By Rachel Summerhalder
I have a confession to make. I’ve never been one of those girls that enjoys comedy when it comes to my theater viewing pleasure. I love musicals, and Jane Austen, and shows that make you think about life and possibly shed some tears throughout the journey. I just never really understood the draw to comedy, specifically spoofs, so these aren’t the types of shows that I generally choose to see when I get the chance. The Off Broadway Theater in Salt Lake has absolutely, unequivocally changed my mind.
The Off Broadway Theater prides itself in bringing the community original, family-friendly theater, and Peter Pun and the Pirates is no exception. Written and directed by Eric Jensen, theater co-founder, Peter Pun and the Pirates follows Cindy, played by DeNali McKinney, Joann, played by Hadley Nelson, and Michelle, played by Mary Hallman, on their sometimes ridiculous and pun-filled journey through Ever-Clever-Land with Peter Pun, played by Eli Unruh, and his sidekick, Jinglebell, played by Brent Peterson.
The show starts in the girls’ bedroom, as Cindy is trying to put the younger to bed. Peter and Jingle arrive and whisk all three of them off to Ever-Clever-Land. The journey there is one of my favorite parts of the show, but I don’t want to ruin it for you. Once in Ever-Clever-Land, we meet the villain of the show, Captain Crook, played by Rusty Bringhurst, and his band of rather incompetent pirates, Stabsey, played by Rocky Revels, Stevie, played by Chase Dickerson, and Atchmee, played by Eric Jensen. Crook is bent on capturing Peter and feeding him to Crocky, the Australian crocodile played by Rob MacArthur, the same croc that Peter fed Crook’s hand too. The plot leads us to the Indian encampment, where we meet Chief Sitting Bull, played by Ryan Parker, his wife Tatonka, played by Tanya Felkner, their daughter Sego Lily, played by Sandy Jensen, as well as the Lost Kids, played by Abigail Karr, Sierra Bieling, Madeline Ruff, and Makayla Ruff.
The play continues in a rather predictable manner as our hero works to foil Crook’s plan and save the day.
It was obvious to me that this cast had good chemistry and worked well together. I loved Jinglebell and Atchmee, and both had me laughing so hard I was crying. One of my favorite thing about shows at The Off Broadway Theater is the audience participation. There were many times where the cast broke the fourth wall, and it led to many of my favorite moments of the show. Obviously, when you have audience participation you have to be willing to think on your feet because you never know what you’re going to get from them, and this cast handled it admirably. There were some times where the cast broke character because they were laughing, but I think it’s to be expected a little in a show like this, and it made the show funnier is several places. Some of the roles are double cast, but if the other actors are half as funny as the cast I saw, you will still have a great time.
The costuming was done by Eric Jensen, Janice Jensen, Rob Reins, and Clint Lehmberg. Most of the costumes were fairly nondescript, but worked well for the show. The pirates looked like pirates, the Indians like Indians, the croc looked like a croc. The only costume that really stood out to me was Jinglebell’s, but who wouldn’t remember a large, hairy man in a tutu, tank top, and combat boots? The Off-Broadway Theater has a rather small stage, but the scenery, done by Eric Jensen, Robert Reins, and Clint Lehmberg, filled the space effectively and left no question as to where the scenes were taking place. There were some issues with microphones and sound a few times, but the theater is well aware of the issues and is currently raising funds for a new sound system to fix the problems.
Peter Pun and the Pirates is an amazingly funny show, and appropriate for the whole family. If you’re looking for an entertaining evening, I highly recommend this show. I know that I will be seeing every show that this gem of a theater puts on in the future. After all, even a drama lover like myself needs to laugh every now and then, and this is the place to do it.
The Off Broadway Theater presents Peter Pun and the Pirates by Eric Jensen.
Off Broadway Theater, 272 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
April 5-May 11, 2013, Friday, Saturday and Monday at 7:30 PM
Tickets: $16 Adults, $12 Students, Seniors, and Military Members, $10 Children, All Monday and matinee shows are $10
Call: 801-355-4628
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