'Pirates of Penzance' begins run at WWU March 4

Western Washington University’s Department of Theatre Arts and the WWU Opera Studio will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta “Pirates of Penzance” on March 4-6 and 11-13 in the Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater.

Co-directed by WWU associate professors Jim Lortz and David Meyer, the show is a college-level collaboration, featuring both WWU Theatre and Music students in this popular family-friendly production that is appropriate for all ages.

A rollicking band of pirates, a bevy of giggling maidens, a bunch of blundering policemen, and new horizons are just a few of the key ingredients for the charmingly ridiculous plot of “Pirates of Penzance.” Wanting to take the show to the next level of performance, the show is being designed and directed in a very nontraditional way. The show is going to take an offshoot of steampunk – a genre of science fiction set in Victorian times – but stay very true to the piece.

“Think modern imagery through a filter of Victorianism to tell the story,” said Lortz.

“Pirates of Penzance” will show at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 4-5 and 11-12, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 6 and 13.

Tickets are available through the WWU Box Office and cost $12 for general admission; $10 for seniors, WWU faculty and staff; and $8 for students.

WWU Box Office hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and one hour prior to the performance. For individual tickets or disability accommodations, contact the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146.

For more information, go online or call the WWU Department of Theatre Arts at (360) 650-3876.