PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL Reviews- Page 2

[Kad]

Posted: 5/11/25 at 8:57pm

I know she was a little divisive, but I really like Ronstadt’s Mabel. 

[George in DC]

Posted: 5/11/25 at 9:12pm

I loved Ms Rondstadt as Mabel. I got to see her a couple times, once  at the Delacorte and twice at the Uris (Now Gershwin). When I saw it at the park I was front , stage left and when she sang "Sorry Her Lot" she stared right into my eyes.  I was captivated.

 

On a side note, I also saw Maureen McCormick when she took over as Mabel ... and she nailed the part. One of the best things I've seen. 

 

The current Mabel shows how lack of star power and charisma turns a lead role into a dud. Why is she playing Mabel like a hooker?

Updated On: 5/11/25 at 09:12 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 5/11/25 at 9:16pm

Ronstadt’s swinging between a fairly good legit voice and her ballsy belt was ahead of its time.

Also, her lack of comfort with book material led to the expansion of the “Gregorian chant” sequence, which I now think is one of the funniest parts of the show. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/11/25 at 10:01pm

George in DC said: "I loved Ms Rondstadt as Mabel. I got to see her a couple times, once at the Delacorte and twice at the Uris (Now Gershwin). When I saw it at the park I was front , stage left and when she sang "Sorry Her Lot" she stared right into my eyes. I was captivated.



On a side note, I also saw Maureen McCormick when she took over as Mabel ... and she nailed the part. One of the best things I've seen.



The current Mabel shows how lack of star power and charisma turns a lead role into a dud. Why is she playing Mabel like a hooker?"

 

The current Mabel is awful. 0 stage presence and no charisma at all. Also, don't get the casting choices in this production. Jinx, what is she doing? David Hyde Pearce is the only one that know what's he's doing up there and should have been nominated over Jame Monroe Ingelhart. Also, Ryo Kamibayashi in the ensemble hams it up and is alive on stage. He's so animated and fun to watch in a rather dull production. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 5/11/25 at 10:14pm

George in DC said: "On a side note, I also saw Maureen McCormick when she took over as Mabel ... and she nailed the part. One of the best things I've seen."

Do you mean Maureen McGovern? (Have to admit I was a bit surprised at the idea of Marcia Brady, but IBDB says it was McGovern, not McCormick.)

 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 5/11/25 at 11:46pm

I really remembered Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith as such a cute couple from that 1981 Public production of ''Pirates of Penzance.'' I was eager to see what Nicholas Barasch and Samantha Williams would do as Frederic and Mabel, but their romance and chemistry in this revival is practically nonexistent. Also, Jinkx Monsoon doesn't bring anything special or riotous to Ruth. Only David Hyde-Pierce stops the show as the very model of a modern Major General. 

Updated On: 5/11/25 at 11:46 PM

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 5/12/25 at 7:55am

I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I’m not a G&S purist (or even much of a fan). I doubt G&S purists would enjoy this production. I saw the production in the 1980s and I loved Ronstadt (notwithstanding the key changes). But Ronstadt could read the dictionary and I would enjoy it. I very much enjoyed Ramin, Barasch, Pierce and Monsoon. I didn’t dislike the actress playing Mabel but yeah, she wasn’t Ronstadt (but who is?)

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 5/12/25 at 9:21am

For the record, I have one more amazing memory of this Gilbert & Sullivan show. On June 11, 2013, the Public Theater held a summer gala at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, and it was a one-night-only performance of ''The Pirates of Penzance.'' Though the pricey tickets for this benefit were beyond my means, the Public gave out a number of free tickets, and I was able to line up early enough to snag one. And this was the cast: Kevin Kline returned to reprise his Tony-winning role as the Pirate King. Plus, Jonathan Groff was Frederic, Glenn Close was Ruth, Martin Short was the Major General,  Anika Noni Rose was Mabel, and Eric Idle was the Sergeant of Police. What fun!

Pirates in the Park

Updated On: 5/12/25 at 09:21 AM

[1 Minute Critic]

Posted: 5/13/25 at 10:07pm

3 Stars - 1 Minute Critic

Pirates! A Penzance Musical succeeds thanks to David Hyde Pierce and Warren Carlyle’s loose-limbed choreography, which adds to the evening’s whimsy. Ultimately, this revival feels like a well-rehearsed and very expensive workshop for licensing the title to high schools and community theaters. Could this be the hidden treasure chest behind Pirates!’ 27th Broadway production? Full Review here ... it only takes a minute ⏰

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 5/17/25 at 8:21pm

My reaction was similar to Dreamboy. I got Hiptix for this just to see DHP's Major General (and that was great) but wasn't sure if I would like the rest of the show. But I thought it was delightful. Ramin is in terrific voice as the Pirate King and Nicholas Barasch is a wonderful Frederic.

I also don't get all the Samantha Williams hate. I loved her in Caroline or Change and her voice has only grown since then. My mom and I both said she reminded us of a young Audra. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 5/18/25 at 12:40am

i had the same thought re Sam Williams reminding me of Audra crossed with Mindy Kaling. I hope to see much more from her in the future, quite a talent.

unfortunately this show is a relic, and the updates that were attempted were pretty horrid. It should not be lost on anyone that the only moment that truly takes off--talk about a showstopper--is DHP singing Modern Major General as it was meant to be. Having seen his master class is wry wit and subtle genius, he really might be The Snub of the Year re Tonys.

The show around him is a bore. Thats OK--what worked once will not always work today. This valiant effort falls flat. The sound design if off (Barasch is one of the best voices on Broadway, but the ensemble drowned him out often). The sets look cheap Jinx Monsoon is either miscast or has been given an impossibly silly role. Karmiloo can play any part, we know this. But his Pirate King stays at silly the whole show. 

A hard working ensemble livened up Act 1 but could not save the lunacy of Act 2. Hope others enjoyed this more than I did; a full house tonight seemed appreciative,

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/24/25 at 3:46pm

I’m a little late to the party with this one (and, in this case, I rather wish I just never bothered to show up to the party at all)…

This was absolutely torturous to sit through. Bafflingly inane, and not in a cute or charming way. I found the performances uniformly dull and phoned in. Honestly, just like bad community theatre charging Broadway prices.

Flimsy sets, paper thin orchestra, and tinny sound mix. I hate to be so negative, but this was just shockingly bad in every way under the sun.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/24/25 at 4:30pm

Fordham2015 said: "My reaction was similar to Dreamboy. I got Hiptix for this just to see DHP's Major General (and that was great) but wasn't sure if I would like the rest of the show. But I thought it was delightful. Ramin is in terrific voice as the Pirate King and Nicholas Barasch is a wonderful Frederic.

I also don't get all the Samantha Williams hate. I loved her in Caroline or Change and her voice has only grown since then. My mom and I both said she reminded us of a young Audra."

A young Audra? lol no way as talented as the legendary Audra, far from it!