The Pirates of Penzance Revival 1981 - Articles Page 2

Ages: 8+
Opened: January 8, 1981
Closing: November 28, 1982

The Pirates of Penzance - 1981 - Broadway History , Info & More

Minskoff Theatre (Broadway)
200 W. 45th St. New York, NY 10036

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.

The Pirates of Penzance - 1981 - Broadway Cast

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The Pirates of Penzance - 1981 - Broadway Articles Page 2

Paul Bradley & Daniel Casey Star In YES PRIME MINISTER At Theatr Clwyd
by Stephi Wild - Sep 19, 2019


After sell out seasons in the West End and through the UK, Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn's hit returns to the stage for one week only at Theatr Clwyd this November. Prime Minister Jim Hacker and his long-suffering Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby are back - still morally dubious and spinning the stories - all the while staring disaster and political ruin in the face.

Maureen McGovern to Headline Sharon Playhouse Gala
by Julie Musbach - Sep 9, 2019


Concluding the official main stage season, the historic Sharon Playhouse will hold it's an annual Spotlight Gala fundraiser on Saturday, September 21, 2019.

MasterVoices Announces 2019-20 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 19, 2019


Ted Sperling, Artistic Director of MasterVoices, announced details of the acclaimed ensemble's 78th season, celebrating the joy of choral singing and the power of the human voice to unite, inspire and connect since 1941. Highlights include three major musical presentations at top venues, including a New York premiere, and the World Premiere of a new work, commissioned by the Company. Throughout the season there will be collaborations with leading singers, artists, ensembles and organizations, some who are familiar with and others who are new to the Company.

Who Will Win at the 2019 Tony Awards? We Compare Year By Year!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2019


The 72nd Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 10th at 8/9c hosted by Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles. It's the biggest award show of the Broadway season and it closes out a long awards season for Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays. We can't help but wonder what chances this year's Best Musical and Best Play nominees have of taking home the ultimate prize...

Photo Flashback: Gary Sandy After PIRATES OF PENZANCE in 1981
by Walter McBride - Jan 23, 2019


Today, we're bringing you back to 1981 with this flashback photo from our archives of Gary Sandy, following a performance of Pirates of Penzance!

Irvine Barclay Theatre Announces 4 GIRLS 4 Featuring Maureen McGovern, Donna McKechnie, Faith Prince, and Lillias White
by Julie Musbach - Nov 2, 2018


Irvine Barclay Theatre was recently informed that Bebe Neuwirth is withdrawing from her concert engagement at Irvine Barclay Theatre on March 16th. Scheduling conflicts will preclude her from being able to perform at the Barclay as planned. In her stead, the Barclay is announcing a performance on the same date, March 16, 2019 at 8pm, of 4 GIRLS 4 featuring four legendary Broadway singers and actresses.

2019 Minty Awards Gala Honorees Edward Morand, Comedian Richie Byrne And Wagner College's Richard And Carin Guarasci
by Stephi Wild - Oct 25, 2018


The Minty Organization for the Performing Arts, the non-profit which oversees The Minty Awards, has announced honorees for the 6th Minty Awards Dinner Gala to be held Thursday, January 17 at 7:00pm at Nicotra's Ballroom, The Hilton Garden Inn.

The Wick Theatre Goes Very Modern with PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by Julie Musbach - Oct 8, 2018


The Wick Theatre  in Boca Raton is proud to open their 2018-2019 season with the hilarious farce, The Pirates of Penzance. The Gilbert and Sullivan treasure returned to Broadway in 1981 under the direction of Joseph Papp and went on to win the Tony Award for "Best Revival."

Patrick Cassidy to Perform At Inland Pacific Ballet's SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 28, 2018


Actor Patrick Cassidy, best known for his roles in musical theatre and television, headlines Some Enchanted Evening ~ A Night of Broadway Song & Dance to benefit Inland Pacific Ballet, the professional ballet company based in the Inland Empire. This 2nd annual intimate cabaret evening features song and dance by Inland Pacific Ballet dancers and Academy students, cocktails, hor d'oeuvres, dessert, silent/live auction, and is hosted by IPB Associate Director Jonathan Sharp (The Red Shoes, Carousel, The Rocky Horror Show Live, The Dance of the Vampires, Fiddler on the Roof). Some Enchanted Evening takes place on Saturday, September 22 at 6 p.m., at Inland Pacific Ballet located at 9061 Central Avenue, Montclair, 91763.

Who Will Win at the 2018 Tony Awards? We Compare Year By Year!
by BWW Special - Jun 10, 2018


The 72nd Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 10th at 8/9c hosted by Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles. It's the biggest award show of the Broadway season and it closes out a long awards season for Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays. We can't help but wonder what chances this year's Best Musical and Best Play nominees have of taking home the ultimate prize...

The RRazz Room New Hope Opens It's Spring 2018 Cabaret Season With Maureen McGovern
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 27, 2018


Maureen McGovern is celebrating the 45th Anniversary of her theme song, "The Morning After," which won the Oscar for Best Song of the Year in 1973, and became an international Gold Record and garnered her a Grammy Nomination for Best New Artist.  Along with musical director/pianist Jeff Harris, Ms. McGovern will perform some of her most beloved hits, including "Can You Read My Mind?," "We May Never Love Like This Again," and of course, "The Morning After," along with many other Oscar-winning and classic film songs.

