting....

It was ALL worth it! Thursday they had their first performance and it was AWESOME. I have not been to too many plays to compare it with, but I was totally entertained. They were flawless, which I know is saying a lot, but they were on fire! Which led to some really pumped up kids that didn't get to bed until midnight with school the next morning.

Meme and Pop joined me for the Friday performance along with Leah and her daughter Camellia. They were going to the "real" High School Musical the next night but were really surprised at the talent we had right here in our town. They had a few sound issues but the acting was superb! Everyone enjoyed the night with lots more excitement.

Saturday found us out bright and early for Levi's soccer game. The weather was cold and windy but the game was good with Levi making some good plays. I am definitely ready for some warmer weather to stay! By the afternoon Naomi had her second game ever and was really playing. The other team had only 4 teammates show up so they decided to let our team help them out at the goaly position. It was fun to watch. Kenny and his kids showed up about the time her game was over and it was wild thereafter. The kids have so much fun together, I wish we lived closer. There was concern over whether they would be able to sit through a two hour play so Chris decided to stay home with Meme and Pop. Our very supportive friends PJ and Gregg came with Georgia. Mamaw and Papaw, Elijah's dad, and several of Elijah's friends from church came to see the show also. There was excitement in the air, the kids were on the edge of their seats and they were totally enjoying the show. Elijah stepped up his part in the play and made it to the front of the group whenever possible. I was so proud. To see the look on my friends faces and hear the complements that were said, gave me great joy. I wanted everyone to be as entertained as I was. I know that my family cares about us and will support us, but to see real talent is exciting.

So, for those of you who, like me don't know about the play, here is a brief summary.

A comedic operetta that premiered in 1879. This show, like most operetta's mock the conventions of opera with its sarcastic and silly lyrics. This show is one of the most popular of Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas. Albert Sullivan wrote the music and William Gilbert wrote the lyrics. They are the most famous comic opera team in history. In light of the historical significance of their work, this show is also known as The Slave of Duty and has had thousands of productions preformed across the world. This version is based on Joseph Papp's Broadway production which opened in 1981 and featured performances by Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt.

The play is about Frederic, the 21 year old pirate, who has never seen the world, wanting to free himself of his duty to the pirate king.



Opening scene, where they are celebrating Frederic's 21st birthday. Elijah is center stage in white shirt and blue pants.
The pirate king, right before he falls off the crates.
The pirates wanting to take the daughters as brides. Elijah is on the right.
Singing one of the many fine songs.
Toward the end when turmoil has set in.