By Jennifer Andelin
Ahoy there mateys! SCERA’s Theatre for Young Audiences presents the one-hour musical How I Became a Pirate. The book, music, and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman create a fun, slapstick world where anyone can quickly learn the lingo of being a pirate. The musical is based on the Irma Black Award winning children’s book How I Became a Pirate written by Melinda Long and illustrated by Caldecott Honor-winning David Shannon.
My twin sons and I attended this production for a first grade field trip. The theater was packed with six-year-olds, all eager to see a book that they had read come to life onstage. For many of the children, this was their first experience with live theatre. Before the show started, the children could not help but talk loudly among themselves. However, as soon as the lights dimmed and the curtains opened to Jeremy Jacob (Tyson Kemp/Traedan Harper) center stage, all talking ceased and little imaginations were captive for the next hour. The only sound from the children was laughter, mostly given during quips of poop decks and pirate booty. Adults enjoyed more nuanced, amusing word plays. The entire audience loved the exaggerated movements and melodramatic faces during and in-between songs.
Kemp sings his part well as a pirate-loving boy who’s recruited by hilarious buccaneers to bury their treasure. The crew sees pirate potential in Jeremy, who readily accepts their invitation to be a pirate as long as he is home by soccer practice. Through song, dance, and some soccer playing, the crew teaches Jeremy not only how to be a pirate, but also how to be homesick for what matters most.
The crew is made up of seven pirates that each exude a different comical personality. The captain of the crew is Braid Beard played by Eric Smith. Smith gives a powerful performance by never breaking character while singing or spewing pirate jargon at rapid speed. His character’s strength of presence helps to pull the group of pirates when pirate lingo can be hard to maintain. One of my sons remarked that his “favorite pirate was the one with the patch” (Sharktooth the Pirate played by TJ Thomas). My son liked Thomas best because of his song, “I’m Just a Sensitive Guy.” Thomas does a great job of being a sympathetic pirate who has hidden talents. Other children remarked that Max the Pirate (Cookie Fox) was their favorite because of her sidekick: a pirate patch-wearing parrot. Fox enthusiastically plays her part, which makes you want to dance and don a parrot yourself. Swill the Pirate (Brittney Wallace) is the unexpected intellectual who often is lost while Pirate Pierre (Paige Erickson) adds French flair to pirate cuisine. Both Wallace and Erickson engage the audience with their quirky, humorous interactions with the crew and Jeremy Jacob. Pirate Seymour Braunschwagger (Jessie Stephenson) and Pirate Scurvy Dog (Rachael Gibson) round out the pirate ensemble with some jigs and barking. The entire motley crew sang their ridiculously fun songs with gusto and precision. Kemp is a fine singer, and makes a fine pirate-in-training.
It’s clear that Shawn Mortensen (Director/Choreographer) along with Dana Cardon (Music Director) and Chase Elison (Lighting Designer/Audio Engineer) create a musical that is not only engaging for children, but that is aesthetically pleasing and well-crafted for a serious production. This is enhanced by the pirate costumes, which are colorful and vibrant thanks to costume designer Kelsey Seaver. The showpiece of the set is the pirate ship, which captures children’s imagination as it transforms from three separate parts into a deck large enough to play soccer on thanks to scenic designer Chad Mortensen.
The SCERA always brings fun and excitement to Utah County with their Theater for Young Audiences. But their current offering, How I Became a Pirate, is swashbuckling fun for whole family. It plays until November 2nd. Don’t miss it.
SCERA’s Theatre for Young Audiences presents How I Became a Pirate. Book, Music, and Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman
SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 South State Street, Orem, UT 84058
Oct 15-Nov 2, Mondays, Fridays 7:00 PM
Tickets: $4-$6
Contact: 801-225-2787
SCERA Center for the Arts Facebook Page
How I Became a Pirate Facebook Event Page
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