From top to bottom, Justin Hankins, Tomas Corona, and Garrett Granger peek out as curious pirates in The Acting Company’s staging of The Pirates of Penzance. The traditional Gilbert and Sullivan operetta runs through Oct. 12 in Yuba City.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Acting Company’s latest production of The Pirates of Penzance proves that some classics never lose their charm. Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta, which first premiered in New York City on Dec. 31, 1879, is brought to life in Yuba City with a lighthearted, traditional staging that captures the whimsy of the original.

Director Foster McManus-Campbell intentionally leaned into tradition, revisiting a production she once staged with her late husband, Paul McManus, in 2007. What results is not a radical reinterpretation, but a faithful recreation that lets the music, voices, and humor shine at the forefront.

And shine they do. With live accompaniment — Steve Shepard guiding the score as musical director and pianist, Ed Kelly’s spirited fiddle, and Rob Hilton adding depth on percussion — the familiar melodies feel fresh and immediate. In an era when many community theaters rely on canned tracks, the energy of three live musicians filled the intimate space with vibrancy.

Darryl Strohl-De Herrera makes his grand entrance as Major-General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance at The Acting Company in Yuba City. Herrera, who comes from Sacramento with decades of stage experience, mixes humor and vocal skill in his debut performance with the company.

Among the ensemble, two performers especially stole the spotlight. Sacramento-based Darryl Strohl-De Herrera brought both physical humor and vocal mastery to Major-General Stanley, a role he dedicated to his late husband, Esteban. His presence on stage balanced polish with playfulness, earning some of the loudest laughs of the night. As Mabel, Bridget Coggins astonished with her crystal-clear soprano and emotional range. A legal assistant by day and Musical Theater graduate of Northwest Nazarene University, Coggins soared through the score with agility and warmth, reminding audiences that great vocal talent can be found right here in the Yuba-Sutter community.

The magic extended beyond the performers. With little more than sheets, paint, and chicken wire, the creative team transformed the small stage into a seaside cove, capturing both the silliness and swashbuckling spirit of the story. It was an imaginative reminder that theater doesn’t need massive budgets to transport an audience.

Bridget Coggins charms as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance. A newcomer to The Acting Company, Coggins impressed audiences with her clear soprano and vocal agility in her first production with the troupe.

At its heart, Pirates of Penzance is an operetta — a playful middle ground between opera and musical theater. Its clever rhymes, puns, and patter songs have entertained audiences for nearly a century and a half. The Acting Company’s version embraces that tradition, delivering a witty, tuneful romp that feels as welcoming to first-time opera-goers as to longtime Gilbert and Sullivan fans.

Performances continue through Oct. 12 at The Acting Company, 815 B Street, Yuba City, with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be reserved at www.ActingCompany.org or by calling 530-751-1100 (noon–2 p.m., weekdays).