Goodspeed moves 'Penzance' to Caribbean

MIDDLETOWN, Conn., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Connecticut's Goodspeed Musicals is set to adapt the Gilbert & Sullivan classic "Pirates of Penzance" to a tropical Caribbean setting.

With musical arrangements by John McDaniel, the East Haddam production will combine the comic opera from Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert with the popular movie franchise "Pirates of the Caribbean," offering theatergoers a more tropical rendition of the 1880 play, said Playbill.

The new production will be directed by Gordon Greenberg, who has headed both "The Baker's Wife" and "O. Henry's Lovers" for Goodspeed.

With Broadway's Andrew Varela playing the role of the Pirate King and theater writer Ed Dixon portraying the Major General, performances at the Connecticut theater are scheduled to begin Oct. 6 with previews -- followed by an official run from Nov. 1 until Dec. 10, said Playbill.