The Mikado

Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by William S. Gilbert

Directed by Gary Slavin
Musical Direction by Zachary Schwartzman

Considered by many to be the gem of the Gilbert & Sullivan canon, The Mikado is an irresistible concoction of rapturous melody, witty satire, and exotic locale, peopled with unforgettable characters. There’s Ko-Ko, the newly appointed Lord High Executioner, baffled by the logistics of having to execute himself before he can dispatch the other names on his “little list.” Pooh-Bah, with his inflated ego, distinguished ancestry and readily crossed palm, is Lord High Everything Else. Nanki-Poo, the handsome son of the Mikado, is on the lam disguised as a questionably proficient second trombonist, pursuing his secret passion for the aptly named Yum-Yum. She, a model of Japanese schoolgirl perfection, has mastered the art of flirting–if only flirting were not a crime punishable by death. Katisha, breathtakingly ugly (save her famous left shoulder-blade), is a formidable noblewoman who has set her sights on Nanki-Poo. When the Mikado arrives on the scene, it’s up to him to sort out the romantic entanglements and assign punishments to fit the crimes. Don’t miss the 89 year-old Blue Hill Troupe’s ninth production of this classic!