The Pirates of Penzance: Musical Information & Synopsis
Synopsis
The Pirates of Penzance follows the story of Frederic, a young man who mistakenly believes he is duty-bound to serve as a pirate until his 21st birthday. But having been born on February 29th, a leap year, Frederic discovers that he won’t reach his 21st birthday until he’s much older. As Frederic encounters a bevy of eccentric characters, including the Pirate King, the Major-General, and a group of lively maidens, the plot unfolds with humor, romance, and a touch of whimsy.
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Musical Information
Musical Type: Opera (1879)
Cast: Medium (15+ Roles)
Genre: Comedy
Setting: 1800s / England
Creative Team
Music: Arthur Sullivan
Lyrics: W.S. Gilbert
Adaptation: Rupert Holmes (Pirates! The Penzance Musical)
Awards
Drama Desk Award: Outstanding Musical (1981)
Cast Albums
The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company Cast (1968)➝
The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company Cast (1991)➝
Pirates! The Penzance Musical: Original Broadway Cast (2025)➝
Licensing
The Pirates of Penzance is available to license through Music Theatre International.
Australasia Licensing Options
Europe Licensing Options
International Licensing Options
Resources
Audition Songs: Theatre Trip
Sheet Music: Amazon➝
Tags
Classical, Comedic, Jazz (2025), Legit, Pirates, Ships, Tap Dance (2025)
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