Cabrillo Stage & Pirates: “Music Fills Our Souls”

By Mindy Pedlar

I’m sitting in the open air parking garage of Cabrillo College with the cast and crew of Pirates of Penzance, one of the 5 shows being presented by Cabrillo Stage in the Cabrillo College outdoor amphitheater during July.

It’s the first read-through of the show. The director, Joseph Ribeiro, complete with knit cap, long coat and wool scarf, sits quietly waiting to see what his new cast has to offer. Assistant Musical Director and expert pianist Daniel Goldsmith is at the keyboard ready for Musical Director Cheryl Anderson to lift her baton and begin the rehearsal.

Despite our parking lot location, there is excitement in the air. We are all happy to see old friends, meet new people and learn new music. It feels like every first rehearsal I’ve ever attended except … we are all wearing masks.

Covid-19 curtailed last year’s season, leaving this year’s budget a bit skimpy. Director Ribeiro jokes that our budget is minus $3 yet we will still create a “magnificent show.” Cheryl thanks us for being part of this delightful musical journey verbalizing what we know to be true, “We are here because the music fills our souls.”

With that we begin, and the sound is surprisingly glorious for a first rehearsal. The leads are strong and the ensemble is filled with excellent singers. Seated next to me is Elyse Cody of Watsonville. She has studied her music and her voice is full and rich. To my right is Isabella Steigmen who frequently chuckles, enjoying the humor of the Gilbert and Sullivan score.

It is challenging to sing with a mask, and as the evening goes on the garage becomes chilly. Nonetheless, we conclude our first rehearsal realizing there is much work ahead as we memorize our music, but content knowing it will be a really good show! It’s a labor of love and best of all, we get to share it with a live audience!

Pirates of Penzance playing July 30, 31 and Aug. 1, is Act 5 in Artistic Director Jon Nordgren’s vision to bring live music and theater back to our community.

His concept is to present an exciting new show every weekend in July. The lineup is: Act 1- Cabrillo Stage Big Band, Act 2- Circus, Act 3- Cabrillo Stage Pit Orchestra, Act 4-Tomfoolery and Act 5- Pirates.

All shows perform in the Cabrillo College outdoor amphitheater. Live streaming is also available for ACTs 1, 2 and 3.

In keeping with all COVID-19 safety protocols, seating will be limited and socially distanced to insure the safety of our patrons and performers.

Tickets in the Bleachers are sold as Box Seats in sets of 2, 3, 4 or 5 seats. Lawn seating is available in circular pods of 2, 3, 4 or 6 seats. Prices range from $50 for 2 seats to $215 for 6 seats, depending on placement within the amphitheater. Evening performances begin at 6 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online at cabrillostage.com.

Box office is open Thurs. – Sat., 12-6 p.m, 831-479-6154.

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Photos from 2019 season production of “Beehive”