By P.J. Carmody

There you are, standing on the stage, as the piano plays the introduction to your song. You understand that messing this up could mean someone else gets the part as you begin to sing. Many students experienced this exact anxiety weeks ago as Tempe Prep’s musical returned for another year. Auditions occurred in January following an audition workshop teaching students the ins and outs of auditioning. A few lead roles were given to Christopher Moffitt (Frederick), Tiffanie Cappello Lee (Mabel), Michael Benson (Pirate King), Connor Will (Major General Stanley), Aubri Stough (Ruth), and Grace Brittain (Chief of Police). Yes, it’s The Pirates of Penzance. The drama teacher, Mr. Sanderson, directs it during his first year at TPA.

It takes a lot of effort to put together such a production. Rehearsals began seven weeks ago, and the cast dove directly into learning two long acts of music. Since The Pirates of Penzance is an operetta, it’s about 80 percent song. Music teacher Mrs. Wilkison has been leading the cast through the challenging pieces of the music. She says, “The music is very comical, as are the words. Generally the harmonies are classical, even though it’s the height of the romantic period.”

Sophie Kniaz plays the role of one of the Major General’s daughters. She says the most challenging thing about the play is “deciphering the music – it’s from the 1880s.” The first two weeks were spent simply learning the music. “It’s not easy,” Mrs. Wilkison says, and Mr. Sanderson along with many cast members agree. Aubri Stough says, “It is hard to hit the higher notes that are almost out of my range.”

The musical is a comedy, however, and Mr. Sanderson says the music supports this notion. “I can’t say I enjoy getting the songs stuck in my head,” says stage manager Sarah Faulkner. Mrs. Wilkison describes the progress made by the cast musically as a path leading to where they must be by the time of the performance: “It may seem we haven’t gotten as far as we need, but we have.” Overall, Mr. Sanderson is also very assuring: “People learning this music study voice in grad school for years. I’m very impressed at how well the students are able to perform it.”

By three weeks through rehearsals, Mr. Sanderson began the stage work with the cast members, who was still struggling to memorize the music. He reveals that the biggest thing that distinguishes the acting in The Pirates of Penzance from other musicals is “the comedy. It’s very funny. It’s a good time to be had by all.”

It can be difficult “keeping up with Mr. Sanderson,” says Sarah Faulkner. Memorizing multiple stage actions can become difficult, especially because “in musicals, it makes it harder to speak at the same time,” says Aubri Stough. She is the dance manager, meaning she plans and teaches the choreography for the musical. She carried the job from last year’s The Sound of Music to this year’s production. She enjoys this job because she loves helping people.

Additionally, there is the fight choreographer, Mr. Bolt. He plans all of the fight scenes and teaches the cast how to make it look as realistic as possible. Through all of this commotion, however, students still seem to enjoy the hours spent rehearsing on the stage. “Being a lead [role] has been great because I’m able to lead others,” says Aubri (Ruth).

Next up is the musical’s artwork and set. The Art Club’s job is to make the Zelman Center look, as Kayla Scott explains, as much like a “seascape” as possible. The art teacher, Mr. Chapin, leads the Art Club and Kayla is his assistant. “Last week, we designed a blueprint. It’s like the audience is in the ocean,” Kayla adds. She says that they painted the stage and are going to return and add more to make it look more like sand. During the fourth week of rehearsal, they began painting waves of the ocean on the walls where the audience will be sitting, and they will be adding more to them.

Sixth grader Natsuki Saballos says: “I wanted become in the cast of the play, but I wasn’t able to. I became a member of the art club to help with the set. It’s been a great opportunity to see how to act. I hope to get a role in the play next year.” Yes, those who don’t want to have a role or weren’t able to get a role in the play sometimes find their skills at home in the forming of the set. This allows them still to be a member of the musical. Mr. Maza also helps with the set. He modifies the stage to fit the cast’s needs and brings bigger items to the set such as crates or benches for sitting on.

There are so many aspects that go into creating this production. Rehearsal is every day after school, and though only certain people are required to attend depending on the day, it can become difficult to schedule around it. Rehearsals are spent reviewing music and action on the stage while Mr. Maza or the Art Club occasionally work around the cast. From the perspective of a pirate myself, rehearsals can seem lengthy. However, I along with the rest of the cast enjoy my role in the musical.

“It’s been pretty enjoyable”, says Nathanael Stough, “I get to hang out with my bros.” Many other members say their favorite thing about the musical is spending time with their friends and getting to know new people. They are a group that loves the ability to sing, act, and create the artful set. Sophie Kniaz says: “I am really excited to see the final product.”

If any of these positions sound interesting to you, make sure you are ready for next year’s musical. It is easy to become a member. “The experience has been very rewarding,” says Christopher Moffit.

The Pirates of Penzance concerns Frederic, who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tenderhearted pirates. He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two young people fall instantly in love. Frederic finds out, however, that he was born on Feb. 29, and so, technically, he only has a birthday each leap year. This means he must still serve for another 63 years. Bound by his own sense of duty, Frederic’s only solace is that Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully.

“The music is simply glorious. It is beautiful, exciting, melodic, and romantic,” says Mr. Sanderson. The Pirates of Penzance is “a show that’s fun for the cast and the audience. I’m very excited about our students showing their wonderful work,” he adds. Support TPA by attending this musical comedy. Tickets for showings on April 10-13 will be available online after spring break.