With Cat-like Tread

Gilbert and Sullivan's raucous operatic tale is captured in all its fun and glory in this production, recorded live at Central Park's Delacorte Theater. Kevin Kline sparkles as the swashbuckling and libidinous Pirate King while Linda Ronstadt makes her theatrical debut as the lovely and virginal Mabel. When Mabel and Frederic, a young pirate bound to serve the Pirate King, fall in love, complications arise and high spirited antics ensue. The incomparable cast offers the best in this boisterous romp.
Despite some of the technical shortcomings of the DVD I found it more rewarding than the 1983 movie. I would thoroughly recommend adding a copy of this DVD to your library.

[@JustWill6969]

It's a real testament that this show is over 100 years old and the audience is still laughing their heads off

[@sharongelfand5065]

G&S started it all...created the prototype for musical comedies for generations.

[@PuissantAlgernon]

@@sharongelfand5065 Arguably that was actually John Gay with the Beggar's Opera, but G&S certainly laid a lot of foundations!

[@PuissantAlgernon]

@@sharongelfand5065 Arguably that was actually John Gay with the Beggar's Opera, but G&S certainly laid a lot of foundations!

[@sharongelfand5065]

@@PuissantAlgernon I would agree that over a century earlier, The Beggar's Opera laid a cornerstone. It was also Interesting to learn that Threepenny Opera was based on it. G&S certainly pioneered the classic 20th century musical with a plethora of original stories and scores.

[@jeffdege4786]

In terms of number of English Language stage performances, G&S is second only to Shakespeare.

[@justin764]

I get the fact that their moves are really impressive and all, but why are they staying silent for whole four minutes and thirty six seconds?

[@solarfanwings7330]

Underrated comment award

[@DanDan-zg7oo]

Oof. Took me a minute... 😂

[@reapthewhirlwind4166]

I got to play one of the daughters years ago in North Carolina. We were empty headed in our own way too.😅.

[@isablondethng]

I don't care how bad a day I've been having, this song will never fail to make me smile.

[@dangermunkdelta]

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why pirates make bad ninjas

[@Kyon5000]

*Best ninjas you mean :)

[@indierockwhore]

Kevin Kline catching the silent matches is a great moment :)

[@djs9415]

I tried the Russian dancing, KK style, but after just a couple of squats, it was oh my aching thighs, hats off, Mr. Kline, you are a superstar.

[@kennethwayne6857]

Been studying his work for many years and I've found it's a trademark of his (whether he's conscious of it or not) that in virtually every role he does some physical thing that ONLY Kevin Kline can do.

[@mercedese.m.9626]

Doing the squats while singing , OMG!!😅

[@derricgreene]

The Kossack dance is hell on the thighs, for sure

[@alanthehat595]

Gilbert and Sullivan watching from heaven, very pleased.

[@playinthedark3054]

I was one of the pirates in a production of Pirates of Penzance a number of years ago. Hats off to Kevin Kline and this entire company, a production that I saw in NY. I can only say that this song is one of the most amazing songs that I have ever sung on stage. The ending is beautiful and pure magic!

[@aladdinknight]

I find it amazing that he threw the matches behind him, and Kevin Kline just walked by and snatched it outta the air. How many times did they rehearse that? HAHA

[@bonnienilsen]

Yes, that was amazing!

[@susiegluxman9041]

So true 😂

[@thorr18BEM]

2:37

[@redisthecoolestcolour]

Conversely Jon English got hit in the head every performance 🤣

[@adventureswithaurora]

@@redisthecoolestcolourYes! 🤣 I almost like that bit of comedy better. XD

[@UrydiceO]

Nice detail to have Rex Smith and Samuel (sorry I don’t know the actor’s name😔) pulling off a Fosse style strut to frame Kevin Kline’s show stopping moves. It’s a brilliant touch that is easily missed since all eyes are on Kevin at that moment. It keeps them relatively still and out of Kevin’s way so he can shine, but with a poised energy that keeps the framing tight.

