Arts & Entertainment

Countdown to “The Pirates of Penzance”

Heather Sivo, Staff Reporter|November 20, 2019

Members of the pit orchestra warm up and get ready for the first “Tech Week” rehearsal. Tech Week is one week, (or three days), when the musical is perfected by the cast, crew and pit orchestra. “I’m excited for it to all really come together ‘cause that’s always the best part. Knowing that you made a quality show happen.” Senior actress Bailey Marlowe said.

The fall musical, “The Pirates of Penzance,” is quickly approaching, meaning stress is high for the entire production team. Actors, crew members, and pit orchestra players are all starting to get into crunch mode. Most of them are excited, yet nervous as to how the show will turn out. “The Pirates of Penzance” is a comic operetta written by Gilbert & Sullivan. Here’s what a few of them have to say about the show so far.

Bailey Marlowe:

“My name’s Bailey Marlowe, I am a senior, and I am in the ensemble for Pirates of Penzance. I have done all of the other musicals here, and I’ve done a couple of the plays.”

“I think that it’s finally coming together. We were kind of a mess for a little bit, but things are finally starting to make a semblance of sense, which is always good to feel like things are coming together. I think just the time commitment in the next two weeks ‘cause with academics, drama’s kind of a grind in those few weeks, but it’s worth it ‘cause the shows are very rewarding.”

“I’m excited for it to all really come together ‘cause that’s always the best part. Knowing that you made a quality show happen. And also the cast parties, those are always a blast.”

Rebecca Gallant:

“My name is Rebecca Gallant. This isn’t my first show. I’ve done all the musicals since freshman year. I play Ruth, the nursery maid.”

“I think the show’s gonna be really good, we have a lot of work left to do still: fine tuning numbers and scenes, but I think we’ll pull it together. I think we’ll be good. I think I’m pretty good, I think I’m pretty set with my lines and all my music and choreo.”

“Yeah, I’m very excited! Come see the show! November 21st at 4, November 22nd and 23rd at 7, November 24th at 3 at the Middle School Auditorium.”

Ryan Canfield:

“My name’s Ryan Canfield, I’m a senior, and I’m in the pit orchestra for the play. This is actually my second show, in sophomore year I played pit orchestra for Seussical.”

“Honest thoughts? I’m a little nervous because in the second act, there’s some xylophone parts that I have to practice ‘cause it switches between two notes and three notes, so I have to get those down. I’m worried about messing up, getting off-beat, not helping the actors with the music.”

“I’m most excited about seeing everyone’s hard work. ‘Cause every week the cast, they put in several hours of rehearsal and then twice a week the pit orchestra practices for a couple hours. So, I’m excited to see all that pay off.”

Maddie Loos:

“My name is Madison Loos. I’m in 10th grade. I was in crew last year. This is my first time acting in a high school show. I’m a daughter.”

“I am very excited to see how it will all come together, but I am a little nervous. I think we can do it but, it’s a big show to take on. I’m nervous but excited.”

“I’m a singer by nature not a dancer, so I’m a little worried that I might do an “oops” or fall on stage ‘cause that’s happened before. I’m tired, but I’m excited.”

The Drama Ensemble presents their production of “The Pirates of Penzance” in the middle school auditorium, November 21-24.