Cornell and Lyric putting on “Pirates of Penzance”

The Cornell College Lyric Theatre will present a production of the perennial favorite The Pirates of Penzance. The Gilbert and Sullivan musical comedy is directed and choreographed by guest artist Steven Smeltzer with musical direction by Cornell professor Jonathon Thull. The production will run Feb. 3, 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for non-Cornell students. Faculty, staff, and students of Cornell are admitted without charge.

The Pirates of Penzance has enjoyed a long and successful history; since its premiere in 1879 it has been widely produced throughout the world and is among the best remembered of the comic operas of its creators. Pirates is a colorful and romantic story with a number of well known characters, including the upright Modern Major-General and the Pirate King. The story deals with Frederic, an honorable young man nearing the end of his apprenticeship to a band of famous pirates. Naturally complications ensue when Frederic falls in love with the beautiful daughter of the Major-General, and finds himself torn between his desire to marry Mabel and live an honest life and his obligation to the pirates who raised him.

Cornell College’s Lyric Theatre is a semi-annual collaboration between the Theatre Arts department and the Music department at the college.

The fanciful Victorian setting is beautifully realized by costume designers Jenny Nutting Kelchen and Cornell senior Risa Alecci. In addition the college is working with professional guest artists Christopher Domanski and John Dunkle, Scenic and Lighting Designers, respectively.

In addition The Pirates of Penzance features a talented cast of Cornell students. Frederic and Mabel, the young lovers are played by Senior Alex LeFebrve and Freshman Taylor Sedlacek. Other student actors include Josh Atcher as the Pirate King and Jonathan Nadolny as the Major-General Stanley as well as Katie Cutler as Ruth, Frederic’s nursemaid turned pirate maid-of-all-work. Pirates of Penzance is a classic adventure story of pirates, beautiful girls, romance and comedy. Tickets can be purchased at the box office by calling in advance at (319) 895-4293, or at the door.