At the Theater

'H.M.S. Pinafore' opens March 8 at Lincoln Theater

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 7:00am

On Friday, March 8, the curtain will rise to the sounds of the Never Never Sick at Sea Symphony Orchestra, featuring the DaPonte String Quartet, and the overture to one of the world’s most beloved operas, H.M.S. Pinafore. For three performances only, it is being proudly presented in concert by the Lincoln County Community Theater, in residence in Damariscotta’s historic Lincoln Theater, and will performed with a company of 9 soloists, 13 orchestral musicians, 27 chorus members, and 1 Mistress of Ceremonies, (the bubbling Barbara Bruno), all assembled under the baton of Maestro John Mulcahy. 

Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” or “The Lass That Loved a Sailor” is a comic opera in two acts. For those who may have forgotten it’s amusing tale, the story takes place aboard the British ship H.M.S. Pinafore on which we find a gallant crew of able bodied seamen, including Dick Deadeye (Nick Azzaretti), Bill Bobstay (Andy Barber), and Bob Becket(Andy Sherrill), being tempted to purchase the wares of Little Buttercup (Lesley Dolinger).

The captain's daughter, Josephine (Nancy-Grace Dersham), is in love with a lower-class sailor, Ralph Rackstraw (Jason Phillips), although her father, Captain Corcoran, Commander of H.M.S. Pinafore (Tom Crutcher), intends her to marry Sir Joseph Porter (Don Carrigan). Josephine abides by her father's wishes at first, but Sir Joseph's advocacy of the equality of humankind encourages Ralph and Josephine to overturn conventional social order. They declare their love for each other and plan to elope. The captain discovers this plot, but a surprise disclosure changes things dramatically. The company is complete with a chorus of Sir Joseph’s sister, his cousins, and his aunts, under the tutelage of Cousin Hebe (Ruth Monsell) as well as a group of able sailors.

“HMS Pinafore” plays Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee performance, Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. at Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 for youth age 18 and under and may be reserved by calling the box office at 207-563-3424 or by visiting during regular box office hours (Tuesday through Friday 1-5 p.m., or one hour before curtain). Additional information can be found on the theater’s website, www.athtelincoln.org/.