Photo Flash: The Theatre Group at SBCC Presents CRIMES OF THE HEART
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 23, 2018


The Theatre Group at SBCC concludes the 17/18 season with the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, CRIMES OF THE HEART by Beth Henley.

Case Western Reserve University And Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program Ensemble Class Of 2020 Present FIFTH OF JULY
by Stephi Wild - Mar 14, 2018


The Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program announces the debut performance of the Class of 2020. Fifth of July, from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, will run in the Helen Theatre at Playhouse Square.

Photo Throwback: Laurie Beechman Attends 1982 Theatre World Awards
by Walter McBride - Mar 9, 2018


Today we're flashing all the way back to 1982 to see late Broadway star, Laurie Beechman, attending the Theatre World Awards in New York City.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Attend PIRATES OF PENZANCE At Pasadena Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 6, 2018


 The wackiest beach party in town continues! Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, announces a one-week extension of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, as reimagined by the Chicago theatre hooligans The Hypocrites, now through February 25, due to high demand.  Tickets are now on sale at pasadenaplayhouse.org or by calling 626-356-7529.

PIRATES OF PENZANCE Extends At Pasadena Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 26, 2018


 The wackiest beach party in town continues! Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, announces a one-week extension of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, as reimagined by the Chicago theatre hooligans The Hypocrites, now through February 25, due to high demand.  Tickets are now on sale at pasadenaplayhouse.org or by calling 626-356-7529.

Wacky Beach Party PIRATES OF PENZANCE Comes to Pasadena Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 21, 2017


Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, reinvents its theatre to present Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, as reimagined by the Chicago theatre hooligans The Hypocrites. This wacky beach party with flying beach balls, rubber duckies, ukuleles, banjos, plastic swimming pools, and a tiki bar brings the audience on stage for a night they won't forget.

SRO Theatre Company presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by BWW News Desk - Sep 8, 2017


SRO Theatre Company's 2017-2018 season, it's 33rd,  opens with The Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan's hilarious, hopeful farce that follows young Frederic, an orphan who has mistakenly been apprenticed to an ineffectual but raucous band of pirates.

Maureen McGovern to Appear with American A Cappella this September
by Rebecca Russo - Aug 28, 2017


Multi-Grammy nominee, Broadway and recording artist, Maureen McGovern joins 15-Time District Champions, Narragansett Bay Chorus and 8-Time Regional Champions, Coastline Show Chorus, along with senior quartet champions, Trade Secret and award-winning mixed quartet, Beantown Buds, for a very special American A Cappella show on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 3:00 pm.

Skylight Music Theatre Presents HOT MIKADO
by BWW News Desk - Aug 22, 2017


Skylight Music Theatre opens the 2017-18 season with Hot Mikado, a swinging version of Gilbert & Sullivan's comic masterpiece The Mikado, running Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 15, 2017 in the Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee.

SRO Theatre Company presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 20, 2017


SRO Theatre Company's 2017-2018 season, it's 33rd,  opens with The Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan's hilarious, hopeful farce that follows young Frederic, an orphan who has mistakenly been apprenticed to an ineffectual but raucous band of pirates.

Jonathan Groff Signs on for SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM at The Hollywood Bowl; Cast Complete!
by BWW News Desk - Jul 10, 2017


The Hollywood Bowl has announced that Sarah Uriarte Berry, Philip Boykin, and Jonathan Groff will complete the cast for a benefit performance of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, conceived and directed on Broadway by James Lapine.

Connor Arnold Stars in Tim Rice's New Version of BLONDEL, Beginning Tonight at the Union Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jun 23, 2017


The world premiere of a spanking new version of the Tim Rice musical comedy Blondel gets its London premiere at the Union Theatre, now through Saturday 15 July. Press night is tonight 23 June 2017.

They're Already Winners... Counting Off the Tony Awards Already Won by the 2017 Nominees!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 11, 2017


The 2017 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. Before a single Tony Award goes out tonight, this year's nominees already have a whopping 67 Tony Awards between them. Check out who has already won big below!

VIDEO: Kevin Kline Shares PRESENT LAUGHTER Curtain Mishap on LATE NIGHT
by Caryn Robbins - Jun 6, 2017


On last night's LATE NIGHT, Kevin Kline talked to Seth about his Tony-nominated role in the Broadway revival  of Noel Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER and shared a curtain mishap which occurred during a very intimate moment of the play.

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.
What Tony Awards has The Pirates of Penzance been nominated for?
Best Choreography for Graciela Daniele and Best Direction of a Musical for Wilford Leach.
What Tony Awards has The Pirates of Penzance won?
Best Choreography for Graciela Daniele, Best Direction of a Musical for Wilford Leach, .
What awards has The Pirates of Penzance been nominated for?
The Pirates of Penzance has been nominated for several awards. One notable nomination is the Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for its production by the New York Shakespeare Festival.
What awards has The Pirates of Penzance won?
The Pirates of Penzance has won a Special Citation at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for its production by the New York Shakespeare Festival.

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