Todd Haimes Theatre
23 July 2025 Matinee
Pirates of Penzance is a show that I adore, so I was honestly not sure that I would enjoy a new adaption. I was especially concerned I would not fully appreciate the show since the new adaption is set in New Orleans, Louisiana and I simply don’t connect to that culture (I have never even been to New Orleans, so the only things I know about the culture, music, etc. comes from other sources of media, often fictional stories), so I was pleasantly surprised to find myself roaring with laughter and genuinely enjoying the different musical styles. And honestly, Pirates! The Penzance Musical does not stick to stereotypical New Orleans inspired music. It actually included a large variety of musical styles, which helps make the entire point of this show – we are all from somewhere else (except for Penzance) — have a larger impact, which is probably something America needs right now.
The show opens with the characters of Arthur Sullivan (played by Preston Truman Boyd — he also plays the character of The Sergeant of Police) and William S. Gilbert (played by David Hyde Pierce who is also playing Major-General Stanley) explaining to the audience how and why this new adaption came to be located in New Orleans and how they themselves are indulging in some kind of piracy themselves in simply making this adaption (this is a lovely in joke for anyone who is aware that “Pirates of Penzance” is in the public domain and therefore not subject to copyright. This means that anyone can put on productions of the show, but more than that, they can change and adapt the script however they please). This is a very self-aware moment in the show and personally, I very much appreciate when a show is self-aware.
To say the choreography in this show is impressive would be a massive understatement. It is quick, it is intense, and it is silly. Even early on, upon meeting the Pirate King (played by Ramin Karimloo) we are treated to a high intensity dance number that sees the character jumping on barrels that are laying on the ground sideways, being held by two of his Pirates. Every single time that the Pirate King jumped, the Pirates would spin the barrel around, and the Pirate King would have to land the jump on the barrels side.
This high intensity dancing did not stop as the show continued. In fact, by the end of the first act, the entire company had managed to turn an elaborate dance number into every single person being able to play the washboard as a musical instrument. During intermission I actually remarked “having the entire company being able to play the washboard is almost as impressive as the entire company being able to tap dance.” Little did I know that during act II, at least half the company would be tap dancing.
David Hyde Pierce was excellent as the Major-General. I have honestly never heard the song “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” sung so cleanly. Each and every single word of that song was enunciated and crystal clear. And he made it look easy. I appreciated the character, while still being highly inebriated, was still fairly cunning.
It was also nice to see that David Hyde Pierce is a genuinely nice man who took the time to great every single fan at the stage door and even had short conversations with people. He seemed genuinely surprised and happy to be complimented on the horror film he starred in called The Perfect Host and I even heard him discussing the process of the make-up design for his character with a different audience member.
stage door
Jinkx Monsoon played the character of Ruth and she was wonderful! I can absolutely understand why her career on Broadway is booming — she is a vocal powerhouse with the ability to belt and even wail! And let’s be honest, she has wonderful comedic timing. With a show that has such a silly plot line (the entire show is based around mishearing the word “pilot” as “pirate”), her ability to do camp is absolutely perfect for the role.
Pirates! The Penzance Musical is a silly show and it should be. With a ridiculous plot, over the top acting, self-awareness, breaking of the fourth wall, and high intensity dancing, this show brings a bit of everything culminating in something that can only be described as pure fun.
