The show opens March 5, and runs through March 31.

The production uses a cast of only seven actors and integrates portions of text and ideas from W.S. Gilbert's illustrated novel "The Story of H.M.S. Pinafore."

This season the company will also present Kiss of the Spider Woman, by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Terrence McNally, from Sept. 13-Oct. 14, directed by Gisela Cardenas. Later in 2007 it will stage A Christmas Carol with music by Joel Bravo, directed by Kristjan Thorgeirsson.

For Pinafore, Dave Dalton directs a cast that includes Billy Ernst, Sarah Hartley, Nich Kauffman, David Macaluso, Max Miller, Paul Sigrist and Jendi Tarde.

The set and lighting design is by Miranda Hardy, and the costume design is by Jessica Wegener. Musical direction is by Edward Barnes, and choreography is by Carrie Cimma. Vortex's recent credits include Aeschylus' Agamemnon (2006 Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Direction of a Play for Cardenas), In Delirium, LEARegardless and Bathsheba Doran's adaptation of Maurice Maeterlinck's The Blind at Classic Stage Company.

The Sanford Meisner Theater, where Vortex has been in residence since 1983, is at 164 11th Avenue between 22nd and 23rd Streets. For tickets call (212) 352-3101. For more information visit www.vortextheater.com.