Jacoby joins the previously announced Marc Kudisch as the Pirate King, Sarah Jane McMahon as Mabel, Myrna Paris as Ruth, Matt Morgan as Frederic and Kevin Burdette as the Sergeant of Police. Opening night is scheduled for March 7. Additional cast members will be announced shortly. (This cast will sing all 16 performances of Pirates.) The NYCO mounting of Pirates will be directed by Lillian Groag with choreography by Lynn Hockney. The creative team is also set to include John Conklin (set design), Jess Goldstein (costume design), Pat Collins (lighting design) and Abe Jacob (sound design). Gerald Steichen will conduct the orchestra.

With a book and lyrics by William S. Gilbert and music by Arthur Sullivan, some of the operetta's songs include "When Frederic Was a Little Lad," "Poor Wandering One!," "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General," "A Rollicking Band of Pirates We" and "No, I Am Brave." The most recent Broadway revival of Pirates played the Uris Theatre in 1981. Directed by Wilford Leach, the musical featured a starry cast led by Kevin Kline, Estelle Parsons, Linda Rondstadt, George Rose and Rex Smith.

Mark Jacoby has been seen on Broadway in Sweeney Todd, Man of La Mancha, Ragtime, Show Boat, Grand Hotel, The Phantom of the Opera and Sweet Charity. He was Tony-nominated for his performance in Show Boat.

Show times are March 3 at 1:30 and 8 PM, March 4 at 1:30 PM, March 7 and 8 at 7:30 PM, March 10 at 1:30 and 8 PM, March 15 at 6:30 PM, March 16 and 17 at 8 PM, March 20 and 21 at 7:30 PM, March 24 at 8 PM, March 29 at 7:30 PM and March 31 at 1:30 PM.

The New York State Theater is located at Lincoln Center at 63rd Street and Columbus Avenue. Tickets, priced $16-$125, are available by calling (212) 721-6500 or by visiting www.nycopera.com.