PHILADELPHIA - Quintessence Theatre is bringing a dose of classic, rollicking humor to Germantown this holiday season. The theater's 16th season continues with "The Pirates of Penzance," the beloved comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
Directed by Quintessence Artistic Director Alex Burns, this hilarious story of tenderhearted pirates and bumbling bobbies is set to run from November 19, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at the Sedgwick Theatre.
The story follows the dashing young Frederic (played by Walters), an apprentice to a band of soft-hearted pirates. He is eagerly awaiting his 21st birthday to finally begin an honorable life on dry land. His plans are hilariously derailed, however, when a clerical mix-up reveals he was born on a leap year (February 29). This means he won’t truly come of age for decades, setting off a wave of comic complications.
Along the way, Frederic falls for the spirited Mabel (Matthias), one of the many daughters of the blustery Major-General Stanley (Mullen). With his old pirate comrade Ruth (Stroup) plotting, bumbling policemen, mistaken loyalties, and songs that sparkle with wit, this classic tale of love and honor promises to be a "delightful winter escape" for all ages.
