Rating: 
Summary: waiting for the 1983 production!
Review: an excellent production, but clearly not of the quality or the fun of the 1983 version (which included angela lansbury) which was originally broadcast on A&E Network. now that a VHS version of the latter is available, hopefully a DVD one will soon be forthcoming.
Rating: 
Summary: Most excellent performance
Review: An orphan Fredric is hours away from being 21 years old. Soon his indentured to pirates (due to a misunderstanding) will end and he can then hunt the pirates down. In addition Fredric has just discovered what young women look like and had fallen for Mabel, daughter of the Major general. All of this is about to change. I have always enjoyed the variations of "The Pirates of Penzance". Among my favorite is this Broadway theater archive from 1980. It was recorded at the New York Shakespeare Festival. The cover of my copy of the DVD looks like the standard cover of the series which is also the one on the VHS. It is distributed by Kultur. You need to know that this film has all the strengths and weaknesses of a stage production vs. the Movie. The sound sometimes comes and goes and you have to listen closely to understand much of the singing. It helps to know what you are watching in advance. On the positive side I have always appreciated the minimal scenery of the stage and marvel at how so many can do so much with so little. This is an excellent film for those living in a culturally deprived area and to hold others until they can see the real thing again. Just so you know this is not a movie. So many of the players push the envelope with their variation on the Gilbert & Sullivan theme and music. Speaking of music the stage surrounds the orchestra so you can watch them and occasionally the audience. Linda Ronstadt as Mabel has a surprisingly high voice at first and I assume is on purpose soon she settles down and you would thing that the play was made just for her. Kevin Kline adds the over the top energy needed to keep this fast passed play going. When all is said and done you will be exhausted from listening and laughing.
Rating:
Summary: okay, so I didn't buy the DVD
Review: But this play is awesome! I actually read the 12-year old's review and had to add my own opinion. I did this play as a 12 year old as well at a school in Los Angeles. I am trying to find the movie version on DVD, hopefully soon!
Rating:
Summary: Routledge Finally Captured
Review: Finally we have a permanent record of Patricia Routledge's definite performance as Ruth in "The Pirates of Penzance." Whatever the DVD lacks in technical perfection is more than made up by a level of enthusiasm of the cast and audience, all of whom are having the time of their lives. If you've only heard Estelle Parsons on the LP or CD or seen Angela Lansbury in the fil version, you must buy this DVD to revel in Patricia Routledge. If you only know her from "Keeping Up Appearances," you're in for a treat. As for Kevin Kline, George Rose and Rex Smith -- their performances are dazzling and fresh. This is Broadway -- and Gilbert and Sullivan -- at its spontaneous best.
Rating:
Summary: Routledge Finally Captured
Review: Finally we have a permanent record of Patricia Routledge's definite performance as Ruth in "The Pirates of Penzance." Whatever the DVD lacks in technical perfection is more than made up by a level of enthusiasm of the cast and audience, all of whom are having the time of their lives. If you've only heard Estelle Parsons on the LP or CD or seen Angela Lansbury in the fil version, you must buy this DVD to revel in Patricia Routledge. If you only know her from "Keeping Up Appearances," you're in for a treat. As for Kevin Kline, George Rose and Rex Smith -- their performances are dazzling and fresh. This is Broadway -- and Gilbert and Sullivan -- at its spontaneous best.
Rating:
Summary: Classic broadway hit
Review: For those who are into theater and would like to direct your own version, I recommend watching this DVD because it gives a good idea of how to do the set, and the lines that each actor/actress come out clear and easy to understand versus the one made for a movie.
Rating: 
Summary: False advertising - rotten deal
Review: I believe this was intentionally marketed to fool people into thinking they were getting the movie. I will never order from Amazon.com again.
Rating:
Summary: Please read this before you buy Pirates of Penzance
Review: I do not regularly post my opinion for public review, but I felt it necessary in this case. There is some confusion between this version of Pirates of Penzance (a live performance in NYC Central Park) and the filmed version which includes many of the same principals. I don't mean to sound preachy but some people may purchase this version thinking it is the movie version and come away disappointed. Be warned, this version was recorded live and in an outdoor setting. The lighting, sound, and camera work are of decidedly inferior quality. If you are seeking to experience this without paying the 20 odd dollars, borrow your parents (or grandparents) Sony Walkman, pop in the Gilbert and Sullivan casette tape, with two nearly dead batteries and lock yourself in a dark closet with a swaying 100 watt bulb. It is nearly as pleasant, though not quite. It is my sincere hope that I can find someone who may be interested to have this DVD, but more likely than not it will end up in some local thrift shop. I will be looking forward to the impending release of the movie version on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: I wasn't Disappointed At All!
Review: I have this DVD too and I love watching it and I like that it was filmed live while they were performing on stage, the camera work wasn't the best but you still get to see how great, Kevin Kline was and also Linda Ronstadt, Rex Smith, Patricia Routledge and George Rose and the singing and dancing was wonderful! I plan on buying the movie version whenever it gets on DVD but I would still watch this theater version too and I would only recommend this version to people who actually enjoy going to the theater to see plays and musicals performed live instead of just watching the Hollywood movie versions of them.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Performances!
Review: I have this Kevin Kline, Rex Smith, Linda Rondstadt stage performance of The Pirates of Penzance on DVD and despite the flaws of the not so good camera work and it being filmed on a tiny stage and the visibility not being what it could have been because it was filmed outside at night when it was pretty dark out and it probably would have been better filmed on a bigger stage inside a well lit theater but I still enjoyed watching it and I'm happy that I have the DVD because you can still see how great it is and the pure magic and energy of the performances really shines through that any minor flaw can be easily over looked. I just wish I could have been a part of the audience in Central Park when this was performed but watching it on DVD is the next best thing. I haven't seen the movie version of this but I think I will like it too so whenever it becomes available on DVD I will definitely buy it but I wouldn't get rid of this version for it, I would definitely keep both versions. Despite the minor flaws I still think the excellent performances merit a 5 star rating! BTW: From carefully reading the Amazon discription I knew that this was a film of a live performance and not the movie and certainly think that it was very worth buying for my DVD collection.
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