Young maids dressed in pastel frocks, fiercely romantic pirates, bumbling bobbies and a libretto and musical score by Gilbert and Sullivan. Whidbey Children’s Theater has all of it – and more – in their current production of “The Pirates of Penzance,” on stage now at the South Whidbey High School auditorium until Oct. 15.

There’s a reason this operetta has been so popular since its debut in 1879: It’s a hoot! But within all the romping good fun there is a very difficult musical score, and you’ve got to respect this young cast and orchestra for tackling it with the best of them.

“The Pirates of Penzance” tells the tale of an unusually noble and genteel band of pirates and their young apprentice Frederic.

Upon completing his 21st year, Frederic rejoices that he has fulfilled his indentures and is now free to return to respectable society. But it turns out that he was a leap year baby, born on Feb. 29, and so he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st “birthday.”

By the end of the opera, the pirates, a Major General who knows nothing of military strategy, his large family of beautiful but unwed daughters, and the timid constabulary all contribute to a cacophony that can be silenced only by…well, you’ll see.

Frederic, played here by Jeff Potter, uses his rock-star voice (at times reminiscent of Kurt Cobain) to his advantage. Combining a natural, vocal grittiness with a deer-in-the-headlights look, he’s perfectly cast as the dutiful, yet easily persuaded Frederic.

Max Cole-Takanikos is hilarious as Major General Stanley and the chorus of voices that are his daughters is a wonderful sound.

But, the standouts of this cast are Samantha Yocco as Mabel and Gabe Harshman, playing the Pirate King. Yocco’s voice is “a pleasure to hear,” according to another critic in the audience.

Harshman, with a clear tone and commanding stage presence, captures the confidence of the role without giving up his tender side, which is the backbone characteristic of all the pirates.

Director Kira Keeney allows her actors a wide berth of comic fun, which creates some great schtick for the pirate clan (including a clever homage to Bob Fosse). There’s also plenty of ribald choreography by Marta Muholland and Suzanne Kelman for this production’s cuter-than-cute Constables that brings to mind the best comic routines of the Keystone Cops, Monty Python and Groucho Marx.

The sets are excellent, especially the beautifully crafted wooden ship with its authentically ragged sail, which added movement to the background and created a commanding stage picture. The costumes, by Valerie Johnson, are exquisite and did an excellent job of adding to the mood and period in every scene.

This “Pirates” has a few cues that need tightening. Also, the actors need to be careful not to lose the sharp enunciation that is so crucial to the tricky, tongue-twisting lyrics and, subsequently, the story line.

But the producers at WCT should be commended for giving this young cast and orchestra such a challenge and respecting their talent enough that they might rise to it.

These students have indeed risen to this occasion by putting heart and soul into a production which abounds with a pirate’s bounty of sheer fun.

Heave ho, pull up anchor and go see it.

“The Pirate’s of Penzance” plays at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 at the South Whidbey High School auditorium. Call 360-221-2282 for ticket information.

Patricia Duff can be reached at www.pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com.