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.
What fun are the action filled battle scenes with their epic swashbuckling and wonderfully choreographed crew of strong men making their way across the stage to proudly proclaim their identities as pirates; with what grace do the dainty young ladies flit about and admire those same pirates who come and take them away with promises of marriage, almost too fantastical a concept to ever really work. How wonderful it is to watch two lovers remain together through the difficulties of a leap year birthday. Simply put, the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players' production of the infamous The Pirates of Penzance is one of the most remarkable shows a theatergoer will see before the near year rolls in.
The Production Company rounded off its 2013 season last night with Gilbert and Sullivan's classic operetta The Pirates of Penzance. There was, however, little reference to the classic that was first performed in 1879. There have been many adaptations of the original, with this production centering on the 1981 Broadway production. This show is undoubtedly fun. In fact, that is the most apt word to describe this production. It's light and fluffy in all the right places, however, its biggest strength is also its ultimate undoing. For while director Dean Bryant has tapped into the light pantomime frolics that make Pirates so enjoyable, there is little variation to the over flamboyance presented on opening night. This show fails to find the truth in moments that call for it. Any honest point is made light of or brushed over with seemingly little regard. The show fights against itself, leaving us partially satisfied but never fully satisfied.
Marking a triumphant return from a ten year absence, D'Oyly Carte Opera Company bursts back onto the stage with an historic collaboration with Scottish Opera; taking an all-singing, all-dancing, richly theatrical production of The Pirates of Penzance on an extended, major UK tour following its premiere at Theatre Royal Glasgow tonight 15th May 2013.
Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director), Barry Grove (Executive Producer), and Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) have announced full casting for the world premiere of THE EXPLORERS CLUB, the new play by Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin, directed by Marc Bruni.
Marking a triumphant return from a ten year absence, D'Oyly Carte Opera Company bursts back onto the stage with an historic collaboration with Scottish Opera; taking an all-singing, all-dancing, richly theatrical production of The Pirates of Penzance on an extended, major UK tour following its premiere at Theatre Royal Glasgow on the 15th May 2013.
Those who attend SCERA's production of "Pirates of Penzance" might want to wear an eye patch and brandish a sword, albeit a plastic one! That's because when the timeless Gilbert and Sullivan musical farce plays at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem this month, the pirate ship will sail onto stage and the audience will become part of the crew.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Fiddler' and the Paramount triumph and make plans, two Sondheim shows next year from Gary Griffin, the return of 'Hank Williams' and 'Last Five Years,' 'Parade' and 'Pirates' in short runs, and two Victorian musical dramas, spanning the pond...and more!
This summer, Southern Rep will be offering FIVE exciting MUSICAL THEATRE SUMMER CAMPS for kids of all ages, including DISNEY'S CINDERELLA, KIDS at Carrollton United Methodist Church, and GUYS & DOLLS, JR, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, JR, and PIRATES OF PENZANCE, JR at the Lower Depths Theatre at Loyola University.
Mesa Community College's Act I Musical Productions presents The Pirates of Penzance, opening tonight, February 28th in Mesa, AZ in the newly renovated MCC Theatre, featuring a student cast and a mentor/guest-artist cast featuring Music Department Chair, SueAnne Lucius in the role of 'Ruth,' Katherine Stewart, Artistic Director of Desert Rose Theatre as 'Mabel,' and other members of our music faculty and alumni. THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE features Book by W.S. Gilbert and music by Arthur Sullivan.
After a 28 year hiatus, SueAnne Lucius returns to the stage in MCC's presentation of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance playing February 28 - March 9, 2013 in MCC's newly renovated Theatre Outback.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE comes to Jacksonville's Times- Union Center's Moran Theater for one performance only on Tuesday, March 12th at 7:30PM! This New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players production is your chance to get carried away by Pirates! The rich sounds of full orchestra, chorus, and legitimate vocal soloists resonate with classic elegance and power while the company's vibrancy, energy and contemporary sense of humor keep the operetta alive and exciting to a modern audience.
Today in 1981, Joe Papp's revival of THe Pirates of Penzance opened at the Uris Theatre, where it ran for 787 performances. The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. The opera's official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 31 December 1879, where the show was well received by both audiences and critics. Pirates was the fifth Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration and introduced the much-parodied Major-General's Song.
Marking a triumphant return from a ten year absence, D'Oyly Carte Opera Company bursts back onto the stage with an historic collaboration with Scottish Opera; taking an all-singing, all-dancing, richly theatrical production of The Pirates of Penzance on an extended, major UK tour following its premiere at Theatre Royal Glasgow on the 15th May 2013.
Former BBC 'Egghead' CJ de Mooi headlines an electrifying, high-energy production of Gilbert & Sullivan's classic comedy, The Pirates of Penzance at an exciting new studio theatre in Romford, Essex.
Former BBC 'Egghead' CJ de Mooi headlines an electrifying, high-energy production of Gilbert & Sullivan's classic comedy, The Pirates of Penzance at an exciting new studio theatre in Romford, Essex.
CRT's PIRATES OF PENZANCE anything but a dead man's chest!
Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) presents Gilbert & Sullivan's comic operetta THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, directed by Broadway veteran Terrence Mann, starring Sean Martin Hingston as the Pirate King, Steven Hayes as the Major-General and Connecticut native Diane Phelan as Mabel. Performances begin July 12 at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, and run through July 22. For tickets and information call the Box Office at 860.486.2113 and visit www.crt.uconn.edu. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.
Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) presents Gilbert & Sullivan's comic operetta THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, directed by Broadway veteran Terrence Mann, starring Sean Martin Hingston as the Pirate King, Steven Hayes as the Major-General and Connecticut native Diane Phelan as Mabel.
Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) presents Gilbert & Sullivan's comic operetta THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, directed by Broadway veteran Terrence Mann, starring Sean Martin Hingston as the Pirate King, Steven Hayes as the Major-General and Connecticut native Diane Phelan as Mabel.
Wolf Trap will feature the Latin Dance Company Ballet Hispanico; Contemporary Jazz Hits from Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson; Americana singers/songwriters Brandi Carlile, Josh Ritter and The Lumineers; and the Comedic Opera Pirates of Penzance from the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, between June 26th and 30th.
Wolf Trap will feature the Latin Dance Company Ballet Hispanico; Contemporary Jazz Hits from Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson; Americana singers/songwriters Brandi Carlile, Josh Ritter and The Lumineers; and the Comedic Opera Pirates of Penzance from the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, between today, June 26th and 30th.
Wolf Trap will feature the Latin Dance Company Ballet Hispanico; Contemporary Jazz Hits from Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson; Americana singers/songwriters Brandi Carlile, Josh Ritter and The Lumineers; and the Comedic Opera Pirates of Penzance from the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, between June 26th and 30th.
The exuberant musical theater masterpiece from the clever pens of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE opened at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, April 13 and runs through June 10. See photos of the cast and more on opening night below!
In our time and place, the great Marriott Theatre to the north of Chicago, in Lincolnshire, in the collar county of Lake, has mounted a production of "The Pirates of Penzance" which officially opened this past weekend, and will run through June 10, 2012. It's directed by Dominic Missimi, a visionary musical theater director and teacher with vast experience and influence across the country, and especially here.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Jersey Boys,' three musicals that start with 'Pi,' Cromer's 'Rent' leads a Larson fest, JRB in Indiana, 'Street Scene' and much more....
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