The Pirates of Penzance premiered on 31 December 1879 in New York City and was an immediate hit. While opera is most often deep, profound, and serious, the operetta takes up residence within the bounds of popular entertainment that is humorous, light and fun. Unlike the opera, the operetta has spoken sections of dialogue and witty banter to support the humorous subject matter. Long before the invention of “musical theatre”, Gilbert & Sullivan reigned supreme in capturing the imagination with their operettas. They poked fun at the serious opera while embracing its sweeping orchestrations with their p roduc tion s. By the early 20 ^th century, Gilbert & Sullivan dominated this art-form with 14 operettas, including The Mikado and the hugely successful, H.M.S. Pinafore.

Due to the lack of any copyright law at the time, H.M.S. Pinafore suffered from blatant thievery. Multiple theatre companies pirated the story and the songs of Pinafore with multiple unlicensed successful versions of the production that toured the country and European continent. This was done without any of the royalties going to the creators. Consequently, Gilbert & Sullivan decided to create and rehearse The Pirates of Penzance in secret. They hired thugs to chase away would be listeners/scribes from the rehearsal hall and windows. They even had these “guards” patrol outside and search the bags of the musicians, who were not allowed to take music home with them after each rehearsal. The result was three different sanctioned versions of the same operetta with three different opening nights.

The Broadway version of The Pirates of Penzance contains one of my favorite theatre stories. Gilbert, the lyricist, had to recreate all of Act II from memory prior to the start of rehearsals in New York. As fate would have it, he was in such a rush to leave London by steamer-ship, he left the only full copy of the script in his apartment on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. What he created and recreated from memory is pure genius. The play is timeless and has been performed on Broadway with 25 different revivals over the past 146 years since its premier in 1879.

Here at Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Theatre and Dance we have chosen to embrace the Victorian period, coupled with the theatricality of the piece as we lean into the fun. I hope you enjoy watching this piece of frivolity as much as we have enjoyed creating this romantic and silly glimpse into our theatrical past.

Lee Soroko,
Director

Darnell Ginn (Samuel) is delighted to appear in this production. Previous credits include Caesar Rodney in 1776, Grunt in Firebringer, Noel Gruber in Ride the Cyclone, and most recently, The Lion King Jr.. Over the summer, he served as a dance teacher with Don’t Miss a Beat Theatre Company, where he enjoyed inspiring the next generation of performers. Darnell is grateful for the chance to be a part of bringing this story to life—and promises not to start singing showtunes in the lobby… probably.

Carly Brown (Mabel) is so thrilled to be apart of her 4th mainstage production at FAU. She is currently a Junior BFA in musical theatre and has been previously seen in 1776 (The Courier), The Frankenstein Project (The Creature), and Firebringer (Claire/Duck). She is so honored to be a part of this incredible show and wishes you the most swashbuckling time! 

Marissa Spurr (Edith, Dance Captain) is a Junior BFA Musical Theatre major from Lehigh Acres, Florida, and is so excited to perform in her first ever operetta. You may have previously seen her in The Frankenstein Project (Mary Shelley), 1776 (Reverend John Witherspoon), and Firebringer (Jemilla). She hopes you enjoy this plundering adventure! 

Paisley Kinkade, (Kate) a junior BFA Musical Theatre student's previous FAU MainStage credits include: Freaky Friday (Swing), Joseph Hewes (1776), audience plant (One Man Two Guvnors), and Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre (Spelling Bee)! As a pirate would say, ARGGGG!! 

Mack Moore (Isabel & U/S Frederic) is a junior year musical theatre major and is overjoyed to be part of the cast of Pirates of Penzance! You may have seen Mack onstage at FAU in Freaky Friday (Savannah), 1776 (John Hancock), or Firebringer (Zazzalil). She would like to thank every member of the cast, crew, and production team for making this an unforgettable experience. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Kristen Mestre (Ward 3) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major at FAU. You may have previously seen her as Chorn in Firebringer and Dr. Frankenstein in The Frankenstein Project. Kristen also represented FAU in the NATS Southeastern singing competition last spring and placed third in her category. She wants to thank her friends, family, and boyfriend for their support throughout this process. Enjoy the show! 

Karen Cohen+ (Ruth) is excited to be taking part in her sixth FAU production!  Previous FAU credits:  Radium Girls, 1776, Rumors, Freaky Friday and Tartuffe. Regional credits: Memphis, 42nd Street, and The Full Monty (LPAC); Sister Act (MNM); Cabaret (PPTOPA). Outside of the theater, Karen enjoys traveling with her husband and three children.

