A Pirates Life for Me

Pretty pirates walk the plank at Gipin School

Lynn Volkens

04/24/2008 - When the lights went down, leaving only the silhouette of a grinning skull centered on the blood-red curtain of Gilpin School’s auditorium, folks in the house grew hushed. The anticipatory quiet was broken by the sound of muffled waves that grew into crashing breakers accompanied by hurricane winds, then a rollicking tune – a fitting start to set the mood for this year’s school play, “A Pirate’s Life for Me.”

  The year is – oh, sometime in the 1790’s and the scene is a manor, somewhere along the seaboard of the United States. Enter fussy dandy, Roger Goodman (Emma Berg) and his valet, George (Lacy Franks) who are rehearsing Roger’s intended proposal to his intended fiancée, the wealthy Sarah Huffington (Paige Johnson). But, as Roger learns to his eavesdropping dismay, Sarah wants no dandy. She wants a man of adventure, risk and excitement – in short, a rascal, a pirate! Someone like Bluebeard (David Yerkman). She heads out with her girlfriends, Kate (Katie Cornwell) and Belinda (Katie Schimanskey), to crew her own pirate ship and attract the man of her wild dreams. Soon, Sarah is known as the ruthless Pirate Queen. A desperate Roger sends George to find a tutor, someone to school him in “Avast ye matey’s,” “Aargh’s,” and “Yo, ho ho’s.” George returns with Long John Sliver (yep, that’s sliver, not silver), played by Miranda “Li” Hudacky, to transform Goodman into pirate extraordinaire, “Captain Blood.” The result is a fun and funny clashing of nobility’s refined manners and the crude customs of outlaws. Long John quickly renames Goodman’s ship (the Petunia) as the Sea Serpent, hoists the Jolly Roger (taking down the Goodman’s floral banner) and they all set sail for Treasure Island.  

  The cast of 26 (with only three males), was divided into The British, Captain Blood’s Crew, the Pirate Queen’s Crew, and Bluebeard’s Crew (with one English Captain trying to capture them all). The scenes move from one ship’s deck to the next until they all arrive, in stages, at Treasure Island. Bluebeard has long ago given up piracy for an easy Carribean life, sipping tiny umbrella’d coconut concoctions in the shell and lounging on the beach while his crew paints his portrait and recites poetry. They are soon rousted by Captain Blood and Long John (who is seeking the chests of gold doubloons he’d buried ten years earlier). Sarah’s parents, Lord Hector (Abby Flowers) and Lady Emma (Kira Hicks) end up marooned on the island when the captain of their ship tires of their demands. The pirates learn of each other’s whereabouts and activities via messages in bottles. Goodman learns the identity of the Pirate Queen (his beloved Sarah) and sends bottled word that he is holding her parents hostage on Treasure Island. Soon, the Pirate Queen and her crew come ashore. The rest is a combination treasure hunt, hide-and-seek until, with the help of sedative-laced chocolate chip cookies, the villains are all overcome, the treasure is found, and Roger gets his girl.

  Gilpin’s play was produced by Peggy Miller and directed by Bev Brownson with Student Director, Paige Johnson. Johnson and Molly Brown choreographed numerous song and dance numbers. Senior, Tess Brownson, designed the sets. Ivywild Costumes provided brocade jackets, tri-corner hats, sashes, leggings, period dresses and picture hats – all the trappings of both nobility and scurvy sea robber. Cassie Flowers did the stage make-up.

  A stage crew of five students, under the direction of House and Stage Manager, Kacey Gould, kept the props and scenery flowing. Barb Bedwell handled lighting.

  The play was well-attended for both Friday and Saturday nights’ performances with an audience easily caught up in the exuberant ridiculousness of the plot, amused by several references to modern-day events and particularly appreciative of the lively swash-buckling scenes and an obnoxious Parrot (Will Fattor) who’s ever searching for a cracker. Berg played Goodman with exquisite prissiness. Johnson, strong in both song and dance, shone in each scene. Hudacky, as Long John Sliver, gave such a convincing performance that audience members nudged each other and remarked each time she came on stage. Their performances were enhanced by the numerous other raucous characters, played uniquely and with great comedic timing by fellow cast members.

  This year’s play marks the last performance at Gilpin School by seniors, Emma Berg, Tess Brownson, Katie Cornwell, Kacey Gould and Andy Schafer. They ended their performance with a bang and a whirl and their season with gifts of flowers and a final “Break a Leg!” in their future endeavors.