The Pirates of Penzance 00/00/0000

Ages: 8+
Opened: November 30, -0001

The Pirates of Penzance - 1968 - New York History , Info & More

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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Atlanta Opera Opens Season With Paul Moravec's THE SHINING
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 16, 2023


The Atlanta Opera opens its 2023-24 season in collaboration with Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff Arts Center for the East Coast premiere of Paul Moravec's The Shining, a chilling new production of the opera based on Stephen King's 1977 bestselling novel, with a libretto by Mark Campbell (Sep 15–Oct 1).

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!

BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL Comes to Milton Keynes Theatre in January
by Stephi Wild - Dec 23, 2022


Milton Keynes Theatre welcomes brand-new stage adaptation of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to the city 24 - 28 Jan 2023. Hayley Mills (Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, Whistle Down the Wind) Paul Nicholas (Jesus Christ Superstar, BBC 1's Just Good Friends, Eastenders and Rula Lenska, (ITV's Rock Follies, Coronation Street, Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother will star in this feel-good tale of love, adventure, and starting-over. 

Red Bull Theater's YOUR OWN THING Starring Eddie Cooper, Lilli Cooper, Santino Fontana & More to Take Place Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 8, 2022


RED BULL THEATER will rediscover the hit 1968 musical Your Own Thing and to give it its the first New York presentation in decades with a star-studded cast lead by Eddie Cooper, Tony Award nominee Lilli Cooper, Tony Award-winner Santino Fontana, Olivier Award-winner Lesli Margherita, Simon Pearl, Michael Pilato, Jennifer Sánchez, and Vaden Thurgood. 

Lesli Margherita, Simon Pearl & More Join YOUR OWN THING Benefit Performance at Red Bull Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 10, 2022


RED BULL THEATER has announced that Lesli Margherita, Simon Pearl, Michael Pilato, and Vaden Thurgood have been added to the cast of their one-night-only benefit performance of the hit 1968 rock musical Your Own Thing.

Interview: Julianne Boyd of Barrington Stage Company Bids Farewell
by Marc Savitt - Oct 31, 2022


After 28 Seasons Julianne Boyd, co-founder and Artistic Director at Barrington Stage Company, passed a brightly burning torch and retired at the end of the 2022 season. Marc Savitt, sat down with Boyd to gather some information and insight into Boyd, her experiences, and her undeniable impact on the state of the arts in the region.

Eddie Cooper, Lilli Cooper & More Join Santino Fontana for YOUR OWN THING Benefit Performance
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 25, 2022


Eddie Cooper, Lilli Cooper and Jennifer Sánchez will join Santino Fontana for Red Bull Theater's all-star benefit performance of Your Own Thing, the 1968 hit Off-Broadway rock musical suggested by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This one-night-only performance will take place Monday December 12th at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space.  

Developmental Readings of IT HAPPENED IN KEY WEST to be Presented by Amas Musical Theatre This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 19, 2022


Amas Musical Theatre and the Amas Musical Theatre Lab, in association with Jeremiah James and Rashad V. Chambers, will present developmental lab readings of It Happened In Key West in the Elaine Castilla Orbach Studio at The Theater Center. There will be two performances: Thursday, October 27th at 2:00 and Friday, October 28th at 1:00pm.

Rula Lenska Joins Hayley Mills & Paul Nicholas Led THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL UK Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 27, 2022


Another of the UK’s best-loved actors, Rula Lenska, (ITV’s Rock Follies, Coronation Street, Channel 4’s Celebrity Big Brother) is the latest cast member to be confirmed for the upcoming tour of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Who Was Joe Papp? Watch Career Highlights of the Theatre Legend
by Team BWW - May 25, 2022


Joe Papp, founder of The Public Theater, Free Shakespeare in the Park and producer of groundbreaking plays like Hair, A Chorus Line and for colored girls, created a 'theater of inclusion' based on the belief that great art is for everyone.

