Darryl Maximilian Robinson Notes 10th Anniversary of His Major-General Stanley in 'Pirates'

Darryl Maximilian Robinson, who is currently celebrating his 50th anniversary as an American Stage Performer, provides thoughts and memories on one of his most favorite local LA performance roles.

Mr. Robinson, who starred as District Attorney Flint in The 2017 Emmanuel Lutheran Actors Theatre Ensemble- Elate revival of Ayn Rand's "Night of January 16th" at North Hollywood's Lincoln Stegman Theatre and as The Announcer in The 2020 Ark Theatre of North Hollywood's Old Tyme Radio Hour staging of "The Dick Tracy Radio Show," shares notes and video segments of his role of Major-General Stanley in "The Pirates of Penzance."

10 years ago this month, in October of 2014, with three days before previews Director / Choreographer / Performer Drew Fitzsimmons ( who was co-starring as The Pirate King ) knew that his San Pedro Theatre Club revival production of Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance " was in trouble and he knew that he was in a serious bind.

His co-director co-choreographer and co-star ( appearing as Major-General Stanley ) had informed him that due to medical issues he would not be able to appear in the show during the previews of the production, and without telling Mr. Fitzsimmons or the show's Executive Producer James Blackman, announced to the entire cast that the opening of the show would have to be postponed!

With the clock ticking down to audience members arriving and facing and dealing with unhappy members of a cast who might bolt if the show didn't go on as planned, Mr. Fitzsimmons turned to the one performer he knew who was willing and able ( albeit with script and score in-hand throughout preview weekend ) to pull off the role of Major-General Stanley on such incredible short notice or CRASH AND BURN TRYING!

Drew Fitzsimmons had worked with and saw musical theatre veteran Darryl Maximilian Robinson delight audiences, receive fine reviews, and capture a 2013 Los Angeles Kentwood Players' Marcom Masque Theatre Award nomination for Best Actor In A Major Supporting Role for his performance as the historic black orator and educator Booker T. Washington in a musical revival of Stephen Flaherty's Lynn Ahrens' and Terrence McNally's "Ragtime" at The Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles.

However, Darryl Maximilian Robinson ( The Founder of both The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago and The Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project ) was already cast and scheduled to appear in the dual roles of The Narrator and The Mysterious Man in the December 2014 Burbank Community Theatre revival production of Stephen Sondheim's and James Lapine's "Into The Woods" under the skilled direction of Josh Shaw at the 1200-seat Hall of Liberty of Forest Lawn Cemetery in The Hollywood Hills.

BCT's "Into The Woods" would mark Mr. Robinson's happy debut in a musical composed by the great Stephen Sondheim and he was thrilled to perform in it onstage with a live 22-piece orchestera in a cast that featured experienced musical theatre vets and opera pros!

He, therefore, was not eagar or interested in taking on any additional performance duties during his preparation period, let alone a last-minute lead role in a Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera masterpiece being staged on the completely opposite side of LA next door to Long Beach!  

However, when Mr. Fitzsimmons made it clear that without his participation right there and then that the show might not open at all, Mr. Robinson made a limited three-week commitment to "The Pirates of Penzance" in San Pedro until the show was fully up and running and a replacement for him could be properly rehearsed and prepared.

And when he worked with the truly wonderful cast, crew and orchestra of "Pirates," he realized he had made one of the best decisions of his acting career.

Not only did audiences cheer his work as Major-General Stanley in "Pirates," but Mr. Robinson received one of his best Los Angeles theatre reviews ever when drama critic John Farrell in the October 21, 2014 edition of The Daily Breeze wrote:

"Perhaps most of all, it requires a sterling Major-General Stanley. This is the role that everyone remembers, and Darryl Maximilian Robinson was delicious singing the Major-General's "I Am the Very Model of a Model Major-General," adding just a touch of allowed originality to the part by interacting with the audience. His was a genuinely memorable performance worth seeing again."

Darryl Maximilian Robinson loved every minute of playing Major-General Stanley in 2014 San Pedrio Theatre Club 135th Anniversary Revival Production of Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance" ( even when with-book-in-hand he occasionally crashed and burned in previews ).This was possibly because coming into the role was a complete and happy accident beyond his own control or personal circumstances. And when his three-week run in the part was over it was hard to say goodbye to such a fine and talented cast and such a truly wonderful part!

But he had to return and finish his commitment to "Into The Woods" ( which he was also very well received in! ).

And to this day, if you should ask Mr. Robinson what is his #1 All-Time Most Favorite LA Stage Role? Without hesitation he will answer:

"Major-General Stanley in "The Pirates of Penzance."

Host or Publisher Darryl Maximilian Robinson