Theater Review: Gaslight’s ‘Buccaneers’ is a treasure chest of fun

Shiver me timbers, folks. The pirates have landed at the Gaslight Theatre in Tucson and they’re looking to make you laugh.

“Buccaneers of the Caribbean!” or “Corn for a Buccaneer” by Peter Van Slyke is Gaslight’s latest production and it is fun—and zany.

“Fly the flag up the mizzen mast,” one character orders.

“Where’s the mizzen mast?” another answers.

“I don’t know.”

“Why?”

“It’s mizzen!” Ugh!

“Don’t make me get ugly” another says. “It’s too late,” other cast members reply in unison.

And those are a couple of the corny - but really funny jokes in the hands of the talented cast of Gaslight’s newest venture into the world of spoofy musical comedy.

The plot is simple. A crew of pirates set sail sometime in the 1600s on the Esmerelda headed by Capt. “Black Rat” Bilge, played by David Orley. He’s joined by another scoundrel, Governor Le Clair, magistrate of Tortuga Island, played by Todd Thompson.

The motley crew is made up of Scurvy Simms, played by Mike Yarema, Rianna, a womanly seafarer acted by Deborah Klingenfus and first mate Carbuncle, otherwise known as actor, Joe Cooper.

They set sail across the Spanish Main in search of pirate’s booty and buried treasure, but not before encountering a ship in her majesty’s fleet, commanded by Bradley Sterling, really actor Robert Shaw; sailor Bille, played by Sarah Vanek and Constance, daughter of the vice rear admiral, played by Maria Alburtus.

What a cast! Yarema, playing buccaneer Scurvy Simms, as well as a damsel in distress in the show (this actor is versatile) is superb. Yarema is not afraid to change his looks and he molds into a variety of characters with ease, as witness his missing teeth as the pirate and his slumpy walk and croaky voice as the nerd in the evening’s olio. Sometimes you don’t recognize him when he comes on-stage as a new character. That is acting!

”The three actresses in the play come right up to the high level seen in all of the Gaslight productions I have been lucky to see in the last couple of years,” Konen says. “And, Deborah, you look great in red hair!”

”Cooper was funny and endearing as usual,” Konen adds. “Todd Thompson, with his new svelte physique, grimaced and guffawed as the nasty Governor.”

Robert Shaw, with his strong wonderful voice, was our hero, Bradley Sterling.

“Hey, Gaslight, put some heavy makeup on Robert to change his boyish good looks and give him and his voice a chance to be someone else,” Konen says. “The time has come.”

The outstanding ensemble work and the record number of musical numbers, thanks to music director, Linda Ackermann, is what impressed both Ford and Konen.

“This kind of production calls for top vocalists, and all these actors have got what it takes,” Ford says. “It’s great to see Todd Thompson back again with his wonderful voice. What an addition!”

Choreographer Nancy La Viola didn’t let the cast off easy with the dance numbers, especially in the olio. What fun!

“I had to save my last mention of a cast member for David Orley,” Konen adds. “He is superb. All I can say is, David, why aren’t you on Broadway?”

As always, Gaslight costumes are exquisite. Maryann Trombino and Renee Cloutier create the most spectacular theatrical ensembles to enhance all the characters.

Scene designer Tom Benson and lighting designer David Darland once again transform the smallest of stages into an ocean of a set. We loved the cannon ball routine.

Following the show is the famous Gaslight olio. “A Night at the Prom” olio is a smash and includes some favorite numbers from the hit musical “Grease.”

Treat yourself to some great, live family entertainment and go see “Buccaneers of the Caribbean” or “Corn for a Buccaneer” at the Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. The show runs through June 2. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Call 886-9428 for ticket prices and to make reservations.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740

Roberta Konen has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Emerson College, Boston, Mass. She has also acted and directed for more than 25 years.