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DECORAH -- New Minowa Players is thrilled to announce the cast of its upcoming production of The Pirates of Penzance, the beloved comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. This witty, fast-paced, and soaring classic will set sail June 26-29, promising an unforgettable adventure full of laughter, romance, and a bit of swashbuckling. The Pirates of Penzance tells the story of Frederic (Jesse Reese), a young man who, through a comical twist of fate, has been apprenticed to a band of well-meaning but bumbling pirates, led by the formidable Pirate King (Matt Cody). Upon reaching his 21st birthday, Frederic resolves to leave piracy behind and dedicate himself to wiping them out—only to discover a technicality that throws his plans into chaos. Accompanied by his well-meaning former nursemaid Ruth (Karen Esterl), Frederic makes his way into the world. Along the way, he falls in love with the endearing Mabel (Emily Schmidt), daughter of the famously verbose Major-General Stanley (Jonathon Struve), while navigating a madcap world of mistaken identities, lively choruses, and rapid-fire patter. Included in the principal cast are Alex Rosenow as Samuel, the Pirate King's loyal lieutenant; Dan Mrakovich as the Sergeant of Police, leading his comically timid troupe; and Sarah Brandt, Mikayla Hiner, and Gwen Thompson as General Stanley's effervescent wards Kate, Edith, and Isabel. The merry band of Pirates includes Cameron Berges, Paul Fadness, Esteban Fernandez, Lorenzo Fernandez, Violet Hatfield, Caleb Johnson, JJ Johnson, Kelly Johnson, Eva Kriemelmeyer, Rose Martinsen-Burrell, Doug Nalean-Carlson, Rick Scheffert, and Colin Thompson. General Stanley's wards include Eva Fassbinder-Brummel, Lilly Hemesath, Kaya Johnson, Karin Martin-Hiner, Melody Reese, and Lieba Louisa Schwalbe. The Police troupe includes Cameron Berges, Paul Fadness, Caleb Johnson, JJ Johnson, Kelly Johnson, Doug Nalean-Carlson, Rick Scheffert, and Colin Thompson. Pirates is directed by Sheryl Scheffert, with music direction by Mike Ellingsen, and costume design by Tanya O'Connor. "This show is filled with energy, and it requires an enormous amount of musical skill, which we have," says director Sheryl Scheffert. "It's exciting to showcase that. And, who hasn't wanted to be a pirate, or interact with a pirate, or come watch a pirate (you know, as long as they stay safely away from our homes!)" The Pirates of Penzance is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: Copyland; Decorah Bank & Trust; Gallery of Tops; Iroc Web Design Services; Bill Musser, Otter Dreaming, Cleo, Paige and Aurora; JoAn and Steven Nelson; Carl Peterson; Pizza Ranch; Martin and Marco Refsal; Sabin Family Table Restaurant; Rick and Sheryl Scheffert; and Singing Hammers Construction. Performances will be at the Decorah High School Auditorium, 100 Claiborne Drive, Decorah: Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m. Friday, June 27 at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online now at newminowaplayers.org/tickets and at the Decorah High School Box Office from 4 - 7 p.m. the week of the show. Ahoy! Get your tickets today!

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New Minowa Players Announces Cast for Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance