Pierce One-Act Sets Sail With The Pirate’s Bride
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By Natasha Zamora
Pirates, treasure, and a runaway bride take the stage as Pierce students prepare for their one act play, “The Pirate’s Bride” by Christie Hudon. Their public performance will be on November 23 at 7 p.m..
“The Pirate’s Bride” by Christie Hudon is a fast-paced, two-act comedy play about a headstrong 18th-century Frenchwoman who flees an arranged marriage by leading her bridesmaids onto a British merchant ship. Seeking a legendary treasure, they set sail for a pirate’s island, resulting in a chaotic and romantic adventure filled with sword fights, female pirates, and unexpected love.
The cast features students in a variety of roles, with the leading roles, Isabelle Streff as Lizette De Champlay, the runaway bride, and Cooper Collins as Roger Thornwood, the captain of the Wild Swan. Spencer Sindt features as Lizette’s rich betrothed, Bertrand Fantouille. Elliot Vanness and Jenalee McRoberts play her parents, Francoise and Victoria de Champlay.
For Streff, playing Lizette has been a different experience from some of her previous roles.
“I think Lizette is a very different character from what I normally play. She’s a lot more normal, so I think it’s been a challenge to figure out how not to act insane on stage for me,” Streff said.
While Lizette tries to escape her arranged marriage, Sindt’s character, Bertrand, struggles to accept that he may not get what he wants.
“It is very enjoyable; it is always great to play a character that wants to win so badly but never quite gets what he wants,” Sindt said.
One scene Sindt is looking forward to involves fighting Collins’ character with a coconut, which he expects to be one of the funniest parts of the production.
The students have been preparing for the production during weekly rehearsals in the auditorium. They practice their lines, work on facial expressions, and help prepare the sets. Cast and crew members also work together on the costumes, props, lighting, and other details needed to bring the play to life.
Director Brock Bretschneider said this year's production has the largest cast and crew the program has had so far, with more than 80 students involved.
“The hardest part of getting the production ready is balancing everyone's schedules and practicing the play with the people you have on the day,” Bretschneider said.
As the performance approaches, the students continue working together to prepare for the show.
“I hope the audience enjoys the physical humor and all of the work the students put into this show. It will be great!” Bretschneider said.
The first one act performance will be from 8 a.m. to 5pm on November 14, at Johnny Carson theater in Norfolk for the Mid-State conference festival.
