The Adobe Theatre Presents Twisted Tale of Love THE MIKADO

The Mikado, the world famous two-act operetta by Sir William Schwenk Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan, will be performed at The Adobe Theater April 20th - May 14th, 2017.

The story is simple. A young man named Nanky-Poo has banished himself from the little town of Titipu because he has fallen in love with the beautiful Yum-Yum, who is engaged to be married to her guardian, Ko-Ko. (With me so far?) When Nanki-Poo hears Ko-Ko has been condemned to death for the capital crime of flirting, he returns to Titipu, only to learn that Ko-Ko has not only been granted a reprieve, but has been promoted to the post of Lord High Executioner. The Mikado (The Emperor of Japan), however, soon takes notice of the lack of executions in Titipu and decrees that if no executions take place within the time of one month, the city shall be reduced to the status of a village. Ko-Ko, who wants to save his own head, vows to find a substitute. That's when Nanki-Poo wanders onto the stage with a rope determined to take his own life rather than live without Yum-Yum. (Still with me? Try to keep up.) Ko-Ko seizes this opportunity and offers the Nanki-Poo one month of luxurious living before he is executed. Nanki-Poo agrees on the condition that he be married to Yum-Yum right away so that he can spend his last month in wedded bliss. (Simple, right? Not so fast...) But just as the wedding celebration begins, a law is discovered which decrees that a condemned man's wife (Yum-Yum in this case) must be buried alive with his corpse! And then things really get complicated!

The Mikado is directed by long-time Adobe Directors Cy & Jane Hoffman. The couple introduced to Gilbert & Sullivan as children, and have loved the plays ever since. Growing up in New York City, they had the opportunity of seeing several G&S productions. Then, as adults, Cy & Jane were part of two G&S productions (The Mikado and HMS Pinafore) with the Los Alamos Light Opera. "When we got involved with Opera Unlimited's Summer Opera Camp in Albuquerque," Cy said, "Gilbert & Sullivan shows were wonderful vehicles for the kids - the music is very good, but not too hard, and the everyone loves the humor and the costumes."

Directors Cy and Jane Hoffman have adapted The Mikado to a simple set and a cast of 12 people. The cast includes Hi Tillary (The Mikado), Jack Litherland (Nanki-Poo), Tim MacAlpine (Ko-Ko), Christina Nuki Akerson (Katiska), Warren Asa Wilgus/(Pooh-Bah), Brian Lambe (Pish-Tush), Madi Frost (Yum-Yum), Kiersten Johnson (Pitti-Sing), Casey Hennigan (Peep-Bo), and Michelle Boehler, Patrick Kirby, and Steven Weitz (Ensemble).

Tickets are $22 general admission, with a $3 discount for seniors, students, ATG/TLC members, active & retired military, and First Responders. For Opening Weekend only, all tickets are $15. Reservations may be made on the www.brownpapertickets.com or www.adobetheater.org websites.

To post a comment, you must register and login.