On this day, Jan. 8, 1981, Theatrical Producer Joe Papp opened his revival of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance” at the Uris Theater on Broadway.
It starred Kevin Kline, who won a Tony for his performance as The Pirate King, Linda Ronstadt as Mabel, and Rex Smith in the role of Frederic.
It ran for 787 performances.
The production was awarded a Tony for “Outstanding Revival” of a play or musical.
“Pirates of Penzance” had its official premiere 102 years earlier in New York City.