R. Owen Alonso (Pirate, Pirate King Understudy, Sergeant Understudy, Fight Captain ) is a Senior at FAU, double-majoring in Theater Studies and Film, Video & New Media. He performed in FAU’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, One Man Two Guvnors, Peter and the Starcatcher, Xanadu, Firebringer, Tartuffe and has been an Understudy in Rumors & Tartuffe. He would like to thank his family, friends, and girlfriend for their continuous love and support throughout his life. 

Ashley Garnar (Pirate) is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major and is so excited to be in her third FAU production! She was recently seen in Freaky Friday (Hannah) and 1776 (Understudy). Ashley would like to thank her family, friends, professors, and directors for their support and training, and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Zachary Simpson (Pirate) is a Sophomore BFA in Musical Theater. He is excited to make his FAU mainstage debut in the Pirate ensemble. His previous credits include Gad in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Luther Carson in An Evening of Culture, and Emmett in Legally Blonde. He is beyond excited to share this wonderful show with his friends and family. 

Nick Russo (Pirate #5 / Assistant Props Head) is a junior BFA in Theatre Design and Technology. Although he is tracking as a tech major, he continues to explore his love of performing any chance he gets at FAU. Prior roles at FAU include Stephen Hopkins (1776). Additionally, he acted as Automation Technician (Freaky Friday) and Deck Supervisor (Tartuffe). 

Anna Fox (Police) is a senior BFA in Musical Theatre. She is absolutely ecstatic to be a part of FAU's production of Pirates of Penzance. Anna has also been seen in Tartuffe, (Mariane), Firebringer (Tiblyn), 1776 (George Read), and was understudy for all roles in One Man Two Guvnors. She hopes you love the show as much as she loves performing it for you!

Kerwin Cyriaque (Police) is a sophomore BA in Theatre major and is so excited to be in his third production at FAU. He was seen in Firebringer (Clark) as well as The Frankenstein Project (Percy Shelly). Over the summer outside of school he was seen in Hunchback of Notre Dame (Frollo) and In The Heights (Graffiti Pete). He hopes you enjoy the show.

Connor Jackson (Police) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major and is excited to be apart of his very first production at FAU! Prior to FAU he has been in various productions such as Hadestown: Teen Edition (Hades), Descendants (Jay) and more!

Trenton Stefurak (Police Officer) is a freshman in the BFA musical theater program. He has been in musical such as your a good man Music Man, Les miserables, and Holiday Inn. Hope you enjoy the show!

Ellis Temlak (Police) is a B.A in Theatre Studies major and is thrilled to be a part of his First production at FAU. He was last seen in the 39 Steps Abridged at Forth Wall Theatre, Lake Worth. (Richard Hannay). He is very proud of the wonderful educators, cast and crew who put this show together. As well as thank his mother and grandmother whom he loves very dearly. Please enjoy. #GoOwls Instagram:@27_and_Hungry.

Hannabelle Horace (Female Understudy) is a Rising Senior BFA in Performance. She is so excited to be a part of her second production at FAU as well as her first FAU Musical Production. She was previously in seen Rumors (Officer Pudney). 

Monique Abrams (Dramaturgy) is a Senior BA in Theatre who’s looking forward to a really great semester ahead as she continues her journey along the way all the shows that I ushered and run crew and dressed were a total success. But this goal will change a whole lot now I’m gonna impress my theatre colleagues and professors just how they would like to be, so she’s not gonna give up this plan and task with plenty of abilities to achieve her goals. So as she continues to fulfill this task she’s gonna keep moving forward just work hard with her head held high and just do her best as long as there’s always a possibility to make her goal a really successful goal. For the show Pirates of Penzance I’m looking forward to make the magic happen by rooting for all the actors while they succeed in their roles. She also remembers one thing that Walt Disney said “If you can dream it, you can do it”!

Danny Bieler (Costumed Run Crew) is a senior BA Theatre Major and is excited to be apart of this production. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Carlie Boxt (Run crew) is a sophomore BFA student in Performance major and she is so excited to be a part of her second show at FAU! She previously made her performance debut in FAU’s production of The Possibilities! She can’t wait for you to see the show!

Roselene Dufresne (Follow Spot) is a sophomore BA Theatre major from Lauderhill and is thrilled to be a part of another production at FAU. This will be her fourth mainstage production at FAU since she has worked on The Frankenstein Project (Run Crew), Rumors (Props Crew), and Freaky Friday (Follow Spot). She was also ASM for the BUTC’s production of Evermore High. She is excited for you to see the show and hopes you enjoy!