[@beek.4860]

I just noticed that! All of this choreography is sooo meticulously thought out and every time you watch there's a new detail to spot. Genius stuff.

[@lml6791]

3:41 There's regular dedication, then there's method acting dedication, then there's whatever-dance-move-Kevin-Kline-was-doing dedication

[@adventureswithaurora]

🤣

[@janeyrevanescence12]

3:35-4:02 My already high respect for Kevin Kline has gone even higher up.

[@JoeLibby]

I think that's the moment when Kevin earned his Tony award.

[@ambeckerful]

he looks like he's flying :O

[@ThePsho]

That is so incredibly difficult, and making it appear as easy as he does is damn near impossible

[@Luchino]

In over 50 years of attending New York theatre, seeing this in Central Park ranks among the most enjoyable shows I have had the good fortune to have seen.

[@batshevanivylerner8582]

we saw this on broadway with Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt (i think in 1981?). Kevin Kline was beyond brilliant. He completely stole the show!

[@martinpatrick1746]

Yes and most of the cast reprised their roles in the film verison of the central park production.

[@jimraw1]

I'm amazed at how much energy Rex Smith has in this scene! You could tell Kevin Kline was a star in the making, but Smith is energetic. Too bad he seemed to lose all that energy when they made the film a couple of years later. (Kline of course is excellent)

[@onemercilessming1342]

Movements can be broader onstage. On film, not so much.

[@treesny]

Kline had already won a Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, for On the Twentieth Century (1978). His film debut, however, came soon after Pirates, in Sophie's Choice (1982).

[@7veilsphaedra]

Wow, Kevin Kline and Rex Smith take smoldering into outright flames in this show! What a difference the live performance makes. There is so much energy and enthusiasm here, compared to the television movie production - which wasn't bad, just nothing like this. If I had any complaint, it would be that the orchestral accompaniment sounds tinny. Too bad the production couldn't spring for a full orchestra.

[@marypagones6073]

Yes, Kline is "hit repeat a thousand times" sublime, but this is a rare Pirates in which Frederick is also hot af.

[@sharongelfand5065]

The number of band musicians is definitely thin, and the string section definitely missed. But this was a NY Shakespeare Festival "Shakespeare in the (Central) Park" outdoor production, which doesn't necessarily lend itself to a full orchestra. I also kind of like the calliope. It lends a carousel-like sound reminiscent of a seaside amusement park. And Penzance is, indeed, by the sea.

[@Historian212]

Along with being open-air, it may be due to the recording rather than the orchestra. But it may have been a desire to reproduce the sound of the orchestra as it was in Gilbert and Sullivan’s time, or to sound like a tinny recording from those days.

[@treesny]

@@Historian212 No, I don't think there was any wish to reproduce the sound of a 19th century orchestra! The re-scoring, which is deliberately anachronistic in its sound (especially its percussion) and generally free way with the score -- repeating measures or adding extra music for stage action, etc. -- took the show from the opera house to the vaudeville or musical comedy stage. In doing so, they captured something of the more anarchic spirit of W.S. Gilbert's earlier comic poems (the "Bab" Ballads). "Pirates" is the ideal choice for this sort of treatment, especially as it was written to be premiered in New York (for copyright reasons). Even the title may be a sly dig at the "pirated" American productions of their previous show, H.M.S. Pinafore. There's a certain raucousness in places that's very American, hence the appropriation of "With Catlike Tread" for "Hail, Hail the Gang's All Here." I saw this production in Central Park, and it was the ideal summer-evening entertainment.

[@jamespratt2243]

This is awesome! Kevin Kline definitely didn’t skip leg day!

[@samanthahamilton9117]

OMG. Kevin Kline is just so EXTRA.

[@beanymalone]

Saw it live! A most excellent experience. The whole show was great, but oh that Pirate King!

[@1128wolfman]

Best and funniest song in the musical, Gilbert and Sullivan did a great job

[@tottiemae2258]

I bet Kevin Kline was in the best shape of his entire life during this production. His leg muscles must've been like bands of steel!

