Press Release – Howard Payne University’s School of Music and Fine Arts will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” in conjunction with the university’s Homecoming 2017 celebrations. Performances are Thursday, October 19, through Saturday, October 21, at 8 p.m. each evening at HPU’s Mims Auditorium. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children and students. Tickets are available for purchase online atwww.hputx.edu/homecoming or at the door on the evenings of the performances.
“The Pirates of Penzance,” a classic comedic operetta, is one of the most famed products of the theatrical partnership of librettist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan. It follows the story of Frederic, a member of a band of pirates. It is quickly explained that when Frederic was young, his nurse mistakenly apprenticed him to a pirate rather than a pilot. Frederic announces his resolve to forsake the pirate life and work wholeheartedly to their extermination.
Dr. Celeste Church, professor of music and dean of institutional research and effectiveness, serves as the production’s artistic director.
“‘The Pirates of Penzance’ is a well-known and much-loved show that allows the audience to enjoy the humor of opera while keeping it well within the grasp of general audiences,” she said.  “Our cast, orchestra and crew have spent weeks rehearsing to put on a great show suitable for the whole family.”
Cast members include Caleb Bostick, freshman from Brownwood; Jake Bowren, sophomore from San Antonio; Jayland Brown, freshman from Temple; Leland Brown, freshman from Euless; Kayla Chadwick, senior from Tulia; Josh Collier, freshman from Voca; Camila Cotter, junior from Garden Ridge; Piper Davis, freshman from Bulverde; Taylor Davis, sophomore from Alvin; Jarod Dowling, junior from Grandview; Christopher Freeland, junior from Bangs; Marissa Godbey, senior from Austin; Josiah Hughes, sophomore from Katy; Hayden Jacobs, senior from Lytle; Victoria Malone, senior from Fort Worth; Bryce McWhirter, junior from Pflugerville; Ryan Miles, sophomore from Goldthwaite; Madison Miller, sophomore from Granbury; Ashleigh Moss, junior from Alvarado; Sadie Perez, freshman from Brownwood; Brendyn Porter, junior from Red Oak; Cassia Rose, senior from Winnsboro; Andi Rosenquist, freshman from Brownwood; Penny Stehlik, sophomore from Round Rock; Natalie Stephens, senior from Alvarado; Izzy Vela, freshman from Brownwood; and Luke Victor, sophomore from Austin.
In addition to Dr. Celeste Church, crew members include Dr. Gregory Church, professor of music, as musical director; Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld, professor of theatre and chair of the Department of Theatre, as choreographer; Dr. Nicholas Ewen, assistant professor of theatre, as set/technical designer; and Deejay Moses, junior from May, as stage manager.
For more information about “The Pirates of Penzance,” contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at 325-649-8500.
More than 30 other events are scheduled for Homecoming weekend, October 20-21. Alumni and visitors may register for Homecoming online. Some events require purchased tickets while many are free of charge. For complete details and the latest schedule information, visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 325-649-8044 or via e-mail at alumni@hputx.edu.