Community Corner

'Pirate School' Coming to Tuckahoe

Kids in the Bronxville-Tuckahoe-Eastchester area will get an education on being a pirate on August 16. David Engel's "Pirate School" will be in session at the Tuckahoe Library at 11 a.m., just before the kids get ready to head back to school. Engel, who lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, has been performing his "Pirate School" act for 18 years. 

"Since I was a boy, I have always been captivated by the golden age of the pirate. My fondest memories are pirate-themed birthday parties I had, and playing adventurous games in my backyard," said Engel. "I try to re-create this type of creative excitement in my shows. Originally I was looking to earn some extra money performing at children's birthday parties. Being a classically trained actor and fight director for theater productions, and considering my love of swashbuckling seafaring adventure, it was a natural progression to create a pirate themed show. Twenty-Four seasons later and thousands of shows at festivals, theaters, libraries, camps — I'm still living the dream.

Engel's family vaudeville show includes magic, puppetry, music and plenty of slapstick humor. 

"The allure of the pirate is universal and seems to be stronger than ever," said Engel. "Kids flock to my show not really knowing what to expect. I think they're most surprised by the combination of an authentic looking pirate with period costume pieces who is also an extremely silly clown character.They get the best of both worlds with Pirate School. The show itself is full of surprises, red herrings and zany bits, so I never let my audiences' attention flag. I think the appearance of François the talking skull, and Rocky, my furry sidekick puppet, are also pretty jaw-dropping — judging by the looks on everyones faces."

You can find more information about the show by clicking here. And for more background on Engel's show, you can visit his website.


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