VALDOSTA – Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta are ready to walk the plank while treading the boards.
The youth arm of the local community theatre group presents the musical “A Pirate’s Life for Me” this week and next week at The Dosta Playhouse.
The downtown stage has been transformed into a ship with various pirate captains and their crews vying for lost treasure … and love, said Linda Stikkel, show director.
Theatre Guild show synopsis: “Aristocrat Roger Goodman has his heart set on a conventional life married to the wealthy Sarah Huffington and living happily ever after. That is, until he finds out she thinks he’s boring and would rather marry a brave and adventurous pirate.
“Determined to prove himself to his beloved, Roger hires Long John Sliver to tutor him and his newly recruited motley crew in the field of piracy. In exchange for his total pirate makeover (which includes the fearsome new name, Captain Blood), Roger and his crew sail to Treasure Island seeking the chests of gold doubloons Long John buried there long ago.
“Meanwhile, Sarah knows there’s only one way to win the affections of a true pirate. She dubs herself the Pirate Queen and sets sail with her own crew of lady pirates. With messages in bottles that spread rumors faster than social media, Captain Blood and the Pirate Queen learn of each other’s formidable reputations, not knowing, of course, each other’s true identity.”
The show’s book is by playwright Craig Sodaro with music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur.
The show is part of the Guild’s Gingerbread Players program which traditionally produced plays with children presenting shows for children; however, the Guild changed the Gingerbread parameters a few years ago. Gingerbread Players shows now include a mix of children working with adults on stage and the shows are for the entire family.
Stikkel said there is plenty for children and adults to enjoy in “A Pirate’s Life for Me.”
Joe Mason with Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance is the show’s music director.
THE CAST: Dalton Bell, Jay Baron, Ella Hallmark, Olivia Rosmini, Adyson Peterson, Ben Hawley, Frances Ann Layton, Reid Brookins, Pam Barton, Blake Carnline, Andy Akers, Ezra Barton, Lydia Barton, Bryan Layton, Poppy Walker, Zhyanna Worsley, Lemon Meeks, Olivia Crouso, Tanner Platt, Justin Chandler, Jayce Johnson, Kamron Wooten, Addilyn Presley, Isabel Williams, Alexia Guridy, Petra Brookins, Savannah Ellis, Harper Hughes, Olivia Barbour.
DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Linda Stikkel, director; June Bell, co-director and stage manager; Dalton Bell, assistant director; Joe Mason, music director, with Dany Artiga (March 23) and Melissa Glasscock (March 29 & 30); Tasha Conrad, assistant stage manager; Patti Robertson, producer; Olivia Rosmini & Ella Hallmark, choreographers; Petra Brookins, dance captain; Dana Welch, set design; Kassandra Morris, lighting design; Jasmine Meeks, lights; Mary Ann Green, Marsha Akers, Mary Helen Watson, Pamela Artega, Mia-Rae Barajas, Linda Stikkel, Rick Patrick, costumes; Nikki Presley & Mary Crouso, hair & makeup; Lois Allbritton, Beth Candelario, Evelyn Walker, props; Lynnette Worsley, Evelyn Walker, stage crew; Jeannie Gupton, showcase; Evelyn Walker, program design; Dana Welch, Jayce Johnson, Ben Hawley, Dalton Bell, Isabel Williams, Andy Akers, set construction.
Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta production of “A Pirate’s Life for Me” plays 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 22, 23; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24; 7:30 p.m., March 29; 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., March 30, The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St. Tickets, more information: Visit http://www.theatreguildvaldosta.com or call (229) 247-8243.