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H.M.S. Pinafore Sails into Harbour

Gilbert & Sullivan’s perennial comic opera, H.M.S. Pinafore, will be the next production of the Jerusalem English Speaking Theatre (JEST). Scheduled for the Hirsch Theatre in Mercaz Shimshon (Beit Shmuel, HUC Campus) from March 21-30, 2006 and directed by the team of Robert Binder, Paul Salter and Arlene Chertoff (who were responsible for previous JEST hit productions of The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, and last season’s Iolanthe), the opera features a highly talented cast of principals, a 40-voice strong chorus, a nine-piece orchestra, satirical humour and unforgettable melodies that never – well, hardly ever – fail to delight audiences.

The whimsical plot is based on several of Gilbert’s “Bab Ballads”, in which the author displayed his biting wit and remarkable rhyming facility: Poll Pineapple, the bumboat woman who once disguised herself as a sailor in order to serve under the handsome Lt. Belaye; Capt. Reece (of the H.M.S. Mantelpiece), who dutifully married his crew to his sisters, cousins and maiden aunt, in order to provide them with instant social mobility; and General John and Private James, who one day sense that that were exchanged in infancy and so immediately assume one another’s identity – and rank, all make their (somewhat altered) appearance on board the Pinafore.

Sullivan’s bouncy score became instantly popular in 1878, making H.M.S. Pinafore the first mega-hit in musical theatre history. In addition to the London and provincial touring companies, there were innumerable “pirated” versions of the opera throughout the United States. New York alone had eight Pinafore productions running simultaneously, and Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago also had multiple versions playing at any one time. The songs of Pinafore remain as fresh and captivating as they were at the premiere and feature an endless flow of “showstoppers.” The composer took deliberate aim at the operatic conventions of the day, including delicious parodies of Mozart, Verdi, Arne, Mendelssohn, and others in his mock-patriotic mode.

The current production in Jerusalem boasts an exceptional cast of veterans and newcomers. Heading the cast are Bezalel Manekin as Sir Joseph Porter, KCB, First Lord of the Admiralty, David Glickman as Captain Corcoran, and Claire Greenfeld as Little Buttercup, who holds the mysterious key to the entire proceedings. All three have appeared in previous G&S operas for JEST and have impressive stage and singing credits to their names. The young lovers are portrayed by Aviella Trapido (Josephine) and Gregory Wolfe (Ralph Rackstraw), two students who have specialized in voice and musical training. In supporting roles are Dani Shapiro, Ziv Wities, Toby Atlas, Yaffa Reich, and Marc Zell, all of whom have made their mark on the boards of JEST.

Eight performances of H.M.S. Pinafore are planned, with matinees at 5:00 p.m. on March 23 and 30. Tickets may be obtained through the ticket agencies (Klaim 622-2333, Bimot 623-7000), or the Hirsch Theatre (620-3455). The entire libretto of the opera, along with musical selections in MIDI files, may be downloaded from the Internet at http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/pinafore/libretto.txt

A frolicsome adventure on the high C’s awaits you on board the Pinafore – don’t miss it!

All performances are at the Hirsch Theatre, Beit Shmuel (Mercaz Shimshon), 6 Eliahu Shama Street, Jerusalem.

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H.M.S. Pinafore Sails into Harbour Gilbert & Sullivan’s perennial comic opera, H.M.S. Pinafore, will be the next production of the Jerusalem English Speaking Theatre (JEST). Scheduled for the Hirsch Theatre in Mercaz Shimshon (Beit Shmuel, HUC Campus) from March 21-30, 2006 and directed by the team of Robert Binder, Paul Salter and Arlene Chertoff (who were responsible for previous JEST hit productions of The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, and last season’s Iolanthe), the opera features a highly talented cast of principals, a 40-voice strong chorus, a nine-piece orchestra, satirical humour and unforgettable melodies that never – well, hardly ever – fail to delight audiences. The whimsical plot is based on several of Gilbert’s “Bab Ballads”, in which the author displayed his biting wit and remarkable rhyming facility: Poll Pineapple, the bumboat woman who once disguised herself as a sailor in order to serve under the handsome Lt. Belaye; Capt. Reece (of the H.M.S. Mantelpiece), who dutifully married his crew to his sisters, cousins and maiden aunt, in order to provide them with instant social mobility; and General John and Private James, who one day sense that that were exchanged in infancy and so immediately assume one another’s identity – and rank, all make their (somewhat altered) appearance on board the Pinafore. Sullivan’s bouncy score became instantly popular in 1878, making H.M.S. Pinafore the first mega-hit in musical theatre history. In addition to the London and provincial touring companies, there were innumerable “pirated” versions of the opera throughout the United States. New York alone had eight Pinafore productions running simultaneously, and Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago also had multiple versions playing at any one time. The songs of Pinafore remain as fresh and captivating as they were at the premiere and feature an endless flow of “showstoppers.” The composer took deliberate aim at the operatic conventions of the day, including delicious parodies of Mozart, Verdi, Arne, Mendelssohn, and others in his mock-patriotic mode. The current production in Jerusalem boasts an exceptional cast of veterans and newcomers. Heading the cast are Bezalel Manekin as Sir Joseph Porter, KCB, First Lord of the Admiralty, David Glickman as Captain Corcoran, and Claire Greenfeld as Little Buttercup, who holds the mysterious key to the entire proceedings. All three have appeared in previous G&S operas for JEST and have impressive stage and singing credits to their names. The young lovers are portrayed by Aviella Trapido (Josephine) and Gregory Wolfe (Ralph Rackstraw), two students who have specialized in voice and musical training. In supporting roles are Dani Shapiro, Ziv Wities, Toby Atlas, Yaffa Reich, and Marc Zell, all of whom have made their mark on the boards of JEST. Eight performances of H.M.S. Pinafore are planned, with matinees at 5:00 p.m. on March 23 and 30. Tickets may be obtained through the ticket agencies (Klaim 622-2333, Bimot 623-7000), or the Hirsch Theatre (620-3455). The entire libretto of the opera, along with musical selections in MIDI files, may be downloaded from the Internet at http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/pinafore/libretto.txt A frolicsome adventure on the high C’s awaits you on board the Pinafore – don’t miss it! Hosted by www.Geocities.ws Performance Dates: Tuesday, March 21, 8pm; Wednesday March 22, 8pm; Thursday, March 23, 5pm and 8:30pm; Tuesday, March 28, 8pm; Wednesday, March 29, 8pm; Thursday, March 30, 5pm and 8:30pm. All performances are at the Hirsch Theatre, Beit Shmuel (Mercaz Shimshon), 6 Eliahu Shama Street, Jerusalem.