New York touring group brings “Pirates of Penzance” to life in Worthington
It turns out you don’t have to travel to New York City to see a New York-caliber musical, because New York is coming to Worthington, MN.
The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players will be stopping off for a special one-night only performance of the classic and beloved “Pirates of Penzance” at the Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center in Worthington, MN.
The show is set to take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 18.
Bringing this show to Worthington is a huge coup for the auditorium.
“We have this incredible opportunity to bring this Gilbert & Sullivan touring group all the way from New York to our stage. We are one of three places in the Midwest area that they are stopping and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Tammy Makram, the executive director of the Memorial Auditorium.
This show has been a hit for more than a hundred years.
It was first performed at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on Dec. 31, 1879. Some of it’s most famous songs include “I am the very model of a Modern Major-General” and “For I am a Pirate King.”
“The plot of ‘Pirates’ centers on the dilemma of young Frederic who, as a child, was mistakenly apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday. Since he was born in leap year on Feb. 29, he is honor bound to remain a pirate until the distant date of 1940, despite his moral objection to piracy,” according to a news release. “Helping Frederic to deal with this unusual predicament are the brash Pirate King, Ruth — the pirate maid-of-all-work, romantic Mabel, and the delightfully stuffy Major-General Stanley.”
It’s a show that is sure to have the audience laughing.
“This is a comedy. It’s funny, fun and it’s just silly. There are all kinds of comical twists and turns and the fact that this show has survived for more than 100 years is just a tribute to what a fun show it is,” Makram said. “It’s a fun show for everyone. I mean, who doesn’t love pirates and who doesn’t love to laugh?”
Give a yo ho, and head to Worthington to give a salute to the modern Major-General.