Search - Arthur Sullivan, William Elliott, Alexander Korey :: The Pirates Of Penzance

Childhood crushes never fade

Sadiqa L. Dickens | Jersey Shore, NJ | 10/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie changed my life. I first recall seeing the movie on cable in the early 80's. I was around 6 or 7 at the time, and the one thing I remembeer was ....how 'darn' sexy Rex Smith was!!!!
Granted, I did like the music and I thought the whole thing was funny and a bit cartoonish, so I appreciated it on that level as a kid..but the key ingredient for me was Rex Smith. Now , I was too young to remember him as a teen-idol, so this film was my first introduction to him. And I think at that age not only was I struck by his angelic good looks-(ladies, admit it..the man can wear a pair of tight pants)- but by the sheer beauty of his tenor voice, and his pure and perfect (in my opinion) vibrato. Its his voice that made me fall in love with music and with beautiful singing in particular..to this day I consider a great even vibrato a key requirement to a great singing voice. Years later in highschool, I found this recording on tape in my public library and fell in love all over again. Sigh...this a bit sad to admit, but..I listened to this tape walking to school in the mornings and on weekends when as Id clean the house..The play itslef is a classic, the dialouge is superb, the comedy , though a bit hammy, is undeniable ..and in this recording we have three gems, Rex and Rondstadt's voices and Klines over the top Pirate king..and lets not forget the late great George Rose as the major general...to this day I cant keep up when he goes into double time during his opening solo. Its this recording also that made delve deeper into the G&S repertoire. I have many comp and operretta recordings of G&S...but sadly for me..there is only one version of Pirates of Penzance that will do...and only one Frederic."

Penzance Pleases!

L. K. Dumas | Roseville, CA USA | 09/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is very difficult to understand the words of practically everything sung by the chorus of a D'Oyly Carte Opera Company recording of Gilbert & Sullivan. Not so with this brilliant Broadway cast album of The Pirates of Penzance. You can listen to this one without the printed copy of the book and lyrics in hand. The individual cast performances are fresh and give the feeling that this musical is being performed for the first time. This is not the pro-forma, ritual performance that sounds like everyone is just going through the motions. You will want this on your portable player for a long time."

You gotta love these pirates!

Joyceee | Seattle, WA USA | 08/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Classic Gilbert and Sullivan comedy, with young Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt. What's not to love?? Libretto (lyrics) included with CD (but teeny tiny print) so you'll know the next line after "I am the very model of a modern Major General..." Buy it, play it, love it. Even young kids like the story, when you explain the fast words in simple terms. (Apprentace to a pirate, not a pilot? That's silly!)"