Coshocton High School to perform ‘The Pirate Queen’
Coshocton High School will perform Boubil and Schonberg’s “The Pirate Queen” March 14 – 16 in the high school auditorium. Pictured here are Grace O’Malley, portrayed by Kenzie Potter, with her true love, Tiernan, portrayed by Peter Szucs.
COSHOCTON – Travel back to 16th Century Ireland to the time of feuding clans and swashbuckling pirates as the Coshocton High School drama department presents Boubil and Schonberg’s new musical, “The Pirate Queen”, based on the true story of Grace O’Malley. Performance dates are Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m., Friday, March 15 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m.
The musical chronicles the story of Grace O’Malley, who at 18 years old, disguises herself as a cabin boy and stows away on the Pirate Queen. While many Irish clans have claim to land, the O’Malley clan are sea-farers. As the Irish are at constant war with England, Grace proves herself aboard the ship and is eventually accepted by the crew. However, with her love life in distress as she is forced to reject her true love, Tiernan, and marry a man she does not love, Donal, thus binding two feuding clans together, Grace rises above her station and becomes the first female chieftain in Ireland.
“We love the story about Grace O’Malley,” said Kris Hardesty, director of the play. “She’s a very enigmatic character because for 16th Century Ireland, it wasn’t done that women could be chieftain. She is the chieftain’s daughter of the O’Malley clan and in order to unify the clans, she is forced to marry a man she is not in love with. By doing so, they are trying to unify the clans and stand against the English queen.”
There are 32 cast and crew members. Grace O’Malley is played by Kenzie Potter and Dubhdara, her father, is portrayed by Spencer Wolfe. Peter Szucs plays Tiernan, Grace’s true love, and Graham Beaumont portrays Donal. Evleen is the spiritual woman of the clan and is portrayed by Lilly Whitcomb. Majella is played by Balei Smith, Queen Elizabeth will be portrayed by Sarah Heading, Lord Richard Bingham will be played by Tyler Huston, and Chief O’Flaherty will be played by Teigue Hardesty.
“I just love the time period and the fact that it’s a true story,” said Hardesty. “I think everyone will enjoy the scene when Grace actually meets Queen Elizabeth in act two. That’s a really fantastic scene just because of the interaction between the two.”
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the door. Presale tickets for adults for $5 are available at the high school office. For ticket information, call 740-622-8519.
“I think the community should support high school plays because we’re teaching them life skills like how to conduct themselves in a group that has a unified effort and a goal,” said Hardesty. “They have to come to practice, be accountable, and not let people down. That’s all stuff that makes them good community members.”
Category: Arts & Entertainment
