The dazzling "modern Major General," his many beautiful daughters, a reluctant pirate and his mates, and the constabulary all contribute to the cacophony that is Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta "The Pirates of Penzance." Denison University's Singers' Theatre Workshop will present the music of this popular show at 8 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 2) and again at 3 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 3) in Burke Recital Hall. There is no admission fee and it is open to the public.

"I think it will be a great success," wrote Arthur Sullivan to his mother, "for it is exquisitely funny and the music is strikingly tuneful and catching." The operetta premiered in the United States on December 31, 1879, at the Fifth Avenue Theater in New York with W. S. Gilbert conducting and was an instant hit. It remains popular today due in part to its revival on Broadway in 1981.

A reluctant Pirate named Frederick falls in love with a nice girl named Mabel. Frederick's elderly nursemaid, Ruth, isn't happy about the relationship and neither are his fellow pirates. The police get involved in the conflict and things get a bit outrageous but it all works out in the end with lots of sword fighting and singing and dancing!

Belinda Andrews-Smith is director of the Denison Singers' Theatre Workshop. She has been a member of the Denison faculty since 1998 and is a frequent performer with Opera Columbus and the Columbus Light Opera. Andrews-Smith began her professional career after earning her bachelor of music degree in voice performance from Bowling Green State University. She earned her master's degree and doctorate from Ohio State in the areas of vocal pedagogy, speech and hearing sciences, and vocal performance.

In the lead roles are: Chris Carr as Major General Stanley, Jesse Koza as The Pirate King, Raymond Havey as Samuel, Ben Jacoby as Frederic, Matt Coon as Sergeant of Police, Kristin Cox as Mabel, Melissa Cyperski as Edith, Katie Knisely as Kate, Laura Kamin as Beatrice, Brynn Lewallen as Isabel, and Julie Rogers as Ruth.

Portraying the other General Stanley daughters are: Julie Lush, Erin Donovan, Rachel Drennen, Rebecca Davidson, Stephanie Sferra, Kate Watts, Catherine Sullivan, Taryn Hicks, Allie DeFries, Lauren Schwartz and Leah Ewing. Pirates are Charlie Fear, Travis Sterner, Eric McChesney, and Stephen Geering. Policemen are: Zachary Elmassian, Davis Bourland, Jamie Merz and Bobby McGlynn.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The Denison Singers' Theatre Workshop presents Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance"; 8 p.m., Saturday (Dec. 2) and 3 p.m., Sunday (Dec. 3), Burke Recital Hall. Free and open to the public. Contact 740-587-6220 to confirm information.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

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Barbara Stambaugh

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Director, Media Relations

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(740) 587-8575