This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Going south this winter?
Returning to the Celebrity Concert Series at Dixie State after several years' absence is the Gilbert and Sullivan touring repertory company Opera a la Carte with the Gilbert and Sullivan classic, "Pirates of Penzance," on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 11-12, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cox Performing Art Center (325 South 700 East, Saint George).
From the press release: A rollicking band of pirates, a bevy of giggling maidens and their "very model of a modern Major-General" father along with a dashing pirate apprentice, a fading nursemaid and a bunch of blundering policemen are the key ingredients for the charmingly ridiculous plot of The Pirates of Penzance Critical acclaim for Opera a la Carte's production has been unanimous, one hailing it as "a particularly fine production" and another as "a top-notch production in every aspect imaginable." The Los Angeles Times called it "bright and fresh" with "a youthful company that treated 'Pirates' as newly minted." Heading the cast is the company director Richard Sheldon as the Major-General with long time Opera a la Carte member Rollin Lofdahl as the Pirate King. Soprano Carol Winston, another company veteran, sings the role of the General's daughter Mabel while tenor Craig Gilmore appears as the pirate apprentice Frederic in love with her. Ruth, Frederic's former nursemaid, is played by mezzo soprano Tamara Marston, who is making her debut with the company, and bass Jim Brown as the Sergeant of Police reminds us that "a policeman's lot is not a happy one." The production, which is complete with chorus and orchestra, will be conducted by Opera a la Carte's music director Alexander Ruggieri.
Tickets are $20 adults and available at the Dixie State College ticket office (435.652.7800) or online at http://www.tickets.dixie.edu.