Photo by George Lauby Ed Maline and his pirates take aim at fast-talking Micheal Davis.

Photo by George Lauby

Photo by George Lauby Lodelia Baxter

Photo by George Lauby Director Lori Swanson

If you’re grumpy coming in, odds are good you’ll leave with treasure in your chest after watching the North Platte Community Playhouse’s production of The Pirates of Penzance.

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The show opens at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 13-14, plus a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday Nov. 15.

The play is a comedy about soft-hearted pirates, young lovers, a pompous major-general and bumbling policemen.

In the finest tradition of North Platte’s Community Theater, ever-shifting scenes are filled with lively, spirited singers, dancers and comics, all performing with gusto.

The pirates say “arrghhh” a lot — a grunt that lifts the spirit of cynics.

The play has romance, orphans, cutlass swords and most everything pirate-like. I didn’t see a parrot as I watched a recent rehearsal, but it wouldn’t surprise me if one flies in, cawing out quips at appropriate moments.

If you’re curious, Penzance was a docile seaside resort when the operetta was written in 1879 – the last place you’d expect to find pirates. The play has been performed for 130 years, testifying to its timeless humor.

Reservations are recommended. There are no obstructed views downtown at the Neville Center for Performing Arts, but it might be advisable to sit in the back half of the theater to take in the entire stage.

A second weekend is scheduled Nov. 21-22. The Nov. 22 show is a 2 p.m. matinee.

Eric Parker plays the part of Frederic, an orphan who has been apprenticed to the Pirates of Penzance until age 21. Unfortunately, he has a very long apprenticeship indeed, because his birthday is Feb. 29.

But, his sweetheart Mabel (Marta Holscher-Nelson) vows to wait another 63 years if necessary, until he is free.

Ed Maline plays the pirate king, a tall swashbuckler who can be talked into most anything. Michael Davis plays a convincing, conniving major general for lots of laughs and fun. Davis shines in the role.

Lodelia Baxter is Ruth, the lady pirate who mistakenly indentures Frederic to the scoundrels.

Lori Swanson is the director. Karen Marsh directs the pit orchestra and John Hales is stage manager.

Actors include Allison Klimek as Edith. Megen Gerk is Isabel; Shandell Sims and Katelynn Moore are sisters; Kevin McGahan is Samuel; Nick Wilkinson is the boy and Dan Harder is a police sergeant.

The pirates are Jacob Parker, John Browers, Stu Shepherd, Don Swigart, James Bratcher plus Rick Nelson -- an especially lively scoundrel.

Playing girls are Kyra Hollaway, Deb Wurl, and Sue McKain..

Nelson and Browers also appear as policemen, along with Sue McKain and Lou Cox-Fornander.

Seats may be reserved at the playhouse at the Neville Center or by calling the playhouse (308-532-8559) from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays through Nov. 21.

Also, tickets may be purchased online at www.northplattecommunityplayhouse.org, If seats are available, tickets will be sold at the door before all performances. The price is $15 for adults and $7 for children and students with valid identification.

The Playhouse can no longer reserve tickets without payment. All major credit cards are accepted.

The corporate sponsors of The Pirates of Penzance are Maple Park Dental Associates and Mid-Nebraska Physical Therapy and Sports Center.

The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, supports programs of the North Platte Community Playhouse through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. For more on the arts council, visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org or to see how to support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, see www.nebraskaculturalendowment.org.