The Pirates of Penzance 1879

Ages: 8+
Opened: 1879

The Pirates of Penzance - 1879 - Broadway History , Info & More

Fifth Avenue Theatre
31 W. 28th St. (Broadway) New York, NY

No Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera boasts as many walk-away tunes as The Pirates of Penzance, the only collaboration of the pair to premiere on Broadway, and not in England. Building on the success of the previous year’s H.M.S. Pinafore, but trading—as their principal “serious” focus—the rigors of naval discipline for the obligations of duty, G&S manage to burlesque their normal share of popular institutions, including the army, the police, and operatic sopranos. Pirate apprentice Frederic, at age 21, has faithfully served out his indentures and, replete with a sense of duty, joins the police force, determined to exterminate his old mates. He falls in love with Mabel, the first girl he sees, but the daughter of Major-General Stanley, who himself is the target of a pirate revenge plot. Plans go awry when it is revealed that, thanks to a leap-day birth, Frederic is really only five and one-quarter years old. The engaging musical score includes some of the catchiest music in the G&S canon: Mabel’s pyrotechnic “Poor, wandering one;” the tongue-twisting patter song “I am the very model of a modern major-general;” “A policeman’s lot;” “Climbing over rocky mountain”—a survivor from Thespis, G&S’s lost first stage work; and “With catlike tread,” which, more than a quarter-century later, was given new words as “Hail, hail, the gang’s all here.” At The Egyptian Theatre.

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Blue Hill Troupe Closes Its 99th Season With THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, April 26-30
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2023


The Blue Hill Troupe, New York City's only philanthropic musical theater group, will close its 99th season with Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty-the duo's third full-length operetta and the only one to have had its world premiere (in 1879) in New York. Blue Hill Troupe's performances of this iconic work will take place at El Teatro of El Museo del Barrio.

Meet the Cast of A DOLL'S HOUSE, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2023


.Jessica Chastain stars as 'Nora Helmer' in Lloyd's radical new production of Henrik Ibsen's landmark drama A Doll's House in a new version by Amy Herzog. This strictly limited 16-week engagement will play Broadway's Hudson Theatre with preview performances beginning Monday, February 13, 2023. Meet the cast of A Doll's House here!

Arian Moayed, Okieriete Onaodowan, and More Join Jessica Chastain in A DOLL'S HOUSE; Complete Casting Announced!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 3, 2023


Complete casting has been announced as rehearsals commence for Academy Award winner Jessica Chastain as ‘Nora Helmer’ in Lloyd’s radical new production of Henrik Ibsen’s landmark drama A Doll’s House in a new version by Amy Herzog.

Photos: First Look at Broadway Training Center Of Westchester's Production Of PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by Stephi Wild - Dec 2, 2022


Broadway Training Center of Westchester has brought joy to the community through stellar theater education and public performances in the Rivertowns for over three decades. Walk the plank with a new version of GILBERT and SULLIVAN'S THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE as presented on Broadway by New York Shakespeare Festival presented by BTC. Check out photos here!

The Novato Theater Company Presents A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 27, 2022


The Novato Theater Company announces A Doll's House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath as the last play of their 2021 - 22 season. It previews on Thursday, May 19 (7:30pm), and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm until June 12, 2022. To serve their deaf patrons, Novato Theater Company is offering one performance with sign language interpreters on Sunday, June 5.

New and Upcoming Releases For the Week of November 30 - Michael Ball & Alfie Boe, Linda Eder, Liz Callaway, and More!
by Stephi Wild - Dec 2, 2020


Need something new to read, watch, or listen to? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases! This week's list includes the new Christmas album from Michael Ball & Alfie Boe, new music from Linda Eder, Liz Callaway, and more.

Sasha Regan Brings The All-Male THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE To The Palace Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 26, 2020


Sasha Regan and her All-male Company brings THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, one of W. S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan's best-known classic operettas, to the home of D'Oyly Carte opera on Sunday 13th December for one night.  Originally known as The Royal English Opera House, the Palace Theatre was founded by Richard D'Oyly Carte in 1891 and opened with Sir Arthur Sullivan's Ivanhoe. 

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Comes to Van Wezel
by Stephi Wild - Jan 22, 2020


This New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players production is your chance to get carried away by The Pirates of Penzance - they'll steal your heart away on Thursday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for one night only!

​​​​New Line Theatre Presents BLOODY KING OEDIPUS!, OR PARDON ME, MUM!
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 12, 2019


New Line Theatre, a?oethe bad boy of musical theatre,a?? continues its 29th season of adult, alternative musical theatre, with a one-night-only free public reading of Gilbert & Sullivan's BLOODY KING OEDIPUS!, or PARDON ME, MUM!, the hilarious, long-lost horror-comedy, on Monday night, January 6 at 8:00 pm at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepherd Drive, in the Grand Center Arts District. Bloody King Oedipus! contains adult language and content.

