The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan
July 14, 15 and 16, 2006
Smith Opera House, Geneva NY

The Geneva Theatre Guild's recent production of The Pirates of Penzance has received eight awards from the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS).

TANYS Roving Adjudicator Paul Nelson, Olean, said, "Geneva Theatre Guild's production of The Pirates of Penzance was truly one of the gems of this adjudication season. This company brought to the stage an energy packed production that was visually stunning and packed with performances not routinely seen on a non-professional stage. This Company, known for its fine work, has raised the bar again!"

The awards were: Outstanding Direction to Steve Duprey, Outstanding Scenic Design and Artistry to Steve Duprey and Susan Switras-Meyer and Outstanding Costume Design to Carol Spangenberg.

Bob Cowles and Troy Slocum received Excellence in Vocal Direction honors. Excellence in Performance Awards went to Richard Baker, as Frederic and Charles King, for his portrayal of the Pirate King. Renee Heitmann was given an Excellence in Vocal Performance award for her work as Mabel.

Jake Mattison received a Meritorious Achievement award for his work as the Sergeant.

The awards will be presented at the annual Theatre Association of New York State Theatre Festival, at the Charles R. Wood Theatre, Glens Falls, November 17, 18, and 19.

Appearing as the Pirate King was well-known Geneva actor Charles King. Richard Baker, Canandaigua, played Frederic, the young pirate-in-training. Ruth, the proper English nanny who mistakenly apprenticed young Frederick to the pirates, was played by Sharyn Powell, Geneva. The role of Mabel, very much a young woman of the 19th Century, was played by Penn Yan resident Renee Heitmann. The very proper Major General was Stephen Zumchak from Syracuse.

Other featured performers were Aubrey Bendix, Newark, as Kate; Erin Race, Camillus, as Edith; and Emily McAdoo, Geneva, as Isabel. Luke Walton, Palmyra, was Samuel, the Pirate King's right hand man, and Jacob Mattison, Newark, was the Sergeant.

The Major General's husband-hunting daughters were played by Kelly Witter, Newark; Deb Hodgeman, Clifton Springs; Dorothy Frye, Canandaigua; Laura Black, Penn Yan; Katie Duprey, Phelps; and Kelsey Ettman, Fayette. Pirates were Elliot Fox, Erika King, Adiron Corichi, Jeff Felice and Adrian Cowles, Geneva; and Robert Bendix, Anthony Cole and Adolfo Arango, Newark . The bumbling cops were Emily Cowles, Brenna English-Loeb, and Kiley Conklin, Geneva: Molly Gutschow, Lyons; and Laura Baker, Farmington.

The Guild's production was directed by Steve Duprey, who directed award-winning productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Man of La Mancha and last summer's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Vocal director was Troy Slocum and the orchestra was under the direction of Robert Cowles. Choreographer was Pam Bryan, with costuming by Carol Spangenberg.

The Geneva Theatre Guild 2006 is supported in part with public funds from the NYSCA Decentralization program, administered locally by FLAGS.