Critical Notices for "Pirates"

Sarah Bryan Miller of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Bill Townsend of Examiner.com, Gerry Kowarsky of Two on the Aisle, Chris Gibson of BroadwayWorld.com and Sheila R. Schultz of KDHX have offered their critiques on Union Avenue Opera's production of The Pirates of Penzance. Here's a sampling of what they had to say:

The Production

"Gilbert & Sullivan's 'The Pirates of Penzance,' seen Friday night at Union Avenue Opera's season opener, is this company at its very best ... 'Pirates' received an energetic, consistently amusing production. Director Mark James Meier kept things moving nonstop with clever choreography and consistently spot-on timing, abetted by artistic director Scott Schoonover's zippy leadership in the pit. ... These 'Pirates' will steal your heart." --Sarah Bryan Miller

"Conductor and artistic director Scott Schoonover is superb at the music podium, and stage director Mark James Meier keeps things moving at a crisp pace." --Bill Townsend

"Director Mark James Meier has encouraged his cast to give buoyant performances that keep the mood light and the proceedings lively. ... The orchestra played beautifully under Scott Schoonover." --Gerry Kowarsky

"Conductor Scott Schoonover keeps the tone light while gracefully guiding the musicians and singers through their paces." --Chris Gibson

"['When the Foeman Bears His Steel'] is perfectly staged and the expertise of conductor Scott Schoonover is evident." --Sheila R. Schultz

Robert Boldin

"You'll note that Robert Boldin has a shining voice with great range." --BT

"Tenor Robert Boldin was a happy choice as Frederic, the 'slave of duty'; he is appropriately attractive in voice and person." --SBM

"Robert Boldin does fine work as Frederic, displaying a strong, pleasant voice, and handling the romantic lead with considerable aplomb." --CG

"Robert Boldin is very handsome. His voice and his stage presence are just right for the part." --GK

Victoria Botero

"Tiny soprano Victoria Botero looked great and played the do-gooder Mabel in appropriately over-the-top manner." --SBM

"Tiny Victoria Botero has a big soprano voice as Mabel." --BT

"Victoria Botero is a charmer as Mabel." --GK

"Soprano Victoria Botero is splendid as [Frederic's] love interest, Mabel, and she deftly glides her way through the coloratura passages the score provides." --CG

"Botero and Boldin enunciate clearly. Their voices merge with pleasing musical effect." --SRS

Denise Knowlton

"The role of Ruth, the piratical maid-of-all-work, is often given to a singer of limited vocal gifts, but mezzo-soprano Denise Knowlton combined fine comic timing with a really sumptuous voice." --SBM

"Denise Knowlton darn near steals the show as Ruth." --BT

"Denise Knowlton is an impressive singer." --GK

"Denise Knowlton amuses as Frederic's nurse, Ruth." --CG

Todd von Felker

"Todd von Felker, the Pirate King, swaggered nicely and sang effectively." --SBM

"Todd von Felker has a rich baritone as the Pirate King." --BT

"Felker is a gruff, hearty figure as the Pirate King." --GK

"Todd von Felker seems to be having a great deal of fun as the Pirate King." --CG

"Von Felker shines as the bewhiskered King with rich baritone delivery and infectious joie de vivre." --SRS

Andrew Papas

"Andrew Papas is a gregarious Major-General." --BT

"[Papas] has a rich voice and danced well." --SBM

"Andrew Papas cuts a completely comic figure as Major-General Stanley and he gets a lot of laughs." --GK

"Andrew Papas has the proper fussy temperament for the Major-General, and he pulls off his signature number in fine fashion." --CG

Design

"The daughters are clad in exquisite pastel confections when we meet them, each wearing a different color, thanks to costume designer Teresa Doggett. It helps distinguish every girl. Doggett's choice is wise, aesthetically appealing and not as obvious as you may imagine." --SRS

"[Schoonover is] aided by Patrick Huber's colorful scenery, Teresa Doggett's lovely costumes, and Kimberly Klearman's sharp lighting scheme." --CG

Secondaries and Ensemble

"The secondary roles were all nicely done. The chorus of daughters, pirates and policemen sang and danced to near perfection."--SBM

"We have fine singing from the other daughters: Elise LaBarge as Edith, Debra Hillabrand as Kate and Melissa Payton as Isabel. ... We saw nice work by Tom Sitzler as the Pirate King's lieutenant and David Dillard as the Police Sergeant." --GK

"A solid supporting cast includes: Tom Sitzler as Samuel, Elise LaBarge as Edith, Debra Hillabrand as Kate, Melissa Payton as Isabel, and David Dillard as the Sergeant of Police." --CG

The Pirates of Penzance continues its run tomorrow night, running through the weekend: July 16, 17, 18(M). Performances begin at 8pm; 3pm matinee on Sunday. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Sung in English with projected English supertitles. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the UAO Website or call 314.361.2881