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| The Cast of "H.M.S. Pinafore" (photo: Evgenia Eliseeva) |
Never mind the why and wherefore, love can level ranks
and therefore you ought to get to Oberon where ART is presenting the
Hypocrites' production of “H.M.S. Pinafore” (“or the Lass That
Loved a Sailor”) for their third visit. Those of us who were lucky
enough to catch their “Mikado” last season (or “Pirates of
Penzance” prior to that) should be filled with foreseeable joy and
unmodified rapture. This time around, once again, you won't likely
be disappointed. From the moment we sail the ocean blue, things are
seldom what they seem. With their usual creativity on terra
firma, this company continues to delight with its wild, wacky and
wonderful approach to the satirical bite of W. S. Gilbert and the
musical precision of Arthur Sullivan.
As all of you G. & S. aficionados will recall, in
the original libretto, barely do we set off at sea when we encounter
the estimable presence of she who is called Little Buttercup, dear
Little Buttercup, though she could never tell why. Also aboard is the
smartest lad in all the fleet, Ralph Rackstraw, the youth whose
faltering feet with difficulty bear him on his course; alas, he loves
a lass above his station, one Josephine a maiden fair to see, who
bemoans how sorry is her lot who loves too well. Unfortunately for
Jack, she's also the daughter of the well-bred Captain of the
Pinafore, and a right good captain, too. Complicating matters
is the bothersome fact that Josephine is being pursued by another,
and not just anyone; he's none other than The Right Honorable Sir
Joseph Porter, K.C.B., who when he was a lad did a lot of polishing
of all sorts. Yet Jack, audacious tar that he is, can't refrain from
professing his love. How this all gets resolved (in typical G. &
S. fashion, of course), with a last-minute revelation, is satire of
the highest low level. Note the repeated refrain of the whole cast
mimicking Jean Hagen as Lina Lamont in Singing in the Rain, “I
can't stand it”.
But wait. This is after all the Hypocrites, masters of
dramatic deconstruction. Naturally, (or unnaturally), this company
takes the tale several steps further, with gender-bending hilarity
(virtually everyone is playing her or his opposite gender) and loving
disrespect for the original work. How they do so will remain
withheld here (critics having taken the Hypocritic Oath) but suffice
it to say that Adapter/Director Sean Graney and Co-Director Thrisa
Hodits are at it again, and we're all the better for it. Even if
you're a purist, you should be won over by their saucy wit. Even The
R.H. Sir Joseph succumbs to the inevitable in the end, for, as he
himself hath said it (and it's greatly to his credit), he is an
Englishman. Or woman. In any case, the splendiferous cast of
suspects includes Doug Pawlik (as Joseph), Dana Omar (Ralphina),
Emily Casey (Captain Cat Coran/Sail'ress Bobbi), Christine Stulik
(Admiral Dame Jo-Anne Porter /Sail'ress Tiffni), Kate Carson-Groner
(Dot Deadeye/Sail'ress Candi), Shawn Pfautsch (Porterman Kev'n), Matt
Kahler (Little Buttercup/Porterman Matt), Erik Schroeder (Cousin
Heebies) and Erin O'Shea (Sail'ress Billi). While Pawlik and Stulik
are standouts, all are just about perfect, even the sail'resses; the
fault, dear Brutus, is not in their tars, and in fact there's scant
little to fault.
Now give three cheers for the chance to romp and rollick
with the Hypocrites again; and never fear, that's not the name
of a current political party.
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