Article

The Pirates of Penzance

or, "The Slave of Duty"

Words by Gilbert/Music by Sullivan

Cast

Scott Graham…..Fredric, a pirate-in-training

Ric Geist…..Pirate King, leader of the pirates

Thomas Young…..Samuel, Pirate King's lieutenant

Julie Donnell…..Ruth, Fredric's nursemaid

Georgeanna Nehrig…..Edith, ward of Gen. Stanley

Beverly McCavitt…..Kate, ward of Gen. Stanley

Nicole N. Kniskern…..Isabel, ward of Gen. Stanley

Jennifer Poiry…..Mabel, ward of Gen. Stanley in love with Fredric

Joel Scribner…..Major General, guardian of girls, in love with himself

Todd Staszak…..Sergeant Major, leader of police, who oddly enough, is a pirate in Act I

Pirates (a more scurvy lot you've never seen)

Ralph Goshorn, David Lautzenheiser, Don Plake, Mark Walus

Police (who also, oddlv enough, are pirates in Act I)

Curtis Shaw, Andrew J. Low, David J. Mitsch, Scott Rumage

General Stanley's Wards (each of them a beauty)

Gayle Goodrich, Michelle Hartman, Samantha Hills, Tammy Low, Emily Lyday

Time and Settings

Act I: Morning. A rocky sea-shore on the coast of Cornwall.

Act II: Late night the same day. A Ruined Chapel on General Stanley's estate.

The Orchestra

Eunice Wadewitz…..conductor

Kathy Miller…..keyboards

Ben Wiseman…..oboe

MariaCho…..flute

Kris Bachmann…..clarinet

Actor's Bios

Julie Donuell (Ruth) teaches voice in Fort Wayne and performs at many venues as a singer and actress. Her FPT credits include Ruddigore, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Good Doctor. She has won three Anthony Awards.

Ric Geist (Pirate King) is enjoying his debut at FPT. No stranger to Fort Wayne Theater, he just finished his run in State Fair at Civic as "Lem the Pig Farmer." He is the vocal music director at Belmont High School. Ric directs the musicals and their show choir "The Brave Generation."

Gayle Goodrich (daughter) had been on a long break from theater, but recently she returned to the stage as Chantel in La Cage aux Folles at Arena Dinner Theater. She is excited to be in her first production at First Presbyterian Theater.

Ralph Goshorn (pirate) This is Ralph's first Performance at First Presbyterian Theater. He is the father of three, one of which performed in First Presbyterian Theater's Jesus Christ Superstar. He enjoys guitar and singing. He is stage/prop tech and performs for small shows at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Scott Graham (Fredric) This is Scott's first appearance at First Presbyterian Theater, though he sang as a soloist and in the chorus when First Presbyterian preformed Mozart's Requiem in 1990. Scoff has had minor roles at Civic Theater in Fiddler on the Roof, Some Enchanted Evening, and Rogers and Hart. He also appeared at Muncie Civic as Hero in Forum. Scott did his undergraduate work at Ball State and IPFW where he received a Bachelor's in Music Education. Music and singing are his first love.

Michelle Hartman (daughter) is an assistant controller for a local steel warehouse. She enjoys assisting her husband with musical director responsibilities and special music coordinating at church. Her musical experience includes church solo performances and church choir. Pirates of Penzance is her first community theater performance.

Samantha Hills (daughter) has performed in many productions around the community, favorites including Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat, Tartuffe, and Guys and Dolls. She is Vice President of Operations at Ash Nickols & Janik and volunteers as Drama Coordinator at New Haven United Methodist Church.

Nicole N. Kniskern (Isabel/daughter) is an Arena "Director's Award" winner for her outstanding work on Moon over Buffalo and ft Runs in the Family. This Snider High School student's previous credits include Camelot (chorus), Annie (Hannigan), How to Succeed.. (Smitty), and Twelve Angry Jurors (#4).

