Coming to DVD: The Pirates of Penzance (1983)

The film verson of Joseph Papp's production of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE comes to DVD on September 14, 2010.

A recording of the actual 1981-82 stage production of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic has been in my collection for many years, but this is the first time the film version has been released on DVD.

Unfortunately, Amazon's customer reviews of the theatrical production showed up along with the film listing; hopefully someone will rectify that to eliminate confusion, especially as some of them emphasize the DVD is not the film version!

The movie cast largely duplicates the Broadway production, with Linda Ronstadt, Rex Smith, George Rose, and the irrepressible Kevin Kline as the Pirate King. Angela Lansbury replaced Patricia Routledge in the film version.

Some may find the film's deliberately artificial soundstage sets surprising at first, but it works given the show's goofy material. I haven't seen the film since its original theatrical release, but I remember it as being quite entertaining. I'm looking forward to the chance to see it again.

Although I never saw the Broadway production, at least other than on DVD, I have fond memories of seeing the Los Angeles production at the Ahmanson Theatre a couple of times, starring Pam Dawber, Andy Gibb, Jo Anne Worley, and Barry Bostwick. Dawber, of MORK AND MINDY, has a beautiful singing voice, and I also enjoyed seeing her on stage in SHE LOVES ME. Bostwick's Pirate King stole the show.