The Pirates of Penzance JR.

The Pirates of Penzance JR.
A hilarious farce with sentimental pirates, dim-witted young lovers and an eccentric Major-General, based on the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta.

Set sail with this classic comedy that boasts one of the most famous patter songs in musical theatre history. The wit and whimsy of Gilbert and Sullivan's classic score is suffused with a modern sensibility in The Pirates of Penzance JR., a swashbuckling musical journey!

Set on the rocky coast of Cornwall, England, The Pirates of Penzance JR. begins with a group of pirates who are celebrating the birthday of one of their own, Frederic, who has reached his 21st year. Finally having served the full length of his required time with the pirates, he decides to strike off on his own and become an upstanding citizen – which may even mean bringing the pirates to justice. Thus turns out to be a tricky prospect indeed, especially when Frederic's freedom is called into question!

The Pirates Of Penzance JR. is a light, comic introduction to the work of Gilbert and Sullivan, featuring opportunities for singing as an ensemble or in small groups, with vocal parts written in unison or simple two-part harmony.

Full SynopsisMaterials and Orchestration

Concert Selections for The Pirates of Penzance

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • MODERN MAJOR GENERAL
    From
    The Pirates of Penzance
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan
    Lyrics by
    Sir William Schwenck Gilbert
    Orchestrated by
    William Elliott
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    E♭
    Estimated duration
    5 min 55 sec
    Instrumentation
    (12x) KEYBOARD 1/CONDUCTOR SCORE (Keyboard 1 plays PIANO), (2x) REED 1 (Piccolo, Flute - 2 players minimum), (1x) REED 2A (Clarinet), (1x) REED 2B (Clarinet), (1x) REED 3 (Bassoon), (2x) TRUMPETS 1 & 2, (1x) TROMBONE, (1x) KEYBOARD 2 INFORMATION SHEET, (1x) KEYBOARD 2 (Crumer), (1x) PERCUSSION 1 (Xylophone), (1x) PERCUSSION 2 (Timpani), (1x) PERCUSSION 3 (Drum Set), (3x) BASS 1 (Acoustic), (3x) BASS 2 (Acoustic)
  • OVERTURE (FROM "THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE")
    From
    The Pirates of Penzance
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SIR ARTHUR SEYMOUR SULLIVAN
    Arranged by
    WILLIAM ELLIOTT
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    D♭
    Instrumentation
    1 Reed 1, 1 Red 2a, 1 Reed 2b, 1 Reed 3, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone, 1 Bass 1, 1 Percusion 1, 1 Percussion 2, 1 Percussion 3, 1 Keyboard 1/Conductor, 1 Keyboard 2
  • POOR WANDERING ONE
    From
    The Pirates of Penzance
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Arthur Sullivan
    Lyrics by
    W.S. Gilbert
    Arranged by
    William Elliott
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Instrumentation

    2 Keyboard 1/Conductor Score, 15 Vocal Books, 2 Reed 1 (Flute 1 & Flute 2), 1 Reed 2A (Clarinet), 1 Reed 2B (Clarinet), 1 Reed 3 (Bassoon), 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone, 1 Keyboard 2 (Celeste), 1 Percusion 1 (Vibraphone), 3 Percussion 2 (Suspended Cymbal, Timpani, Bell Tree, Mark Tree), 3 Percussion 3 (Drum Set, Suspended Cymbal, Mark Tree, Bell Tree), 1 Bass 1: Electric (Fender), 1 Bass 2: Acoustic

  • WITH CAT-LIKE TREAD
    From
    The Pirates of Penzance
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SULLIVAN, ARTHUR
    Lyrics by
    GILBERT, WILLIAM
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    2 min 30 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Bass 1 (acoustic), 1 Bass 2 (Fender), 2 Keyboard 1/Conductor(Piano) 1 Keyboard 2 (RMI/Celeste), 1 Reed 1 (Flute & Piccolo), 1 Reed 2A (Clarinet), 1 Reed 2B (Clarinet), 1 Reed 3 (Bassoon), 2 Trumpets 1&2, 1 Trombone, 1 Percussion 1, 1 Percussion 2, 1 Percussion 3, 25 Chorus Books

Show Essentials

Book by
Sir William Schwenck GilbertSir William Schwenck Gilbert
Music by
Sir Arthur Seymour SullivanSir Arthur Seymour Sullivan
Lyrics by
Sir William Schwenck GilbertSir William Schwenck Gilbert
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Songs

Pour, o Pour the Pirate Sherry

When Fred'ric Was a Little Lad

Oh, Better Far to Live and Die

Oh, False One, You Have Deceived Me

Climbing Over Rocky Mountain

Stop! Ladies, Pray!

Oh, Is There Not One Maiden

Poor Wand'ring One

Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Sense

Full Song List

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Tags

Operetta
Comedy
Family
Period/Historical
Book Musical
Period/Historical

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Questions & Answers

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By Kristina Garswood
May 27, 2011
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Related shows or resources: The Pirates of Penzance JR.
Appropriate audience for Pirates of Penzance Jr?
Our youth theatre group is considering Pirates of Penzance Jr. for our next season. I've been watching the movie and listening to the music and trying to figure out if it will work for us. We are heavily dependent on our school sales to support the company's productions, and I'm trying to imagine our grade school students coming to see this, and struggling a bit. I LOVE this musical - I think it's terrific; but I'm uncertain how young audiences will react. I have sent off for the perusal package to hear it and get a better sense, but would be grateful for feedback. We just did Peter Pan and had kindergarteners and grade 1 students flocking to our doors - who am I really targeting at our schools if we take this on? Is it going to work with the younger grades, and if so, do I need to make a package for them to prepare for it? I'd be grateful to hear of others' experiences.
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