Jacksonville Opera Theatre Presents Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado

A whimsical touch of Japan comes to Jacksonville State University when Jacksonville Opera Theatre presents The Mikado during the month of May.  Gilbert and Sullivan’s most well-known and popular operetta was a sensation when premiering in London, England at the Savoy Theatre in 1885 and remains the most frequently performed Savoy "comic" Opera. JSU's production of this popular opera promises to be just as big of a hit in Northeast Alabama in 2008.

 

Surrounded by a cast of seasoned collegiate opera singers, high school students from Northeast Alabama will be featured in the chorus, giving the JSU production its unique character.  Colorful Japanese costuming, gigantic silk fans and authentic Japanese parasols will take you on a journey to a Japan of long ago.  Add to the scene Dr. Nathan Wight’s imaginative set design and exquisite use of lighting and the production will be a feast for the eye.

 

“The Mikado” is best known for its wit and British humor, which poke fun at social conventions, the law and romance of the late 19th century.  The plot twists and turns around the romance of young royal love, interfered with by prominent Noble citizens of an older, less desirable nature.  Throw in a chorus of Japanese school girls, guards and coolies, all running about in Japanese fashion and you have the makings of a hilarious evening of opera.  The names of the characters, such as “Nanki-Poo” and “Yum-Yum” evoke laughter all by themselves.  The music contains some of Gilbert and Sullivan’s best known tunes, such as “Three Little Maids from School” and “Mi-ya sa-ma”, which is an actual Japanese military march.  With Director Nathan Wight’s flair for comedy, this will be one opera you will not want to miss.

 

“The Mikado” opens in the Pell City Center in Pell City, Alabama on Friday-Saturday, May 23rd-24th at 7:00 p.m.  “The Mikado” then travels back to JSU’s campus, where performances will run Thursday – Saturday, May 29-31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ernest Stone Performing Arts Center.  Sunday’s matinee on June 1^st will begin at 2:30 p.m.  Tickets for the Pell City performances may be purchased by calling the Pell City box office at 205-338-1974 or visiting the website at www.pellcitycenter.com.  Tickets for the JSU performances may be purchased by calling 256-782-5876.  For more information on “The Mikado”, please visit our Jacksonville Opera Theatre website at http://music.jsu.edu/OPERA/. You may also go directly to the upcoming featured Gilbert & Sullivan Opera "The Mikado" by clicking here.

CAST

The Mikado……………………………..Jarrod Lee (Sylacauga, AL)

Nanki-Poo……………………………….Eric Wilcox (Oxford, AL)

Ko-Ko……………………………………Chad Miller (Jacksonville, AL)

Pooh-Bah…………………………………Matt Headley (Oxford, AL)

Pish-Tush………………………………...Peter Wilder (Childersburg, AL)

Yum-Yum………………………………..Haley Arrington (Glencoe, AL)

Pitti-Sing…………………………………Estefanía Cuevas (Anniston, AL)

Peep-Bo…………………………………..Ellie Mellen (Jacksonville, AL)

Katisha……………………………………Judy Shealy (Jacksonville, AL)

 

Chorus of School-Girls, Nobles, Guards and Coolies:

Sara Adams…understudy for Pitti-Sing…..(Jacksonville, AL)

Julie Batson……………………………….(Gadsden, AL)

Josh Bullock………………………………(Anniston, AL)

Amber Conaway…………………………..(Alexandria, AL)

Jacob Cummings...understudy for Nanki-Poo (White Plains, AL)

Michael Ervin…understudy for Pish-Tush...(Alexandria, AL)

Cody Harrell...understudy for Pooh-Bah…..(Oxford, AL)

Juliet Jackson…understudy for Yum-Yum..(Rockmart, GA)

Ashley Jones…understudy for Peep-Bo…..(Jacksonville, Florida)

Heather Parker……………………………..(Jacksonville, AL)

Angela Parr…………………………………(Glencoe, AL)

Caroline Pike……………………………….(Gadsden, AL)

Josh Prestridge……………………………..(Hazel Green, AL)

Bill Sparrowhawk………………………….(Jacksonville, AL)

 

High School Apprentices:

Ashley Boyd –  Saks High School

Branna Burns – Saks High School

Courtney Crosson – Boaz High School

Adrianna Lenard – Weaver High School

Jennifer Spoon – White Plains High School

 

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