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MIKADO – INNOCENT MERRIMENT
Gilbert and Sullivan’s timeless masterpiece closes Toronto Operetta Theatre Season
Toronto, 25 March 2008…Gilbert and Sullivan’s acknowledged masterpiece, THE MIKADO, brings Toronto Operetta Theatre’s 2007-2008 season to a close with six performances; Sunday, April 20th (mat), Tuesday, 22nd, Wednesday, 23rd, Friday, 25th, Saturday, 26th to Sunday, April 29 (mat) at the Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.
NEWS ALERT! TOT’S GENERAL DIRECTOR GUILLERMO SILVA-MARIN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT DAVID SPEERS WILL BE ON THE PODIUM FOR HIS COMPANY DEBUT AS CONDUCTOR OF THE MIKADO. SPEERS IS CURRENTLY GENERAL DIRECTOR OF OPERA HAMILTON AND HAS HELD SIMILAR POSITIONS WITH CALGARY OPERA AND ARIZONA OPERA. TOT IS PLEASED TO WELCOME THIS DISTINGUISHED CANADIAN MUSICIAN AND CONDUCTOR AS MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR THE FINAL PRODUCTION OF ITS 07-08 SEASON.
Legend has it that Gilbert received his inspiration for MIKADO when a samaurai sword fell off the wall of his club. Whether true or not, he responded with a libretto without peer in music theatre annals and Sullivan’s music is likewise beyond compare. Sly social comment is always at the heart of the operetta and light opera genres and Gilbert has filled MIKADO with witty scenes commenting on the class-conscious society of his day, government corruption and the never-ceasing battle of the sexes. Through Sullivan’s genius these themes are bound together in a deliciously inspired score rich in melodic invention and glorious choral finales.
Toronto Operetta Theatre’s new production stars Stratford veteran Gerald Isaac as the inexperienced Lord High Executioner, KoKo, whose ‘little list’ of those who would ‘not be missed’ has gone down in musical history. Michele Bogdanowicz, praised for her Zerlina for Opera Hamilton and Opera Lyra Ottawa makes her TOT debut as the delectable Yum Yum. Her ‘wandring minstrel, Nanki Poo is Peter McCutcheon, last heard as the Caliph in TOT’s KISMET. The title role will be sung by the imposing bass baritone Sean Watson and his ‘daughter-in-law-elect’ will be the equally imposing Wendy Hatala Foley in her TOT debut. Pitti Sing and Peep Bo, the other two ‘little maids from school’ will be Gillian Grossman and Anna Bateman. Poo Bah, the ‘Lord High Everything Else’ will be sung by debuting David Ludwig and Pish Tush is Rory McGlynn, a scene-stealing Prince Basil in TOT’s recent COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG. TOT General Director Guillermo Silva-Marin will stamp the production with his inimitable style as stage director.
TOT is especially grateful to an anonymous Gilbert and Sullivan devotee for underwriting this production of MIKADO. TOT’s 2007-2008 Season is also generously supported by the Jackman Foundation, Scotiabank, RBC Foundation, the Canada Council, the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council and long time media sponsor Deutsche Presse. All performances are at the Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, which is wheelchair accessible and close to municipal parking and public transit. Tickets ($39, $58, $78) are on sale by phone at 416-366-7723, 1-800-708-6754, online www.stlc.com or in person at the Box Office at 27 Front Street East, Toronto. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.
Visit www.torontooperetta.com
