Dumfries, Va. –– The Pirates of the Caribbean took to the big screen once again this year, but this weekend Pirates of Penzance will take the stage in Dumfries.
Students who attend home school classes will perform the 130-year-old musical on stage at John Paul the Great Catholic High School at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. To be admitted to the show, all you have to do is bring a canned food donation to benefit ACTS.
The show has 26 cast members who are students of all ages.
For Director Amanda Mattson who has five of her own boys in the show –– ages 6 to 15 –– making sure everyone hits their marks can be a labor of love.
“Sometimes I have to take off my mom hat and give direction to my own children, but growing up around theatre has made them used to being on stage,” said Mattson.
She’s been directing shows here for 12 years, and only began directing full-length musicals that feature this group two years ago.
“Musicals are what I know and love, it’s what I grew up with, and we have the talent now to do shows like this,” said Mattson.
The theatre group does two shows a year, this being their second one.
In February, Mattson directed the cast in The Jungle Book to a audience of 200 people.
This time they are expecting even more to show up to see the play.
For children who spend their hours learning at home without a school auditorium, this theatre group provides them an opportunity to perform and become better public speakers.
“Some children are afraid to get up and be in front of people, but I was surprised last year when I have a solo to a 6-year-old who got up to the microphone and nailed the song,” added Mattson.
Pirates of Penzance On Stage
John Paul the Great Catholic High School
17700 Dominican Drive in Dumfries
Show times
7 p.m. Saturday
2 p.m. Sunday
Admission
Please bring canned food
