Those familiar with the intimate setting of Hole in the Wall would argue that it is the last place to stage a mammoth musical production. That didn’t deter Director, Emily Trudeau when she brought Gilbert & Sullivan’s popular operetta, The Pirates of Penzance to New Britain’s popular black box theater. “Pirates actually is one of the few that can be done in a space this small,” she said. “It can also be done well with a smaller cast.”
And based on audience and critical reception, she didn’t disappoint. The Pirates of Penzance has played to commercial and critical acclaim since opening last month. It plays its’ final performance on Saturday, June 11th at 8:00p.m.
Emily describes Pirates as a “light-hearted comedy. It is not something that has a profound moral or something that will make you evaluate your life choices. It is going to make you leave the theater smiling and entertained. “
A top-notch catch was put together to bring this beloved piece to life. More so than any other HITW show, the cast comes from all different walks of life and performance backgrounds. It is consisted of people who have an affiliation with the CT Renaissance Festival, veterans of the CT Gilbert & Sullivan Society and musical theatre regulars.
“The cast has been phenomenal,” said Emily. “We have people who have sang in choirs but have never done a play. We also have people who are theater veterans. They are truly knocking it out of the park.”
Emily feels that Pirates is a show that has stood the test of time. “Gilbert & Sullivan were large satirists. Like Shakespeare, they commented on themes of society and nature society. It was written over one hundred years ago, but it is still funny and enjoyable. It is one of those shows where you can have three generations come and enjoy it for different reasons.”
Hole in the Wall Theater’s production of The Pirates of Penzance for tonight’s closing performance!! Tickets are $25.00 (General Admission) and $20.00 (students & seniors). Tickets can be purchased at the door and online at www.hitw.org.