A Comic Operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan
So give three cheers and one cheer more – it’s time once again for Pinafore! Sir Joseph Porter will arrive in Calgary in the spring of 2012, and so will his sisters, and his cousins, and his aunts. One of the most beloved comic operettas Gilbert and Sullivan created, HMS Pinafore tells the tale of Josephine: who is the captain’s daughter, who is to be married to Sir Joseph Porter, but is in love with a British Tar, one Ralph Rackstraw – hilarity and silliness ensue in this nautical romp. Oh Rapture!! All in good fun, no institution is safe from the lighthearted pokes of this favourite musical. Join us next spring for declarations of love and the complexities of class systems – bring your sisters and your cousins and your aunts!
*This Production is fun for all ages.
STORY:
The Pinafore is anchored in the harbor at Portsmouth. Its proud sailors are busy scrubbing the decks for the expected arrival of Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., Britain's First Lord of the Admiralty. "Little" Buttercup, a bumboat woman who is "red and round and rosy" comes aboard to sell to the sailors her stock of "snuff and tobaccy and excellent jacky," and other luxuries. A handsome and accomplished sailor, Ralph, is in love with the Captain's daughter, Josephine. Josephine in turn is sought in marriage by Sir Joseph, but it seems that she has no enthusiasm for a union with that cabinet minister--secretly, she is in love with a lowly sailor: Ralph. It also seems that Little Buttercup has a romantic interest in the Captain and harbors a secret.
Ralph finds Josephine alone on deck and declares his love for her and his willingness to try to fit in with middle-class society. She rejects his proffered love, although his simple eloquence goes to her heart. She is a dutiful daughter and cannot forget the disparity in their ranks. But when Ralph threatens suicide, the lady relents and declares her love for him. With the crew and the sisters, cousins and aunts assisting, the lovers plot to elope that very night. Dick Deadeye warns the pair of the impropriety of their plan, but he is forced to retreat.
In the second act, in true G&S form, everything seems to go wrong, and the world is turned topsy turvy, only to be righted when Buttercup reveals her secret.
ROLES
Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, KGB: (M - 45+) E - low a, First Lord of the Admiralty, a slightly older gentleman promised the hand of the Captain's daughter.
Captain Corcoran: (M - 30+) high f# (optional high a) - low a, Commanding "H.M.S. Pinafore".
Ralph Rackstraw: (M - 30+) high B - c, able seaman who is in love with the Captain's daughter.
Dick Deadeye: (M - 40+) f - low g, able seaman.
Josephine: (F - 18 to 25 ish) high B (optional high C), daughter of Captain Corcoran.
Buttercup: (F - 30+) high e - low g, a bumboat woman.
Cousin Hebe: (F - 30+) high e - low a, a cousin of Sir Joseph Porter.
Bosun: (M) f - low a, a member of the Pinafore.
Carpenter: (M) e - low e, a member of the Pinafore.
Along with these we are looking for a chorus of men (the sailors of the HMS Pinafore) and a chorus of women (the sisters and cousins and aunts of Sir Joseph Porter KCB).
A good resource for G&S material, including words, music and mid files is:
Gilbert & Sullivan Archive
The Readthrough is currently scheduled for December 4th. Rehearsals will start on January 3, 2012 and run every Tuesday, Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Performances are March 30 - April 14, 2012 at the Pumphouse Theatre
Ticket Information
|
|
|
Production Crew
|
|
Producer
Director
Musical Director
Choreographer
Stage Manager
Orchestral Conductor
Accompanist
Set Design
Lighting Design
Costume Design
Hair Design
Props
|
|
Tim Elliott
Dawn Darsi
Graham Wrightson
Karen Iwanski
Caren Johnson
Joanne Sampson
Meredith Letain
Bill Brown
vacant
vacant
vacant
vacant
|
|
Cast Auditions
Open auditions for all roles will take place:
Sunday November 20th (12:00 to 4:00pm)
Tuesday, November 22nd (7:00 to 9:30pm) and
Thursday November 24th (7:00 to 9:30pm)
Callbacks, if necessary, will be held on Tuesday, November 29th, from 7:00 to 10:0pm.
at the NEW Morpheus Rehearsal Centre
3512 - 5th Avenue NW
(Lower Level - Parkdale Community Centre)
Click here for Google Map.
Audition Requirements:
* Those interested in auditioning are asked to prepare a song from any Gilbert and Sullivan operetta except HMS Pinafore.
* Be prepared for a cold read.
* Please bring your resume and headshot, if you have them, to the audition.
* An accompanist will be at all auditions, although you are welcome to bring a CD, iPod, or sing acapella.
Some Tips for a Great Audition:
* Arrive at the audition venue at least 15 minutes before your audition time. This is necessary to allow time for you to fill out an audition form.
* If something happens on the day of your audition and you can’t come at the last minute, please send us an email or call our office.
* If you can, it is best to read the play before the audition (see the G&S archive link at the bottom of the page).
* Relax, and be yourself!
Available Audition Times:
Sunday November 20, 2011
|
| Audition times are no longer available |
Tuesday November 22, 2011
|
| The audition date has now past |
Thursday November 24, 2011
|
| Audition times are no longer available |
Call 403-246-2999 or send an e-mail for more info.
If all audition times are booked, please come to the Rehearsal Centre and we will fit you in during a break.
|
|
HMS Pinafore > > > March 30 - April 14, 2012