'PIRATES' marks the final show of NJ's Paper Mill Playhouse's 2006-07 season. Two months ago, it was not clear whether this and SEVEN BRIDES would even happen due to Paper Mill's ongoing, surmounting financial difficulties.
In response, Paper Mill's next season looks like non-equity summerstock with HAPPY DAYS, LITTLE SHOP, MEET ME IN ST LOUIS, STEEL MAGNOLIAS and KISS ME KATE.
The final piece of this season, PIRATES!, is a PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN style adaptation of PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Its being advertised as a theatrical concert, in the sense that it has been staged in the Encores! style of orchestra onstage, but it's really no different from any other production I imagine.
Many of the tempos changed, as did the lyrics and even some plot points. But with the jazzed up humor and spice, it was like watching Gilbert & Sullivan on steroids. I think that should be my headline: GILBERT & SULLIVAN ON STEROIDS. Or maybe: GILBERT & SULLIVAN ON CRACK.
My full review will be in on Tuesday. But to my great surprise, this marked one of the best Paper Mill productions I've ever attended. It's lyrics and book were reworked by Nell Benjamin, who was nominated for Best Score for LEGALLY BLONDE with her husband Larry O'Keefe.
To think of it, I've seen PIRATES OF PENZANCE performed many times, but almost always by an opera company, or by the Gilbert & Sullivan Players. Though the Paper Mill performers were all wonderful vocally, the real highlight of this production, in addition to the rewriting, was in the comic abilities of the gifted, well-cast performers, something you probably can't find with an opera company. I'd say 4 stars!