Pirates of Penzance

[musicman_17082]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 2:34am

I've seen the movie and just got cast as Frederich in a regional production of the show. I have mixed feelings. The music seems great to me (or at least just a bunch of fun!) but as for the plot and material itself... I'm a tad worried.

What are your opinions of this show? The music? The plot? Seen any regional productions of it? Enterntainment value?

Just interested in the general opinion held by everyone about the show!

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 6:53am

I'm doing "Pirates" right now and I love it. The music is excellent, the lyrics are brilliant, the plot is rdiculously hilarious, and it is very entertaining to both do and see. Frederick is a great part, as is every other in the operetta. Enjoy!

[wheredidhegogeorge2]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 8:01am

Pirates is brilliant!!! Its hilarious, clever and its Gilbert and Sullivan. I promise you'll have as much fun as you let yourself. With that role, its easy to have fun.

[Jon]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 10:56am

Oh gee... it's been one of the most popular works of musical theatre for over 120 years.

You're worried about the plot of a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta???

What's next? "I've just been cast in the lead in Hamlet. I've read parts of the play, and it just doesn't seem that good. I mean, it has ghosts and stuff. I'm a bit worried".

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 11:09am

I love Pirates.

But I'm starting to wish people would produce other G&S musicals. There's been at least three professional productions of it in the tri-state area in the past year!

[Weez]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 12:52pm

There is a reason it's done to death though; it's BRILLIANT. And SO much fun to do, it's definitely one of my favourite shows I've been in. Try and make sure to put across that Frederick is a slave of duty though, if the audience misses that, they get terribly confused. XD

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 12:56pm

I was in a production when I was young, and I had a blast. I'm not an actor by any means, but the show was such a joy to do, and we really had a great time with it. It was a bit difficult to learn, and yes, it is very silly, but it's a great, fun piece. Enjoy it.

Updated On: 4/19/07 at 12:56 PM

[Piercemn]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:05pm

I directed a summer institute production with adults and kids, and it's a blast. The show is so much fun, and if you're cast as Frederic, you have a terrific part. The movie is good, but I've seen so many productions, the last one was a glorious production at the Guthrie, and I've enjoyed it every time I've seen it.

I've also seen multiple productions of The Mikado and Pinafore, and love them all.

The music is tough to sing and a challenge to the voice, but the rewards are too numerous to begin explaining.

Have a great time!!

[BroadwayAbridged]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:12pm

but as for the plot and material itself... I'm a tad worried.

Few seem to be answering your question as to why you're having difficulty grasping the material so let me take my best shot...

Pirates is a spoof. It's the Monty Python of its day. Some of the songs are out of nowhere, some of the plot and concept is absolutely absurdist. The mere idea of an entire plot hinging around a person born on a leap year may seem poor, but it's entirely intentional. These characters are larger than life. Lots of the text, ideas and music of Pirates are actually parody on other things of the time.

This doesn't mean to add in pointless references to Britany Spears (why does every Gilbert and Sullivan show I see throw her name in lately?) but understand where the joke of the entire show is. The character you're playing is where some of it hinges on. He's possibly the most down-to-earth of all the leads, and yet he has a sense of "duty" to some absolutely idiotic stuff.

End rant.

[WSS2]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:12pm

You're a tad worried? Who are you to be a "tad worried"? This work has survived for over a century. It's is still popular today for a reason.

[Piercemn]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:21pm

Well said, BA. The Mikado in London threw in a crack about Madonna who was doing a play in the West End and it was fun.

Pirates is nonsense, so he should just relax and enjoy himself.

[BroadwayAbridged]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:30pm

I'm far from the historical buff to actually explain what some of the "parodies" in Pirates are, but Wikipedia is my friend (Note that the audience in those days would have gotten more of the jokes)

The work's title is a multi-layered joke. On the one hand, Penzance was a docile seaside resort at the time, and not the place where one would expect to encounter pirates. On the other hand, the title was also a jab at the theatrical pirates who had staged unlicensed productions of H.M.S. Pinafore in America.

Sullivan's score borrowed from several musical traditions. In the Major-General's Act II song, "Sighing softly to the river", the composer imitates Schubert's partsongs for male voices. Also, the "Come, Friends Who Plough the Sea" section of "With Catlike Tread" resembles the anvil chorus from Il Trovatore. In another scene in Act II, Mabel addresses the police, who chant their response, in an imitation of the form of an Anglican church service's canticle and response. One of the most famous passages from the finale to Act I, referred to as "Hail Poetry", is a five-part musical piece, utilising all of the voices in a chorale style.
Pirates - Wikipedia

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 2:20pm

Just have fun with it. It's a great show. The purpose of the show is light entertainment. The whole point of the plot being crazy is just to be silly.

[Atrias]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 2:49pm

I'm just about to go to rehearsal for a benefit performance of this. Initially, I had reservations about the show as well, but it turned out to be one of the best theatrical experiences I've ever done. A thin plot means you can add a lot.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 11:23am

I was in this as well. Apparent Barrett Foa has been cast as Frederick in an upcoming production.