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The Pirates of Penzance
The Pirates of Penzance

Roundabout’s The Pirates of Penzance Benefit Reading Full Cast Revealed

The Pirates of Penzance is coming back to the New York stage for one night only. Roundabout Theatre Company announced today 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. 

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. The benefit concert reading will take place at the American Airlines Theatre on October 17, 2022.

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. Roundabout notes that 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.

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.

Additional creative team includes David Rockwell (Scenery) and Donald Holder (Lights) with more members being 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.