1.9.10 Pirates of Penzance

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 1/8/10 at 8:29pm

I am going to see Pirates of Penzance tomorrow at The New York City Center. I have no idea what this show is about. I tried to watch the movie yesturday, but I so bored that I turned off the TV after the first 30 minutes. After that, I'm not sure if I will be so entertained by the stage version.

But here's what I'm expecting:
1. families and children in the audience
2. comedy to keep me awake
3. a better illusion of water than Little Mermaid


Anything else I should expect? I am not giving this a good chance? Please tell.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/8/10 at 9:16pm

First of all, why are you going to see it?

Second of all, it's a great operetta, with one of (if not THE) the greatest patter songs ever written, "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General"

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 1/8/10 at 9:34pm

It was a Christmas gift. I had to do some research to find out what I was really seeing. I do admit that the songs are beautiful though.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 1/8/10 at 11:03pm

You'll love it! The film versions I've seen aren't anywhere near as good as seeing it live. It's a very special show to me because the Major-General was my first principal role (youtube bwaylvsong pirates to see some clips- but I'll warn you my patter song was not good at all, so just watch the other clips lol), but I've enjoyed every live production I've seen.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 1/8/10 at 11:23pm

There should be families and children, however an 'illusion' of water is entirely unnecessary for any production of 'Pirates'

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 2:04am

PIRATES is an operetta, and the singing is more operatic than most Broadway shows. The acting style (especially the way NYGASP does it, to my memory) is also rather old fashioned.

Gilbert, who wrote the book and lyrics, loved "topsy turvy" plotlines. PIRATES is a general parody of Victorian Melodrama. The pirates, who should be evil, are total softies for anyone with a sob story, the heroic policeman are all cowards, and the dashing hero is a well-meaning but idiotic goop. It's all very, very silly, and definetly entertaining. There isn't a scene that takes place on the ocean though (the movie moves the location of the first scene from a beach to the ship) so don't worry about the water.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 3:00pm

PIRATES in, IMO the best Gilbert and Sullivan operetta.

There is something in it for everyone, a love story, blundering cops and flamboyant pirates, just to name a few things.

Go in with a open mind, I think you'll enjoy it if you do.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 5:52pm

This is one of those that got away...I never got a real chance to see the original. Sorry you have no good appreciation of what you are going to see, and why would they give you this as a Christmas present without having a notion if you would like it or not? But, like everyone has posted, it is a great operetta, so there's hope...

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 6:13pm

I'm curious which production you are thinking of as the "original." I doubt anyone on these boards is old enough to have seen the true original production.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 6:18pm

1879! Ha, ha, ha, right you are AEA AGMA SM!
No, I was thinking more of the 81 one In my lifetime (since I am not part of the "Vampire Club" ), I consider that one my original...but, technically I know I am wrong. OK.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 6:30pm

Sorry if it sounded snarky. I was just curious which production you were using as your point of reference.

For what it's worth, the best production I have seen was the co-production that the KC Rep and Arizona Theatre Company did a few seasons back, directed by ATC artistic director David Ira Goldstein. They pared down the cast a bit (which helped the girls especially create some unique characters) and just brought about so much fun and vitality that I often find missing in some of the more "traditional" stagings.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 6:37pm

Thanks for sharing that...interesting. I know some rep productions can be just as good or better than some more "professional" stagings. I've witnessed some, myself.
Updated On: 1/9/10 at 06:37 PM

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 1/9/10 at 8:36pm

I just got back from the show. Turns out it was very enjoyable. I really liked it. The comedic timing was great. And the songs and actors were brilliant. There were some points where I got bored, but on the whole, it was a great production. I should have bought the soundtrack. :)