So let's hear from the cast! For the first of (hopefully) several interviews, here's my pal, the lovely, talented and very funny Nora Ankrom, who plays the beautiful and kind-hearted Mabel Stanley:
Q: For those who aren’t up on Gilbert & Sullivan (shame on ‘em), tell us the story of The Pirates of Penzance.
Nora: Pirates of Penzance centers around Frederick, a young man who was mistakenly indentured as a pirate's apprentice (by his childhood nursery maid Ruth) until his 21st birthday. Frederick abhors the pirates' profession, but because he is the "slave of duty," he carries out his commitment. Upon completion, Frederick vows to wipe the pirates from the face of the earth to atone for his involuntary association with them. He meets Major General Stanley and his well-to-do daughters, all of whom shun him for his past in piracy; except for Mabel, who takes pity on the "poor wand'ring one." The Stanleys and the pirates collide and as Frederick is about to defend the family and rid them of the pirates (with the help of some not-so-eager constables), he is informed of a "most ingenious paradox" that allies him with the pirates once more. Through the silliest twists and turns in logic (and puns) you can imagine, eventually a happy ending comes to all (except maybe the constables).
Q: Tell us about the character you play.
Nora: I play Mabel, the only Stanley sister who will take pity on poor Frederick. Mabel offers Frederick her heart, but not without exerting her self-proclaimed moral superiority over her new fiancee, her sisters, and the pirates. Because the show is satirical and full of melodrama, everything about Mabel is big: the way she teases her sisters, her love (and heartache) over Frederick, her loyalty and pride for her father, her bustle, and especially her hair!
Q: What's your favorite part (or song) of the show?
Q: What's your favorite part (or song) of the show?
Nora: There really are so many hilarious parts, but I'd have to say my favorites are "With Cat-Like Tread," "Paradox," and anything involving the constables.
Q: What's your background in theatre?
Nora: I stumbled upon an ARTS workshop almost a year ago and got hooked! I played a secretary in How to Succeed last May, Nurse Preen in The Man Who Came to Dinner last August, and I got to work backstage for Shenandoah last October. I knew during the first show that I wanted to be a part of what was happening at ARTS and planned from then to audition for the 2014 Resident Acting Company. Before ARTS, I only had experience in high school show choir, so this last year has been incredibly educational (and pretty fast-paced!). I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to learn from and work with some extremely talented (and patient!) people.
Q: What's the most challenging thing for you about staging this show?
Q: What's the most challenging thing for you about staging this show?
Nora: Being funny. Really, you'd think that comedy would be all fun and easy-going (especially a very silly comedy), but it really takes a lot of effort. Getting the notes and words just right are essential, and ensuring the material "lands" with the audience is much more precise than you'd think. "Plant your feet in third position, bend your knees slightly, breathe from your torso, keep your breath supported, square your shoulders, don't upstage yourself, hit your marks, don't walk backwards, etc… and now be funny" :) Comedy is a lot of work!
Q: Tell us about the cast of the show - are you having fun working on this comic operetta?
Q: Tell us about the cast of the show - are you having fun working on this comic operetta?
Nora: YES! The cast is wonderful. The Stanley sisters are an unstoppable "sister machine." The pirates enjoy every minute of being pirates and that is awesome to watch. The constables are likely the silliest characters on stage: it's a challenge every night to keep a straight face on stage with them! Karen Pruitt's Ruth is fantastic and makes me laugh out loud every night. Nic Skaggs is extremely talented and has so much fun on stage. He truly is the Pirate King! John Campbell is an absolute gem as the Modern Major General. I couldn't imagine anyone more perfect for the role. And Mike Naglee is perfectly brilliant and charming (and wow, can he sing!). It's such a pleasure to work with such a solid, confident, and giving actor.
Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?
Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?
Nora: Swashbuckling, soft-hearted pirates, prim and proper ladies in big hats and parasols, knee-knocking constables, silly, giggly lovers, even sillier tragedies, paradoxes, and puns galore! What's not to love?
Thanks, Nora! (And thanks to Stephen Vance for the photo!)
The show runs two weekends: March 21, 22, 28, 29 at 8 p.m., and March 23 and 30 at 2 p.m. The shows will be presented in The ARTS Ballroom in The Renaissance Center at 900 8th Street in Huntington.
Dinner & Show is $30, Show Only is $15. Call 304-733-2787 to reserve your tickets. Seating is limited for dinners as well as shows.
Dinner & Show is $30, Show Only is $15. Call 304-733-2787 to reserve your tickets. Seating is limited for dinners as well as shows.
Don't miss it!
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