[@ShellyOlmstead]

I love this due to the reaction of the audience. There's nothing like seeing a Broadway musical live...

[@myopiniondoesntmatterh9073]

This was written decades before there was a Broadway. Let's not go lowering it to the levels of its successors. But yes, there's nothing like a live performance.

[@andydenson2000]

I'm a Pirate in my high school's version of Pirates of Penzance, i'm excited!!!!

[@bernardmcmahon5377]

When I was 10years old(55years ago) I went with school to see this, it stayed with me, still remember some songs and the story, it’s great

[@CGwarrior12]

The highschool I go to did a performance of Pirates of Penzance. This was one of my favorite songs.

[@LP-iy5mv]

My school is doing this play and I am the pirate king

[@ianfinrir8724]

L P 🎶And it is, it is a glorious thing to be a Pirate King!🎶

[@EwenHeaton]

Quintin?

[@ambeckerful]

That's awesome!! How did it go?

[@joshuapr999]

BY FAR the best song.

[@peters6366]

I've played in the pit band for very G&S show (locally), and this is one production i wish I had seen!

[@ianfinrir8724]

Game: Stealth is optional for this mission. Me:

[@skovner]

The genius of G&S to have a song about being quiet to be the loudest song!

[@Lissical]

Love this version! Thanks for uploading it. I now see where the 1994 Pirates production in Australia got their inspiration. :)

[@lolita24601]

This and "When the Foeman Bares His Steel" are the funniest numbers in the show, I think. They look like they're having so much fun in this.

[@mzmiller52]

Kevin Kline was great, as was George rose, but my favorite was tony azito. He was original and inventive in 1976 threepenny opera with the incomparable Ellen Greene, and his dancing in pirates was just as fascinating.

[@muraalia]

*STEALTH!* I love this song 😂❤

[@Shoelpkof]

This always seems to be the biggest and best song of the show every time I've seen it...the audience loves it and gets into it so much

[@Kirkee7]

The theater version with the same cast . The choreography of the policemen is just brilliant.

[@martinpatrick1746]

Don't forget the cast reprised their roles in the film verison of the central park production.

[@treesny]

@@martinpatrick1746 Except for Patricia Routledge (Ruth).

[@chickachickabombom]

Oh Kevin Kline... OH THE THIGH MUSCLES...

[@Jourell1]

Though this hasn't been brought up, some modern audiences may be a little confused by what they mean by a life preserver. It doesn't mean a rescue ring on a ship (i've seen that on a video from another production, with the joke that it was from the Pinafore). In this context, it's a small club that could easily fit into a man's overcoat pocket. they were intended as self defense weapons but, as in this case, were sometime used for just the opposite.

[@tjwash2]

There’s a lot of athleticism in this number, especially by Kevin Kline who had to do it 8 shows a week for the run of the show.

[@coots89]

I think it's funnier this way, because you get immediately the contrast when they're shouting "no sound at all."

[@Junius]

My mama was in this show with these people. Her name is Caroline Peyton.

[@JustClaude13]

Bravo! This is the best rendition of the song I've found so far. The Pirate Movie had it all wrong.

[@robinweidner2402]

Claude the pirate movie was ment to be a kinda spoof version. Rex Smith an Kevin Kline made a movie too ..this is the live stage version. LoVe both. the movie is a little stronger on the vocals. fell in love with Kevin Kline at 11 years old watching this in 83...lol just knew I would grow up to marry him...still would if I could..teehee

[@littlegiry]

BEST. PERFORMANCE. EVAR.

[@breezingby2611]

Oh to move like Kevin Kline, that would be the life

[@NightLynn90]

SJC just put on a production of this and their dance was like a chorus line. It was very amusing. I miss it.

[@ambeckerful]

Thank you for uploading these!

[@radicaladz]

I named the second episode of my actual play TTRPG podcast after this song since, much like the pirates, the players are able to sneak into a heavily guarded mansion undetected despite them being far from inconspicuous.

