Opera Unlimited Summer Youth Opera Day Camp to Present THE MIKADO in July

The students of the Opera Unlimited Summer Youth Opera Day Camp will present an abridged, fully-staged and costumed production of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta The Mikado on July 8th and 9th at 7 PM in the Highland High School Performing Arts Center.

The Mikado, Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular operetta, features sparkling, tuneful music and a hilarious script. The Mikado premiered on March 14, 1885 in London and ran for 672 performances (the longest run of any Gilbert & Sullivan opera). The story centers on Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado and heir to the throne of Japan, who has run away to escape the romantic advances of the elderly Katisha. Disguised as a musician, he comes to the town of Titipu to find Yum-Yum, a young woman he met and with whom he has fallen in love. However Yum-Yum is engaged to Ko-Ko, a tailor. Ko-Ko has been condemned to death for flirting - his sentence will be commuted if he can find a substitute for execution. Nanki-Poo, distraught over losing Yum-Yum, volunteers with the condition that he be allowed to wed Yum-Yum one month before his execution. Things get complicated when the Mikado and Katisha arrive in Titipu and when Nanki-Poo discovers that the law requires that the wife of an executed married man must be buried alive. After many hilarious twists and turns, the requisite G&S happy ending ensues.

The Mikado features some of Gilbert and Sullivan's best music and lyrics including the famous "As Someday it May Happen" (often called "I Have a Little List"), in which Ko-Ko, as Lord High Executioner, muses on whom he might execute to benefit society: this song is commonly updated to include modern references.

The production is directed by Cy & Jane Hoffman, with musical direction by Loretta Robinson and choreography by Kiersten Johnson. Pianist Zach Kear will accompany the 69 cast members.

The Mikado will be presented on July 8th and 9th at 7 PM in the Highland High School Performing Arts Center, near the corner of Jackson St. and Zuni Rd SE, Albuquerque, NM. Admission is free with donations requested to benefit Opera Unlimited's educational programs throughout New Mexico. For information call 822-0849.

Opera Unlimited is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing music education for New Mexico school children.