Tacoma Opera's season opener is the Gilbert & Sullivan comedy Pirates of Penzance, Oct. 25 and 27. This will mark the first Gilbert & Sullivan show produced by Tacoma Opera. Bernard Kwiram, musical director and conductor of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, will conduct a cast that includes several Pacific Northwest Natives or residents.

Notable cast members include Ryan Bede as the Pirate King who was seen in La Tragedie de Carmen and La Traviata during the 2012-13 Tacoma Opera season. Seattle Opera Young Artist Eric Neuville will portray Fredric. Mabel will be okayed by Megan Chenovisk who has previously sung with Skagit Opera, Bellevue Opera, Lyric Light Opera and Tacoma Opera. Mabel's father, Major Stanley, will be sung by Barry Johnson who is a frequent guest with companies throughout the country in Washington, Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, and Arkansas.

The Pirates of Penzance is a two act comic opera centered on Fredric who is apprenticed to a group of tender-hearted pirates. Fredric is released from his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday and meets Mabel with whom he falls in love. Unfortunately, he soon discovers he was born on Feb. 29 and isn't technically 21 and must go back into the service of the pirates until his 21st birthday. Set to serve for another 63 years, he is comforted that his love agrees to wait for him.

If you've never been to the opera Pirates of Penzance at Tacoma Opera would be a great initiation. Tacoma Opera believes that opera should be accessible to everyone and patrons are encouraged to wear anything from jeans and t-shirts to evening gowns and tuxes. A free lecture is available one hour before the performance and tickets range from $28-$68.

PIRATES OF PENZANCE, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, Rialto Theater, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma, $28-$68, 253.627.7789