Above: The cast of SAU’s Pirates of Penzance takes a final bow at Galvin Fine Arts. Photo courtesy of Bradley Thiessen-Cooper.
St. Ambrose University (SAU) theatre is hosting the classic comedic opera, “The Pirates of Penzance” by Gilbert and Sullivan.
The Buzz caught up with SAU Professor and Theater Chair Daniel Hale prior to the show. Daniel says “The Pirates of Penzance” is a shortened 95-minute version of the 1879 original, but the audience will recognize the production.
Above: SAU faculty member, Dr. Matthew Coomber, plays the role of pirate police. Photo courtesy of Bradley Theissen-Cooper.
“Their favorite songs are done in a fresh theatre-in-the-round experience.” Dan says this production features a 360-degree immersive experience with performers entering from every corner and entertainment occurring throughout the theatre.
Not only will the audience enjoy an immersive operatic experience, but guests are invited to participate. “We will call on the audience to help with sound effects, wave flags, or raise a glass. We will also choose four guests to join us on stage for select portions of the show.”
Production started last November and rehearsals and blocking the show began in February. Dan says, “One important person in the musical rehearsals has been Musical Director, Dr. Nathan Windt.
“He has done a wonderful job teaching those of us with less training. Opera music is challenging but we have several talented music students involved.”
Daniel says that this is the first time students and other department faculty are working on a project together since the Romeo and Juliet shadow puppet production during the COVID pandemic.
“I Wanted To Be a Pirate.”
Above: SAU Associate Professor Chris Schwartz (left), transforms into “The Pirate King.” Photo courtesy of Bradley Theissen-Cooper.
While this may be Chris’s SAU acting debut, he is no stranger to the stage having over 20 productions of experience. Chris has been a SAU professor since 2018. The Buzz asked why he decided to audition:
“I wanted to be a pirate, bouncing around the stage, acting a fool, it’s a really fun production, it’s completely ridicules, I just love that.”
When asked what guests can expect from the play he adds, “Expect a fully immersive experience… no matter where you are sitting, you’re going to feel like you’re sitting right in the production.”
Chris shares that it is important to support the arts. He encourages others to go to the show saying, “It’s not often that you get the chance to see live productions. You take something from a play that you don’t get with movies.”
Another member of the cast is SAU junior Catie Johnson. Catie plays the leading role of Ruth, a 47-year-old caregiver to the main character. Catie is also making her SAU debut though she shares that she has been training as an opera singer since her sophomore year of high school. She has even landed supporting roles with the Quad Cities Opera.
When asked what Catie hopes of doing with her future career, Catie says, “I hope to get my masters in vocal performance… I dream of living in Chicago and performing full-time.
“I’m excited to see everyone’s reactions because this is something very different than anything that SAU has done before.” Catie says she is also excited for fellow SAU students to see the professors step out of the classroom and showing off their own skills a little.
Catie says she is a little nervous because she performs many improvised parts. “I just need to be on my feet.”
How Was It?
The Buzz attended opening night on April 25th, and the play was wonderful. It was silly, it was funny, it was over the top, it was, in fact, immersive like promised.
But don’t just take our word for it, attendee Connie King says, “It was wonderful. I highly recommend it’s a great way to spend an evening.”
This sentiment was shared by multiple attendance members. Marabel Lassey, attendee and Mother of SAU student Catie Johnson, “I go to a lot of shows because all three of my kids are in drama, this was one of the top ones.” She also added that Ruth and Major General Stanley were two of her favorites of the night.
There were five standouts of the night, one of those being SAU sophomore Zach Ulmer who plays Major General Stanley. His over the top, quirky, flamboyant, depiction of the character was a perfect match. His acting was a true gut buster of the evening. He was not the only one who left their mark on the audience.
Catie Johnson, plays Ruth, delivers a strong vocal performance showcasing her operatic singing and comedic timing. Before the show, Ruth entertained the crowd and gave audience members instructions on how they could participate in the show.
The Buzz was also able to catch up with Catie following the show and she was beaming with energy and excitement. Catie shared that she was both excited and a little nervous as it was a full crowd. Though she admits she was more nervous about the comedic lines.
Another standout of the night was, according to SAU junior Brynn Christian, was SAU Alumnus Charles Murphy. Brynn says, “His vocals ate.”
She added many of the ensemble were great, citing both SAU senior Megan Rohn and Zach Ulmer. Brynn shared that she loved how interactive the production was.
Above: Charles Murphy, SAU alum. Photo courtesy of Bradley Theissen-Cooper.
Charles Murphy plays the role of Fredrick and delivers on a non-stop show all night. He was in and out of the stage area and singing from every corner.
Charles just graduated SAU with his bachelor’s degree in the Fine Arts in 2023. He also played in “The Pirates of Penzance” once before with the Quad Cities Opera.
The Buzz caught up with Charles after the show, and he was buzzing with electricity. When asked how he felt about the evening’s performance, he says, “It was awesome, everything went so great. It was funny and it was spontaneous. It was electric.”
Above: Abi Jensen starring as Mabel. Photo courtesy of Bradley Theissen-Cooper.
Earning the Buzz’s gold star of the night was SAU senior Abi Jenson playing Mabel. Abi’s singing was out of this world. Abi’s big entrance to the play consists of a high and long sustained vocal run. One that many could not pull off.
When we caught up with Abi after the show, we learned that she was nervous about singing. As a SAU senior majoring in Vocal Education. What many of the guests didn’t know is that she also is student teaching and leading vocals all day prior to her performance. Abi had to sing three times before the show even started.
“My voice was pretty tired, and I’ve been drinking so much water and tea leading up to my performance.” Take it from us, Abi was a pro, and you wouldn’t have even known that her voice was tired.
Audience member and SAU freshman Rylynn Moore says, “This has got to be one of the best performances I have ever seen. Of the other shows I have seen here, this one takes the cake.”If you’re ready to laugh and have a good time, be sure to catch a show before it’s too late. The SAU theater has three shows remaining Friday, May 2nd and Saturday May 3rd at 7:30 P.M., and Sunday, May 4th at 3:00 P.M.
Bradley Theissen-Cooper is a staff writer for The Buzz.
