Under the direction of Lori Turner, the students of the Renaissance Youth Opera Theatre will perform a hilarious and “hot” update of Gilbert and Sullivan’s perennial classic, The Mikado.
One of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular shows, it ran for longer than any other musical theatre piece of its time. Set in Japan, the town of Titipu has a problem- Ko-Ko, the town’s executioner has been sentenced to death for flirting. As it is very difficult to execute one’s self, no one has been executed in over a year! To avoid the wrath of the Emperor (the Mikado), the town settles on a traveling musician to send to the block, only to discover he is the son of the Mikado in disguise. Naturally, the Mikado himself arrives at this moment. Hilarity ensues with Gilbert and Sullivan’s trademark witty dialogue and plot twists of mistaken identities.
Hot Mikado takes the classic Gilbert and Sullivan tale and updates it to 1940s big band style, weaving a hilarious tale, where, despite life-or-death stakes, characters still find time to tap their toes and do their fair share of scatting.
Hot Mikado will be paired with an original work by Michael Thomas: “Marco Polo: The Road to Shanghai”. This “curtain-raiser” musical comedy will feature our youngest cast members.
Auditions are open to all performers grades 2- 12. Please prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre song of their choice and bring sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist will be provided. You may be asked to read from the script.
Audition appointments are required. Audition Dates are: Sept. 8 from 11:00-3:00 PM and Sept. 9 from 1:00-4:00 PM and will take place in Theatre 166. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, please contact Linda Chambers at [email protected]
Rehearsals begin September 29, and performances are Jan 26 at 7:00 PM and Jan 27 at 3:00 PM.
Source: Renaissance Performing Arts Association; Photo: Creative Commons License
