The Pirates of Penzance

For over 40 years, Ellen Bowen has served as a choral director or music educator, role in which she has launched several successful choirs. Currently, Ellen Bowen serves as a music director at the Grosse Pointe Community Theatre in Michigan. In September of 2017, she directed a production of The Pirates of Penzance.

The music for The Pirates of Penzance was written by Gilbert and Sullivan and first performed in 1879 in England. The famous operetta features a twist on traditional operatic performances of the time and includes fast-paced, witty songs. The antics and comedic behavior of the characters adds to the appeal of the production.

The story revolves around Frederic, a young man indentured to a band of pirates. As his obligation comes to an end, he decides that he no longer wants to live the life of a pirate. Upon traveling to the mainland, he falls in love with a young woman named Mabel. The rest of his band, upon arriving on shore, also fall in love with a group of ladies, whom they plan to abduct. Major-General Stanley finds out about their plot and rescues the ladies with a bit of trickery. Frederic plans to join the police force until the pirates inform him that, due to a leap year loophole, he owes them additional time. After a swashbuckling battle with the Major-General, the pirates all win the hands of their sweethearts.

The Pirates of Penzance was performed by the Grosse Pointe Community Theatre in September of 2017 at the University Liggett School.