Climbing Over a Rocky Mountain
Hi! I’m Jonathan, and I’m a freshman with an intended double major in theatre and something else yet to be determined. As a member of the ensemble, I’m one of your correspondents for a look inside life during The Pirates of Penzance.
Since our first rehearsal now 8 weeks ago (it seems like yesterday!), we’ve been singing, dancing and, for all the daughters, “climbing over rocky mountains.” As we lead into tech week, we’ve been getting accustomed to our two larger-than-life sets designed by Curtis, as well as the many mismatched, colorful costumes.
On Tuesday, we will be running the show with the orchestra for the first time. It seems like there isn’t an hour passed where one of us isn’t drinking throat coat, steaming or chewing a vitamin in order to keep our voices strong. Despite its unconventionality, The Pirates of Penzance is still an opera which requires our voices to be at their best — especially since there will be no mics. If anything, the Pirates cast really knows how to fight against the Muhlenberg plague!
Personally, I have had a blast being a part of this show. I greatly anticipate our opening, and hope that each audience feels the comedy and energy of both casts. With a cast of more than fifty people, an orchestra with over twenty pieces, this show promises to be a good one. I’ll be sharing more experiences in later installments, but I can’t wait to see you there!