Maui OnStage Presents New Revision of “The Pirates of Penzance”

Maui OnStage will present their rendition of the 140-year-old operetta “The Pirates of Penzance” from March 1 to 17. According to Maui OnStage, their version of the play propels the story into the 21st century, blending its outlandish comedy with the modern styles of Mel Brooksʻ “The Producers” and Monty Pythonʻs “Spamalot.”

Set in 1877, “Pirates” is the tale of a junior pirate named Frederic (Kiegan Otterson) who is bound by a contract as an apprentice to the Pirate King (Gary Leavitt). When Frederic decides to break free from the King on his 21st birthday, he discovers that his birthday is actually on another date and that he is technically only “5 and a little bit older.” Because of this contractual loophole, the Pirate King will not set him free.

The Pirate King. Photo Courtesy Maui OnStage.

His situation becomes even more complicated when he falls for the lovely maiden Mabel (Leighannan Locke), who is willing to wait for him until his other “21st birthday,” which will is not until 1940. The story is full of other absurd and amusing characters, including Mabel’s beautiful sisters, singing and dancing pirates, cowardly and bumbling British Bobbies, and the loveable Major-General Stanley (Dale Button).

Pirates and Daughters in front of the ship. Copyright 2019 Jack Grace Photography. Photo Courtesy Maui OnStage.

The musical is filled with dozens of lively tunes such as “Climbing over rocky mountain,” “Poor wandering one,” “I am the very model of a modern Major-General,” “When the foeman bares his steel,” and “With cat-like tread, upon our prey we steal.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. on Sundays at the Historic ʻĪao Theater. Ticket costs range from $20 to $40. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for any ʻĪao Theater event can call 242-6969 or order tickets online.

A preview video of the show is also available online.