Critical Reaction

Critical Reaction

"Brilliant and entertaining."
– Chicago Theatre Beat

"The Pirates of Penzance has become a remarkably pliant concoction [and] ...more than any other Gilbert and Sullivan confection, it stands up remarkably well as a Broadway-style musical comedy& the kind of melody few modern composers can emulate."
– Chicago Tribune

"A veritable treasure chest of riches."
– Talkin' Broadway

"The Pirates of Penzance is arguably the best of the canon, combining the lyricism of The Mikado with the witticisms and almost unbelievable gullibility of the HMS Pinafore characters.... Sullivan's music, while being recognizably Sullivan, delights in pastiche moments, including of his own work.... Gilbert's book is full of invention and light-hearted puns. A perfect foil for Sullivan's music, Gilbert's characters are the most wonderful clump of dolts ever."
– TheatreView