Blue Hill Troupe Presents New Production of THE MIKADO, Now thru 4/20

The Blue Hill Troupe, Ltd., the only musical theater group in New York City to donate its net proceeds to charity, will unveil a new production of Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Mikado" with full orchestra, tonight, April 12-20, 2013 at El Teatro of El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street). Proceeds from "The Mikado" will benefit the GO Project www.goprojectnyc.org.

Considered by many to be the gem of the Gilbert & Sullivan canon, "The Mikado" is anirresistible concoction of rapturous melody, witty satire, and exotic locale, peopled with unforgettable characters. Tickets range in price from $28 to $100 and are available online at www.bht.org or by calling 866-811-4111. Payment in excess of $20 per ticket is tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

The GO Project is committed to closing the achievement gap for families who have children struggling in New York City Public Schools. For 44 years, GO has provided essential academic and family support services to under-resourced, underperforming public school children in lower Manhattan.

The Blue Hill Troupe is currently accepting proposals for its charity partner for the 2014-2015 season. Visit http://bht.org/charityselect.php for further information.

"The Mikado" is directed by Gary Slavin, whose recent Off Broadway credits include "Show Choir! - The Musical" and the hit political revue "Bush Is Bad." Musical direction is by Zachary Schwartzman, an assistant conductor with the American Symphony Orchestra.

Since 1924, the Blue Hill Troupe has produced a large-scale Gilbert & Sullivan operetta every spring, with lavish production values and full orchestra. Each year, the net proceeds benefit a different New York City charity, with the impressive total donated approaching $4 million. Prior charities include "I Have A Dream" Foundation - New York Metro Area (2012), The Carter Burden Center for the Aging (2011), The New York Foundling (2010), and Inwood House (2009).

The all-volunteer Blue Hill Troupe has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. For fifteen years, they presented a concert in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Concerts and Lectures series, and they continue to concertize in venues around the city.

In its 89-year history, the Blue Hill Troupe has producedthe entire Gilbert & Sullivan canon, including "Thespis," the pair's first collaboration, to which Sullivan's score has been lost. In June 2008, the Blue Hill Troupe presented a concert version of "Thespis," with a new score by Grammy Award-winning composer and record producer Thomas Z. Shepard. In 2005, the Blue Hill Troupe was honored with three awards at the 12th Annual International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton, UK, for itsinnovative production of the G&S rarity, "The Grand Duke."

The Blue Hill Troupe accepts applications for membership each fall. For more information, visit http://bht.org/join.php.