Mauckingbird Theatre Company puts its signature spin on the Gilbert and Sullivan's masterpiece The Pirates of Penzance. Directed by Artistic Director Peter Reynolds, the romantic operetta will run August 20 - September 4 at Temple University's Randall Theater. In this queer adaptation, ingénues Frederic and Mabel, both raised in LGBT societies, fall in love and face challenges of duty and acceptance. The production is a timely and relevant tale of love on the high seas.
Young Frederic (Garrick Vaughn) newly released from indentured service from a band of raucous but ineffectual pirates, hopes to atone for his misdeeds. Before he can, he stumbles across the beautiful young Mabel (Laura Whittenberger) and her siblings. Surprisingly, the two fall instantly for each other. Their newfound affection is tested by her father, the formidable Major-General (
Larry Lees); the duplicitous Pirate King (
Jake Blouch); and Frederic's own unending sense of duty, not to mention the strangeness of their heterosexual love.
This version takes Gilbert and Sullivan's well-known storytelling a step further, exploring a "post-gay" vision of comic operetta. "For years, l have been looking forward to telling a classic Gilbert and Sullivan tale through Mauckingbird's unique lens," said director Peter Reynolds. "We are excited to incorporate our own brand of topsy-turvy into the original masters of topsy-turvy's - The Pirates of Penzance."
Founded by Artistic Director Peter Reynolds, Producing Director Brandon McShaffrey, and Managing Director Lindsay Mauck, Mauckingbird Theatre Company produces innovative, affordable, gay?themed theater. Past productions include The Sisterhood (2016), Ranjit Bolt's modern translation of Moliere's The Learned Ladies; critically acclaimed all?male versions of The Misanthrope (2008) and Shakespeare's R & J (2008, 2013), among many others.
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