“The Pirates of Finance” at the NYMF at the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre
“The Pirates of Finance” at the NYMF at the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre Book and Lyrics by Charles Veley Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan Directed by Gary Slavin Reviewed by David Roberts Theatre Reviews Limited
Things are not always what they seem on the high seas or in the competitive world of finance. The high-flying team of Veley and Sullivan deliver a delicious convoluted plot in Charles Veley’s “The Pirates of Finance” currently running at the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
Charles Veley’s lyrics neatly complement Sir Arthur Sullivan’s music (melodies from at least eight Gilbert and Sullivan musicals) to spin a story about love, finance, dastardly deeds in the boardroom, trickery, treachery, and reconciliation. After inheriting his uncle’s Wall Street investment company, musical conductor Frederick Freemarket (Preston Ellis) sets out to cure the world’s financial woes with his sizable inheritance. Unfortunately his uncle was not the financial wizard everyone assumed he was. Further complications arise when J. Geoffrey Behemoth (Christopher DeAngelis) decides to either buy Freemarket out or find a way to take over his firm. The audience wonders why?
Then there is the wily Elsie Gardener (Heather Lundstedt) who installs a device in Freemarket’s magic money-making machine and seems to both want him and destroy him. Curious conflicts abound between the characters on Freemarket’s team (Huey, Dewey, and Louie) and the characters on Behemoth’s team (April, May, and June) all of which drive the topsy-turvy plot toward a surprise ending where enemies become friends – even family!
All of the songs are pleasant, some like “Hail, Marketplace” outstanding. And one or two seem ill-fit like the odd rap song “Behemoth is my name.” Mr. Veley’s lyrics and book along with Sullivan’s music create an enjoyable old-fashioned musical with a charming ending. The audience enjoyed the Gilbert and Sullivan nuances sprinkled throughout and genuinely enjoyed the musical’s wit and charm.
THE PIRATES OF FINANCE
“The Pirates of Finance” is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival and Pirates Musical LLC. Director and Choreographer: Gary Slavin ; Music Director: Brenna Sage; Arrangements/Orchestrations: Brenna Sage; Technical Director: Daniel Jagendorf; Scenic and Lighting Designer: David Goldstein; Costume Designer: Anne Auberjonois and Amy Price; Sound Designer: Mike Tracey; Stage Manager: Miriam Hyfler; Assistant Stage Manager: Stephanie Armitage; General Manager: Suellen Vance; Publicist: Paul Siebold/Off Off PR. Casting by Holly Buczek.
The cast includes Lynn Craig, Christopher de Angelis, Preston Ellis, Amber Nicole Guest, Alex Krasser, Janice Landry, Heather Lundstedt, Carter Lynch, David Macaluso, Sydney Ransom, Deborah Jean Templin, and Jacob Thompson. Music Director Brenna Sage leads a band including John Licari (drums), Dwayne Beach (violin/viola), and Emily Croome (second keys).
“The Pirates of Finance” plays its final performance on Saturday July 20th at 9:00 p.m. at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, NYC 10036. Tickets: $25. For tickets, visit nymf.org Direct ticketing link: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/923685 Runtime: 125 minutes including one fifteen-minute intermission.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Friday, July 19, 2013
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