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The Pirates of Penzance
Book & lyrics by W. S. Gilbert
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Directed by William Osterek
Musical direction by Margaret James
Choreography by Suszanne Viverito
At Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace. IL
Call 630-530-8300, tickets $22 - $26
Wednesdays at 1:30 PM
Thursdays at 1:30 & 8 PM
Fridays at 8:30 PM
Saturdays at 5 & 8:30 PM
Sundays at 2:30 & 7 PM
Running time 2 hrs, 10 min with intermission
Through May 7, 2006
Cute Pirates soars at Drury Lane
The Gilbert & Sullivan 1979 operetta The Pirates of Penzance still resonates with audiences in the 21st Century. I’m a true Gilbert & Sullivan fan since my grandfather played their shows often for me during my youth. I have seen many wonderful productions of this classic. Drury Lane’s production started out flat but gradually got going to ultimately become a worthy production.
This popular whimsical spoof of duty, honor and the stiff British sense of breeding is cute, wacky, irreverent and thoroughly entertaining. The fabulous word play, bouncy score featuring rich harmonies, operatic tones and clever singing retorts is the G & S style that agelessly appeals to audiences. 
We meet a fumbling group of lovable, sentimental pirates, bumbling policeman, dim-witted young lovers, dewy-eyed daughters and an eccentric Major-General all morally bound to the rules of honor and duty.
Frederic (the golden voiced, charming Devin DeSantis) is leaving the pirates since his apprenticeship is over. The only woman he ever knew, Ruth (Anne Gunn) deceives him to believe that her 47 year old wrinkled face is the standard of beauty. Frederic meets a group of pretty sisters and discovers that youth and beauty are inseparable. He quickly falls for Mabel (Jamie Dawn Gangi demonstrating stellar vocal range and exuding exquisite beauty).
The Major-General (Jeffrey Kuhl) makes a splash with his entrance and in his terrific “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” quick-paced song rich in rhyme and satirical wit.
Frederic’s sense of duty makes him rejoin the pirates who have captured the sisters. The bumbling policemen, led by their Sergeant (sung and danced deftly by Rod Thomas) are summoned to arrest the pirates. When honor, duty and excellent English manners are practiced, each group succeeds with their etiquette. The hilarity and cute plot twists are sung and played richly in this light-hearted frolic that aims and delivers the toe-tapping rhymes and rhythms of Sullivan’s memorable score.
Stephen Colella’s Pirate king, Larry Adams’ Samuel led the harmless pirates with Anne Gunn’s fine work as Ruth together with Rod Thomas’ terrific Sergeant, all added yeoman performances to the show. Devin DeSantis’ Frederic carried the show as the charming young lover. Jeff Kuhl landed the fast-paced Major-General song marvelously and Jamie Dawn Gangi exercised her wide vocal range as Mabel. Suzanne Viverito’s choreography with the policeman’s numbers offered cute moments.
The Prates of Penzance is a nice show that effectively lands the magic of G &S. Drury Lane’s production gets the laughs, lands the songs and pleases. It is a family friendly treat.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed March 16, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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