"Ah! Leave me not to pine, alone and desolate . . . "

Several weeks ago I posted about our involvement in "The Pirates of Penzance" - well, Saturday evening our obligation to be at the theatre ceased, as we had our final performance. I'm not foolish enough to believe I am any sort of authority when it comes to the quality of a theatre production - but, this was mostly certainly amazing. You'd have to see it to understand. . . the costumes, set, coreography, acting, orchestra, singing, etc. etc. was just stunning. I watched from backstage for 3 dress rehearsals and 6 performances, and I was more wowed each and every time. The energy of the actors and actresses for our Saturday night performance was incredible - it made ME energized just to watch them!

I think we all tend to take for granted this opportunity - most people never have the chance to be involved in theatre like this, unless they become professional. All I have to say is that this community, the Fine Linen group, and most especially the Nisbett family have blown me away with this production. I am going to miss it SO much next year, when I'm away at school. Making it home for a performance is going to be a non-negotiable. :)

I'm already beginning to miss my dear friends, especially all those lovely Stanley sisters. Curling hair and zipping/buttoning up has never been so much fun! I especially treasure the girls who I've gotten to be close with only since this production started . . . spending hours at the theatre together tends to develop a certain level of closeness. And while I do not believe that I shall "pine" as this blog title suggests, I will always value the memories I made through this experience.

Becky

"The Pirates of Penzance"

Fine Linen Drama is at it again, with another great production coming up this April! Join us for "The Pirates of Penzance" a comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan. It is the story of young Frederic, apprentice to a pirate band, and the adventures he faces as he is released from his indentures. With pirates brandishing (and ocassionally dropping) their swords, young ladies twirling about the stage with parasols and giggles, policemen who sing and dance (and hide), and a quick-speaking, fast-thinking major-general, you and your whole family will be rolling on the flour with laughter throughout the evening.

(click for full-size)

The Fearsome Pirates of Penzance!

Their fearless - although quite simple - leader, the Pirate King!

(Joel Nisbett)

His right-hand - and often confused - man, Samuel.

(Adam Nisbett)

The self-described "piratical maid of all work," Ruth,

with her ward, the pirate apprentice, Frederic.

(Amanda Engelke and Nathan Brown)

The Paradox Trio


Some fierce pirates . . .
(Matt Strautman, Josiah Nisbett, Benjamin Wegner, and David Strautman)


. . . and some not so fierce pirates.
(Nathan Hickle, Benjamin)
My sister, Abby, seems to be bringing them to tears.
Hmmmm. . .I will have to let her teach me this trick.


And lastly, because everyone knows that pirates spend their time arm-wrestling. . .
(Mr. Davidson, Benjamin)
Nathan B., you're cheating!

The Stanleys

You see, their father is a Major-General.

(Kevin Edwards)

I do believe (and hope, for her sake) that their mother is deceased.

After having this many daughters, it's not really surprising. I would have died too.

I like to think that she was buried in the ocean.

And that all 20 + of her daughters were little children, on board the ship, during her burial.

And I like to envision the Major-General chasing them around the deck of the ship.

RIP

At any rate, she is not cast in this musical.

And here we have some of the gorgeous Stanley daughters.

(Megan, Ashley, Sarah, Rebecca, Jenny)

(Joy, Sarah, Tess, Grace, Jenna, Katie?)



Those whose hearts are not of leather,
Kate, Edith, and Isabel . . .
(Grace, Jenna, Ashley)



. . . and the lovely, oh so sympathetic, Mabel!
(Elise Hamacher)

The Elusive Policemen

They dance, they sing - it moves me, Bob.

(Nathan Hickle, David Strautman, John Nisbett -- their leader, Benjamin Wegner -- Mr. Hamacher, Zeke Hall , Josiah Nisbett)

One thing they do unfailingly well - they salute!

(Jacob Hamacher, Zeke Hall, Mr. McCluskey)

(I call them "elusive" both because they seem to hide when needed most, and because I cannot find many photographs of them in action.)

And All the Left-Overs

Mrs. Holmes, the spectacular pianist and voice director.

The beautiful director, Mrs. Nisbett

with her lovely assistant, Mrs. Light

The photographer from whom I stole most of my photos.


Oh yes - and this is what I do at the theatre. I sit. I watch.