The Mid-Prairie Drama Department had their annual fall musical this past weekend, performing “The Pirates of Penzance.”  Safe to say, it was a treasure. Led by director Christine Meader, assistant director Lisa Helmuth, and vocal director Collette McClellen, we would expect nothing less than a top-tier high school theatre performance.

The show began with a beastly, terrifying pirate ship standing . . . one foot tall. The Mid-Prairie drama department really knows how to start a show on a high note -- or short note!

Nonetheless, the audience was swept away by an energizing pirate performance led by their Pirate King, played by junior Haydon Bailey. Bailey’s outrageously hilarious facial expressions and mannerisms pair perfectly with his sidekick Samuel, played by junior Jacob Carillo. We are then introduced to our protagonist, Frederic, played by sophomore Logan McClellen, who stuns the audience with his powerful, yet beautiful vocals.

McClellen’s character encroaches on a group of beautiful girls who detest his very being, but one beautiful girl thinks differently. Mabel, played by junior Avery Slaubaugh, enchanted the whole audience with her serene, operatic tones, reminiscent of an angel. Soon, the pirates make a swift entrance to assert their power, but not before the father of the fair maidens takes his place. The Major General, played by junior Jack Greiner, comes to his daughter’s defense -- and his own. Greiner and the cast perform “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General,” singing so quickly that for a moment it brought to mind an auction.

During the second act, it is revealed that Frederic’s indentures were not yet fulfilled on his 21st birthday, because he did not actually have 21 birthdays. The Pirate King and Ruth, played by senior Kenadi Fay, explain to Frederic that he was born on leap year, and that he is only five years and a quarter. Meaning, Frederic must fulfill his duty to serve his indentures. When his love, Mabel, hears of this, she sings for him to stay in, “Stay, Frederic, Stay”.  The pair’s duet was jaw-dropping.

The cast received standing ovations each night for their outstanding performances. On the final night, the seniors gifted Christine Meader, Lisa Helmuth, Collette McClellen, and pit director Lauren DiGiorgio a candy bouquet to thank them for their hand work. 

One hopes an auditorium is in the music and drama departments’ future.