'Pirates' Not To Be Missed

Healdburg's Raven Players' performance of is an astonishingly entertaining and professional experience of community theater.

Gilbert and Sullivan's 1800s-era farcical musical comedy, brilliantly cast and directed by John De Gaetano, runs through July 24, with evening showtimes at 8 p.m., at the 115 North St., Healdsburg.

So many of the lead performers are exceptional, it's hard to single out any one.

Abigail Rowland's opera-quality voice gives a stunning take on Mabel, the maiden who wins the heart of Frederic, a pirate apprentice with a conscience played expertly by David Strock.

Alan Kafton, a favorite at Santa Rosa's Beth Ami synagogue Purim plays -- according to his friends Phil Dwight, Jane Rogan and Andy Fleming in the audience Thursday night -- was irresistible as the Major General. That's if you like your Major Generals as a combination of Woody Allen, Fiddler on the Roof and a singing Regis Philbin.

Timothy the Pirate King, played by Chuck Wilson, and Ruth, Frederic's  middleaged romantic reject played by Kathleen Escude, were spot-on with stage presence, dramatic gestures and voice quality and projection.

Star of the show was Diego, the Vulture Pirate Puppet whose voice was done by none other than Audie Foote, Raven Players' producer.

Also deserving of many kudos is the show's hard-working musicians headed by Les Pfutzenreuter.

During intermission, Dwight, Rogan and Fleming -- who are all involved in Sonoma County theater themselves -- heaped high praise on the show.

"The varying talent was surprising and very refreshing," Dwight said. "It was unbelievable -- they are lucky to have that kind of talent."

Rogan said "Pirates" was "really very well done," she said.

"There is nice choreography, first-class voices and the actors have really great stage presence," Rogan added.

Fleming said the female roles, especially, were "fabulous."

For ticket information, click here.

Raven Players will hold a free gala preview party this month of its next season. The party, at the Raven Theater, is 7 p.m. July 14, and the public is invited to attend.

Next season's shows are: Rumors, 10 Little Indians, Chicago, To Kill a Mockingbird and Gypsy.