BAKER CITY — Abby Dennis is finally seeing “Pirates of Penzance” come to life.

“It’s my favorite. It’s one of my dream shows,” said Dennis, who is directing the play for Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre in Baker City.

“Pirates” was written by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan as a comic opera.

But Dennis says audiences shouldn’t shy away from that word — “opera.”

“Don’t be scared. It is funny and a lovely introduction to opera and musical theater,” she said. “It is the best show.”

“Pirates” runs June 13-16 and June 20-23 at the theater, 2101 Main St. Shows are at 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 adults, $13 members and $8 students. The opening night special, for June 13, is $13. Tickets are available at easternoregonregionaltheatre.com, by calling 541-523-9652 or at the door.

The show

“Pirates of Penzance” premiered in 1897, and has also been made into a movie. The story follows Frederic, who turns 21 and is released from his apprenticeship to a band of pirates. Tender-hearted pirates, that is.

And then the daughters of Major-General Stanley happen upon on the island and Frederic instantly falls in love with Mabel — if he could just get a word in with her propensity for singing. But there is a twist — Frederic was born on Feb. 29. So, is he really 21?

About 95% of the story is told in song, and Paige Witham, who plays Mabel, said this operetta “bridges the gap between opera and musical theater.”

The music

Reed Wagstaff, musical director for this production, is fairly new to Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre. Although he studied to be a music teacher at Utah State University, Wagstaff decided the classroom wasn’t for him and instead earned degrees in technical theater and accounting.

He worked for 17 years at a space research company, then later in an audio/visual department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until he retired and moved to Baker City — where he quickly entered the local music scene by first accompanying the Powder River Choir, which is directed by his brother-in-law, Tom Isaacson.

Then a suggestion was made.

“Someone said you should talk to Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre,” he said.

Now he’s on the EORT board, and playing music for “Pirates of Penzance.”

“This is one of my favorite shows I’ve ever done,” he said. “It’s so much fun.”

The cast features Marco Valerio, Daniel Lutz, Jamie Adams, Chris Lilley, Rogue Groth, Helen Loennig, Kate Loennig, John Goodyear, Robin Feik, Paige Witham, John Bates, Elayne Gwynne, Travis Short, Allison Valerio, Marie Taylor, Elias Taylor, Jacob Johnson and Ruby Williams.