The Pirates of Penzance

The pirates come ashore in July as Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston, the longest-running opera company in Houston, presents the popular The Pirates of Penzance at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts’ Zilkha Hall. Sung in English, this family-friendly comic opera is filled with bright and infectious melodies, colorful costumes, and amusing dialogue. Two performances are set for Saturday evenings (July 22 and July 29), while two are Sunday matinees (July 23 and July 30).

The Pirates of Penzance is filled with songs you didn't know you knew, such as "I am the very model of a modern Major-General." The story revolves around Frederic, who was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted pirates. Hoping to be released from his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday, Frederic soon realizes that having his birthday on February 29 means that he will have to serve for decades to come.

Meanwhile, Frederic meets the daughters of Major-General Stanley, including Mabel, and the two young people fall instantly in love. Mabel, innocent and sweet, agrees to faithfully wait for him. However, several questions loom: Will she wait? What becomes of Fredric? Are the pirates as tender-hearted as they claim? Find out the answers at one of the four summer performances at the Hobby Center. 

Audience members of a certain age may remember the 1983 motion picture The Pirates of Penzance starring Kevin Kline as the Pirate King and legendary singer Linda Ronstadt as Mabel. The movie introduced many people to Gilbert and Sullivan.