SAXTONS RIVER — Lindsey Soboleski returns to the Main Street Arts stage for its winter production of Gilbert and Sullivan's “The Pirates of Penzance,” this time in the lead role.
Last time she was here, in MSA's 2004 production of the show, the then-13-year-old Rockingham native was cast as one of Major-General Stanley's daughters, a relatively minor role that introduced her to the grind of rehearsals, late nights, and backstage tensions.
She had previously taken part in MSA's children's plays, but this was big-time adult performing.
Ten years later, armed with a degree in music education from the University of Vermont, and boasting a position as vocal music teacher at Vermont Academy, Soboleski brings a wealth of experience to the lead role.
“It's an absolute pleasure to be back on the MSA stage playing Mabel in 'Pirates' because that was my first-ever adult show at MSA,” Soboleski said. “It was also my first Gilbert and Sullivan production, and it remains my favorite.”
She added: “Over the years, I came to know the members of these productions as family, and being in a show here again, even after a few years, feels like coming home.”
This year's production of “Pirates,” a rollicking musical about a band of inept pirates and their encounter with a bevy of young beauties, opens Friday, March 7, through Sunday, March 9, at Vermont Academy's Horowitz Hall.
Directed by David Stern, with musical direction by Walt Sayre, the play features a cast of local talent including Kathleen Bryar, Gary Clay, Ira Wilner, Jim Malley, and Jack Bryar, each of whom appeared in the previous production.
Gretchen Abendschein returns as choreographer; Mary Hepburn produces.