Goodspeed's 'Pirates' to Sail On through December 17

An extension has been announced for Goodspeed Musicals' production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates on Penzance, which will now play at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT through December 17th.

Previously announced for a run through December 10th, the Caribbean-flavored production of the comic opera opened on November 1st after beginning previews on October 6th.  The added performances are:  December 15 at 7:30 PM, December 16 at 2 PM and 6:30 PM and December 17 at 1 PM and 5:30 PM.

"We are thrilled with the audiences' reaction to Pirates of Penzance. Young and not so young are having the time of their lives with Pirates of Penzance and we want to make sure that everyone has a chance to see this musical comedy," stated Goodspeed Musicals executive director Michael P. Price.

The production stars Andrew Varela (Little Women, Les Miserables) as The Pirate King, with Ed Dixon (The Iceman Cometh, The Scarlet Pimpernel, writer of Fanny Hill) as the Major General, Farah Alvin (I Love You Because, upcoming Les Miserables) as Mabel, Jason Michael Snow as Frederic, Joanna Glushak (Sweet Smell of Success, Urinetown) as Ruth, John O'Creagh as Samuel, Gerry MacIntyre as Sergeant and Julia Osborne as Edith.

"Come aboard for a swashbuckling musical adventure sure to make you squeal with delight. In this spectacular new production, Gilbert & Sullivan meet Pirates of the Caribbean in a high seas tale of mistaken identity. Fly high with a band of roguish pirates, their naval enemies and our young hero as swords clash over treasure chests and lovely ladies," state Goodspeed notes on the show, which does not feature direct similarities to the popular Disney franchise. 

Gordon Greenburg (Jacques Brel is Alive and Well...) directs The Pirates of Penzance, which features book and lyrics by W.S. Gilbert and music by Arthur Sullivan.  Produced by Goodspeed with Price, the show is choreographed by Warren Carlyle, with sets by Robert Bissinger, costumes by David C. Woolard and lighting by Jeff Croiter.  Emmy Award-winner John McDaniel ("The Rosie O'Donnell Show") provides arrangements and music supervision.  Michael O'Flaherty is the musical director.

Visit www.goodspeed.org for more information.