[@waldoman7]

my highschool did this and to advertise they ran around town singing cat like tread

[@musicalmollie]

Amazing. I love this

[@TheMillenniumWitch]

When you roll a nat 1 for stealth

[@UrydiceO]

And you’re the rogue 😳

[@snowboardingable]

Were doing this play..... Im the Pirate King!!!!!! =D IM soooo excited!!!

[@tonybarde2572]

My favorite song from the Opera

[@AnneMehr031496]

I love this song i wasn't a pirate i was the sergeant but i loved this song

[@manfredatee]

I see. That suddenly makes a whole lot more sense.

[@manfredatee]

G&S does that to me too sometimes.

[@JoshFreilich]

AGAIN! AGAIN!

[@jeremytung1632]

When you roll 1 on a stealth check but throw a 20 in charisma.

[@alalta97]

Bravo!

[@SingOutLoud92]

lol this song makes me laugh. it's definitely the most known song from this musical. the middle school in town put on Pirates of Penzance Junior today, sadly it was't near as entertaining or strong as this, but still amusing =P

[@michaeljordan5630]

The opera that is tomorrow: 1:50

[@Shindai]

Kevin Kline here playing the role of the Dread Pirate Zappa xD

[@7veilsphaedra]

That's cool to know! Thanks for the info.

[@hlysnan6418]

I need a cold shower and a cigarette after that...

[@chiquis23]

@Thriller94 yes he is!! =D I adore his voice

[@pineappleprincess9704]

The opera's tomorrow night! 1:51

[@GothicServer]

The Opera is Tomorrow Night...

[@gustavomendozajimenez2243]

The most funny english song!

[@LalalalalaLauren75]

What is the DVD if this performance called? I am extremely interested!!!

[@Shindai]

Lucky git, that sounds so fun. I know this is four months on but screw it, it had to be said xD It's a lot to live up to, how did you do?

[@H2OWaterIceGas]

@Ad2mD Really I bet it is going to be fun. Its at 7:00 right?

[@bexsta7766]

Adam ant 🐜 lol

[@Taolishao]

good shit this.

[@IrishBirdy1]

2:25, the guy wasn't supposed to do that lol

[@awesomegreenlantern]

How would you feel if I made my Windwaker Link plushie reenact this number?

[@stevecomedianisaloser9311]

DO IT

[@grahamfurniss680]

That trumpet was dead lol

[@Ad2mD]

@H2OWaterIceGas Yes Josh I know you know its at 7 PM!

[@lol-xi6ms]

1:28

[@mung__]

Anyone here because of Mrs bell

[@breezy501]

Isn't he genius?

[@jennifert2469]

Is this what Kevin cline was doing before he took on the role as bill gates wife ?

[@beanvillus]

For a song about being quiet, the fact that they are basically screaming as loud as they can just makes it infinitely better.

[@Karthos1000]

The sheet music has notations of three fancy fs for the volume, or forte fortissimo. Since two fs (fortissimo) is generally playing as loud as you possibly can, the sheet music is telling you to crank it up to 11.

[@beanvillus]

@@Karthos1000 Okay, that is really funny. Thank you for this information!

[@treesny]

"With Catlike Tread" is Sullivan's glorious nose-thumb at the many Italian operas of the first half of the 19th century in which the male chorus of robbers, bandits (etc.) stealthily enter while singing their lungs out. Much of "Pirates" is an affectionate parody of contemporary Italian and French operatic cliches, f.i. the prima donna indulging in a show-off cadenza on her entrance ("Yes, 'tis Mabel"). It says a lot for G&S's wit and theatrical savvy that even people unfamiliar with 19th sentury European opera can appreciate the joke(s).

[@beanvillus]

@@treesny That's really interesting, thank you!

[@treesny]

@@beanvillus You're welcome!

[@snowboardingable]

Were doing this play..... Im the Pirate King!!!!!! =D IM soooo excited!!!