Opera Saratoga 2020 Summer Festival: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 10, 2019


Opera Saratoga announced today the three operas that will be featured at the center of the company's 2020 Summer Festival, to be presented at The Spa Little Theatre in Spa State Park, from June 20th through July 5th, 2020.

BWW Review: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Charms at Winter Opera
by Steve Callahan - Nov 10, 2019


It's 140 years old, but it's as fresh and appealing as when it first bounded into the public eye on New Year's Eve, 1879.

Utopia Opera Will Present Gilbert & Sullivan's THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE in New York City
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 4, 2019


On Saturday, November 23 at 3pm and 7:30pm and on Sunday, November 24 at 3pm, Utopia Opera opens its 9th season with W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan's perennially popular comic opera, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, in a fully-staged production performed with chamber orchestra at the Ida K. Lang Recital Hall at Hunter College (695 Park Avenue).

BWW Exclusive: Theater Critic Matt Windman Returns to French Woods for All-Female 1776
by Matt Windman - Oct 13, 2019


Two years ago, I revisited French Woods Festival of the Arts (which I attended from 1999 to 2002 as a camper/teen actor and then as an assistant director/stage manager) and BroadwayWorld kindly published an article I wrote about the experience. In light of my responsibilities at work (attorney by day, theater critic by night) and at home (including a hyperactive toddler and commuting daily between NY and NJ), I was not planning on visiting again this past summer, but that instantly changed when I learned that the camp was planning on presenting 1776 for the first time in nearly two decades - and with an all-female cast.

A SALUTE TO GILBERT & SULLIVAN, FROM LONDON TO BALTIMORE - at Young Victorian Theatre Company in Baltimore
by Charles Shubow - Jul 19, 2019


A potpourri of beautiful music from Gilbert & Sullivan to Broadway.

Casting Announced For New Line Theatre's 29th Season!
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 2, 2019


New Line Theatre, "the bad boy of musical theatre," has announced casting for its 29th season of adult, alternative musical theatre, which opens with the return of the wild, comic rock musical CRY-BABY,  based on the iconic John Waters film, a show which New Line first produced in 2012 in its American regional premiere, running Sept. 26-Oct. 19, 2019. The season continues with the electrifying new rock musical fresh from Broadway, in its regional premiere, HEAD OVER HEELS, a high-energy, adult romp about gender and sexuality, based on a 16th-century novel and using the songs of the 80s rock band The Go-Go's, running March 5-28, 2020. And the season closes with the return of one of New Line's biggest hits, which the New Liners first presented in 2007, the pitch dark satire URINETOWN, the hilarious, outrageous fable of greed, corruption, love, revolution, and urination, running June 4-27, 2020.

New Line Announces 2019-2020 Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 8, 2019


New Line Theatre, "the bad boy of musical theatre," has announced its 29th season of adult, alternative musical theatre, including the return of the wild, comic rock musical CRY-BABY,  which New Line first produced in 2012 in its American regional premiere, based on the John Waters film, running Sept. 26-Oct. 19, 2019; followed by the electrifying new rock musical fresh from Broadway, in its regional premiere, HEAD OVER HEELS, a high-energy, adult romp about gender and sexuality, based on a 16th century novel and using the songs of the pop group The Go-Go's, running March 5-28, 2020; and the season closes with the return of one of New Line's biggest hits, which the New Liners first presented in 2007, the pitch dark satire URINETOWN, the hilarious, outrageous fable of greed, corruption, love, revolution, and urination, running June 4-27, 2020.

New Line Premieres Gilbert and Sullivan's Long-Lost BLOODY KING OEDIPUS
by Stephi Wild - Feb 9, 2019


New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' has announced a free public reading of Gilbert and Sullivan's BLOODY KING OEDIPUS, Monday night, Jan. 6, 2020, at 7:00 pm at the Marcelle Theater, in the Grad Center Arts District.

BWW Review: New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' Rollickingly Fun THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by Michael Dale - Dec 30, 2018


Though there's nary a mention of snowfall or jingle bells in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, the abundance of joy and good clean humor, not to mention some terrific voices, in the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players' frothily charming production of G&S's 1879 romantic romp makes it a grand choice for holiday entertainment.

ZOMBIES OF PENZANCE Script, Score, And Cast Album Now On Amazon!
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 21, 2018


New Line Theatre, "the bad boy of musical theatre," opened its 28th season of adult, alternative musical theatre in October with the critically acclaimed world premiere of THE ZOMBIES OF PENZANCE, Gilbert & Sullivan's comic-horror 'operatic abomination,' in its world premiere, with new text by Scott Miller and music adaptation and orchestration by John Gerdes. And now, the show's script, full piano-vocal score, and a live cast recording are all available on Amazon.com.

