‘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.

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‘HELLO, DOLLY!’ Bette Midler & cast. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

HELLO, DOLLY!
Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder
Book by Michael Stewart
Music & lyrics by Jerry Herman
Choreographed by Warren Carlyle
Directed by Jerry Zaks
Sam S. Shubert Theatre
225 West 44th Street
(212) 239-6200, www.HelloDollyOnBroadway.com

By David NouNou

Hello, Dolly! was a glorious, record-breaking musical when it opened in January 1964 and if it is properly done and not chintzed on, it is still an old-fashioned spectacular musical. Dolly is an iconic character in the musical pantheon. So whoever plays her has to be bigger than life. Three women come to mind: Barbra Streisand, Cher and Bette Midler, and who better to play Dolly but Bette Midler because in addition to her singing, she has the comedic chops.

The role of Dolly, the matchmaker who goes to Yonkers to find a suitable wife for Horace Vandergelder, the “half a millionaire,” was originated by Carol Channing. Ms. Channing won a Tony that year, beating out Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl. Although she created this lovable meddling and manipulating character, there was a guilelessness about her that you embraced her for; she was perfection. Many ladies came after her to keep the show thriving through the years: Ginger Rogers, Betty Grable, Martha Raye, Phyllis Diller, Pearl Bailey (probably the best Dolly) and finally ended with Ethel Merman.

Ms. Midler is a fun Dolly; after all she is the Divine Miss M. From start to finish, the crowd cheers and roars at whatever she does. I am sure that there would be lesser-name actresses who can play the part of Dolly more vibrantly and vocally be far superior, but no one can fill a house the way Ms. Midler can. Ms. Midler as I said is a joy to watch, but does she inhabit the role? No. The audience that comes to see her has no yardstick to compare or measure her performance against. They will cheer if she reads the proverbial phonebook. The only comparison that exists is the 1969 movie version with Barbra Streisand. Take your pick. In this case Ms. Midler gives more to the character of Dolly than Ms. Streisand did.

David Hyde Pierce is one of the most beloved actors in show business. He was so great in “Frasier,” which is still in reruns, but here he is not flinty, curmudgeonly, or forceful enough as Horace Vandergelder. He tries hard to imbue that character, but there is a strain. A better flintier actor ironically would have been Kelsey Grammar or John Larroquette.

Believe it or not, the original Cornelius Hackl and Irene Molloy were respectively played by Charles Nelson Reilly and Eileen Brennan. Now they are handsomely played by Gavin Creel and Kate Baldwin. Ms. Baldwin is in superb voice. Kudos should go to director Jerry Zaks, who keeps the proceedings at an ever so lively a pace, so you don’t notice some of the cracks in the book.

Jerry Herman’s score is still sublime and the sets and costumes by Santo Loquasto are exquisite. They are just as good as the original sets and costumes by Oliver Smith and Freddy Whittop who both won Tony Awards. Natasha Katz’s lighting is dazzling as always. An added bonus is that Warren Carlyle has maintained as much of the original choreography by Gower Champion which is both a credit to him and the show. It keeps the show constantly afloat.

When seeing Hello, Dolly, you are really seeing Hello, Bette! You leave the theatre with a big smile and a feeling of satisfaction. What could be better?

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published July 13, 2017

‘HELLO, DOLLY!’ David Hyde Pierce & Bette Midler. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

‘HELLO, DOLLY!’ Bette Midler. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

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BRIDE & GROOM: Sierra Boggess & David Burtka. Photo: Joan Marcus

IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU
Book & lyrics by Brian Hargrove
Music & concept by Barbara Anselmi
Directed by David Hyde Pierce
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
256 West 47th Street
(800) 653-8000
http://www.ItShouldaBeenYou.com

By Scott Harrah

We’ve seen all this before: Families of different faiths and backgrounds, coming together to witness their children getting married, and the humor of watching a day that’s supposed to be “perfect” go horribly wrong. However, in this slick, star-studded vanity project masquerading as a musical, there’s a plot twist that supposedly makes this show different from the rest. On paper, this show probably sounded great. It’s written by Brian Hargrove and directed by his partner David Hyde Pierce, and features his former “Frasier” co-stars Harriet Harris and Edward Hibbert, as well as Tyne Daly, Sierra Boggess, Lisa Howard, and others.

In reality, what we have here is your typical comedy with every stereotype imaginable. There’s the nagging Jewish mother, Judy Steinberg (Ms. Daly), overseeing the wedding of her daughter, Rebecca (Ms. Boggess), to squeaky clean Brian Howard (David Burtka). There are all the Jewish relatives, the type you’ll find on any rerun of TV’s “The Nanny,” from Uncle Morty (Adam Heller) to Aunt Sheila (Anne L. Nathan, doing what appears to be a Renee Taylor impersonation). Of course, Brian’s wealthy family members are your typical WASPs. There’s the dad Greg (Michael X. Martin), who has resorted to therapy in order to get in touch with his feelings and relate to his soon-to-be married son. Brian’s mother, Georgette (Ms. Harris, in her usual over-the-top role) is a gin-swilling lush. Meanwhile, the underappreciated sister of the bride, Jenny (Ms. Howard), feels overwhelmed with the responsibility of making all the wedding arrangements.

There is enough comic pathos in this show that “it shoulda been” a straight comedy, with no need for songs, because there is nothing memorable about Barbara Anselmi’s score and Brian Hargrove’s trite lyrics. He rhymes words like “you” and “Jew,” among others, in the musical numbers, all of which are sung well by the talented cast but do nothing to propel the story.

The performances are the most satisfying thing here. What’s amazing is how so much talent has been wasted on such a flimsy show. The most sincere performances are from Ms. Howard, bringing as much depth as possible to Jenny. Ms. Daly gives a lot of humanity to her otherwise hackneyed character. Josh Grisetti, as Jenny’s old friend Marty Kaufman, is also noteworthy. Edward Hibbert, as the fey wedding planner Albert, plays his usual role of, well, Edward Hibbert, but he gets some of the show’s biggest laughs.

The gifts of Sierra Boggess and Montego Glover (Tony nominee for Memphis) are mostly squandered on thankless roles and songs. Harriet Harris, as Georgette Howard, plays Harriet Harris as she has since her days as Bebe Glasier on “Frasier.” David Burtka is completely charmless as Brian Howard.

It Shoulda Been You tries to be many things but is ultimately just another mediocre wedding comedy. You’ll find much better ethnic jokes and nuptial-themed laughs by renting My Big Fat Greek Wedding than wasting your time with this wannabe farce.

AT THE RECEPTION: Nick Spangler & Montego Glover in ‘It Shoulda Been You.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

GIRL TALK: (left to right) Sierra Boggess, Tyne Daly, Lisa Howard & Montego Glover. Photo: Joan Marcus

TOASTING OLD ‘FRIENDS’ (left to right): Sierra Boggess, Nick Spangler, Montego Glover & David Burtka. Photo: Joan Marcus

THE SINGLE STEINBERG SISTER (left to right): Anne L. Nathan, Edward Hibbert, Adam Heller & Lisa Howard in ‘It Shoulda Been You.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

MOTHER OF THE GROOM: Harriet Harris in ‘It Shoulda Been You.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published April 19, 2015
Reviewed at press performance on April 18, 2015

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