By Emily Lawrence
Timpanogos Valley Theatre (TVT) presents a swashbuckling operetta, The Pirates of Penzance,for the first time in Heber City. Written in 1879 by the duo W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan and now directed by modern day duo David Liddell Thorpe and Daniel Clegg, this production has long been a twinkle in the eye of its crew. Both D. L. Thorpe and D. Clegg performed as The Pirate King in high school and are now co-starring and co-directing this community theater experience, with their own twist. The name of the game for TVT’s Pirates of Penzance is FUN! And you’ll have plenty of it, or you’ll walk the plank.
Choreographer Christie Moulton completely understood the vision, delivering with quirky, pop-culture moves scattered throughout fluid, classical numbers. Every song has a fresh, shiver-me-timbers surprise that catches the audience off guard and culminates in hilarity. Michael Clegg, who plays Frederic, indentured to pirates during his childhood and newly freed from the trade he professes to abhor, embraces C. Moulton’s choreography with vigor and flair. His light foot and clear voice make M. Clegg a pleasure to watch.
The pirate crew from whom Frederic has recently parted is captained by none other than the Pirate King. I joined the audience on a Saturday, so was privy to D. Clegg’s portrayal of said character and was quite satisfied with his regal, beguiling, yet charmingly gentle performance. If you attend on a Thursday you’ll experience D. Clegg as well, but if you attend on a Monday or a Friday you’ll have the pleasure of watching D.L.Thorpetake the helm.
Man the ship. Run the rig. Savvy?
Pirates of Penzance is all hands on deck, so let’s not forget the lively ensemble of scruffy pirates: Ben Burrow, James Curtis, Robyn Laine, Luke Olson, Isaac Reynolds, Daniel Thorpe, Hayley Loertscher, Logan Whittier, and Breah Wright. Their sea-weathered body language and ill-mannered facial farces never miss a beat. Ethan Scott plays Samuel, the Pirate king’s second-in-command, and comically belts out his naive solos with gusto.
Another highlight of the operatic musical is Joni Olson, who plays Ruth, Frederic’s nursery maid turned would-be wife. J. Olson smoothly carries the plot along with her piratical alliances and scheming, notable costumes, and beautiful voice.
Jessica Wall’s portrayal of the police Sergeant, assisted by Frederic and charged with arresting the pirates, is the epitome of comedic acting, dancing, and costuming. The moment she bumbles onto the stage, you’ll see why. Until then, me hearties, rest assured you’re in for a pint-sized treat. Deeply and sonorously complementing their Sergeant’s high pitch are policemen John Curtis, Ezra Fry, Bruno Garcia, Isaac Munford, Tim Munsell, and Aaron Olson. They are effectively ineffective, by design, and uniformly hilarious.
Even if you are unfamiliar with the Pirates premise, you’ll probably recognize “The Modern-Major-General,” a song near the end of Act I, satirizing the ideal British military officer. It’s fast, it’s funny, it sounds impossible to sing. Nolan Mitchell is the very model of a modern miracle though, because he performs it with zest and accuracy. He has comedic timing down pat, in both movement and vocals.
The show’s bounty, according to young and curious Frederic, his fellow hungry pirates, and the adoring Major General, are the General’s own daughters. Mabel in particular catches Frederic’s fancy, and it’s no blimey wonder. Played by Tiffany Mortensen, Mabel out sings the rest with an impressive/comically high soprano. T. Mortensen is a prestigiously awarded performer, happily making her debut at TVT in this very production.
The ensemble of daughters (Tyne Charchenko, Annalia Hibbard, Elayna Knowles, Rebekah Lee, Hayley Loertscher, Leina Magalei, Zoe Memmott, Jordanelle Mugridge, Valerie Olsen, Bethany Ward, Breah Wright, as well as Edith played by Ava Magalei, Kate played by Taralyn Rudd, and Isabel played by Mallory Gray) present like a sea of feminine gentility, curls, and crinoline. Their faces are entertaining to watch as each pirate eventually pairs with a daughter. You can see the story unfolding, no matter which actor you are looking at any given moment.
Costumes by Kristen Hughes and Ava Magalei are an absolute treasure. The pirates are appropriately haphazard and mismatched yet still pleasingly color coordinated, while the daughters are faultlessly clad in lace and grace. They are not overdone; they are done right.
Throughout the archetypical occurrences of betrayal, sorrow, guilt, heartbreak, and lily-livered cowardice, an undercurrent of jolly cheer steers the script. Even the crying is comical. TVT delivers on its promise, guaranteeing FUN, via a motley crew of TVT veterans and newcomers. Hoist your Jolly Roger and sail on over to Heber City. Performances continue until May 7.
Timpanogos Valley Theatre presents The Pirates of Penzance, Music by Arthur Sullivan, Libretto by W.S. Gilbert.
Timpanogos Valley Theatre, 90 N 100 W, Heber City, UT 84032
April 28-30*, May 2, 5- 7, 2022, 7:00 PM
*Special dinner theater fundraiser on April 30th. Learn more here.
Timpanogos Valley Theatre Official Website
Timpanogos Valley Theatre Facebook Page
By the way, Logan Whittier is actually one of the pirates, it was just a mistake that he was put under daughters.
Fixed! Thanks for the info!