Cultures glide and collide in a hilarious and “hot” updating of Gilbert and Sullivan’s perennial classic The Mikado. Hot Mikado plays in the Marian Theatre from August 29 through September 7 then the Festival Theater from September 12 through the 28th.
The Mikado (Billy Breed) is a tap-dancing Cab Calloway swinger, while Ko-Ko (Brad Carroll) is the zoot-suited Lord High Executioner. Director Valerie Rachelle said this production is “Super cool, piping hot, and fantastically fun!” She added, “This version of The Mikado reminds me of a USO show done on top of a traditional Japanese tea setting. The surroundings are formal, but the tea is spiked with cayenne pepper.”
The costume design by Frederick P. Deeben reflects the mixed setting of American swing and Japan with 1940s patterns and materials, and overlays of Japanese silk screening. It’s a fusion of Sino-British humor with hip-cat cheek. However, the director points out, there’s really nothing about the production that is really British or really Japanese aside from the labels.
This updated version uses much of the original music from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado but it is orchestrated with a 1940s sensibility that pulls from blues, jazz, torch songs, gospel, and Cab Calloway swing. In one example, “Three Little Maids” is sung in the style of the Andrews Sisters. To this score, Michael Jenkinson and Valerie Rachelle have choreographed a glorious flurry of tap dancing numbers.
Set in the mythical village of Titi-Pu, where flirting is a capital offence, we find a wandering musician named Nanki-Poo who is looking for his true love, Yum-Yum. Unfortunately, Yum-Yum is destined to marry Ko-Ko. In the end, true love prevails with Gilbert and Sullivan’s timeless style of political jabs and satire running throughout.
The cast features Michael Jenkinson* (Godspell, Ragtime) as Nanki Poo, Corey Jones* (Othello, Life X 3) as Pooh Bah, Brad Carroll (H.M.S. Pinafore, Hay Fever) as Ko-Ko, Billy Breed (Urinetown, Kiss Me, Kate) as The Mikado, and Kiera O’Neil* (Ragtime, Kiss Me, Kate) as Yum Yum.
The design team headed by Director Valerie Rachell includes Scenic Designer Andrew Layton, Costume Designer Frederick P. Deeben, Lighting Designer Vickie J. Scott, Sound Designer Matt Carpenter, and Stage Manger Katie Trummel.
The PCPA 2008 Summer Season continues with:
Ragtime now playing through the 24 in Solvang.
The Imaginary Invalid plays August 7 through the 23rd in Santa Maria, then August 28 through September 7 in Solvang.
Hot Mikado plays the Marian Theatre August 29 through September 7 then Solvang’s Festival Theater September 12 through the 28th.
The Weir plays only in the Severson Theatre on the Allan Hancock College Campus in Santa Maria, September 12 through October 5.
(The Weir contains adult language)
For tickets call the box office, 805-922-8313 between 1 and 7pm Wednesday through Sunday, or purchase tickets online anytime at www.pcpa.org. Information about Group Sales for 12 or more patrons may be obtained by contacting groups@pcpa.org or by calling 1-800-PCPA-123.
Now in its 44th season, PCPA Theaterfest is the Central Coast’s Resident Professional Theatre Company, and has infused the national theatre scene with thousands of trained actors and theatrical technicians over the years in its conservatory.
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Just the facts:
Hot Mikado plays August 29 – September 7 in Santa Maria, then September 12 - 28 in Solvang.
Marian Theatre performance times are 2pm, Wed., Sat., Sun. and 7pm, Thur., Fri., Sat.
Location: 800 S. College Dr., Santa Maria. Just added, 2pm performance, Thur. Sept. 4.
Festival Theater performances are all 8pm, Tues. through Sunday.
Location: 420 2nd St., Solvang
Box Office – 922-8313, hours from 1 to 7pm.
Online tickets and information – www.pcpa.org
Hot Mikado ticket prices range from $16.25 to $30.50 for adults with discounts for children, students, seniors.
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