JERSEY SHORE — What happens when pirates are too nice, police are completely useless, and rules matter more than common sense?

W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan combined all three of these components in the comic operetta “The Pirates of Penzance” (or the “Slave of Duty”), which will be sailing into the Jersey Shore High School auditorium at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The story is set off the coast of Cornwall, England and features Frederic (Abagail Young), a super-serious guy who accidentally gets stuck apprenticed to a band of not-so-scary pirates until his 21st birthday.

The show opens with the Pirate King (Charlee Snook), the pirates (Sam Davis and Noah Sunderman), and Frederic’s nursery maid Ruth (Jade Alexander) celebrating Frederic’s birthday.

Frederic informs the pirates that he intends to leave their band and pursue a normal life, but he does not wish to take Ruth with him. When he hears young maidens (Abigail Brass, Lyla Confer, and Ameleah Lowe) singing nearby, Frederic instantly falls in love with their sister Mabel (Ashlyn Sobiech). He tries to warn the maidens of the pirates but to no avail. They soon attack, but the girls’ father, the Major General (Jack Fetzer) appears. The situation becomes wild when Frederic realizes a legal loophole means he’s technically still bound to the pirates and has to fulfill his sense of duty.

The Sergeant (Camryn Segura) and the cops (Brynlee Domino and Caroline Watts) arrive to save the day but are completely useless.

The Pirates of Penzance is directed by Michele Long, with musical direction by Andrew Haigh. Production coordinator is Heather Haigh. The stage and support crew include Scott Alexander, sound engineer; Tim Greene, lighting designer; Sarah Keim, set designer; Emma Blakely, Heather Haigh, Michele Long, Brinna VanDruff, wardrobe crew; Emma Blakely, Michele Long, Josephine Renninger, choreographers; Heather Haigh, poster designer; Cindy Mason, program printing; Tanner Shade, Ella Simcox, stage supervisors; Simeon Crouch et al, sound technicians; Hayleigh Dauler, Elianna Good, Tamra Holt, lighting technicians; Hayleigh Dauler, stage crew; Charlotte Bierly, Nicola Paulhamus, ticket sales. Props and set construction were completed by Sarah Keim, Stage & Set Design Class, Stage Technology Class, cast, and crew.

With mistaken identities, rapid-fire jokes, absurd rules, nonstop laughs and unforgettable music, “The Pirates of Penzance” promises an evening that proves classics can still surprise.

Tickets are being sold online at jsashs.booktix.com. Patrons may also email JSHSMusicalTickets@jsasd.org or call 570-398-7170 during school hours to reserve tickets. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door one hour prior to the performances.