The Pirates of Penzance
Sept 13-15, 2024
Williamson County Performing Arts Center
Ahoy, mateys! Experience the charm of Gilbert & Sullivan's beloved operetta, The Pirates of Penzance, as Franklin Light Opera returns to the WCPAC stage this September. Follow the adventures of young Frederic, a pirate apprentice torn between duty and love, alongside a colorful cast of rollicking pirates, beautiful maidens, and bumbling police. Filled with recognizable tunes such as "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General," "Poor Wandering One," and "With Cat-Like Tread," the show promises laughter, romance and toe-tapping melodies sure to delight audiences of all ages. The production is directed by Christopher Cooper, with live musicians conducted by music director Makai Keur. The large cast features local talent and FLO's very first youth chorus will be making their debut with a preshow of sea shanties. Support Franklin's very own opera company and reserve your seats today!
Director’s Notes: Duty is a funny thing. I know I am not alone in having laughed at the word a time or two (sometimes at an older age than I’d like to admit). W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, the collaborators behind The Pirates of Penzance, thought so too when they penned the piece in the last quarter of the 19th century.
The Pirates of Penzance, also known as The Slave of Duty, was the only Gilbert & Sullivan operetta to premiere in the United States and has since been regularly performed as part of our theatrical cannon. This is all for great reason. Part of the piece’s charm, as I have come to discover, is its accessibility. While these characters encounter grand stakes riddled with obligation and responsibility, we get to encounter harrowing sword fights. We are the ones who get to listen to countless Verdi parodies, clever wordplay, and pirate slang. I have to believe that joy is intentional.
My hope is that over the next two hours, you allow yourself to unlock your inner-child. (If you are actually a child, congratulations. You did it.). And if you are not, I urge you to find your way back because it is still in there.
Thank you for joining us on this wild adventure. We hope you enjoy the show — ahoy!
— Christopher Cooper, director