David Lautzenheiser (pirate) is making his FPT debut. At Civic Theater he has been seen as "Squire Dap" in Camelot and "The Chief of Police" in this summer's State Fair. David is the music minister at Christ's Church at Georgetown where he is also director of the Georgetown Easter Pageant. He is also director of the Lincoln Life Choraliers. David would like to thank his wife, Mary, and his children, Laura and Luke, for their love and support.

Andrew J. Low (pirate/police) was last seen in Arena's Babes in Arms. He is always trying to build his reputation amongst the Ft. Wayne theaters. Pirates has been a wonderful experience for him because of its exceptional cast and crew. Thanks, guys!

Tammy Low (daughter) most recently appeared with major roles in Babes in Arms, and I Do, I Do, as well as several Bower North productions. She works as a project engineer with North American Phillips, and in her spare time she enjoys her husband, and her four boys.

Emily Lyday (daughter) makes her FPT debut with Pirates. This summer audiences saw her in Civics' State Fair. She is a senior at Homestead H.S., where she was in Zombie Prom, and starred as one of the Siamese twins in the local premiere of Sideshow.

Beverly McCavitt (Kate/daughter) was last seen on the FPT stage as "Orange" in Schoolhouse Rock Live! A busy actor in the Fort Wayne theater community, Bev has won two Anthony Awards at the Civic Theatre. She is enjoying being a part of this production, and would like to thank her family, as well as say "Hurrah for the Pirate King."

David J. Mitsch (pirate/police) has enjoyed a theatrically busy summer. He appeared in State Fair at Civic, where his credits include Peter Pan and Camelot. Before that, he played "Jacob" in Arena's La Cage aux Folles, for which he was named "Best Supporting Actor."

Georgeanna Nehrig (Edith/daughter) happily returns to the First Presbyterian Theater stage afier being seen in last season's productions of The Autumn Garden and Jesus Christ Superstar. Georgeanna is a Staff Afforney for UAW-GM Legal Services Plan here in Fort Wayne. She sends love and kisses to Brian, Miranda, and Schuyler.

Don Plake (pirate) has trod many community theater and concert stages across the USA. Principal roles have included Nanki-Pooh in Mikado, Marco in Gondoliers, Lord Troller in Iolanthe, Blushington in Utopia Ltd., Frederik in A Little Night Music, Larry in Company, French Ambassador in Of Thee I Sing), Saunders in Lend Me a Tenor, along with a variety of supporting and first tenor soloist work. Don is a First Presbyterian Church member and Director of Maintenance for South Allen County Schools.

Jennifer Poiry (Mabel) was last seen at First Presbyterian Theater as Agnes in Agnes of God, the third in her trilogy of nun roles. An IPFW music/theater student, she also maintains an online magazine on northeast Indiana theater at http://www.greenroomonline.org. She sends love to Scott and all their supportive friends and family.

Scott Rumage (pirate/police) This is Scoff's debut at First Presbyterian Theater. His most recent performances include Noah in Children of Eden and a chorus member in Camelot He is an Anthony Award winner for his performance in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Currently Scott is teaching chemistry at Canterbury High School in Fort Wayne.

Joel D. Scribner (Major General) returns to FPT for more G&S, he played Richard Dauntless in Ruddigore. He was last seen on stage as Laertes in Civics' Hamlet Other roles include Tranio in Taming of the Shrew, Angie the Ox in Guys and Dolls and Matamore in The Illusion. He is excited to be working in this wonderful FPT space, and happy to again be under the direction of Thom. He dedicates the run to his two children Jon and Caecilia, and to the late George Rose, the very model of the modern Major General.

Curtis Shaw (pirate/police) returns to the First Presbyterian Theater stage after having played Simon Zealotes in Jesus Christ Superstar. He recently finished a run as Jean-Michel in Arena's La Cage aux Folles. He has also been seen at the Civic in Guys and Dolls, Man of La Mancha, Joseph 1994 & 1996, and Music Man. He would like to thank Thom for letting him have his goatee for yet another show.

