New "Frasier" Revival

 

David Hyde Pierce Returns to Broadway in a Jazzy Pirates of Penzance Revival

By Robby Choongo, April 22, 2025

Fans of Frasier, rejoice — David Hyde Pierce is back!

 But this time, he’s not sipping sherry or trading barbs with Frasier Crane. Instead, he’s donning a general’s uniform and setting sail for the high seas (with a New Orleans twist) in a bold new Broadway revival of The Pirates of Penzance.

A Bold New Take on a Classic

Titled Pirates! The Penzance Musical, this isn’t your traditional Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. Directed by the brilliant Scott Ellis and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, the production sets the action in 1910s New Orleans — replacing the British seaside with the jazzy, colorful, and culturally rich backdrop of the French Quarter.

The adaptation, crafted by Rupert Holmes, breathes new life into the beloved classic. With jazz, blues, Caribbean rhythms, and Creole influences, this version offers a musical gumbo of styles that’s both refreshing and respectful to the source material.

Star Power On Stage

Leading the charge is David Hyde Pierce, best known for his role as Niles Crane on Frasier, who plays both Major General Stanley and W.S. Gilbert. His dual performance brings wit, charm, and a touch of theatrical magic to the stage.

The all-star cast also includes:

• Ramin Karimloo as the charismatic Pirate King
• Jinkx Monsoon (of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame) as the fierce Ruth
• Nicholas Barasch as the naive but lovable Frederic
• Samantha Williams as Mabel Stanley, whose voice is as powerful as her spirit

Music That Moves

Behind the music is the dynamic team of Joseph Joubert and Daryl Waters, whose orchestrations blend the operetta’s original melodies with sultry horns, syncopated rhythms, and soulful grooves.

Expect toe-tapping tunes, unexpected harmonies, and musical storytelling that draws you in from the first note.

A Visual and Cultural Feast

Set designer David Rockwell and costume designer Linda Cho bring 1910s New Orleans to life, with vibrant sets and period-authentic costumes that swirl with motion and personality.

But this production doesn’t just change the setting for the sake of style — it uses the new location to explore deeper themes.

A Story About Identity and Belonging

According to Rupert Holmes, the creative team wanted to reflect a broader story of immigration and cultural blending — fitting for a show set in one of the most diverse and storied cities in America.

“Everyone in the story is some form of an immigrant from somewhere else,” Holmes said. “That’s what New Orleans was — and is.”

Curtain Call

With its jazzy heart, updated themes, and powerhouse cast, Pirates! The Penzance Musical is shaping up to be one of the most exciting revivals Broadway has seen in years. And with David Hyde Pierce leading the way, it’s a performance fans of theater — and Frasier — won’t want to miss.

The show is currently in previews at the Todd Haimes Theatre in NYC, with its official opening night set for April 24, 2025.

Have you seen David Hyde Pierce live before? Planning to check out this revival? Let us know in the comments!