Renowned for its quirky charm, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jinkx Monsoon has teamed up with acclaimed American actor David Hyde Pierce to revive the beloved operetta, The Pirates of Penzance, originally crafted by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. This reimagined version is set to captivate audiences at the Todd Haimes Theatre, part of The Roundabout Theatre Company, in 2025.
In an exclusive interview with BroadwayDirect published on March 25, the duo provided intriguing insights into their adaptation, which transports the action of this enchanting musical to the vibrant streets of New Orleans.
Reimagining a Classic: The Pirates of Penzance in New Orleans
Jinkx Monsoon shared the exciting premise that underpins their modern take, engaging with a concept of “What if?” . They pose an imaginative scenario wherein Gilbert and Sullivan, rather than debuting the operetta in its historical context of New York, choose to premiere it in the culturally rich city of New Orleans.
“Now we’re taking that moment of history and posing a “What if?” question. What if they had chosen to perform it first in New Orleans and beat anyone else to the punch before anyone could rip them off? And, essentially, Gilbert and Sullivan are characters in our musical,”noted Jinkx.
In this innovative reimagining, the creative team includes the iconic duo as characters, crafting a narrative where the legendary partners face the challenges of establishing their work in a new cultural landscape.
Jinkx also reflected on the historical irony of Gilbert and Sullivan’s struggles with copyright infringement that plagued their earlier work, H.M.S. Pinafore. Having faced challenges in controlling their work, the original creators secured copyright for The Pirates of Penzance before its debut, ensuring they could premiere it in America ahead of its London showing.
“So, in an effort to not let that happen again, they came to America, did productions of The Pirates of Penzance, workshopped it, and then premiered it in London after securing a copyright in America. They were able to make money off of Pirates. That actually happened,”remarked Jinkx.
Bridging Generations: Reviving Gilbert and Sullivan for Today’s Audience
David Hyde Pierce expressed his enthusiasm for reviving Gilbert and Sullivan for contemporary audiences. He acknowledged how during his childhood, the influences of these creators were immensely significant but noted that this connection has diminished over the years.
Recalling his time hosting Saturday Night Live during the Frasier years, he shared an anecdote about the opening song he performed—a parody of Gilbert and Sullivan performed with a nautical twist.
David also referenced the innovative efforts of the 1980s production of The Pirates of Penzance directed by Wilford Leach, which sought to inject fresh energy into Gilbert and Sullivan’s timeless works.
“I think in that Wilford Leach production of Pirates in the ’80s it was the same thing: They said, ‘This stuff is great! Let’s give it a new spark to bring it to a new audience.’ And I think that’s what we’re trying to do with this,”he articulated.
He further articulated the ambition behind their adaptation, emphasizing the intent to retain the integrity of the original show while giving it a timely transformation. “The fundamental original show is there for people to see — the most beautiful music and tunes, some slightly or largely reinterpreted. But you get the story, comedy, and amazing characters. I hope our show has people tapping and singing their way out of the theatre, but also thinking, ‘Who are these people, Gilbert and Sullivan?'”he elaborated.
As excitement builds for this fresh take on a classic, fans can look forward to a unique theatrical experience that blends nostalgia with modern creativity. Meanwhile, viewers can catch new episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17, airing every Friday on MTV.