Registration Is Now Open For Fall Semester Of Amas Musical Theatre's Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Academy
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 10, 2021


Amas Musical Theatre is accepting applications for the fall semester of The Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Academy, its award-winning pre-professional performance program for musical theatre lovers ages 12-18.

What's On Stage This Summer? Check Out Our Guide To Theatre Across The Country!
by Alan Henry - Apr 24, 2021


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Baritone Will Liverman Releases DREAMS OF A NEW DAY: Songs by Black Composers on Cedille Records
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 12, 2021


Today, baritone Will Liverman has released Dreams of a New Day: Songs by Black Composers with pianist Paul Sánchez on Cedille Records. Liverman says, “Right now, it is more important than ever to celebrate the contributions of Black composers, and I’m honored to give voice to the art songs on this album.'

Lockdown Theatre Announces Live Virtual Table Read Of Tom Stoppard's THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND In Aid Of The Royal Theatrical Fund
by Stephi Wild - Oct 14, 2020


Following the success of Noël Coward's Private Lives in September which raised £44,000 for the Royal Theatrical Fund, Lockdown Theatre today announces a live virtual table read of The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard, in association with The Royal Theatrical Fund. The table read will take place via Zoom, followed by a live Q&A with the cast and director on Sunday 25 October at 7pm.

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!

Full Cast Announced For The UK Premiere of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
by Marianka Swain - Jun 10, 2019


The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces the full company for the UK premiere of the musical of Robert James Waller's bestselling novel The Bridges of Madison County in a new staging by Trevor Nunn.

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by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2018


The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces principal company for its major revival of one of the world's most-beloved musicals of all time, Fiddler on the Roof, in a new staging by Trevor Nunn. Joining the previously announced Andy Nyman (Tevye) is Judy Kuhn as Golde, with Harriet Bunton (Hodel), Dermot Canavan (Lazar Wolf), Stewart Clarke (Perchik), Matt Corner (Fyedka), Joshua Gannon (Motel), Louise Gold (Yente), Kirsty MacLaren (Chava) and Molly Osborne (Tzeitel).

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by Julie Musbach - Sep 20, 2018


The 2018 Season continues on high note this fall with the epic Broadway musical Man of La Mancha on stage at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge (formerly Dunfield Theatre Cambridge) from October 10 to November 4. This timeless tale of love and redemption starring Artistic Director Alex Mustakas as Don Quixote is sure to enthrall audiences with its enchanting melodies and grand theatrical transformations.

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...

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by Julie Musbach - Feb 27, 2018


Due to demand, The New Group has announced a three-week extension for Jerry Springer - The Opera, with Matt McGrath appearing as Jerry Springer beginning March 13.  Terrence Mann, currently appearing in the role of Jerry Springer, plays his final performance March 11 due to an existing commitment beyond that date.

Kendra Kassebaum to Lead 5th Avenue Theatre's New Production of MAMMA MIA!, Full Cast Announced!
by Julie Musbach - Jan 4, 2018


Rehearsals begin today for The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Mamma Mia!, the celebrated musical that features the music of global pop sensation ABBA. The 5th Avenue Theatre is the first producing theater company in the Pacific Northwest to be granted the rights to create its own refreshed version of the show, which toured the world for nearly 20 years.

Terrence Mann and Will Swenson to Headline JERRY SPRINGER - THE OPERA Off-Broadway
by BWW News Desk - Dec 15, 2017


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Chloe Sevigny-Led DOWNTOWN RACE RIOT, Jerry Springer Opera Highlight The New Group's 2017-18 Season
by BWW News Desk - Jun 21, 2017


The New Group has announced four productions for its 2017-2018 Season.

Who Will Win at the 2017 Tony Awards? We Compare Year By Year!
by BWW Special Coverage - Jun 8, 2017


The 71st Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 11th at 8/9c hosted by Kevin Spacey. 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...

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