For our second interview with the cast of the musical comedy The Pirates of Penzance (which takes the stage this weekend at the Renaissance Theatre in Huntington), let's hear from one of the show's stars: the devilishly handsome and amazingly talented Mike Naglee:
Q: For those who aren’t up on Gilbert & Sullivan (shame on ‘em), tell us the basic story of The Pirates of Penzance.
Mike: Pirates of Penzance is a hilarious tale that chronicles the intersection between the lives of a band of tender-hearted pirates and their apprentice with those of a Major General and his bevy of beautiful daughters. The young apprentice has come of age, and can finally quit the detestable profession of piracy, to which he was mistakenly indentured but honor bound to serve out. He leaves intent on living a blameless existence, especially after instantly falling in love with the General's daughter, Mabel. Everything falls into place for the young lovers, until a surprise manipulation of his overblown sense of duty threatens to put a 63 year hold on their engagement.
Q: Tell us about the character you play.
Mike: I play Frederick, the naive apprentice freshly out of his indentures. He leaves his pirate friends and promptly and mutually falls head over heels for the General's daughter, Mabel. Driven by his sense of duty, he intends to atone for his former life of villainy by exterminating the pirates - and then marry her as soon as possible... but the pirates aren't quite ready for his apprenticeship to end. [cue ominous music]
Q: What's your favorite part (or song) of the show?
Mike: There's no way I could pick just one! Cat-like Tread and Modern Major General are a blast to sing. Stay, Frederick, Stay is downright touching. I can't stop laughing at the constables every time they open their mouths. There's just not a song in the score I don't thoroughly enjoy.
Q: What's your background in theatre?
Mike: I graduated from Marshall in '03 with my Theatre degree, but life happened and I lost myself in computer programming for a number of years. My wife and I jumped back on the theatrical horse a few years ago and are well on our way to riding it to death. ;-)
Q: What's the most challenging thing for you about staging this show?
Mike: I'd say it's a draw between the music and the show's tongue-in-cheek nature. The score is a ton of fun and vocally demanding. It's a rather exhausting show! It's a challenge to tread the line of absurdity while attempting to keep your character from becoming a caricature.
Q: Tell us about the cast of the show - are you having fun working on this comic operetta?
Mike: Immensely! The production team has been patient and professional, and music director Will Murphy's staggering musicianship humbling. Nic Skaggs *is* the King of Pirates and comedy. Karen Pruitt's Ruth is simultaneously hilarious, devious, and pitiable. John Campbell was born to play the Major General. The sisters and pirates are lovely and dastardly, respectively. It's awesome to watch them all have so much fun nailing their roles. Todd Green and his constables are absolutely gut-busting funny, you've just got to see them. Finally, Nora Ankrom is positively radiant as Mabel. In only her third stage appearance, she's a natural with an amazing work ethic, and it shows in her well polished performance. It's been truly wonderful having such a kind and talented songstress playing beside me. The production staff, the crew, my truly tender-hearted pirate band, the lovely Stanley sisters, the anxious constables, the modelest Major General and dearest Mabel - I love them all with affection unspeakable. It's been an honor and a pleasure to work with them, old friends and new alike.
Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?
Mike: It's hilarious! It's got rollicking pirates, rousing choruses, true love, scurrilous pirates, bitter betrayal, tender duets, pretty girls, dashing pirates, deepest heartbreak, curious quips, 11th hour redemptions, pirates, and more jokes than you could possibly shake a stick at (please don't bring sticks). Also, there are pirates! What more could you ask for? Grab the phone already and reserve your seat!
Thanks, Mike! (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.
Don't miss it!
No comments:
Post a Comment