From a star-studded cast to New Orleans jazz, the musical has revitalized Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance and made it more enjoyable for modern audiences.
Among the uber-talented cast were Rupaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon and former Phantom of the Opera star Ramin Karimloo. The vocal range exhibited by the cast was nothing short of astounding. Ramin’s vocal power cannot be overstated, Jinkx has an undeniable stage presence, and Samantha Williams, who played Mabel Stanley, had both charm and jaw-dropping vocals. David Hyde Pierce’s rendition of “I Am The Very Model,” arguably the most popular song of the show, was articulate and hilarious.
At the show I saw, Nicholas Barasch was replaced in the role of Frederic by understudy Ryo Kamibayashi, who did an amazing job and had such a beautiful voice and stage presence. The comedy alone had the audience in shambles, especially from the Major General, played by David Hyde Pierce. There’s something to be said for actors who really sell the performance and make you feel so entrenched in their world.
The ensemble, which consisted of both pirates of General Stanley’s daughters, were captivating in their facial expressions, choreography, humor, and vocals. They made the musical a true delight that one could not help but smile during.
The premise of the show, being a performance of The Pirates of Penzance set in New Orleans, was creative and allowed for gorgeous stage design and jazz elements to be incorporated into the show. It is also cleverly self-referential that there were actors playing Gilbert and Sullivan, the creators of the opera, who in turn were playing characters in their own work.
If you think you aren’t a fan of old operas, think again. By the end of the show, you too will be laughing and clapping along with the crew. Gilbert and Sullivan can rest easy knowing that their opera is getting a second fun-filled stay on the Broadway stage.