originally published: 03/22/2022

(SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- Put on your eyepatch and get ready for an amazing, breathtakingly funny adventure! The Pirates of Penzance is returning to Spring Lake Theatre on April 1, and it's no April Fool's Joke! Enjoy a fantastic trip, to a time long ago, when life was much more innocent. Performances take place at the Spring Lake Theatre on April 1-3 and April 8-10, 2022, 7:30pm curtain on Fridays and Saturdays, and a 2:00pm Matinee on Sundays.

Pirates of Penzance was performed the first time on the Spring Lake Stage in 1982. The then "Spring Lake Theatre Company" was just four years old and produced only a single Summer Musical each year. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel was the "Summer Play" that year that ended in early July. At the same time, Pirates of Penzance, a Victorian era operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan, was a fabulous success on Broadway. It gave our production team the idea that Pirates could be produced on the Spring Lake stage at the same time, since the play was in the "public domain" and had no licensing restrictions. The team filled the roles, rehearsed, built the set and costumes in thirteen days. It was an enormous hit. People lined up around the block of the Community House hoping to see the show. It was the turning point for the theatre company, and it has never missed a beat since then - from one summer musical to a full schedule of six major Broadway quality productions and a thriving children's theatre and dance academy.

Pirates of Penzance was revived on the Spring Lake stage in 1987 and again in 2002. The company felt this was the perfect time to bring it back to their stage to allow people to enjoy the show's pure joy and fun to provide a temporary escape to what is happening in the world. Give yourself a few hours to sit back and enjoy beauty from a much simpler time. They are positive that no one will be disappointed.

Pirates of Penzance is produced by Patricia Barry and directed by Kerry White, a Spring Lake Theatre veteran with many Spring Lake Theatre productions to her name. Beth Moore and Teddy Kernizen provide musical direction and choreography is by Christine Baglivio. Set and Lighting design is by Andrew Dagostino. Leo Weismantel plays the role of the charismatic Pirate King. The Major, well known from one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most famous songs "I am the very model of a Modern Major General," will be played by Paul Schiavone. Another Spring Lake Theatre veteran, Andrew Ferrie, takes on the role of Frederick, joined by Rebecca Madeira as Mabel, with Laurett Gannon as Ruth. Anthony Preuster plays the role of the Sergeant of Police, and Steven Copp will be playing Samuel. Edith, Kate and Isabel are played by Claudia Noto, Grace Allison and Cosette Lyncheski, respectively.

Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Box Office Monday through Saturday 12:00pm to 3:00pm or online at www.springlaketheatre.com Performances take place in the Spring Lake Community House located at 300 Madison Avenue in Spring Lake, New Jersey.