ECT proudly presents "The Pirates of Penzance"!

Elmhurst Children’s Theatre is proud to perform The Pirates of Penzance. Come join a maritime adventure set in the late 1800's where you will meet lovable pirates, clumsy constables, and the beautiful daughters of the dramatic Major-General. Set sail with this classic comedy… fun for the whole family!

Sandburg Middle School eighth-grader, Ben Plaisted, plays Pirate King. This is Ben’s tenth production with ECT and biggest role yet. Ben is “excited to show everyone what I have and get to work alongside my friends! Pirate King is a really fun character to build and play”. When describing his fellow cast, “every single kid in the room is working so hard to make this show as polished as possible for all who want to come see it. It feels very special to be a part of that”.

PIRATES is Laney Toffler’s seventh ECT production. Laney is also a Sandburg Middle School eight-grader, and plays the role of Ruth. When asked what this role means to her, Laney describes, “it really means a lot to me. Not only because it’s my last show with ECT but how different the role is. I mean I have never been a nanny to a 20 something year old man before.” Laney’s character plays the nanny to Frederic.

Oliver Roy plays the role of Frederic, an orphan who has mistakenly been apprenticed to a raucous band of pirates. He disavows the pirates' way of life and falls for the beautiful Mabel. PIRATES is Oliver’s fourth ECT show. “ECT is a great place to show your talents and perform and to meet new people, make friends, and be yourself”, Roy said.

PIRATES is Ava Gecsey’s sixth ECT production, and she’s “so excited to be playing Mabel in my last show with ECT. It has been a great way to act and sing in a wide variety of productions… The Pirates of Penzance is almost 150 years old. I think the audience will be surprised how funny yet familiar the music from the show is”!

The Pirates of Penzance is under the direction of Jeremy Nemec, Sarah Giordano (Music Director) with Phil Videckis (Assistant Music Director), and Allyssa O’Donnell (Choreographer).

This is Jeremy Nemec’s first time directing with Elmhurst Children’s Theatre. “ECT is a tremendous organization that provides young performers with an authentic musical theater experience. These students are some of the most committed group of young artists I have ever worked with,” declared Nemec.

He went on to add, “Our cast of Pirates of Penzance are very talented as well as very supportive of one another. This show has been a blast to direct. The students have shown tremendous dedication and creativity in the development of their individual characters.”

Performances are Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 27, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m. All shows will take place at Sandburg Middle School, 345 E. St. Charles Road. Tickets are $8 and sold at the door.

For group reservations of 12 or more, please contact Mary Eileen Kungl at mekungl@elmhurstchildrenstheatre.com. Group sales are limited and require advance registration.

ABOUT ECT

Elmhurst Children’s Theatre (ECT) is a 501(c)(3) not for profit, children’s theatre company. Dedicated to serving the children of Elmhurst, ECT provides a unique experience in all aspects of live theatre by promoting a supportive and positive learning environment.

Children in fifth through eighth grade who live in Elmhurst or attend District 205 or parochial schools in Elmhurst may audition for ECT productions. ECT stages two main stage productions, a summer show and the Unintentionally Hilarious Sketch Comedy Troupe each year, hiring professional directors and relying on parent volunteers to manage productions and rehearsals and create costumes and sets. Classes are offered throughout the year for children in first through eighth grades.

Elmhurst Children’s Theatre’s 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status provides tax deductible donation opportunities to our community. Your generous donation funds scholarship, outreach and experience to children of Elmhurst, providing opportunity for growth through the experience of live theatre. Thank you for your support.

For more information, please visit ECT’s website at www.elmhurstchildrenstheatre.com.