Claudia (Dresser) is currently a Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student with a Dance and a Digital Marketing minor. At FAU she has performed in Possibilities, Memento with the Jeruselem Ballet, Tartuffe- Flipote, (Understudy Mariane+Madame Pernelle), FAU Opera In Italy, Assistant Choreographer, Firebringer. Other roles include: Little Sally/Urinetown, Ermengarde/Hello Dolly!, Sarah/Company, and Sara/The Theory of Relativity. Enjoy the show!

Rylee Kolostyak (Follow Spot) is a sophmore BFA in theater tech and design. She is excited to be working in her first show at FAU. She wants to thank the cast and crew for a wonderful experience, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Cats Lashenka (Sound Board Operator A2) is a junior Theater Production Major and is super excited to be apart of his first FAU Production. He was behind the scenes for many shows such as The Play That Goes Wrong (SM), Cinderella (SM), West Side Story (A1), The Addams Family (A1). Cats hopes you enjoy the show! 

Fatima Lyda (First Hand & Wardrobe Head) from her hometown, Charlotte, NC, is a senior BFA in Theater Design/Tech and is excited to be part of the fall production of 1776 at FAU. Her previous work includes The Frankenstein Project, Dalibor, and Tartuffe. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Lukah Meirelles (Usher) is a junior BA in Theatre major and is very excited to be back and helping out with FAU’s new productions for the season. He has previously performed at Broward College and was seen in Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Charles). He says that he hopes you enjoy the show! 

Kristen Mestre (Ward 3) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major at FAU. You may have previously seen her as Chorn in Firebringer and Dr. Frankenstein in The Frankenstein Project. Kristen also represented FAU in the NATS Southeastern singing competition last spring and placed third in her category. She wants to thank her friends, family, and boyfriend for their support throughout this process. Enjoy the show! 

Adler Monpremier (Sound Board Operator A1) is a sophomore earning his BA in Theatre focusing on performance and is glad to be a part of this amazing production. He's worked in audio and mixed for theatre productions such as The Marvelous Wonderettes and The Fantasticks. Previous performance credits include The Rocky Horror Show (Ensemble/Frank u/s), Sweeney Todd (Ensemble), 42nd Street (Ensemble), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Frollo), Newsies (Ensemble).

Amalia Phend (Wig, Hair, and Makeup Design) is a graduating senior in the BFA Theatre Tech and Design program. You may have seen Amalia’s work earlier this year, as the wig designer for FAU’s 1776 and The Frankenstein Project. Amalia’s wigs have also been seen recently in Delray Beach Playhouse’s West Side Story and The Pajama Game. Thanks for coming! 

Sophia Pyles (Light Board Operator) is a sophomore in the BFA Tech and Design program and is so excited to be working this production. She has been designing and operating lighting for about 5 years now and wants to pursue lighting for concerts in her future. She was Spotlight Operator for 1776 last semester and Lighting Designer and Operator for Evermore High. 

Cesar Rodriguez (Crew) is part of the crew for this production. He is currently pursuing a BA in Theatre with a minor in Acting for the Camera. His previous work includes shop crew for Freaky Friday, Rumors, and Tartuffe, as well as ushering for Freaky Friday and Rumors. Cesar is excited to continue developing his skills and contributing to the collaborative process of theatre.

Nick Russo (Pirate #5 / Assistant Props Head) is a junior BFA in Theatre Design and Technology. Although he is tracking as a tech major, he continues to explore his love of performing any chance he gets at FAU. Prior roles at FAU include Stephen Hopkins (1776). Additionally, he acted as Automation Technician (Freaky Friday) and Deck Supervisor (Tartuffe). 

Jayden Terrell (Dresser) is a sophmore BFA in Performance major and is honored to be apart of the crew for this wonderful show. This is his first mainstage crew opportunity, and he was seen in Tartuffe (Damis) and in The Possibilities  (The Emperor). Jayden hopes you have an amazing to watching the show!

Alina Virga (Assistant Stage Manager) is a First Year Transfer Junior pursuing a degree in Stage Management and is thrilled to be working on her first FAU Production! She last worked on The Bodyguard (Slow Burn Theatre), Something Rotten (Slow Burn Theatre), All the Natalie Portmans (Thinking Cap Theatre), and Parade (Slow Burn Theatre). Special thanks to my parents for making FAU possible! Enjoy the show!