The Pirates of Penzance at Todd Haimes Theatre

Ahoy, musical comedy fans! Grab The Pirates of Penzance tickets and experience Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce (from Curtains) and Tony Award nominee Ramin Karimloo (from Les Misérables) lead the cast in this Gilbert and Sullivan cult classic. Landing at the iconic Todd Haimes Theatre in the spring of 2025, this remake of The Pirates of Penzance, directed by Tony Award nominee Scott Ellis (from Tootsie), docks in New Orleans for a jazzy-bluesy update to the beloved operetta. 

The Pirates of Penzance Tickets

Set sail for giggles and toe-tapping tracks all on the high seas, and witness The Pirates of Penzance on Broadway unlike anything you’ve ever seen before: set in New Orleans, and sizzling with Caribbean rhythms, tinged in bluesy groove, and French Quarter flair. 

This crowd-pleasing classic is in an outrageously clever romp that features the tongue-twisting Major-General, the fiery Pirate King, newly imagined young lovers, fearless daughters, footloose pirates and speedy police. So, don’t fret… There’s a shipload of musical comedy treats on deck to dazzle first-timers and die hard Gilbert and Sullivan fans alike. 

“The Pirates of Penzance offers up a full bounty of escapist fun.” – ARTSATL

“Incredibly slick, fast paced, and beautifully staged.” – Theatre Travels

“A colorful, playful romp with outstanding singing and a whole lot of silliness.” – Seattles Child

“Clever staging, colourful costumes, cheeky comedy.” – Arts Hub

Synopsis

The Pirates of Penzance is a jolly operetta classic which was first staged in 1897. The story follows a 21-year-old Frederic as he is released from his apprenticeship to a band of soft-hearted pirates. Frederic meets a major general’s daughter and the pair instantly fall for eachother. But, as Frederick finds out that he was born on a leap day, this technically changes his age. Now, he has to serve aboard for another 63 years. Governed by his own sense of duty, Frederic finds comfort that his lover agrees to wait for his return.

The pirate ship musical comedy is now set in New Orleans, injecting jazzy energy, Caribbean rhythms and French Quarter flair into the show. Favorite characters from the tongue-twisting Major-General to the fiery Pirate King — plus the newly-imagined young lovers, fearless daughters, footloose pirates, and speedy police — will all be on deck for a shipload of musical mayhem. Delight abounds to dazzle first-timers and Gilbert and Sullivan aficionados alike.

Creative team

Ramin Karimloo and David Hyde Pierce lead the crew as Pirate King and W.S. Gilbert, Major General, respectively, in this must-see Roundabout remake of The Pirates of Penzance. Scott Ellis (Doubt; Kiss Me, Kate) wears the hat of director, while Warren Carlyle (Harmony; Kiss Me, Kate) takes on the role of choreographer, alongside a hilarious new adaptation by Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), musical direction by Joseph Joubert (Caroline, or Change), and orchestrations by Joubert and Daryl Waters (Memphis). 

Additional cast and creative team members will be announced at a later date.

History and Awards

The Pirates of Penzance officially debuted at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on the 31st December 1879, where it was welcomed with critical applause. One of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic operas, the production has been adapted several times around the world into stage revivals, movies, and television. 

Its London premiere landed on the 3rd April 1880, at the Opera Comique, where it ran for 363 celebrated performances. The 1981 revival snagged as many as 7 Tony Awards®, winning Best Direction of a Musical (Wilford Leach), Reproduction (Play or Musical) (Joseph Papp), and Best Actor in a Musical (Kevin Kline). What’s more, this production also secured 8 Drama Desk awards, winning Outstanding Musical (Joseph Papp), Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Kevin Kline), Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Tony Azito), Outstanding Director of a Musical (Wilford Leach), and Outstanding Costume Design (Patricia McGourty). Rex Smith was also named the Theatre World Award winner.