"Come aboard for a new adaptation of this swashbuckling musical comedy featuring pirates, parrots and perilous curses," Goodspeed invites. "Swords clash, ladies swoon and policemen sing in a spectacular event for all ages."

The new musical arrangements by John McDaniel will give a hint of the tropics. The work will be set in the Caribbean in the 19th century. The choice coincides with the popular Disney film franchise, "Pirates of the Caribbean," but is not directly related to the movies.

Pirates of Penzance will begin at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT, Oct. 6 with a final performance scheduled for December 10. Opening is Nov. 1.

Goodspeed Musicals' adaptation of Pirates of Penzance was conceived by Nell Benjamin (Broadway's Legally Blonde, Off-Broadway's Sarah Plain and Tall and Cam Jansen), Gordon Greenberg and John McDaniel. Additional book and lyrics for Pirates of Penzance were written by Nell Benjamin.

Andrew Varela (Broadway's Little Women and Les Misérables) will play The Pirate King. Ed Dixon (the versatile actor and musical theatre writer who penned Fanny Hill) will play the Major General. Farah Alvin (Broadway's The Look of Love, Off Broadway's I Love You Because) will play Mabel. Joanna Glushak (Broadway's Urinetown, Sweet Smell of Success) will play Ruth. Jason Michael Snow will appear in the role of Frederic and John O'Creagh will play Samuel. The role of Sergeant will be played by Gerry MacIntyre, while Edith will be played by Julia Osborne. The ensemble for Pirates of Penzance includes Matt Baker, Ryan Bauer-Walsh, Matthew Scott Campbell, Kyle Fichtman, Michael Scott Harris, Robyn Kramer, Nick Mannix, Lindsay K. Northen, Tory Ross, Michael Rossmy, Roger Preston Smith, Leah Sprecher, Rebecca Strimaitis, Leonard E. Sullivan, Jacque Carnahan and Scott Ross.

Pirates of Penzance has book and lyrics by Sir William S. Gilbert and music by Sir Arthur S. Sullivan. The original 1880 comic operetta was called The Pirates of Penzance, or The Slave of Duty, and is set on the rocky coast of Cornwall.

Director Gordon Greenberg directed Goodspeed Musicals' The Baker's Wife and O. Henry's Lovers, Off-Broadway's Jacques Brel is Alive and Well . . ., Cam Jansen and Slut and the national tour of Peter Pan).

Warren Carlyle (The Baker's Wife at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre) will choreograph.

The creative team includes scenic designer Robert Bissinger, costume designer David C. Woolard and lighting designer Jeff Croiter.

Music direction for Pirates of Penzance is by Michael O'Flaherty, who is in his 15th season as Goodspeed's resident music director. John McDaniel (two-time Emmy Award winner for his work on the "Rosie O'Donnell Show") is music supervisor and penned new arrangements. William J. Thomas is assistant music director.

Pirates of Penzance is produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.

For more information, visit www.goodspeed.org.