Neighbor News
Central Theatre presents the musical "The Pirate Queen"
The show combines classic storytelling and a sweeping score, with the powerful, vibrant traditions of Irish dance and song.
From the writers of Les Miserables and Miss Saigon comes The Pirate Queen, a musical adventure that celebrates the legendary Irish chieftain Grace O'Malley. A compelling and inspiring heroine, Grace leads an extraordinary life as a pirate, lover, and mother in 16th-century Ireland. To follow her seafaring ambitions, protect her people, and save her one true love, Grace fights against the patriarchal establishments of her time and the one woman more powerful than she — her fierce rival, Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Junior Caitlin Reilly plays the wily Grace, singing with an elegance and prowess worthy of her character’s name. Junior Jeremy Ashton plays her soulmate, Tiernan, and junior Alexander Massa plays her father, the Clan O’Malley chieftain, Dubhdara. Junior Grace Alai plays Evleen, the clan’s spiritual wisewoman.
Rounding out the principal characters in Clan O’Malley are sophomore Marisol Medina as Majella, senior Maggie Schaffer as Kaelin, senior Emma Van Kooy as Brigid, and senior Abigail Pugh as Genevieve. Representing Clan O’Flaherty is sophomore Lars Olsen as Donal and and junior Nick Fleming as his father, Chieftain O’Flaherty.
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Junior Lexi George plays Queen Elizabeth with great tenacity. Alongside her is junior Drew Cretella as the snakelike Sir Richard Bingham. Freshmen Olivia Mancuso and Ella Musto and sophomores Darcy and Tori Caracciolo play Elizabeth’s ladies-in-waiting. Seniors Chris Kopreski, Ryan Griffin, Deiniol McGovern, Matt Zgombic, junior James Bilinsky, and sophomore Michael Oestreich play the lords.
The cast boasts an additional 23 members, and many more students in the pit, production team, and crew. The director is theatre and English teacher, Mr. Jeff Hogan, with choreography by math teacher, Ms. Dana Harrington, and musical direction by music teachers Mr. Mark Stingle and Ms. Margret Schaefer. Long Valley residents Mrs. Susan Thompson and Mr. John Hughes lend their talents in costumes and set construction, respectively.
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The Pirate Queen will be performed on the following dates and times at WMC High School, 259 Bartley Rd, Chester, NJ.:
Thursday, March 15 @ 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 16 @ 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 17 @ 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 17 @ 7:30 p.m.
Ticket prices are $16 for reserved seats, $14 for general admission, and $12 for students.
Advance ticket reservations may be made by emailing greenchair@comcast.net. For reservations, please denote “WMC PQ Tickets” as the subject line. Emailed ticket orders will be held at the door for pick-up beginning one hour prior to showtime. Tickets may also be purchased at the door prior to each performance.
