On a Wednesday night in the choir room at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, a group of enthusiastic seminarians sit in a circle around the piano practicing their best sea shanty. The rehearsals take place twice a week in preparation for Sacred Heart’s upcoming spring musical, "Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore"
The Gilbert & Sullivan musical debuted in 1878 as an opera with a nod to the traditional sea shanty, a folk song sung by sailors as they went about their duties on the ship. The musical is performed with the soloists and chorus alternating lines, lending a comedic element that Logan Scott, the director of the show, believes will keep audiences entertained. Scott is a Configuration I seminarian with the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
The performance will debut April 4 and 5.
“I think people will really enjoy it because it offers something different,” Scott said. “It’s not an opera in the sense that we typically think of opera. It still has that feel of dramatic music, yet it’s fast-paced and fun. There are many funny moments and some romance.”
The story takes place aboard the H.M.S. Pinafore, a British warship, where the captain’s daughter falls in love with a “lowly sailor” even though her father expects her to marry a wealthy naval commander.
When the academic year began, Scott wondered whether there would be a musical at Sacred Heart at all this year, given the major renovation underway in the auditorium. He was pleased to learn from Fr. Brian Meldrum, faculty advisor and music director for the show, that the gymnasium could serve as this year’s venue. Fr. Meldrum serves as an Assistant Professor of Theology and the Director of Liturgy at Sacred Heart. Though the stage in the gym isn’t as large as the auditorium stage, the format of “H.M.S. Pinafore” is suited for the smaller space.
“The show will be done concert-style, similar to Handel’s ‘Messiah’ with the chorus on the stage,” Scott said. “I think it will offer a unique viewing experience for the audience.”
Staging a performance in the gym presents challenges for the cast and crew. In addition to the small stage, the gym is used daily for seminary activities and for events such as the Dinner for Life, making it nearly impossible to rehearse in the space regularly. Scott is brainstorming ways to make the gym feel like a theater on performance weekend.
Rehearsals began with the new semester in mid-January. More than two dozen seminarians comprise the cast. Two women faculty members will take on the female roles, while two priests on the faculty will make cameo appearances. A small pit orchestra will provide live music, led by Stephanie Nofar-Kelly, Director of Liturgical Music at Sacred Heart.
Many seminarians will be involved behind the scenes, assisting with lighting and backstage tasks, and greeting visitors before each performance. Seminarians Patrick Jaboro (Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas) and Jonathan Forrest (Archdiocese of Detroit) adapted the script to fit the setting and the almost all-male cast.
On April 4 and 5, seminary students and faculty will take the stage as they welcome theatergoers of all ages. They hope every chair will be filled.
“It’s good for us seminarians because sometimes our lives can be a bit of a bubble in that we live here, eat here, study here,” Scott said. “It’s an opportunity for us to do something for the community and to be witnesses to the Gospel and our joyous life in following Christ. It’s a way for the people we will someday serve to see the rich talents that God has given each of us.”
Reserve your seats
"Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore" will be presented at Sacred Heart on April 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved at https://sacredheart.typeform.com/springplay. Attendees who wish to do so may make a free will offering after the show.