'Pirates' seize the stage at CSUS

Actors in "The Pirates of Penzance," one of Gilbert and Sullivan's more popular operas, prepare to walk the plank at California State University, Sacramento as part of the 10th annual Festival of the Arts.

"The Pirates of Penzance," directed by CSUS professor Paul Waldo, runs April 11 - 21 in the University Theatre. Curtain times are 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m., on Sundays.

Subtitled "The Slave of Duty," the opera follows the saga of Frederic, who has been reluctantly serving as a pirate. In the first act, the Pirate King congratulates his apprentice, Frederic, on his successful grasp of the profession of piracy. Frederic replies that he has done his best for the pirate band simply because it was his duty and that, when he was apprenticed to the pirates, it was entirely through an error that he refuses to divulge.

However, moments later, a nursery maid reveals that she had mistakenly apprenticed Frederic to be a pirate instead of a pilot. After the maid finishes this disclosure, Frederic tells the pirates of the dilemma he faces - that as soon as his apprenticeship is up he must devote himself to the extermination of pirates. Thus the comedic romantic adventure begins.

As Frederic is about the leave the pirate band, they happen upon a group of girls, all wards of a Major General and Frederic falls in love with one of the ladies. When the pirates seize the girls and threaten them with immediate marriage the Major General, also a captive employs a ruse to free them all.

The actors in the CSUS production romp through this fascinating and fun adventure set to the music written by Gilbert and Sullivan. Ticket prices are $15 general and $10 for students, alumni and seniors. Tickets are available at the CSUS Ticket Office at 278-4323.

#####

For further information, send an e-mail to infodesk@csus.edu or contact
public affairs at (916) 278-6156. For ticketed events, call the CSUS Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323.

Index of Stories

Return to CSUS Home Page