Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert were on to something ageless with the "Pirates of Penzance."
That two-act operetta mocks the entitlement of the upper classes (read: Wall Street) and all blind and lame allegiances to military mores (read: Somali pirates).
This timely fact was evident during the Sacramento Opera's performance of the operetta Friday at the Community Center Theater.
The solid but blemished production bears director Gary Briggle's stamp. He not only directs, he steals the show as the Major General. To watch him rollick across the stage in mutton chops is to see a man in his element.
But as director, Briggle's production suffered from too much physical comedy where a straight-faced, Monty Python-like delivery was needed. This proved the challenge for the cast in this tale of an apprentice pirate who decides to throw down on his plunder-loving mates.
As delivered, the cast offered strong comic acting with singing that ranged from able to sublime. The latter was offered by soprano Julianne Gearhart, as the young Mabel, daughter of the Major General. Gearhart made a big impression with her top-flight soprano. On "Poor Wandering One," her voice was rich and rounded. But in the role of the Pirate King, bass baritone Don Sherrill combined saucy acting with uneven singing. At times, his intonation wobbled.
Much good comic acting and journeyman singing marked the work of Matt Morgan as the apprentice pirate Frederic, and contralto Edith Dowd as his nursemaid, Ruth. Their singing was exact, but never large, and their voices often got lost in the hall. This was compounded by a tacky stage-within-a-stage set that marooned singers to the rear in Act I.
As the Major General, Briggle triumphed. In the signature "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General," he proved he can do the role in his sleep, without missing a syllable. As the Sergeant of Police, bass Matthew Treviño offered a stoic and steady voice and a welcome straight face.
Solid performances were also given by tenor Peter Petty, and sopranos Ellen Presley and Carrie Hennessey.
The Sacramento Opera chorus, whose casting demanded a young crew, never sounded better, and conductor Timm Rolek drew a nuanced turn from the orchestra.
So, despite faults, much inspired comedy is to be had in this production. And watching Briggle as the Major General is worth the ticket price alone.
Call arts critic Edward Ortiz at (916) 321-1071.
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