Opera meets comedy in the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre’s production of “The Pirates of Penzance.”
It tells the story of a young man named Frederic who celebrates his completion of an apprenticeship with pirates on his 21st birthday. He falls in love before realizing his birth date of February 29 means he is indebted to the pirates another 63 years.
The opera is directed by BYU-Idaho alumna Allison Andersen.
“I think our area is really fortunate as we have a lot of talented people in the area that cross over between opera as in classical style singing and in the musical theater,” Andersen said. “People can expect to also hear really great singing, but then also see some really fun acting incorporated as well.”
The cast is composed of several BYU-Idaho students and alumni. In addition to their talent, the opera will also include many detailed design elements to help enhance the comedic story.
“We actually built a ship that's on wheels that our pirate king tells his story on too,” Andersen said. “The pirates are wheeling him around and they're going backwards and forwards. I think this ship is really awesome.”
The opera opens Friday at the Idaho Falls Frontier Center for the Performing Arts with two additional shows on Saturday and Monday, all at 7 p.m. The performance also includes a director’s chat at 6:30 before the show starts.
“Come and then just join a night with your friends and family, listen to some great singing, see some really good acting and just being able to be entertained,” Andersen said.
You can find tickets at Ifot.org or purchase them at the door. Student, military and senior discounts are available, and pirate dress is encouraged.