Quote of the Day: …who are these Pirates of the Prairie? Joe Andrews, director of the Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company’s (GSVLOC) 2026 production of The Pirates of Penzance, reconceived as a Wild West Adventure. It’s a rip-roarin’ good time. 

Joe Andrews, director of this year’s production of The Pirates of Penzance with GSVLOC, reimagined the swashbuckling tale as a Wild West Adventure. The concept comes alive in boots and spurs and flouncy dresses, and nightgowns in the second act. (Costumes by Bronson Talcott are fun and fit the mood and style of this piece.) They changed some of the lyrics to fit the Wild West theme, and the Modern Major General song is now about a Modern Mormon General. The basic plot is still the same, and no songs are completely changed, just a few lyrics and pronunciations of the hard R that most singers don’t do, especially in classical music, but Rrr necessary in Wild West vernacular and pirate lore. This production is light and fun, and the audience was very engaged. I heard chuckles and cheers. The cast was wonderful. Several people said it was one of the best shows they’ve seen.

Seth Steidl as The Pirate King, Andrew Peterson as Frederic, and Lara Trujillo as Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance, GSVLOC, thru 11/22/26. Photo: Stephen Hage

They double-cast the leading roles and have two cast lists. We saw the Gilbert cast with Scott Benson as General Stanley, Seth Steidl as The Pirate King, Andrew Peterson as Frederic, Mike Tober as Samuel, Waldyn Benbenek as The Sheriff, Maggie Benham as Mabel, Lara Trujillo as Ruth, Mallory Downing as Edith, Lily Miller as Kate, and Liza Hartshorn as Isabel. They always have a large ensemble cast and men and women who fill the stage with color and vocal perfection. Everyone was really into this theme, and it gave the impression that they were all having fun performing it. 

Maggie Benham as Mabel and Andrew Peterson as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, GSVLOC, thru 11/22/26. Photo: Stephen Hage

My sister Joy and I always attend the GSVLOC’s shows together, and we brought another friend along this time. She didn’t know about this terrific company and their wonderful performances. She liked it so much that she said she’d like to bring her mom to a performance before it closes. We have started to recognize many of the performers. Seth Steidl is such a great actor, and it was fun to see him in this role.  The last time they did Pirates, in 2023, he played Frederic. Andrew Peterson was darling in this year’s production as Frederic. Waldyn Benbenek was wonderful, as always, as The Sheriff, and I think that Lara Trujillo had an especially good time as Ruth. She brought out much of the laughter and whimsy. I thought Maggie Benham was outstanding as Mabel. She hits those high notes with ease. Come out for the amazing vocals! It’s a great escape from the November dreariness and angst of elections. 

Excellent live orchestra under the direction of Dr. Randal A. Buikema. Fun Wild West set design by Michael Hoover. They use old-time film projections at the beginning to give background and set the mood. Overture film by Lee Stanford and Joe Andrews. The lighting, designed by Carl Schoenborn was good. However, after the overture film, the strobes go on for a much longer time than necessary. Those should be very short, and I didn’t notice a warning sign. Although, it could have been posted, and I missed it. Still, I think all of us were blinking our eyes by the time they were done flashing.

You can see this delightful production of The Pirates of Penzance, or Love & Duty in the Old West through Nov. 22, 2026. Please visit the GSVLOC website for tickets & showtimes and the list of principal cast members from both the Gilbert cast and the Sullivan cast. Maybe go twice so you can see your favorite performers give their unique take on these classic characters. If you want to challenge yourself, try singing the famous patter song I am the very model of a modern major general quickly and in one breath for the verses! 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What are some creative motifs that you’ve seen for classic productions like The Pirates of Penzance?