With its zany pirates, love story and one of the most famous comic songs in the world -- "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General" -- Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance" has been hugely popular with audiences for more than 130 years.

On March 19, Greensburg audiences will have the chance to see "Pirates" at its best.

A performance by the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players will offer a show with 23 actors, a full 17-piece orchestra and what managing director David Wannen calls "a faithful version of Gilbert and Sullivan, only with contemporary energy, humor, dance and a little Broadway."

"Pirates" will begin at 7:30 p.m. March 19 at the Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St.

The performance is directed and conducted by NYGASP founder Albert Bergeret.

Premiering in 1879 and set during Victorian times, "Pirates" is the story of honest pirate apprentice Frederic, who discovers that, because of a Leap Day birthday, he must serve the pirates until 1940.

But will the major general's daughter, Mabel, wait?

Of course, the plot matters less with Gilbert and Sullivan than the music, and Mr. Wannen said audiences will find all of the high points with NYGASP's professional performers.

"There's 'Modern Major General,' of course, and Steven Quint's an expert at these roles," he said.

Also notable, he added, is Sarah Caldwell Smith's Mabel, who sings "Poor Wan'dring One," and Colm Fitzmaurice as Frederic, with "O! False One, You Have Deceiv'd Me."

Mr. Wannen, 32, has performed with NYGASP since 2003 and acted as managing director since 2006. He plays the Pirate King, crediting Kevin Kline's performance in that role in the 1983 film version as one inspiration.

"He was a huge influence on me," he said, adding that he also admires performers such as Dick Van Dyke and Jim Carrey.

Mr. Wannen noted that NYGASP's New York home base means the company has no shortage of extremely talented singers, actors -- and dancers.

One thing that sets NYGASP's productions apart from more standard Gilbert and Sullivan renditions, he said, was its flexible approach to the classics, including the emphasis on different styles of dance.

"We have a great choreographer, Bill Fabris, and he is great at adding a visual athleticism that is natural to musical theater," he said.

Mr. Wannen cited the Act I's "With Catlike Tread," in which local police attempt to sneak up on the pirates and fail completely.

"The encore is a real surprise, because it is a tribute to 'Chorus Line,' with the top hats -- people go crazy," he said.

He noted that "Pirates" would entertain even very young children.

"The modern energy and comedy appeals to them -- we've got a little of the Three Stooges going on."

But along with the modern appeal is the company's commitment to quality, in the form of its insistence on performing only with a live orchestra.

"We do a full overture before every show. That's how it was meant to be," said Mr. Wannen, who added that such quality came at a price. "We travel with 45 people, and it drives our costs up," he said, but added that thanks to adaptive performance and advertising strategies, NYGASP continues its work.

"It's great to see what can be done with Gilbert and Sullivan, especially when you allow it to breathe and reach a modern audience."

Mr. Wannen will teach an hour-long Master Class in the singing style of Gilbert and Sullivan at 4 p.m. the day of the performance at the Palace Theatre. High school and college music instructors are encouraged to contact the Palace with the names of one or two talented students age 16 or older who would be interested. Participants will be selected by Monday.

Tickets are $26 and $38, with youths 18 and younger $13 and $19. Call 724-836-8000 for tickets or go to www.thepalacetheatre.org.For more information on NYGASP, go to nygasp.org.

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