H.M.S. Pinafore

Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore; or, the Lass Who Loved a Sailor, revolves around the captain’s daughter, Josephine, who is in love with a lowly sailor, Ralph Rackstraw, despite being promised to Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty. The narrative explores themes of social class and true love as Josephine and Ralph’s affection faces numerous obstacles. With a twist of mistaken identity and a satirical look at British society, the topsy-turvy conclusion resolves in a satisfying way while also highlighting the absurdities of the class system.

H.M.S. Pinafore is Gilbert & Sullivan’s fourth composition as a duo and originally premiered May 25, 1878. The opera was a smash success and ran for 571 performances, the second-longest run for any opera when it closed. It was so popular that it also became an international sensation, making Gilbert & Sullivan household names around the world.

Performance dates and times are as follows:

Friday, March 14 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 16 at 2:30 pm (L, CC)
Friday, March 21 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 23 at 2:30 pm (L, CC)