What a marvelous production of The Pirates of Penzanceby Albert Bergeret's New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players at Symphony Space! The overture alone, by the precise, zippy orchestra, nimbly conducted by Bergeret, was worth the price of admission. The splendid cast of fine singers includes James Mills as the Major General, Daniel Greenwood as Frederic, and Sarah Caldwell Smith as Mabel. For all elements, including imaginative costumes by Gail J. Wofford and an agile set by Lou Anne Gilleland for the agile cast of singer/dancers, Bergeret and his co-director, David Auxier, and choreographer Bill Fabris have found the visual humor in the work as well as the lyrical in the rhymed verses (which are the best integration of words and music ever written). The physical expressions through gesture give a dimension to the work I've not seen before.
Pirates is a totally delightful show, and it could do well on Broadway. If only I had four million dollars.
Previews:
December 27, 2013
Ended:
December 31, 2013
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players
Theater Type:
off-Broadway
Theater:
Symphony Space
Theater Address:
2531 Broadway
Phone:
212-769-1000
Website:
nygasp.org
Genre:
operetta
Director:
Albert Bergeret & David Auxier
Choreographer:
Bill Fabris
Review:
Cast:
James Mills (Major General), Daniel Greenwood (Frederic), Sarah Caldwell Smith (Mabel).
Technical:
Costumes: Gail J. Wofford. Set: Lou Anne Gilleland.
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
December 2013
