The outer space
mikado
Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert
Music by Arthur Sullivan
September 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 7:00 P.M.
September 22, 23, 29, 30, 2:00 P.M.
Alpenrose Opera House
6149 SW Shattuck Road
Portland, Oregon
Westside Theater Reviews
“The LOoP production is literally littered with high points.”
Westside Theater Reviews
“Both men’s and women’s vocal ensembles are in perfect harmony; when the full company sings the power is stunning.”
Cast and Crew
The Emperor of Zhartan
Bill Wuertz
Nanky-Pu, His Son
Tom Harper
Co-Co, the Lord High Executioner
Carl Dahlquist
Pooh-Bah, the Lord High Everything Else
Laurence Cox
Pish-Tush, a Noble Lord
Kevin Lay
Yum-Yum, a ward of Co-Co
Lindsey Lefler
Yum-Yum, understudy
Pollyanna Moody
Pitty-Sing, a ward of Co-Co
Sheryl Wood
Peep-Bo, a ward of Co-Co
Mandee Light
Catischa, an Elderly Lady
Anne Hubble
Go-To
Linh Nguyen
Attendant
Colin Taylor
Director
Dennis Britten
Artistic Director
Jacob Mott
Music Director
Linda Smith
Music Assistant
Mele Howard
Producer
David Smith
Production Technical Director
Dennis Freeze
Stage Manager & Prop Master
Amy Barnhart
Lighting Design
Jacob Mott
Lighting Manager
David Smith
House Manager
Chuck Weed
Accompanist
Linda Smith
Costume Designer
Lucy Tait
Set
Joe Rosenthal
Program and Website
Sheryl Wood
Posters
Jacob Mott, David Smith
Logo
Tony Smith
SUmmary
PRESENTING THE TRADITIONAL CLASSIC TALE, ENVISIONED IN A NEW AND FAR-DISTANT SETTING.
The Light Opera of Portland, in keeping with their custom of Absurdity done in Complete Sincerity, present Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado. The Mikado opened on the London stage in 1885 and immediately became a world sensation. Before the end of 1885, it was estimated that, in Europe and America, at least 150 companies were producing the opera.
What’s more, LOoP has decided to go with Gilbert’s original intention and to present it in a distant, far-distant locale. Theirs is the small planet of Pitiyu in the constellation of Zhartan that disguises his satire of British government. It is the traditional classic comic opera that has tickled the funny bone of audiences for 133 years. Come enjoy the beautiful Sullivan melodies sung by the fabulous voices of LOoP and laugh your way through this hysterically funny comedy in its new distant and far-distant setting.
WHY AN OUTER SPACE MIKADO?
Gilbert & Sullivan were in the business of presenting social and political satire, often based in different settings and cultures. These include the land of Fairy, the Venetian republic and the fictional land of Barataria, the fictional south sea island of Utopia, and the fictional village of Titipu. None of their stories were about the setting but about the inequities or fallacies that existed in British society. Neither their intent nor their results were focused on the culture of the settings.
So, what is The Mikado about? It is about corrupt bureaucracies, despotic authoritarian rulers, and an impossible love story. The character Pooh-Bah takes on all the roles of government and then is willing to take false positions for personal gain. The Mikado makes unilateral decisions that appear somewhat ridiculous. These portrayals transcend any particular setting and time and are as relevant today as they were when applied to Victorian England.
There is a time-honored tradition in literature and theatre for setting stories in unfamiliar settings in order to reflect upon social and political issues that are relevant to the society at large. This is what Gilbert & Sullivan were doing. In today’s environment (for at least the last 60-70 years) this has been done through Science Fiction. Star Trek was never about Klingons, Romulans, or Vulcans. It was about us, the people we are, and our society. This is why we have reset The Mikado on the Planet of Pitiyu in the constellation of Zhartan.
—Dennis Britten
