BATH — The Chocolate Church Arts Center kicks off its 2016-17 performance season with Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Pirates Of Penzance.”

Performances are at 7 p.m. Sept. 9, 10, 16 and 17, and 2 p.m. Sept. 11 and 18.

The show is a humorous tale of a band of soft-tempered pirates. Mistakenly apprenticed to a pirate (instead of a pilot) by his nursemaid Ruth at age 8, the handsome Frederic is now 21 and, though quite fond of the group of joyous and fun-loving pirates, chooses to abandon his profession and “lead a blameless life henceforth,” dedicating himself instead to their eradication. Shortly after leaving them, he encounters a gaggle of beautiful maidens (one of whom, Mabel, steals his heart) and their father, the eccentric Major-General.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. They are available by calling 207-442-8455, by visiting www.chocolatechurcharts.org, or by stopping by the box office. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and noon to 4 p.m. Friday.

The Chocolate Church Arts Center is located at 804 Washington St.