Musical Theatre
The Pirates of Penzance
Performed in Yiddish at the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts Review: Pirates of Penzance in Yiddish By Pat Donnelly, The Gazette Culture Critic Yiddish-speaking pirates who yearn for bagels and seltzer sing and dance up a storm in Al Grand’s amusing adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s the Pirates of Penzance at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts. This crazy blend of British operetta and Yiddish comedy, staged by Bryna Wasserman, features a talented semi-professional cast backed up by a six-member band of professional musicians under the direction of Nick Burgess. |
Even if your knowledge of the Yiddish language is non-existent, this show can be enjoyed. English super titles are provided above the stage. (Which is something that should be done when Gilbert and Sullivan is presented in its original English, anyway. Only the sharpest ear can follow a patter song in any language.)
Grand’s reworking of The Pirates of Penzance within a Jewish context adds talk of rabbis, dietary laws, Torah studies and matchmakers. The pirates are portrayed as delinquent but redeemable yeshiva students.
The show begins with model ships sailing above undulating blue sheets on a stage framed by scrolled coastal maps showing the invasion-vulnerable location of the town of Penzance, in Cornwall, England.
Set designer John C. Dinning has created an antique fantasy setting that suggests both ship (complete with mast and sail) and village (faux stone walls and statues). Costume designer James Lavoie has gone for a welcome rustic, subdued look, sticking to white for the maidens and highly authentic bobby costumes for the local constabulary.
Gab Desmond is dashing as Fayvl, the young man who is looking forward to the end of his term as an indentured pirate. Michelle Heisler takes the role of his former nursemaid, Rivke, into new territory as she boldly brandishes her sword with the rest of the crew. Their courtship duet, during which she tries to con Fayvl into marriage, is a highlight of the show. Jonathan Patterson is a wily, engaging Pirate King. And Elan Kunin shows up admirably as Mendl, the Sergeant of Police.
But there’s no denying it’s Kerry-Anne Kutz, as Favyl’s love-interest, Malka, who has the operatic-level singing voice. Equally impossible to ignore is the fact that New York import Stephen Mo Hanan steals the show as Der Groyser General, with an irresistible combination of charm, slick comedic timing and superlative renditions of the patter songs.
While the principals make the most of their solos, duets and trios, the lively ensemble consistently delivers entertainment value throughout -- thanks to Wasserman’s deft handling of group scenes on a crowded stage.
Unfortunately, the run of this delightful show cannot be extended because of the imminent opening of the International Yiddish Theatre Festival on June 17 at the Segal. Hopefully, however, it will sail around again, perhaps next season.
The Pirates of Penzance, by Gilbert and Sullivan, adapted into Yiddish by Al Grand, continues until June 16 at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts. The Montreal International Yiddish Theatre Festival runs from June 17 to 25.
Info: 514-739-7944 or visit www.yiddishtheatre.org
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Grand’s reworking of The Pirates of Penzance within a Jewish context adds talk of rabbis, dietary laws, Torah studies and matchmakers. The pirates are portrayed as delinquent but redeemable yeshiva students.
The show begins with model ships sailing above undulating blue sheets on a stage framed by scrolled coastal maps showing the invasion-vulnerable location of the town of Penzance, in Cornwall, England.
Set designer John C. Dinning has created an antique fantasy setting that suggests both ship (complete with mast and sail) and village (faux stone walls and statues). Costume designer James Lavoie has gone for a welcome rustic, subdued look, sticking to white for the maidens and highly authentic bobby costumes for the local constabulary.
Gab Desmond is dashing as Fayvl, the young man who is looking forward to the end of his term as an indentured pirate. Michelle Heisler takes the role of his former nursemaid, Rivke, into new territory as she boldly brandishes her sword with the rest of the crew. Their courtship duet, during which she tries to con Fayvl into marriage, is a highlight of the show. Jonathan Patterson is a wily, engaging Pirate King. And Elan Kunin shows up admirably as Mendl, the Sergeant of Police.
But there’s no denying it’s Kerry-Anne Kutz, as Favyl’s love-interest, Malka, who has the operatic-level singing voice. Equally impossible to ignore is the fact that New York import Stephen Mo Hanan steals the show as Der Groyser General, with an irresistible combination of charm, slick comedic timing and superlative renditions of the patter songs.
While the principals make the most of their solos, duets and trios, the lively ensemble consistently delivers entertainment value throughout -- thanks to Wasserman’s deft handling of group scenes on a crowded stage.
Unfortunately, the run of this delightful show cannot be extended because of the imminent opening of the International Yiddish Theatre Festival on June 17 at the Segal. Hopefully, however, it will sail around again, perhaps next season.
The Pirates of Penzance, by Gilbert and Sullivan, adapted into Yiddish by Al Grand, continues until June 16 at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts. The Montreal International Yiddish Theatre Festival runs from June 17 to 25.
Info: 514-739-7944 or visit www.yiddishtheatre.org
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette