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The Pirates of Penzance

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The Pirates of Penzance - 1879 Broadway History , Info & More


Fifth Avenue Theatre
31 W. 28th St. (Broadway) 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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Review: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at St. Louis Opera Theatre
by Steve Callahan - May 26, 2026


It's almost a century-and-a-half old, but it's as fresh and appealing as when it first bounded into the public eye on New Year's Eve, 1879.  It's The Pirates of Penzance—perhaps the most irresistible of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic 'Savoy' operas.  Opera Theatre of St. Louis has opened a delicious production of this gem.

Review: You'll be walking the plank if you miss Hayes' THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by Kym Vaitiekus - May 18, 2026


Ship Ahoy the Masterful HMS Hayes and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. A bountiful night of shenanigans, merriment, and joy.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE To Be Presented By FSCJ Artist Series
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026


FSCJ Artist Series will present a production of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE opera in Jacksonville, FL, with tickets going on sale soon.

Sam Logan Khaleghi Directs THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE At Howell Opera House
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 3, 2026


Emmy-nominated filmmaker Sam Logan Khaleghi makes his stage directorial debut with THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at the historic Howell Opera House, the first opera staged there in over a century, opening April 24.

Lyric Opera of Kansas City Reveals 2026–2027 Season - LA BOHEME, AIDA and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 2, 2026


The new season, the 70th in Lyric Opera’s history, will include four mainstage productions at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, including La bohème and Aida.

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?

Quintessence Theatre Extends Holiday Production Of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 22, 2025


Due to popular demand, Quintessence Theatre (Quintessence) (7137 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119) extended its holiday production of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance.

Photos/Video: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE At Quintessence Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 25, 2025


Quintessence Theatre has released first-look production photos and a new rehearsal video for its upcoming staging of The Pirates of Penzance, opening November 19 at the Sedgwick Theater.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Comes to Quintessence Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Nov 4, 2025


 On November 19, Quintessence Theatre will continue its 16th season with The Pirates of Penzance, the beloved comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.

Theatergoing in the Time of The Gilded Age
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 24, 2025


The Gilded Age recently wrapped up its third season on HBO, to record-setting viewership. Much to the delight of theatre fans, the cast of the show includes a wealth of actors who are beloved for their work in theatre. Cast by Adam Caldwell and Bernie Telsey, The Gilded Age shoots in the New York area, which gave the team the ability to cast many actors who regularly work in theatre.

Video: PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL Performs at the Tony Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 8, 2025


The cast of Pirates! The Penzance Musical took the stage at Radio City Music Hall earlier tonight to perform at the 78th Annual Tony Awards. Watch the performance 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.

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players to Present THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Coppell
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2025


The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players are bringing their production of The Pirates of Penzance to Coppell in July. Learn more and see how to attend the performance.

A Gilbert and Sullivan Crash Course
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 24, 2025


Broadway welcomes back a classic work by a classic writing team. Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance is getting new life with Pirates! The Penzance Musical- an adaptation that takes some joyous liberties. It's been a while since a Gilbert and Sullivan show has been on Broadway (since the 1987 revival of The Mikado, to be exact), so there is reason to recap.

Meet the Cast of PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL, Now on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Apr 4, 2025


Performances are underway for Roundabout Theatre Company's new version of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, The Pirates of Penzance. Meet the cast of Pirates! The Penzance Musical here.

Videos You Missed This Week: FLOYD COLLINS, OH, MARY! and More
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 14, 2025


2025 has officially arrived and the second half of the 2024-25 Broadway season is very much underway. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending March 14, 2025 with videos from Oh, Mary!, Floyd Collins, and more!

Up on the Marquee: PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL
by Jennifer Broski - Mar 14, 2025


Roundabout Theatre Company is getting ready to bring a new version of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, The Pirates of Penzance, back to Broadway in 2025. Pirates! The Penzance Musical is a reimagined version of the 1879 operetta. Check out photos of the new marquee at the Todd Haimes Theatre here.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 10, 2025
by - Mar 10, 2025


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 10, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.

Videos You Missed This Week: PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL, REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES and More
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 7, 2025


2025 has officially arrived and the second half of the 2024-25 Broadway season has officially begun. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending March 7, 2025 with videos from Pirates! The Penzance Musical, Real Women Have Curves, and more!

Video: David Hyde Pierce on the New Orleans-Flavored PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL- 'It Really Works!'
by Joey Mervis - Mar 7, 2025


Pirates! The Penzance Musical is a reimagined version of the 1879 operetta that begins previews on April 4 ahead of an April 24 opening at the Todd Haimes Theatre. Watch in this video as we check in with the whole company during a break from rehearsals.

Photos: The Cast of PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL Meet the Press
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 7, 2025


Roundabout Theatre Company will bring a new version of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, The Pirates of Penzance, back to Broadway in 2025, led by Jinkx Monsoon, Ramin Karimloo, David Hyde Pierce, and more! Meet the cast here!

PIRATES OF PENZANCE Comes to Jersey Shore Arts Center
by Stephi Wild - Feb 21, 2025


Pirates of Penzance, directed by Nick Montesano with musical direction by Jeff Brown, will return to the Palaia stage at The Jersey Shore Arts Center having been the first show that NENA produced there over 20 years ago.

Review: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Gamut Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - Nov 4, 2024


The Pirates of Penzance at Gamut is fun, energetic, and hilarious. The voices are lovely, and the singers and orchestra make the challenging music sound easy. For an uplifting evening of laughter and joy, get your tickets for The Pirates of Penzance!

Franklin Light Opera to Present THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 6, 2024


Franklin Light Opera will present performances of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Central Florida Vocal Arts To End The Summer With THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 10, 2024


Central Florida Vocal Arts kicks off Season Twelve with THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater, featuring operatic arias, sharp dialogue, and a twisting plot, August 9-11, 2024.

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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