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The Pirates of Penzance - 1885 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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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?

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.

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.

Interview: New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' Executive Director David Wannen Talks New Production of THE MIKADO
by Blair Ingenthron - Jan 6, 2024


BroadwayWorld spoke with NYGASP's Executive Director David Wannen about the new production and its upcoming tour across the country. Read what he had to say here!

Photos: First Look at THE MIKADO at London's Wilton's Music Hall
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 9, 2023


Following her critically acclaimed highly successful all-male productions of ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ and ‘The Pirates of Penzance’, Sasha Regan returns to London’s Wilton’s Music Hall - the only surviving Grand Music Hall in the world - with Gilbert and Sullivan’s irresistible ‘The Mikado’.

Cast Set for Sasha Regan's All-Male THE MIKADO at Wilton's Music Hall and on Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 17, 2023


Following her critically acclaimed all-male productions of ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ and ‘The Pirates of Penzance’, Sasha Regan is returning to Wilton’s Music Hall with Gilbert and Sullivan’s irresistible ‘The Mikado’.

Sasha Regan's All-Male THE MIKADO to Tour the UK This Summer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 22, 2023


Following her critically acclaimed highly successful all-male productions of ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ and ‘The Pirates of Penzance’, Sasha Regan returns to London’s Wilton’s Music Hall - the only surviving Grand Music Hall in the world - with Gilbert and Sullivan’s irresistible ‘The Mikado’.

ENO's THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE and THE MIKADO Will Be Re-Broadcast In Cinemas Across The UK This Summer
by Stephi Wild - May 17, 2019


Originally broadcast live from the world famous London Coliseum in 2015, cinema audiences will have a rare opportunity to see these classic Gilbert and Sullivan operas again in stunning multi-camera HD and amazing 5.1 surround sound.

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


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BWW Review: New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players Turn THE MIKADO Topsy-Turvey
by Michael Dale - Jan 4, 2017


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by BWW News Desk - Nov 13, 2015


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Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to Perform in Basilica, 11/13
by Matt Smith - Oct 21, 2015


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Actors' Equity 'Commends' NYGASP Decision to Cancel THE MIKADO; Offers to Facilitate Dialogue
by BWW News Desk - Sep 18, 2015


Earlier today, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players announced they would be cancelling their planned production of THE MIKADO due to complaints from the Asian American community about the show's offensive stereotyping, as well as NYGASP's casting of caucasian actors in Asian roles.

NYGASP Cancel Production of THE MIKADO; Regret 'Missed Opportunity' to Adapt
by Caryn Robbins - Sep 18, 2015


Today, in an announcement posted on their official Facebook page, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has canceled their production of THE MIKADO and replaced it with THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.

Finborough Theatre to Present PRINCESS IDA, Beginning 24 March
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 2, 2015


The Finborough Theatre's acclaimed Celebrating British Music Theatre series continues with the first professional London production in over twenty years of Gilbert and Sullivan's Princess Ida opening at the Finborough Theatre for a four week limited season on Tuesday, 24 March 2015 (Press Night: Thursday, 26 March 2015 at 7.30pm).

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BWW Reviews: Oh, 'Tis Better to be a Pirate Indeed!
by Kristen Morale - Dec 29, 2013


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.

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by BWW News Desk - May 6, 2010


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by BWW News Desk - May 5, 2010


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by Jessica Lewis - Apr 5, 2010


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Boston Pops Season Features Menzel, O'Hara & More
by Jessica Lewis - Feb 19, 2010


Today, Friday, February 19, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops announced details of the orchestra's 125th anniversary season, May 4-June 20, 2010, outlining programs that celebrate the orchestra's rich tradition of performing the great music of this country's past and present, for which the Boston Pops is so well known.

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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