BWW Review: THE ZOMBIES OF PENZANCE Breathes New Life and Steals Hearts at The Marcelle
by Tanya Seale - Oct 12, 2018


As the story goes in Gilbert & Sullivan's 1879 operetta, The Pirates of Penzance, Frederic the pirate has just been released from his indenture to a comical band of soft-hearted pirates when he meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and falls in love. As the story also goes, in 2013, New Line Theatre's Artistic Director Scott Miller made an extraordinary discovery:  the never-seen-before draft manuscripts for The Pirates of Penzance, which actually-believe it or not-originated as The Zombies of Penzance.

Photo Flash: First Look at New Line's ZOMBIES OF PENZANCE
by Stephi Wild - Sep 28, 2018


New Line Theatre, "the bad boy of musical theatre," opens its 28th season of adult, alternative musical theatre with the world premiere of THE ZOMBIES OF PENZANCE, Gilbert & Sullivan's newly discovered, original 'operatic abomination,' in its world premiere, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2018 at the Marcelle Theater, in the Grand Center Arts District.

New Line's THE ZOMBIES OF PENZANCE Begins Next Month
by BWW News Desk - Sep 27, 2018


New Line Theatre, "the bad boy of musical theatre," opens its 28th season of adult, alternative musical theatre with the world premiere of THE ZOMBIES OF PENZANCE, Gilbert & Sullivan's newly discovered, original 'operatic abomination,' in its world premiere, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2018 at the Marcelle Theater, in the Grand Center Arts District.

Photo Flash: Check Out the Cast of ZOMBIES OF PENZANCE at New Line Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Sep 13, 2018


New Line Theatre, "the bad boy of musical theatre," opens its 28th season of adult, alternative musical theatre with the world premiere of THE ZOMBIES OF PENZANCE, Gilbert & Sullivan's newly discovered, original 'operatic abomination,' in its world premiere, running Sept. 27-Oct. 20, 2018 at the Marcelle Theater, in the Grand Center Arts District.

Theater At Monmouth Presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by BWW News Desk - Sep 13, 2018


A hilarious farce of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dim-witted young lovers, and an eccentric Major-General await you in Gilbert & Sullivan's effervescent musical masterpiece Pirates of Penzance. Theater at Monmouth's 2019 Fall Show sets sail today, September 13th, at 7:30 p.m. and continues through Sunday, September 23rd at 1:00 p.m.

BWW Feature: PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Spring Mountain Ranch
by Debbie Hall - Sep 11, 2018


Turning 21 years of age is a milestone, even in 1879 as young Frederic, a pirate in training, has fallen for the lovely Mabel. However, a big obstacle stands in the way of true love. What will Frederic do? Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance showcases his quandary with musical, humor, and a timeless story as presented by Sin City Opera with Super Summer Theatre through Sept. 22.

The Pirates of Penzance FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Pirates of Penzance have there been?
The Pirates of Penzance has had 51 productions including Broadway which opened in 1900, Broadway which opened in 1900, Broadway which opened in 1912, Broadway which opened in 1912, Broadway which opened in 1918, Broadway which opened in 1918, Broadway which opened in 1926, Broadway which opened in 1926, Broadway which opened in 1927, Broadway which opened in 1927, Broadway which opened in 1931, Broadway which opened in 1931, Broadway which opened in 1933, Broadway which opened in 1933, Broadway which opened in 1934, Broadway which opened in 1934, Broadway which opened in 1934, Broadway which opened in 1934, Broadway which opened in 1935, Broadway which opened in 1935, Broadway which opened in 1936, Broadway which opened in 1936, Broadway which opened in 1936, Broadway which opened in 1939, Broadway which opened in 1940, Broadway which opened in 1942, Broadway which opened in 1944, Broadway which opened in 1946, Broadway which opened in 1946, Broadway which opened in 1948, Broadway which opened in 1949, Broadway which opened in 1949, Broadway which opened in 1951, Broadway which opened in 1952, Broadway which opened in 1952, Broadway which opened in 1955, Broadway which opened in 1955, Off-Broadway which opened in 1961, Broadway which opened in 1976, Broadway which opened in 1976, Off-Broadway which opened in 1977, Off-Broadway which opened in 1979, Broadway which opened in 1981, Broadway which opened in 1981, US Tour which opened in 1981, West End which opened in 1982, Off-Off-Broadway which opened in 1986, Off-Broadway which opened in 2006, East Haddam, CT (Regional) which opened in 2006, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 2007 and West End which opened in 2017.

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