[@cliffsheets73]

I love the irony of this song. They belt out a song about being quiet. :)

[@JustClaude13]

Cliff Sheets Most productions sing too softly. The directions on the music says "Fortissimo". Sing it loud!

[@cliffsheets73]

Claude My brother was in a community production of this show. They had so much fun in the battle between the Cops and the Pirates. It was the funniest of any production I've seen. The scene went 2 or 3 times longer than others I've seen because they were doing so much. Hilarious!

[@janeyrevanescence12]

Cliff Sheets the production I saw of this had the pirates sneak though the audience and whenever somebody sneezed, giggles or coughed, they'd turn to them with a "hush!" Once they were onstage and everyone was quiet.... "WITH CATLIKE TREAD!"

[@potterfanz6780]

+Claude The music I have for our HS performance (looks like it was copied straight out of a typewritten libretto) only has fortissimo for the half-note phrase towards the end, with the rest being mostly forte and one piano.

[@ribby9069]

I think it works best if they're pretty quiet for the verses and then belt out the chorus-

[@Historian212]

The great Kevin Kline. What a legend that production was.

[@manfredatee]

My favorite moment in this version of this song is Kline and Rex Smith with their heads together.

[@Chishannicon]

That's my favorite bit, too. Their energy is through the roof!

[@adventureswithaurora]

Same. They are quite literally butting heads since Frederic doesn't really want to be doing this. Rex Smith, who showed an excellent range of emotions, will always be my favorite Frederic.

[@MsNotAMrs]

Kevin Kline is epic in this. It really makes me miss my opera classes.

[@deborahingle2301]

I have hit replay SO often on this...

[@YvonneHudsonNewPlace]

Deborah Ingle Indeed! Classic and so wonderful it was captured!

[@markbraunstein58]

I love the movie, but this has an energy the gorgeous film didn't capture

[@Shindai]

Every movement he makes in this show is a dance! You can hear the audience reaction to the cossack dance at the end though :D

[@JimSymcox]

I love this show anyway. But Kevin Kline and crew do one of the best cat like treads I've seen

[@bonnienilsen]

I'd never sen this live version before. Love it so much!!!

[@awesomegreenlantern]

One night I couldn't sleep because this song was playing too loud in my head.

[@robertgraziano]

I have a smile a mile wide. And Kevin Kline's chest. OMG!Yes I saw the show live.

[@ElleCee62978]

The audible gasps and applause still gets me when Kevin Kline breaks out the hopak moves in the final chorus. The man could move. It’s been years since I watched this (probably 1989 when I was playing Ruth) and I am amazed.

[@ashleyadams9827]

this is my favorite song in pirates of penzance

[@estellapotter9784]

SAME!!! And, my choir class (6th-8th grade) is doing this for our spring concert. I'm trying out for the Pirate King/Queen.

[@jillgerhart9834]

+Estella Potter We are doing that right now! same with 6-8 grade. I did not get the pirate King/queen though, I got Ruth :)

[@estellapotter9784]

+Jillian Heart I tried out, I didnt even get a part my choir teacher has some serious favoritism issuses

[@jillgerhart9834]

+Estella Potter aw that sucks. yea my teacher only picked 8th graders for most of the parts.

[@jillgerhart9834]

+Estella Potter wait whats your choir teachers name??

[@canajaneh]

Must say there's a lot of swash in Kevin Kline's buckle... mmmmm.....

[@bernardmcmahon5377]

When I was 10years old (55years ago) I went with my school to see this in Manchester, performed by d’oily cart, the songs stayed with me, now I’ve only just discovered the internet and appreciate the wit and story

[@mrm64]

Coooooool :D Love the guy with the white pants the most

[@jimraw1]

Yes there is a cast recording of the 1981 Broadway transfer of the production (this is from the Shakespeare in the Park festival in Central Park in 1980) The main difference is that Estelle Parsons replaced Patricia Routledge as Ruth. You can find copies on Amazon.

[@martinpatrick1746]

Yup correct.

[@christinemoccia477]

talk about a show stopping performance!!!!!!!!!