Todd Staszak (pirate/Sergeant) is fulfilling a long-time dream by playing the Sergeant. Fort Wayne theater-goers may remember him as Ernst Ludwig, the Nazi in Arena's Cabaret, or Lucentio in Civics' Taming of the Shrew. He is employed by Anthony Wayne Services as the Data Processing Manager for Post Masters.

Mark Walus (pirate) was last seen in Jesus Christ Superstar as "James." He is currently working with the Leo United Methodist Players, working on church dramas. Mark would like to thank his wife Joyce and daughter Emily for the time away.

Thomas Young (Samuel) returns to First Presbyterian Theater for his second musical this year. He appeared in First Presbyterian Theater's Jesus Christ Superstar. He wishes to thank his family and co-workers for their support. He also wishes to thank Thom, Eunice, Sara, and the wonderful cast and crew for their patience. Thanks, everyone!

Production Staff Bios

Thom Hofrichter (Director) is now the Managing Artistic Director for FPT. Although his duties have not changed, his former title Minister of Drama, gave some the impression that Thom was trained in theology. Pirates marks the beginning of Thom's third season at the helm of FPT. It has been a very rewarding time in his life. Thanks to all who have shown such loyal support.

Eunice Wadewitz (music director) comes to FPT on loan from the Civic Theatre where she works full time as Music Director/Sales Associate. She started her music career, after graduation from DePauw University, in church music and private piano teaching. Eventually, Eunice was lured into the theater world and has been a music director or keyboardist for over 60 productions. Some of her favorites include: West Side Story at the Embassy with the Philharmonic, Secret Garden and State Fair (both at the Civic.)

Sara Black (choreographer) is a Fort Wayne dancer and choreographer who has been involved with local theater for more than 15 years. She is frequently seen as a featured dancer at the Civic and IPFW in shows like West Side Story, and Oklahoma! She has won three Anthony Awards from the Civic for her work in Barnum, Joseph..., and Guys and Dolls. Choreography credits include Cabaret, and La Cage aux Folles both at Arena Dinner Theatre. Sara can also be seen in the music video Musical Family Fun with Dr. Steve Butler-Live!

Dave Denman (set design) is a theater practitioner out of Chicago. He is a company member of National Pastime Theater, and also produces shows with his own production company. Dave's previous FPT credits are Conversations With My Father and Ruddigore.

Virginia Badour (costume design) is the resident designer for FPT. Virginia is presently working on her MBA at IPFW. Between that, her love for working in the theater, and spending as many weekends as she can with family back in Michigan, she is a very busy individual.

Ron Badour (costume design/T.D.) is Virginia's husband. He, like his wife, spends countless hours in the theater making sure the magic happens, making the tech look effortless. He is especially proud that this show is the first to have the benefit of the new sound system he has labored to put in over the last six months.

Phyllis Schnieb (stage manager) is a new member of the FPT Drama Committee. Phyllis has been volunteering in the theater since Our Town in 1997. Among the shows she has worked on are Jesus Christ Superstar. You can also find her sewing costumes in the FPT costume shop.

Frederic, a pirate-in-training, is freed from servitude on his 21st birthday. Will he follow his conscience and report his ruthless cohorts, or remain loyal to the brigands he has run with by letting them continue their naughty ways? Nobody really cares as long as the comedy is funny and the tunes are well-sung.

The long tradition of producing the works of Gilbert & Sullivan at FPT continues with the opening of our 1999-2000 Season. The Pirates of Penzance is considered by many the finest work that the duo penned. It contains some of their most memorable songs. Pieces like "I am a Pirate King," "Poor Wandering One," "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here" (although the G&S lyrics are different), and "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" have worked their way into the popular consciousness to the point where we don't even realize we are listening to Gilbert & Sullivan. Another fun fact about Pirates is that it is the only G&S operetta which premiered in the United States.

FPT's Managing Artistic Director Thom Hofrichter will be directing. Eunice Wadewitz as Musical Director and Sara Black as Choreographer will join him. In fromChicago to design the set is Dave Denman. FPT's resident designer Virginia Badour will be doing the costumes.

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