The tale follows an inept band of pirates who find a note in a bottle, stumbling and singing through an adventure to aid maidens in distress, defeat evil forces, free the kingdom’s true ruler and maybe even find treasure.
“It’s just silly fun for everybody. It’s been a hoot and a holler,” said Hunt, a technical director at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, who also works on sets and lighting at various productions.
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But that wasn’t enough. About a decade ago, he wanted to write, too, getting the full theater experience.
“I’m a true product of a liberal-arts education,” Hunt said, smiling. “I’m interested in all of it, so I thought why not give writing a try?”
The result was “Flash,” an original musical the Clark State program produced in 2010.
In the years since, Hunt has teamed up with fellow Clark State employee James Straley to work on other musicals. Straley, who is directing “Pirates,” got into the spirit immediately.
“One day Dan said to me, ‘I’m going to write a pirate musical,’ and I said, ‘Why?’” he said.
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Hunt knew singing pirates would bring up comparisons with “The Pirates of Penzance,” a theatrical staple for nearly 140 years.
His buccaneers are closer in spirit to the antics of Monty Python. Hunt played Sir Robin in the Summer Arts Festival production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” last year.
The writing took six months, with Hunt often retreating to compose after getting his kids to bed to work. There are 28 songs, including overtures, reprises and short songs.
“I couldn’t get to the keyboard fast enough to get it out,” he said.
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Hunt had just as much fun with the dialogue. Lead character Pirate Earl likes to make up big words and malapropisms to make himself sound smarter than he is.
Another bucco, Fuddle, talks in pirate gibberish and then there’s Barnacle Bob.
Mateys Hunt and Straley think “Pirates” will be a fun experience for everyone, in part due to their camaraderie.
“We’re unapologetic critics of each other,” said Hunt, followed by Straley injecting “That’s why we’re a good team.”
“The Last Pirates of the Vast Golden Treasure” will be presented at 8 p.m. April 6-7 and 2 p.m. April 8 at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.
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