SFA to open summer theatre season with pirate musical

Sugar Land sophomore Daniel Miller cuts out the captain's wheel to be used in the SFA School of Theatre's "How I Became a Pirate," a family musical that will be presented in rotation with "Steel Magnolias" during the 2012 summer theatre season. Please go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu for a complete schedule of performances.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Pirate lovers of all ages are invited to W.M. Turner Auditorium to see any of the eight performances of "How I Became a Pirate," a one-hour musical which the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre is presenting as part of its 2012 summer theatre season Friday, June 22, to Saturday, July 14.

Director Angela Bacarisse, associate professor of theatre, said Melinda Long's best-selling children's book of the same title was one of her son's favorites. She had always thought it would make a great play and was excited to find Janet Vogt and Mark Friedman's adaptation.

The fast-paced family musical follows young Jeremy Jacobs on an adventure-filled afternoon with a band of pirates led by Captain Braid Beard.

Dallas senior Jennifer Suter, who portrays Swill, called the play "an adorable story," and The Woodlands sophomore Nick Pinelli, who plays Max, said he laughed the entire way through his initial reading of the script.

"There are humorous antics and dialogue throughout; the adults, in particular, will enjoy the references to 'Gilligan's Island' and the original 'Star Trek' series," said Pinelli. "And everyone will love the songs, especially 'Talk Like a Pirate.'"

In addition to the humor, the story has a lesson, explained Bacarisse. "Jeremy thinks it will be fun to live without chores or rules or homework, but when he discovers pirates must also complete jobs and that thunderstorms are no fun without his mom and dad's arms around him, he decides a little homework might not be so bad after all!"

To accommodate children, families and groups, "How I Became a Pirate" will be presented at three different times of day. Early evening performances at 6:30 p.m. are scheduled for Friday, June 22; Saturday, June 23; Saturday, June 30; and Saturday, July 14.

Matinees at 2 p.m. will be presented on Sunday, July 1, and Tuesday, July 3. Morning performances at 10 a.m. will be offered on Thursday, July 12, and Friday, July 13.

The other show included in SFA's summer theatre schedule is Robert Harling's "Steel Magnolias." The comedy that inspired the blockbuster film will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28; Friday, June 29; Friday, July 6; Saturday, July 7; and Tuesday, July 10. Matinees at 2 p.m. will be offered on Thursday, July 5, and Sunday, July 8.

Tickets for "How I Became a Pirate" are $6 for individuals or $5 each for groups of 20 or more. Tickets for "Steel Magnolias" are $12 for adults and $6 for seniors and students.

W.M. Turner Auditorium is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.
For tickets or more information, go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.