"Pirates of Penzance" Interview #3

   Continuing our series of interviews with the cast of The Pirates of Penzance (the Gilbert & Sullivan classic that is on stage this weekend and next at the Renaissance Theatre), let’s hear from the lovely and talented Karen Kelly Pruitt! 

   She plays the part of Ruth, who manages to create and solve problems in a most comical way: 

Q: For those who aren’t up on Gilbert & Sullivan (shame on ‘em), tell us the basic story of The Pirates of Penzance.

Karen: This operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan is a silly story of an indentured pirate's apprentice (Frederic) who is ready to leave the tender-hearted band of pirates, having reaching his 21st birthday. He was deeply devoted and loyal to the pirates, even though his apprenticeship was a mistake. He decides not to join the Pirate King and his band of pirates, but rather vows to exterminate them. Along the journey he meets Mabel, her sisters, and their father, the Major General Stanley. He falls in love with Mabel, but through a startling twist, he is legally and morally indentured to the Pirate King yet again.  What will be the outcome of his love of Mabel versus his sense of duty? I'm not gonna tell... come see for yourself!

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

Karen: I play Ruth, the somewhat aged nursery maid to Frederic. It is Ruth's fault that Frederic is apprenticed to the Pirate King, and she has remained with the pirates taking on the job of a "maid of ALL work." Ruth pleads with Frederic to take her with him when he decides to  leave the pirates. He cautiously agrees, since she is the only woman he has ever seen, but quickly changes his mind when he sees the Stanley sisters. Ruth is devastated and sent away. Her only choice is to go back to the pirates and become one of them... ARGHHH!

Q: What is your favorite part (or song) of the show?

Karen: Too many to name! But on top of the list is the song "With Cat-like Tread" done by the pirates. Chorally, the song "Hail, Poetry" is magnificent! "The Modern Major General" is amazing and worth the price of the ticket! Our Music Director, William Murphy, does an excellent job working with this extremely talented cast to bring out some of the most beautiful voices singing some of the most silly and ridiculous lyrics.

Q: What is your background in theater?

Karen: I started in community theater less that 10 years ago right here in Huntington. Some of my roles include Widow Paroo in Music Man, Mrs. Peacock in Clue, the Musical, Ethel Banks in Barefoot in the Park, Mrs. Frasure in Stepping Out, Mrs. Stanley in The Man Who Came to Dinner, Frau Wendell in Cabaret and a church lady in Shenandoh. I was a member of the first Resident Acting Company of ARTS in 2013, and am honored to be a member again for the 2014 season. I truly love what the ARTS Resident Acting Company is doing for community theater, and I hope to be a part of it for a long time!

Q: What's the most challenging thing for you about staging this show?

Karen: This is my first operetta, and what a way to start! Again I refer to those silly and ridiculous songs. I've had to concentrate on WORDS, WORDS, WORDS! Once the words were learned, then I was completely free to be silly and funny while singing.

Q: Tell about the cast of the show - are you having fun working on this comic operetta?

Karen: I cannot begin to tell you how much fun I have had working with this amazingly talented cast! Every night of rehearsal was pure JOY! Frederic (Michael Naglee) and Mabel (Nora Ankrom) are a delight to watch and listen to. The Pirate King (Nic Skaggs) makes me laugh every single night and has an absolutely beautiful voice. The Major General (John Campbell) is AMAZING and steals the show with "Modern Major General." The lovely sisters are a treat to watch and have some of the most entertaining songs and movements in the show.  BUT the Constables and the Pirates... well... you just have to experience it for yourself!

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Karen: IT'S JUST FUN! It's a perfect show for ALL the family! PLEASE!Don't miss this!

   Thanks, Karen! (And thanks to Stephen Vance for the photo!)

  The show runs two weekends: March 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!