An Historic Operetta Debuts in an Historic Local Venue
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
The Pirates of Penzance opens Friday April 24 at the Historic Howell Opera House
The How Well We Live Foundation, in association with SLK Media Group, and in cooperation with the Livingston Arts Council, will present one of opera’s most beloved comic works, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at The Howell Opera House.
This will be the first official show in over
a century to take place on the historic second floor stage.
The two-weekend run is based on the original Gilbert & Sullivan operetta that debuted in 1879. The production debuts Friday, April 24 red carpet premiere, as well as the
following shows: Saturday April 25th, Friday May 1st, and Saturday May 2nd.
Emmy nominated producer and independent filmmaking impresario Sam Logan Khaleghi makes both his opera and stage debut as Director and Producer. He will also join his thespians on stage and have a cameo appearance as a Corsair. His feature film producing and acting credits include Devil’s Night (with Nathan Mathers - Eminem’s actor brother), An Intrusion (with Billy Boyd - Lord of the Rings trilogy) and Wake (with Fivel Stewart - Netflix’s The Recruit).
“I am elated in having the honor of bringing this first show to a notable stage that deserves being experienced again by a real audience after a hundred years,” says Sam Logan Khaleghi,
“The Pirates of Penzance is a project that I always aspired to do as a film but to have the
pleasure of directing it for the stage as first originally incepted just seems right. Especially
alongside the lovely Sarah Moore.”
Soprano, Sarah Catherine Moore, sings the role of The Pirate Queen, as opposed to the
traditional Pirate King. Moore most recently sang with the chorus of La Traviata and Cosi Fan Tutte at the Detroit Opera House under artistic director Yuval Sharon. She has also won a Telly
Award for Best Use of Music on the feature film Christmas on the North Pole Express, and a
Michigan Wilde Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Man of La Mancha (Aldonza).
“The Pirate Queen herself is very much a paradox,” says Sarah Moore, “She is funny yet tragic,
dim witted yet intelligent, harsh yet tender hearted. To be a part of this show at the historic
theatre after generations have been waiting to see a production back on this stage is truly
special.”
Soprano, Ava Taube, plays Mabel. Her previous credits include Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz at
the Lebowsky Center and Peter and the Starcatcher at Riverwalk Theatre.
“I never imagined The Howell Opera House would be hosting performances in this century, let
alone being a part of one,” says Ava Taube, “When I first stepped into the space for my
audition, I was in complete awe of the acoustics.”
The rest of the cast includes Geoffrey Kelm as Major General Stanley, Garrett Manor as
Frederic, Brian George as Samuel, Nicci Dreyer as Ruth and Kolbe Pierzynowski as the
Sergeant of Police. Genessa Claeys, Brad Rondeau and Ronald Blair round out the sea rover squad with Amanda Ruth, Cheyenne Johnson, Kasey Julian and Keionni Hicks play the refined daughters of the Major General.
The creative team also includes Susan Harvey as music director, actress Sarah Catherine
Moore as choreographer and Erv Suida as executive producer for the How Well We Live
Foundation.
“It has been both humbling and joyful to music direct The Pirates of Penzance, especially
knowing this production helps fundraise for the Howell Opera House,” says Susan Harvey,
“Working alongside the remarkable creativity of director Sam Logan Khaleghi, and this
rollicking cast to preserve this historic space has been a truly awe-inspiring experience.”
“We’re incredibly excited to be part of this moment,” said Erv Suida, “This cast is extraordinary,
hearing them rehearse has been unbelievable! To see this kind of talent fill the Opera House
again is something really special.”
Limited seats are available. Tickets for each show are $50; proceeds to benefit the Livingston
Arts Council and can be purchased at www.HowellOperaHouse.org/pirates.
