Actors Theatre is kicking off the new year with something just a little bit different. Pirates of Penzance, the Gilbert and Sullivan musical comedy classic, is taking over the Bingham Theatre. But this production promises to be anything but the usual operetta.
The production team at Actors has invited The Hypocrites, a Chicago-based troupe, to remount their critically acclaimed and reimagined adaptation of the work, which was first produced in 1879.
This rendition of Pirates follows the classic storyline of Frederic, who is apprenticed to pirates and then finds himself in love with the Major-General’s daughter, but it includes more than a touch of whimsy, along with beach balls, tikki torches, and a streamlined cast of ten that plays their own instruments. Audience members, if they so choose, and for an extra fee, can become a part of the action by sitting (or standing) on the stage during the production.
The Pirates of Penzance runs January 7-February 4. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Actors Theatre box office at 502-584-1205. Actors Theatre offers several discount ticket programs, which can be found here.
Image: Courtesy of Actors Theatre
