Kelse Merrill Cast in Assumption College's Production of The Pirates of Penzance

2016 Mar 23

Kelse Merrill has been cast as The Pirate King in the Assumption College Department of Art, Music and Theatre's production of the Tony Award-winning musical The Pirates of Penzance, the College's 8th annual spring production at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. The opera, which will run from April 22-24, features Assumption students, alumni, and friends of the College.

The Pirates of Penzance is W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's most popular comic opera. Set during the reign Queen Victoria, The Pirates of Penzance tells the story of Frederic, who was mistakenly indentured as an apprentice to a pirate. On a journey to discover his destiny, Frederic and his band of pirates find adventure, love, comedy and amazing music!

Assumption's production of Pirates will showcase the best of the College's performing talent, including Merrill. Merrill is a history and medieval studies major at Assumption. Past roles include Avram in "Fiddler on the Roof," Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple," and Teddy Brewster in "Arsenic and Old Lace."

"The Hanover Theatre and this operetta, both rich in history, provide a unique opportunity to showcase the tremendous talent of Assumption students," said the production's director and producer Richard Monroe '85, an Assumption alumnus and the College's guest theater director. "Large-scale musicals like The Pirates of Penzance bring together a large community of performers and crew to create something truly amazing. The College community looks forward to again contributing to Worcester's vibrant arts scene through this comedic musical."

Other past Assumption theatre productions performed at The Hanover include Children of Eden, The Fantasticks, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables, Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver! and Seussical the Musical. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 22 and 23 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 24. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for Assumption students and children. Purchase tickets by visiting The Hanover Theatre website or by calling the theatre box office at 877.571.SHOW (7469).