Pirates Invade UD’s Heritage Center March 26th
Join a band of swashbuckling buccaneers, bumbling British "bobbies", frolicsome Victorian maidens, and the delightfully dotty “model of a modern Major-General” for a rollicking romp over the rocky coast of Cornwall with The Pirates of Penzance.
This performance at the University of Dubuque Heritage Center, March 26th at 3pm, features a band of tenderhearted pirates celebrating the coming of age of Frederic; who was mistakenly apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday, but a ludicrous leap year snap threatens to keep him apprenticed to the pirates for the rest of his life. That is despite his moral objection to piracy.
This show will be performed in its original format; featuring a cast of 30 and a 17-piece orchestra. The Pirates of Penzance is directed and conducted by Albert Bergeret with choreography by Bill Fabris. You'll enjoy the rich sounds of a full orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists as they resonate with classical elegance and power, all while the acting company’s vibrancy, energy, and contemporary sense of humor keep the show alive and exciting for a modern audience.
The Pirates of Penzance, also known as Slave of Duty, was first performed at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on December 31st of 1879. It was the only Gilbert & Sullivan operetta to have its world premiere in the US, and it has remained popular both here and throughout the English-speaking world since its debut.
Enjoy the classic "patter" songs; a Gilbert & Sullivan trademark. The Pirates of Penzance features the most famous tune of them all, “I am the very model of a modern Major-General.” This jaunty tune has been set to different words countless times and used in commercials to sell everything from Campbells soup to Handi Wipes, cars, newspapers, and many other items.
At almost 50 years of performances, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players is America’s preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble. This performance will shine under the leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, who is hailed as “the leading custodian of the G&S classics” by New York Magazine. Since its founding in 1974, the company has presented over 2,500 performances of the G&S masterpieces throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for audiences of all ages.
Grab your tickets for The Pirates of Penzance at the Farber Box Office in the Heritage Center from 11am to 2pm Monday through Friday, or 90 minutes prior to events. You can also call 563.585.SHOW or visit www.dbq.edu/heritagecenter.