April 3, 2008                                                                                                                                                        Associate Director of Marketing

                                                                                                                                                                               Phone: 253.573.2360

                                                                                                                                                                               Email: laceyl@broadwaycenter.org

Set Sail to the Pantages when Broadway Center presents

Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore

Sponsored by The Duffle Bag and Franciscan Health System

Tacoma, WA – Direct from its sell-out UK tour, the internationally acclaimed Carl Rosa Company's production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore will set sail at the Pantages Theater on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 7:30pm. HMS Pinafore originally opened in London in 1878 as Gilbert and Sullivan’s fourth operatic collaboration. 

This sea-faring smash hit is bursting with Gilbert's brilliant satiric wit and packed with some of Sullivan's most popular songs that bring to life some of operetta's best-loved comic characters, from Sir Joseph Porter and Little Buttercup to Captain Corcoran, Dick Deadeye, and the young romantics, Josephine and Ralph. 

Aboard the HMS Pinafore, a hilarious tale of love, hypocrisy and mistaken identities unravel when the Captain's daughter falls secretly in love with a common sailor. Pledged by her father to marry the mighty Sir Joseph Porter, the 'ruler of the Queens Navy', young Josephine finds herself hopelessly torn between love and duty. But a remarkable twist of fate changes all, as a long-kept secret sends the heroes somersaulting into frivolity and fortune.

Over the past nine years the Carl Rosa Company has built an international reputation for stunning traditional style productions with a fresh approach.  The company has become Britain’s only professional touring company dedicated to keeping the heritage of Gilbert & Sullivan alive. It continues to successfully produce high quality touring productions throughout the world including tours to Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, South Africa and Europe.  Last April, Carl Rosa Company presented The Pirates of Penzance at the Broadway Center.

Tickets to HMS Pinafore are on sale now for $44, $54, and $68. Tickets may be purchased at the Broadway Center Box Office located on 9th & Broadway or by calling the Box Office at 253.591.5894. To purchase online at any time or for information about upcoming events visit www.broadwaycenter.org.

The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the following for support of the 2007-2008 Season: ArtsFund, Ben B. Cheney Foundation, The Boeing Company, City of Tacoma, Forest Foundation, The News Tribune, Pierce County Arts Commission, Sequoia Foundation Pierce County Program, and Washington State Arts Commission.

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