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The Pirates of Penzance Revival

Ages: 8+

The Pirates of Penzance - 1900 Broadway History , Info & More


American Theatre
260 West 42nd Street 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.


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Did You Know These Broadway Revivals Started As Flops?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jan 11, 2026


It wasn’t until later on in theatre history that revivals began including shows that weren’t initially well received or financially successful in their initial engagements. As musical theatre continued to evolve, and more shows entered the canon, a consensus began to grow about shows being worthy of additional exploration even if they hadn’t been hits the first time around. What about musicals that had been ahead of their time, musicals that had fallen prey to circumstances, early works by writers who became successful later on, and of course, shows that found an audience after closing via their cast recordings?

Philip Officer Releases New Single 'I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2025


CENTER STAGE RECORDS has released the new single from You Fascinate Me So: Phillip Officer Salutes Mabel Mercer. Learn more about the single and listen here!

The History of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jun 7, 2025


A new version of the classic, The Pirates of Penzance, is currently commanding the stage at Roundabout’s Todd Haimes Theatre on 42nd Street—formerly the American Airlines and before that, the Selwyn. This revisal of the beloved show is titled: Pirates! The Penzance Musical.

Jeanna de Waal, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and More Will Lead ANYTHING GOES at the Muny
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2024


Jeanna de Waal, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Kevin Chamberlin, George Abud, Kimberly Immanuel, Adrianna Hicks, Ann Harada, Lara Teeter, Eric Jordan Young, Danny Gardner, Spencer Jones and Joe Capstick will star in the Muny production of Anything Goes.

Gilbert & Sullivan Society Of Houston Presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE At Hobby Center For The Performing Arts
by A.A. Cristi - May 18, 2023


The pirates come ashore in July as Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston, the longest-running opera company in Houston, presents the popular The Pirates of Penzance at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts' Zilkha Hall.

Opera San José to Conclude Season With TOSCA in April
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 13, 2023


Opera San José’s 2022-23 season will conclude with a vivid production of Puccini’s thriller Tosca.

Anastacia McCleskey Joins The Muny's THE COLOR PURPLE as Celie; Full Cast, Design and Production Teams Announced
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 22, 2022


The Muny announced its full cast, design and production teams for the Muny Premiere of The Color Purple, August 3 – 9, 2022.   Joining the previously announced principal cast of Tracee Beazer (Shug Avery), Nasia Thomas (Nettie), Evan Tyrone Martin (Mister), Gilbert Domally (Harpo) and Nicole Michelle Haskins (Sofia) is Anastacia McCleskey (Celie).

Complete Cast Announced For Pre-Broadway A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL Starring Will Swenson
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2022


Meet the complete cast for A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, as rehearsals began in New York ahead of the musical's world premiere, pre-Broadway engagement this summer at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre.

Cast Announced For The 5th Avenue Theatre's World Premiere Of AFTERWORDS
by Stephi Wild - Mar 16, 2022


Afterwords is the 24th new musical produced by The 5th Avenue Theatre and features music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak and a book by Emily Kazmarek, with direction by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, choreography by Ebony Williams, and music supervision by Matt Perri.

Will Swenson Will Lead Neil Diamond Musical A BEAUTIFUL NOISE
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2022


Tony Award nominee Will Swenson will play iconic singer/songwriter Neil Diamond in the Broadway-bound musical A Beautiful Noise.

The Muny Announces Complete Casting For PAINT YOUR WAGON
by Alan Henry - May 29, 2019


The Muny announced today its complete cast, design and production team for Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon, the sixth show of its second century, July 27 – August 2. Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon is proudly sponsored by Ameren.     

Taylor Louderman, Will Swenson, Mamie Parris, Ann Harada, Jason Gotay, Laura Michelle Kelly and More Announced For THE MUNY's 101st Season
by Alan Henry - Apr 17, 2019


BroadwayWorld has learned that The Muny announced today 25 principal cast members for the first season of its second century. Complete company casting will be announced throughout April and May. The 101st season opens on a brand new, state-of-the-art stage with Muny favorite Guys and Dolls followed by the U.S. regional premiere of Kinky Boots. The season continues with 1776, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, Footloose and a newly-reimagined Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon. Season 101 closes with the highly-anticipated Muny debut of Roald Dahl's Matilda.

Full Cast Announced for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME Starring Deaf Actor Joshua Castille
by Julie Musbach - May 7, 2018


The full cast for The 5th Avenue Theatre's spectacular new production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which stars Deaf actorJoshua Castille as Quasimodo, has been announced. Castille will use American Sign Language (ASL) throughout his performance, bringing new life and perspective to Quasimodo, who is deaf in the novel by Victor Hugo.

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.

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.

Stars Announced for New Staging of Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN at The 5th Avenue Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Dec 1, 2017


This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn.

Stars Announced for New Staging of Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN at The 5th Avenue Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Nov 24, 2017


This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn.

Photo Flash: Swoon with a Sneak Peek at the Stars of Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN at The 5th Avenue Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Sep 8, 2017


This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. Just announced, the cast will ffeature the talents of Seattle stars and 5th Avenue favorites Eric Ankrim (How to Succeed..., First Date, Paint Your Wagon) as Jim Hardy, Sarah Rose Davis (The Pajama Game, How to Succeed...) as Linda Mason, Matt Owen (ELF, Spamalot, A Room with a View) as Ted Hanover and Taryn Darr (The Pajama Game, A Chorus Line) as Lila Dixon. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the leads in costume below!

Stars Announced for New Staging of Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN at The 5th Avenue Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Sep 8, 2017


This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn.

Josh Davis Joins Billie Wildrick in THE PAJAMA GAME, Opening Tonight at 5th Avenue Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Feb 16, 2017


This winter, The 5th Avenue Theatre will have Seattle adjusting its radiators with a steaming hot new production of the Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musical theater hit, The Pajama Game. With direction by 5th Avenue Theatre Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry, this sultry stunner features Bob Fosse-inspired choreography by Bob Richard and music direction by Joel Fram.

Star-Studded PAJAMA GAME Starts Tonight at 5th Avenue Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Feb 10, 2017


This winter, The 5th Avenue Theatre will have Seattle adjusting its radiators with a steaming hot new production of the Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musical theater hit, The Pajama Game. With direction by 5th Avenue Theatre Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry, this sultry stunner features Bob Fosse-inspired choreography by Bob Richard and music direction by Joel Fram.

Josh Davis Joins Billie Wildrick in THE PAJAMA GAME at 5th Avenue Theatre; Cast Complete!
by BWW News Desk - Dec 20, 2016


This winter, The 5th Avenue Theatre will have Seattle adjusting its radiators with a steaming hot new production of the Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musical theater hit, The Pajama Game. With direction by 5th Avenue Theatre Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry, this sultry stunner features Bob Fosse-inspired choreography by Bob Richard and music direction by Joel Fram.

Twenty-Four to Make Broadway Debuts as 'GREAT COMET' Announces Complete Cast
by BWW News Desk - Aug 31, 2016


Complete casting has been announced for the new musical NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, featuring the Broadway debuts of 24 cast and creative team members, including Josh Groban* as 'Pierre' and Denee Benton* as 'Natasha.'

Barrington Stage to Begin Renovations on New Wolfson Theater Center This August
by BWW News Desk - Jul 19, 2016


Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, announced today the creation of The Wolfson Theater Center, at 122 North Street, Pittsfield, MA.

5th Avenue Theatre's Starry PAINT YOUR WAGON Opens Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jun 9, 2016


The 5th Avenue Theatre presents an exciting new 'revisal' of the sweeping saga Lerner & Loewe's PAINT YOUR WAGON. Featuring an all-new book by Pulitzer Prize nominee John Marans, this show has taken an incredible journey over the last five years from developmental workshops to The 5th Avenue stage this season. And BroadwayWorld is happy to report that the company has just announced the full cast and creative team.

The Pirates of Penzance History

Other Productions of The Pirates of Penzance

1879   Regional (UK) World Premiere
Regional (UK)
1879   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1880   New York Unknown
New York
1880   West End London Production
West End
1884   West End London Revival
West End
1900   Broadway Unknown
Broadway
1912   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1918   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1926   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1927   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1931   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1933   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1934   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1934   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1935   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1936   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1936   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1939   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1940   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1942   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1944   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1946   Broadway Unknown
Broadway
1948   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1949   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1951   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1952   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1955   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1961   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
1976   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1977   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
1979   Off-Broadway LOOM Revival
Off-Broadway
1981   Broadway Broadway Transfer
Broadway
1981   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1982   West End London Production
West End
1985   Off-Off-Broadway Off-Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Off-Broadway
2006   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
2006   East Haddam, CT (Regional) Goodspeed Production
East Haddam, CT (Regional)
2007   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2017   West End English National Opera Revival
West End
2024   West End
West End
2025   Broadway Roundabout Theatre Company Broadway Revival Production
Broadway

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