My Time Aboard the HMS Pinafore

My friends, the last month or so I have been embarking on a wondrous journey as Cousin Hebe in the Opera Lytes' production of HMS Pinafore, or The Lass That Loved A Sailor. Let me gush to you about this group whom, I must admit, I did not know about previously. This secret little gem of a company is dedicated to bringing light opera, operetta, and classic musical theater to WNY. They have been doing this work since 1994, and every single person in that room has been nothing but supportive, down to earth, and so much fun to work with. 

I think a lot of people have this misconception that just because something is labeled as “community theater” that it would automatically not be up to the standards of the bigger professional theatrical houses.However, when you put a bunch of hard working, talented people who are dedicated and care so much about what they are trying to accomplish, you get something special. Honestly I was floored, FLOORED, I tell you, with the amount of talent and passion that radiates out of each and every performer, the director and music director in that room. 

When I said the Opera-Lytes are a hidden gem, I absolutely meant it. First, you are taking operetta music, in this case HMS Pinafore, and my goodness, it is a complex score. The amount of preparation to be able to sing it was, at first for me, overwhelming, and I must admit that there was a point where I wasn't sure if I would be able to hold my own part in the octet in act 2. But then, I must come back to the support of the Music Director, Cieran Krueger. When I say working with him and Director Lisa Bergund, has been one of the most stress- less and drama free processes I have had as an actor, I mean it.

Going into this show, I had probably only heard the full run through of the musical maybe twice. The Creative team and many of the people who regularly are a part of this little company definitely did their homework - in fact it was regularly joked about that Lisa knows Gilbert and Sullivan’s collection of works back to front. There is something to be said about working on a show with an expert in the room.

If you are not aware, HMS Pinafore, or the Lass That Loved A Sailor, is a comic opera that opened originally in 1879, is the fourth opera written by G&S, and considered to be the first to bring them international success. The storyline takes place on board the ship HMS Pinafore, and the captain’s daughter, Josephine, is in love with a poor sailor, Ralph. Her father however wants her to be wed to Sir.Joseph Porter, first lord of the admiralty. She wants to follow her duty, but doesn’t like Sir Joseph. To try to convince her to marry him, Sir Joseph advocates that love levels all ranks, which unforeseen to him, encourages her to admit her love for Ralph, who is lower rank than her. They declare their love, plan to elope, and her father the Captain discovers this plan. But then a surprise changes everything towards the end. 

Discover the hilarity, joy and honestly the gorgeous musical score of HMS Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan performed by the Opera-Lytes for the next two weekends ( October 18-20, and 25-27, 2024), at the Amherst Community Church. I have attached a link for tickets here!