Arts & Entertainment

Ahoy Matey! "Seven Clever Pirates" Lands For Shows At Old Cannery

Premiere of pirate show draws people of all ages -- and a whole lot of fun.

From inside a white and red-striped tent in The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse parking lot, singing pirates, music and laughter can be heard.

It is Friday night's of

As you step inside, the play begins onboard the pirate ship Sea Slug, which is about to set sail to a faraway island, where secret treasure lies hidden. And only Gretchen, a chicken who believes to be a unique parrot, holds the clue to the treasure’s whereabouts.

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As the Sea Slug is about to set sail, a young girl named Julie, played by Alison Hand, boards the ship, thinking it is a cruise ship going to Norway, where she is to meet her grandmother.

The pirates’ plans suddenly change and they run into a “fierce storm for at sea threatens to swallow the ship and all those aboard, dreams of treasure and hopes of reuniting the little girl with her grandmother appears destined for a watery end.”

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The audience was filled with all ages who couldn’t take their eyes off the stage, especially when the pirates sang, “When you’re a pirate, no one minds your doggy breathe or doggy smell,” and “We check our maps and watch the stars … we are sailors with a plan.”

Pauline Kaurin of Tacoma was at the play with her husband and two sons. They heard about the play from Eric Ode, who wrote and produced "Seven Clever Pirates" and with whom they attend church.

“I think the play was great and really fun,” Kaurin said. “I liked the ship scene."

Kaurin’s son, Mac, 6, was having a great time as well. He liked the music and scenes from the first act.

“I liked when they (pirates) were pulling on the ropes and almost falling over,” Mac said. “It was really funny.”

Ode composed "Seven Clever Pirates" as an album the whole family could enjoy in 2008, said Petra Karr, the show's director and choreographer.

After the album was released, Ode won a 2010 Parents’ Choice Silver Honors Award and a 2010 Seal of Excellence Award from Creative Child Magazine.

Karr kept telling Ode that they needed to make the album into a theatrical production. Around Christmas last year, Ode e-mailed Karr and told her he was ready for the album to become a play. 

“This is the first time the album is brought to life on stage and it is great,” said Ode's wife, Kim. 

Kim Ode said there were about 60 people in attendance at Friday's premiere.

“Ticket sales have been good and we had a great turn out for the premiere, especially with the Puyallup Fair, History Mystery Wine Walk and football game (at the Sunset Bowl) all going on this weekend,” she said.

Karr said she was “super happy” with opening night and loved seeing the excitement on people’s faces as they set foot in the tent.

“We took a real gamble on having the play outside but it worked out,” she said.

"Seven Clever Pirates" runs at 7:30 p.m. today and Sunday, and Sept. 16-18 at The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse, 13608 Valley Ave E.

Matinees are also available at 3 p.m. today and Sept. 17-18.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for student and seniors and $30 for a family of four. They are available at the door, at Jubilee Naturals health store, 909 Main Street #1, Sumner, or online at www.atheatrepro.com.

"Seven Clever Pirates" CDs are available at the show for $10 or online at www.ericode.com.  


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