All Hands-on Deck – Review of “H.M.S. Pinafore” 

By Claire DeMarco

Ralph Rackstraw (Omar Tolentino) is a lowly seaman on H.M.S. Pinafore, a ship commanded by Captain Corcoran (Logan Newman).  Rackstraw loves Corcoran’s daughter, Josephine (Leah Huber).

Corcoran, however encourages a marriage between Josephine and Sir Joseph Porter (Corey Nile Wingard), 1^st Lord of the Admiralty. He is unaware of his daughter’s feelings for Rackstraw.  Even though she wants to make her father happy, Josephine is not keen on Porter.  Not a fan!

Porter is the 1^st Lord of the Admiralty through no merit on his part.  He has never been at sea and is a prime example of the British class system where status, not competence elevated him to his current position.

Little Buttercup (Sally Denmead), a local vendor, makes periodic visits to Pinafore, delivering sellable goods to the seamen.  She has a natural rapport with the seaman and has her eyes on one in particular.

If only Josephine and Rackstraw were from the same social class, their love would be no problem.  But this difference is a concern to her father and a baffling enigma to Porter who can’t understand why someone wouldn’t want him.

Who finally prevails?   Josephine and Rackstraw or Josephine and Porter.

Differences do come to a conclusion for all parties and Little Buttercup divulges a secret of her own.

Huber is delightful as Josephine. Her singing voice is powerful and operatic, especially highlighted in “Sorry Her Lot” and “The Hours Creep on Apace.”  She brings out the enthusiasm of young Josephine with great physical moves and a flair for the occasional comedy.

Newman’s every emotion radiates from his face and facial expressions – eyebrows raised, eyes twitched, lips pouted. You know exactly what his reaction is to a situation without him saying a word.  But when he does speak, he is brilliant!  Great physical movements also enhance his vocal characterization of Captain Corcoran.

Decked out in flamboyant naval dress, Wingard easily invites ridicule as the pompous 1^st Lord of the Admiralty.  Impressed with himself, his rendition of “When I Was a Lad” defines how he rose to the top but never went to sea.

Denmead’s Little Buttercup is spunky, an extrovert and well-liked by the crew.  She delivers a great rendition of “I’m Called Little Buttercup” and compliments “Things Are Seldom What They Seem,” a duet with Corcoran.

Tolentino plays a gentle soul with a powerful singing voice.  He exudes a dreamy quality.  He is aware of his social standing and lacks the confidence to express his interest in Josephine immediately.

What beautiful singing voices by the entire cast!

This is a lovely production of an old classic, filled with humor and subtle jabs at a class system still in existence but fortunately, less rigid today.

Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore is one of the most notable of their many operas.  It follows a formula familiar to theatergoers through satire and comedic jabs about British society and its well-known class system.

Libretto for “H.M.S. Pinafore” written by W. S. Gilbert and Music by Arthur Sullivan.

Excellent Stage Direction by Melissa Hill Grande.

Kudos to Music Director and Conductor Guy Russo and the Pittsburgh Savoyards Orchestra.

Note:  Depending on the performance date, many of the actors’ roles are performed by other members of the cast.

-CED

 “H.M.S. Pinafore” is a production of The Pittsburgh Savoyards.  Performances run from March 14^th to March 23rd at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA.  For more information, click here.