MCC's Act I Musical Productions Presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Now thru 3/9

Mesa Community College's Act I Musical Productions presents The Pirates of Penzance, opening tonight, February 28^th in Mesa, AZ in the newly renovated MCC Theatre, featuring a student cast and a mentor/guest-artist cast featuring Music Department Chair, SueAnne Lucius in the role of "Ruth," Katherine Stewart, Artistic Director of Desert Rose Theatre as "Mabel," and other members of our music faculty and alumni. THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE features Book by W.S. Gilbert and music by Arthur Sullivan.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE: Premiered in 1879, confirmed the comic genius of librettist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, following on the heels of their wildly successful H.M.S. Pinafore. Pirates invade the rocky coast of Cornwall in this topsy-turvy tale of love and duty, highlighted by the famous strains of "Poor Wandering One," "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General," "Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast" and "With Cat-Like Tread, Upon Our Prey We Steal."

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE: is produced by SueAnne Lucius, Chair of the Music Department at Mesa Community College. The show runs February 28 - March 9, 2013 in the newly renovated MCC Theatre at Mesa Community College, 1833 W. Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ, 85202 (just off the US 60 at Dobson Road). Performances are February 28, March 1*, 2*, 4*, 7 and 8 at 7:30pm and March 2 and 9*, 2013 at 2:00pm. *denotes the dates that coincide with the mentor/guest-artist performances.

CAST: SueAnne Lucius, Music Department Chair returns to the stage after a 28 year hiatus in the role of "Ruth." SueAnne has taught singing and musical theatre classes at Mesa Community College since 1978 and has performed and guest directed for Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra, Arizona State University's Lyric Opera Theatre and several other musical organizations throughout the valley. She is the recipient of several AriZoni Awards for Excellence in Theatre as a producer, director and for her hair and makeup designs as well. Audra Nelson plays the role in the student cast. Andrew Briggs, music faculty member at Mesa Community College and Bryan Stewart, MCC Alumni split the role of the "Pirate King," with Katherine Stewart, Artistic Director of Desert Rose Theatre and Lies'l Hill, MCC Alumni in the role of "Mabel." Thor Mikesell and Ammon Opie play "Major-General Stanley." Ryan Glover who has performed with the Utah Festival Opera, Phoenix Opera, and the Harrower Opera Workshop plays the role of "Frederic" with Anthony Chavez playing the role in the student cast. Also featured are Kinsey Peotter as "Kate," Carly Kastner as "Edith," Ellen Bouch as "Isabel," Kyle Chavira as the "Sergeant of Police," and Jonathan Holdsworth as "Samuel." Rounding out the cast playing pirates, policeman, and Major-General Stanley's wards are: Richard Barcelo Harrison Budge, Kacie Claudel, Dee Donaldson, Cody Duke, Alicia Fairbanks, Brian Hanna, Korbin Heronema, Cecily Jorgensen, Michael LeSueur, Ariana Lucius, Katie McCarthy, Angelica McGrew, Brandon Nelson, Jeremi Preston, Josh Rogers, Ruth Stapley, and Jordan Woollen.

PRODUCTION STAFF: The production staff has received numerous AriZoni Awards for Excellence in Theatre in their respective fields and includes: SueAnne Lucius (Producer), Jere Van Patten (Director), Marisa Peck (Assistant Director), Dr. Cathy Hauan (Music Director), Kyle C. Greene (Choreography), Dori A. Brown (Scenic Design), Troy Buckey (Lighting Design), Rebecca Willcox (Costume Design), Gary Towne (Sound Design) and Brian Daily (Master Carpenter/Scene Shop Foreman).

Ticket prices: General Public: $15; Staff/Faculty/Alumni: $12; Seniors and Students: $10. Call the Box Office at (480) 461 - 7172, or pick your seats online at www.eztickelive.com/mcc. Group rates are available as well!

Educators: For in-classroom workshops, previews and post-show discussions, contact Jere Van Patten at (480) 461 - 7894 or jerevp@mesacc.edu.