The Opera/Theatre Workshop opened Gilbert and Sullivan’s comedic opera “Pirates of Penzance” last Wednesday in the Pottle Music Building Auditorium. The performance ran until Oct. 1, and every  night the seats were packed.

The events of the opera are set in Cornwall, England and are centered on the character of Frederic, played by Joshua Williams. Frederick was apprenticed to a band of pirates when he was a child by his nurse Ruth, played by Kayla Blanchard. On his 21st birthday he learns from his nursemaid that his apprenticeship is over. Being on a pirate ship for so long, he has never seen a beautiful woman’s face. When a group of daughters flood the coast near the ship, he falls in love with Mabel, the daughter of the Major-General, played by BriAnna DeWar.

Music Preparation/Conductor Chuck Effler says the idea to produce “Pirates of Penzance” came from performing operas when he was a graduate student in 1995.

“We did a production of ‘Penzance’ then, and I was the rehearsal pianist,” said Effler. “I’ve always liked Gilbert & Sullivan operas too.”

 While it is an operetta , “Pirates of Penzance” is, at its heart, a comedic performance. The most common comedic devices are the use of paradox and play on words, such as “orphan” and “often,” which are usually pronounced similarly with an English accent.

Also, the use of the similarity of the words “pirate” and “pilot” is used, even directing the plays plot.  Originally Frederick was supposed to apprentice as a pilot, by orders of his father to Ruth. However, she made the mistake of thinking he said pirate.

“There is an entire scene based off of this one pun, and it is hysterical,” said Chase Ledet, who plays Lieutenant Samuel.

But for all the puns and jokes, “Pirates of Penzance” shows the importance of duty to its charectars.

“Fred is sure to tell us that he has remained this long only because of his sense of duty, and he gives everything to that,” said Chase Ledet, who plays Lieutenant Samuel.

The swashbuckling opera contains sword fighting, choreography, and audience interaction. In the first act, the Pirate King and the orchestra conductor had their own little sword fight. The second act had the use of a strobe light. The building was packed on all three levels, and from the sound of laughter in the audience, the show seemed to be accepted.

Cody Chustz, junior in Education, said, “I came here for my class to get some extra points, but it turned out to be a pretty funny play. I loved the Pirate King, he reminded me of Jack Sparrow.”

Bonnie Ambrose of the Performing Arts Supply Company, run out of Houston, TX, designed the productions costumes.

“The experience as an acting musician has been absolutely fantastic, and even on bad days, I can always leave rehearsal with a smile,” said Ledet of the experience.