Roundabout Theatre Company announced today that a special Benefit Concert Reading of The Pirates of Penzance, the Tony Award-winning musical adapted by Rupert Holmes, with music by Arthur Sullivan, libretto by W.S. Gilbert and direction by Scott Ellis, will take place Monday, October 17th at The American Airlines Theatre.
The performance will star Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce as “Major General,” Tony Award nominee Ramin Karimloo as “Pirate King,” Tony Award nominee Lilli Cooper as “Ruth,” Colton Ryan as “Frederic,” and Samantha Williams as “Mabel.”
Other cast members include Eddie Cooper, Cicily Daniels, Jōvan Dansberry, Alex Dorf, Rick Faugno, Leslie Donna Flesner, Curtis Holland, Madison McBride, Ryan Worsing with remaining cast to be announced soon.
The director and choreographer who dazzled audiences with their productions of She Loves Me and Kiss Me, Kate! team up again to helm one of their personal favorites, for one night only—and only at Roundabout.
Building upon the historic fact that Gilbert and Sullivan launched Pirates of Penzance in the United States prior to its London premiere, Scott Ellis and Warren Carlyle’s new staging envisions a production that sets sail in the heart of New Orleans, home of the real-life Pirates of the Pontchartrain. With an adaptation by Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and jazz, blues, ragtime, and symphonic music arrangements by orchestrators Joseph Joubert and Daryl Waters, a mighty crew of The Big Easy’s actors and musicians create a new sound, a fresh style, and the very model of a modern musical evening of swashbuckling, tongue-twisting, and romantic merry-making.
This partially staged reading is the first step in envisioning a revival that could bring Pirates to Broadway for the first time in over 40 years.
Additional creative team includes David Rockwell (Scenery) and Donald Holder (Lights). Additional creative team will be announced soon.
Proceeds from the Benefit Concert Reading of The Pirates of Penzance support Roundabout Theatre Company’s many programs and initiatives, including Education at Roundabout.
VIP, Benefactor and Producer tickets include admission to an exclusive post-show party following the performance.
Please visit www.roundabouttheatre.org/pirates for information and to purchase tickets.