The Pirates of Penzance

Frederic’s nursemaid misunderstood his father’s instructions to find Frederic an apprenticeship with a “pilot.” She thought he said a “pirate” and therefore made a contract with the Pirates of Penzance until Frederic’s 21st birthday. His 19th century comic opera begins with the celebration of Frederic turning 21 years old and his surprising announcement of leaving the pirate-hood to devote his life to the extinction of pirates. But first, he would like to see a woman other than his nursemaid, who keeps insisting that she is the epitome of beauty. He realizes he has been duped and the lunacy begins.

Other works by Gilbert and Sullivan include “H.M.S. Pinafore” and “The Mikado.” Fourteen comic operas in all, which highly influenced the American musical theatre movement and, believe it or not, rap and def poetry.