It was the very model of a modern major musical when the students and staff of Claremont Prep staged Gilbert and Sullivan's masterpiece, “The Pirates of Penzance,” in March - just a few weeks shy of the 130th anniversary of this brilliant comic opera’s London debut. (In a strange departure for the team, Gilbert and Sullivan had actually premiered this show in New York, because previous hits, like “H.M.S. Pinafore,” had been pirated by American producers taking advantage of the fact that U.S. law at that time gave no copyright protection to foreigners, who paid the creative duo nothing.) Even so, Sir Arthur and W.S. would have been proud of the interpretation of their work put on by Claremont’s thespians at the Broad Street Ballroom. This year’s production involved 40 students, along with many more teachers and parents. Theater Program Director Mariah Sanford-White was the Director/Choreographer, who also handled costume design and construction. She was ably assisted by musical director Meena Jahi, while set design and construction was handled by Victoria Imperioli and Ms. Sanford-White.