The Pirates of Penzance

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What is the show about?

Pirates of Penzance 
Music by Arthur Sullivan 
Libretto by W. S. Gilbert. 
Director – Kristi Shamburger, Will Perkins 
Music Director – Angela Tipps 

“The Pirates of Penzance” is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan that premiered in 1879. The story follows young Frederic, who was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted pirates until his 21st birthday. Upon completing his indenture, he decides to leave piracy behind and dedicates himself to exterminating pirates. He falls in love with Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, but complications arise when the Pirate King reveals that Frederic was born on February 29th in a leap year, meaning technically he’s only had five birthdays, not 21. Due to his strong sense of duty, Frederic reluctantly agrees to remain with the pirates until his actual 21st birthday—63 years later. The operetta features memorable characters, witty wordplay, and beloved musical numbers including “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” and “Poor Wandering One,” before concluding with a clever twist that allows for a happy ending. 

F.A.Q. for attending an MTSU Theatre Production

When is the show?

The Pirates of Penzance runs NOVEMBER 6-9, 2025

Nov. 6, 7 & 8 (7:30pm)
Nov. 9 (2:00pm)

How do I get a ticket?

Tickets are available here or you can purchase them at the door of the Theatre.
MTSU Students, Faculty and Staff can receive one free ticket with valid ID at the Box Office.

Where is the theatre?

Tucker Theatre is located at 615 champion way, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 on the campus of MTSU.
[Campus Map and Directions available here]

Where can I park?

Tucker Theatre is part of the Boutwell Dramatic Arts Building. Parking is available in all campus parking lots surrounding the theatre free of charge after 4:30 p.m. M-F and on weekends. For more information about parking at MTSU, please visit the parking website.

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, part of the
Rubenstein Arts Access Program, is generously funded by
David and Alice Rubenstein.

Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting
the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Kennedy Center American
College Theater Festival.

Additional support is provided by The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma E.
Bernstein; the Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; and Beatrice and
Anthony Welters and the AnBryce Foundation.

KCACTF is part of JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy, inspired
by five enduring Ideals often ascribed to JFK: Courage, Freedom, Justice,
Service, and Gratitude. Support for JKFC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy
is provided by Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, Chevron,
the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, and Target.

Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible
through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the
President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

This production Is entered In the Kennedy Center American College Theater
Festival (KCACTF). The aims of this national theater education program are to
identity and promote quality in college-level theater production. To this end, each
production entered is eligible for a response by a regional KCACTF
representative, and selected students and faculty are invited to participate in
KCACTF programs involving scholarships. internships, grants, and awards for
actors, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, designers, stage managers and critics
at both the regional and national levels.

Productions entered on the Participating level are eligible for invitation to the
KCACTF regional festival and may also be considered for national awards
recognizing outstanding achievement In production, design, direction and
performance.

By entering this production, our theater department is sharing in the KCACTF
goals to recognize. reward. and celebrate the exemplary work produced in
college and university theaters across the nation.