‘Pirates! The Penzance Musical’ is zany fun

‘PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL’: Nicholas Barasch, Ramin Karimloo & Jinkx Monsoon. Photo: Joan Marcus.

PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL
By W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan
Adaptation by Rupert Holmes
Music direction by Joseph Joubert
Choreography by Warren Carlyle
Directed by Scott Ellis
Through July 27, 2025
Todd Haimes Theatre
227 West 42^nd Street
https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/

By Scott Harrah

Gilbert and Sullivan purists might be puzzled by Pirates! The Penzance Musical, the new, hysterically over-the-top Broadway reboot of The Pirates of Penzance. Regardless, audiences looking for sheer escapism will love it. This updated and modernized version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta just received a Tony nomination for Best Musical Revival. This gleeful iteration is quite different from the first production in New York City in 1879.

The original show was set on the craggy coast of Victorian-era Cornwall, England. In this revival, however, Pirates! takes place in 1880 New Orleans in the French Quarter. The revamped book contains a few additions and changes to the story. Nonetheless, Gilbert and Sullivan’s basic plot remains intact.

Motley crew of characters

The story focuses on naïve young Frederic (Nicholas Barasch). He is about to turn 21 (or is he?) and erroneously becomes an apprentice to a group of motley pirates. This is due to the mistake made by the engagingly eccentric woman who raised him, nurse Ruth (Jinkx Monsoon). In addition, Frederic was born on February 29^th during a leap year so no one can figure out exactly how old he actually is or how many birthdays he’s actually had.

He starts working as an assistant to the pirate, led by the dashing Pirate King (Ramin Karimloo), an alleged orphaned nobleman-turned-pirate who appears intimidating but is a softie in reality.

Major General-Stanley (David Hyde Pierce) is a lovably bumbling military man with a bevy of beautiful daughters. Frederic is immediately lovestruck by Mabel Stanley (Samantha Williams), one of Major General’s daughters.

Twisty plot & many production numbers

Not being that familiar with Gilbert and Sullivan’s body of work, I will not nitpick about whether or not Rupert Holmes’ modern adaptation is true to the original Pirates of Penzance. It doesn’t matter that the story is now set in the Big Easy because New Orleans is a perfect setting for shameless silliness and the lively score, given an all-American flavor with jazz rhythms thanks to music supervisor Joseph Joubert. The entire cast seems to be having a blast onstage, sporting Linda Cho’s elaborate period costumes and performing choreographer Warren Carlyle’s high-spirited dance moves.

Top-notch performances

The vibe of Pirates! is manic and madcap, but the show is first and foremost an operetta/musical. For Gilbert and Sullivan aficionados, the songs are crucial, and David Hyde Pierce does an excellent job with the most recognizable number, the tongue-twisting classic “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General.” Mr. Hyde Pierce is best known for playing fussy snob Dr. Niles Crane on the popular TV sitcom “Frasier,” but he’s been in countless Broadway musicals and dramas and he certainly approaches the quirky Major-General with the right mix of wit and wackiness.

Mr. Hyde Pierce also takes on the dual role of William S. Gilbert while Preston Truman Boyd doubles as both Arthur Sullivan and the Sergeant of Police. Mr., Truman Boyd and Mr. Hyde Pierce both give a brief introduction at the beginning of the show as Gilbert and Sullivan, respectively.

The always brilliant Ramin Karimloo, also a Broadway veteran, is sublime as the Pirate King. He’s handsome, winsome, and agile, with a natural gift for all the physical comedy involved with the role. Of course, he has a dynamic tenor voice and is a huge crowd-pleaser when singing “I Am the Pirate King” in the first act.

Nonstop energy

Jinkx Monsoon, a two-time “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner, broke box-office records two years ago when she made her Broadway debut in Chicago. As Ruth, Ms. Monsoon hams it up and is as camp as Christmas, but when she sings, one immediately knows why she has so many fans. She has an amazing voice, especially during her solo number, “Alone, and Yet Alive (The Mikado)” in the second act. She consistently captivates the audience with her nonstop radiant energy. When she sings with cast members, the chemistry she has with the others is incredibly palpable.

Nicholas Barasch is perfectly cast as Frederic, the overzealous youngster and pirate apprentice. With his red hair, squeaky-clean looks, and a lush tenor voice, Mr. Barasch delivers a rock-steady performance and shows amazing physical agility with all the frenzied scenes in the show. His love interest, Mabel, is portrayed by the lovely Samantha Williams. Ms. Williams has a gorgeous soprano voice and a natural rapport with Mr. Barasch.

Admirable direction

Overall, Scott Ellis does an admirable job directing everyone and keeps things light and full of vitality while managing to rein in the cast when needed despite all the hubbub onstage. Pirates! The Penzance Musical is not a definitive new interpretation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s 19^th century saga. However, it’s still a lot of fun for anyone looking for an evening of light entertainment.

Published May 4, 2025
Reviewed at press performance on April 29, 2025

‘PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL’: Nicholas Barasch, Ramin Karimloo & Jinkx Monsoon. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘PIRATES! THE MUSICAL’: Jinkx Monsoon & cast. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL’: (Collage, clockwise from top, right): Samantha Williams & Nicholas Barasch; Nicolas Barasch (center right & left). Photos: Joan Marcus.

‘PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL’: (Collage, top:) Nicholas Barasch & Ramin Karimloo & David Hyde Pierce. (Bottom, left): David Hyde Pierce as William S. Gilbert & Preston Truman Boyd as Arthur Sullivan. (Bottom, right): Preston Truman Boyd as the Sergeant of Police & cast. Photos: Joan Marcus.

‘PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL’: Ramin Karimloo & cast. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL’: The cast. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL’: The cast. Photo: Joan Marcus.