Symphony, chorale stage 'Pirates of Penzance'

A rollicking band of singing pirates, keystone police and other assorted colorful characters will commandeer the concert hall stage when Glacier Symphony and Chorale presents “The Pirates of Penzance.”

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 16 and 3 p.m. March 17 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. The ever-popular Gilbert and Sullivan comic operetta will be performed “in concert,” putting the orchestra center stage with the costumed singers moving the action in and around them.

The wacky storyline of “Pirates” is a parody of the 19th-century Englishman’s excessive devotion to “duty.” It tells of a hero bound to a life of crime on the open seas because his nursemaid was so hard of hearing that she confused the word “pilot” with “pirate.” He stays a pirate because of his duty to honor the contract, until one day he is released — and then it becomes his duty to pursue and arrest all the soft-hearted pirates who had become his dearest friends.

“Pirates’” nonsense comes wrapped in hummable music with clever lyrics filled with rhyme schemes and patter songs containing some of the most difficult tongue twisters ever written.

Since “Pirates’” first performance in 1879, it has been a tradition to add an encore verse to one of these patter songs using clever, rapid lyrics that reflect the geographical or cultural setting of the local production. Glacier Symphony and Chorale hosted a lyric-writing contest for this production and chose the winning submission by Quade Winter, who was a professional operatic tenor in Europe for 25 years.

“Quade’s extra verse is absolutely hilarious! It will bring down the house,” said James Stanard, chorale conductor.

Glacier Chorale will sing the chorus parts with principal singing roles played by both local and guest performers. Locals include Tony Hernandez as Maj. Gen. Stanley; Joe Apple as Samuel, the pirate lieutenant; Brad Seaman as Sergeant of Police; Katie Christensen as Edith; and Kari Donovan as Kate.

Seasoned professional guest singers include Kevin Matthews as the Pirate King, Jeffrey Kitto as Frederic the Pirate Apprentice, Emily Peragine as Mabel and Angela Wilkes as Ruth.

John Zoltek will conduct the operetta orchestra, which will provide rousing accompaniment for the on-stage madness.

Tickets for the performances are available in a range of prices and seating tiers and can be purchased online at gscmusic.org or by calling 257-3241.

There are no free student tickets available for this performance.