PLAYFUL PEOPLE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
JANUARY 20—23, 2021
Bay Area Adults and Teens Perform Classic Comic Musical
San Jose, CA Playful People Productions is proud to present its performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance. Two casts of adults and teens, ages 13 and up, will bring to life this swashbuckling musical on the stage at Historic Hoover Theatre in San Jose, January 20, 21, 22, and 23. For tickets ($20, in person attendance or live stream viewing, available January 3), or for more information on Playful People and their programs, visit https://playfulpeople.org or call (408) 878-5362. Proof of Covid vaccination required for live attendance.
The Pirates of Penzance opened on Broadway in 1879. Just three months later, the opera’s London debut took place at the Opera Comique, and was so popular it ran for a total of 363 performances. Set during the reign of Queen Victoria, the opera follows young Frederic, a somewhat unwilling pirate: having newly reached the age of 21, Frederic goes ashore to try to find himself a wife. He meets a potential mate in Mabel, but before they can tie the knot Frederic’s pirate compatriots come to shore and chaos ensues. Frederic tries to side with the civilians and preserve his desired nuptials, but his rowdy compatriots insist that since he was born on leap day (February 29), he has not yet reached his 21st birthday and therefore not free to leave pirating.
Facing the prospect of another 60 years on ship, Frederic is preparing to join the pirates again when policemen from shore attack the pirates and, essentially, give many of them the freedom they secretly desire. Many of the now-former pirates marry ladies from the town and Frederic marries Mabel. Featuring songs such as “I Am the Very Model,” “Pour, oh Pour the Pirate Sherry,” “A Rollicking Band of Pirates, We” and “When the Foreman Bares His Steel,” The Pirates of Penzance is a classic musical adventure chock-full of swaggering buccaneers, maidens in distress, cowardly cops, conflicted orphans, the very model of a modern major general, and more.
Playful People Productions was first founded in 2010 as a positive, inclusive, family-focused theatre company, and has operated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit since 2017. While initially providing classes, camps, and shows for kids, the company has grown to offer similar classes for adults, and stages performances where family members can perform together. Most recently the organization has returned to its customary spaces at the Historic Hoover Theatre in San Jose, but is continuing some of its pandemic-responsive online programming (POP, Playful Online People) as well as On Demand video classes.
Mother and daughter team Barbara Galiotto and Katie D’Arcey are Positive Discipline trained; both have worked as early Childhood Educators; and as professional directors with children’s theater. The pair have approximately 50 years experience between them in the musical theater world and, together with a small team of permanent staff and an array of talented directors, teachers, and support personnel, offer beginner through advanced theatre experiences for the whole family.
FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:
WHAT: Playful People Productions is proud to present its performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance. Two casts of adults and teens, ages 13 and up, will bring to life this swashbuckling musical adventure chock-full of swaggering buccaneers, maidens in distress, cowardly cops, conflicted orphans, the very model of a modern major general, and more.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, January 20—23, 2022
Gilbert Cast: Thursday, January 20th at 7pm
Saturday, January 22nd at 6pm
Sunday, January 23rd at 1pm
Sullivan Cast: Friday, January 21st at 7pm
Saturday, January 22nd at 1pm
Sunday, January 23rd at 6pm
WHERE: Historic Hoover Theatre
1635 Park Avenue, San Jose CA 95126
DETAILS: $20 for in person or livestream attendance.
In person attendance requires proof of Covid vaccination and masking.
Tickets available beginning January 3.
For more information on Playful People and their programs, visit https://playfulpeople.org or call (408) 878-5362. Proof of Covid vaccination required for live attendance.
