The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-03-10
0PERETTA WAS
 WELL RECEIVED
"The Pirates of Penzance" By the Little Theatre
 Goes Over Big
AUDIENCE APPLAUDS

A rocky seashore on the coast of Cornwall, that produced rare blos- soms of an enormous size, and a ruined baronial hall by night, form ed the droll background of the highly humorous and paradoxical Gilbert and Sullivan operetta "The Pirates of Penzance" which was produced last night at the Water bury Women's Club by the Little Theater Group of this city. This marked the first entrance of this organization into the light opera field, and judging by the enthu- siasm with which the play was re- ceived last night, the neatness and dispatch which characterized the performance, it might be said that the Little Theater's first departure from straight drama has had very fine results. The orchestra started the overture lass night at 8:30 pre- cisely. and'the performance was completed at 10:40 o'clock; no py and creditabie performance throughout the two acts.
 The production was under the general direction of Miss Helen Schoeni. Mario Di Cecco, noted musician, was orchestra and gen. eral conductor of the operetta, and Marjorie Soper Nuhn, well known vocal instructor and prominent in music circles in this city and state, was choral director and general The whole performance, dialogue, action, singing and orchestral arr engagement showed the capa ble di- rection of all three coaches. The action and dialogue lacked stilted- ness and in general a pleasing spontaneousness was evident.
 The principle singing role was handled by J. Freeman Coffey, who played Frederick, pirate appren- tice. MT Coffey has very fine ten or voice and this role gave him plenty of opportunity; his acting was equally satisfying. Mabel, youngest daughter of General Stan ley, was played by Mrs Glen Sweet, who gave a satisfying performance. Her voice showed to advantage in her second act duet with Frederick. Mildred Roach and Marie Moore Kilbride, daughters of the general, also displayed ease and grace and sang their roles in capable man, ner. The outstanding comedy role of the Operetta was played by Miss Margaret deLancey, who was Ruth, the nursemaid. Miss deLancey pos sessed real understanding of the Gilbert and Sullivan humor and was an active, convincing and much thwartcd Ruth. She negotiat-1 ed her solo following her first en- trance very expertly and in the paradox" song with MT Hayward and MT Coffey, the three caught the humor of the song.
 Marshall Hayward was convince ing as the pirate king, and sam uel, his lieutenant, also gave satis- faction. Gilman Gay. as Major Gen. eral Stanley, from the moment of his first entrance was in rare form and was a major general to per- from the ludicrous angle of his headgear to his missing right Cor was it left) epaulet. He dem- onstrated a dance step accompan- jed by q high kick that was worthy of De Wolf Hopper some years back. Edward, sergeant of police. played by Walter Lilliott, also comes in for a big share of praise sisted by noble constabulary re-
 
 ley and the pirate band also de- serve praise for their holding up of the chorus end of the produc- ton. All were in good voice and showed the training of Mrs Nuhn who managed remarkably smooth results in the short period of pre- 
 Costuming, settings and general stage effects were in accord with the rest of the production. Mario Di Cecco conducted with skill ana alertness and kept the performance on an even keel.
 The members of the chorus en- semble composing the wards, the pirates and the police were as fol- lows: Elda Mucci. Gladys Fox, Anna Anderson, Rose Raffel, Dor othea Mayo, Cecile Kerins, Wini- fred Griffin. Lucille Hampton, Mrs Hayward.
 Pirates-J. Warren Upson, Fred erick Vail, Robert Swenterly, Will liam Heyniger, 3rd, John F. Con- roy, Dan Marshall, John Pratt, | Carmine Cipriano. Albert Le Vas, seur. Edward Sanderson.
 Police-Carl Johnson, William Foley, F. w. Reichenbach, Roger M. w. Deane, w. B. l Smith, Homer Crane, Frank Brier- Iy. Harold c. Braman, F. c. John- son.
 The personnel of the orchestra | was as follows:
 Mario DiCccco, conductor;
 Violins: Joseph Di Vito. Romeo | rata. c. DiModugno. Urico Rosst, Peter Masone, Henry Muccino: I .elli: Adolph Abbenante, Richard Anastasio; contrabrass, William