The Pirates of Penzance Revival 1940

Ages: 8+
Opened: October 7, 1940

The Pirates of Penzance - 1940 - Broadway History , Info & More

44th Street Theatre
216 W. 44th St. 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.

Get The Pirates of Penzance Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players Bring THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE To Albuquerque
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 23, 2024


The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players (NYGASP) bring their witty antics back to Albuquerque in The Pirates of Penzance.

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Central New York Awards; Voting Ends 12/31
by BWW Awards - Dec 26, 2023


It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Central New York Awards; SOMETHING ROTTEN!, MISS BENNETT: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLY, & More Lead!
by BWW Awards - Dec 18, 2023


There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards; SOMETHING ROTTEN!, MISS BENNETT: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLY, & More Lead!
by BWW Awards - Dec 11, 2023


It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards December 5th Standings; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 5, 2023


It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Nov 27, 2023


Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Nov 20, 2023


The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

First Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards; Blackfriars Theatre Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Nov 13, 2023


The first wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 13th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Casting Revealed For The World Première of THE THIRD MAN at Menier Chocolate Factory
by Stephi Wild - May 10, 2023


As rehearsals begin, the Menier Chocolate Factory has announced full casting for the world première of the new musical, The Third Man. Learn more about who is starring in the show here!

Casting Revealed for The World Premiere of THE THIRD MAN at Menier Chocolate Factory
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2023


As public booking opens, the Menier Chocolate Factory has announced initial casting for the world première of the new musical, The Third Man. Learn more about who will be starring in the show here!

Review: OTTERBEIN'S PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Cowen Hall
by Paul Batterson - Jul 14, 2022


What did our critic think of BWW REVIEWS: OTTERBEIN’S PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Cowen Hall? Otterbein University offers a much-needed refresher course in Gilbert and Sullivan with its presentation of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE for its final production of the summer season. The two-act comedic musical closes this week with shows on July 14-16 at Cowan Hall (30 S. Grove Street in Westerville). Directed by Lenny Leibowitz and produced by T.J. Gerckens, the show features a whimsical plot with outlandish lyrics, outstanding performances, and spectacular costuming and music orchestration.

St. Mary Catholic High School Produces World Premiere of Bethany Paulsen's  CASTLEWOOD 
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 4, 2022


St. Mary Catholic High School will produce the World Premiere of Bethany Paulsen's relevant new drama—Castlewood. 

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!

BWW Review: The Best of the Decade - Reviewer Peter Nason Picks the Top 25 Local Shows & Performances of the Past 10 Years
by Peter Nason - Dec 21, 2019


25 Shows & Performances in the Tampa Bay Area That Rocked Our World from 2010 to 2019!

Upcoming Non-Equity Auditions Sunday, Jun. 17
by Audition Roundup - Jun 17, 2018


Updated this week! Check out upcoming Non-Equity Auditions from Sunday, June 17, 2018 for productions in your area and around the country.

Upcoming Non-Equity Auditions Sunday, Jun. 10
by Audition Roundup - Jun 10, 2018


Updated this week! Check out upcoming Non-Equity Auditions from Sunday, June 10, 2018 for productions in your area and around the country.

5th Avenue's KISS ME, KATE Begins Next Week
by Julie Musbach - Mar 28, 2018


Rehearsals are in full swing for The 5th Avenue Theatre's production of Kiss Me, Kate, which begins performances next Friday, April 6.

Rubicon Theatre Presents KING LEAR Starring George Ball
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 13, 2018


Rubicon Theatre presents a timely and trenchant production of Shakespeare's tragedy KING LEAR as the centerpiece of the company's 20th Anniversary Season. Directed by Co-Founder James O'Neil, the production features a 20-member cast led by acclaimed actor and company memberGeorge Ball, who has starred in previous Rubicon productions of All My Sons, Man of La Mancha, and Jacques Brel… (New York, L.A., and international companies of the latter).

The Gilbert And Sullivan Players Bring A Swashbuckling PIRATES OF PENZANCE To The McCallum Theatre
by David Green - Feb 15, 2018


This New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' production is your chance to get carried away by pirates. Join the band of swashbuckling buccaneers, bumbling British bobbies, frolicsome Victorian maidens, and the delightfully dotty "model of a modern Major-General" for a rollicking romp over the rocky coast of Cornwall. The McCallum Theatre presents the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' production of The Pirates of Penzance on Wednesday, March 7, at 8:00pm.

BWW Review: freeFall Theatre Presents THE LITTLE PRINCE
by Peter Nason - Dec 18, 2017


It has much to offer, but is it too slow and talky for younger audiences?

Michelle Marie Trester and Eric Hellmers Lead Cast of SAME TIME NEXT YEAR
by Julie Musbach - Sep 30, 2017


Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC) announces casting for Same Time Next Year, by Bernard Slade, the first show in their 2017/2018 Season. Their four show season starts in October of 2017 and runs through May of 2018. They perform at the Brooks Theatre in Oceanside.

Grosse Pointe Theatre Opens 70th Anniversary Season with THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by BWW News Desk - Sep 30, 2017


The swashbuckling adventure! The fabulous fun! The rollicking romance! Everything you want in a musical! Grosse Pointe Theatre will open its historic 70th season with the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance.

Grosse Pointe Theatre Opens 70th Anniversary Season with THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by BWW News Desk - Sep 4, 2017


The swashbuckling adventure! The fabulous fun! The rollicking romance! Everything you want in a musical! Grosse Pointe Theatre will open its historic 70th season with the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance.

KERMIT'S KABARET Coming to Greenbrier Valley Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Aug 24, 2017


Greenbrier Valley Theatre, the State Professional Theatre of West Virginia, announces Kermit's Kabaret, a one-night musical theatre experience, on Monday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Bergen County Players Presents STANDING ON CEREMONY THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS
by Rebecca Russo - May 25, 2017


Bergen County Players (BCP) concludes its 84th season with a staged reading of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Conceived by BCP alum Brian Shnipper and directed by Mark Rinis, this anthology of monologues and short plays began as a series of benefit events in Los Angeles, taking on a life of their own as an inspiring theatrical evening. The show will only run two nights, June 10 and 11 at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office during regular box office hours. 

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.

Videos