Casting Announced for NY Gilbert & Sullivan's NEW 'Mikado' at Kaye Playhouse

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, continues its 42nd season with the time-honored classic The Mikado (December 28-31, 2016 and January 5-8, 2017) at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (East 68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues).

With final casting complete, NYGASP Executive Director and Producer David Wannen has announced that all principal roles in The Mikado will be double cast. The Mikado is played by the imposing Cole Grissom and Christopher White and company veterans Angela Christine Smith and Cáitlín Burke return as Katisha opposite two patter comedians, Adam Shapiro and David Macaluso as the nervous and tender hearted Ko-Ko. Tenors Daniel Greenwood and Jesse Pimpenella are cast as the romantic Nanki Poo, who will do anything for the beautiful and subtly crafty Yum-Yum, played by sweet voiced sopranos Sarah Caldwell Smith and Quynh-My Luu. Matthew Wages and Andy Herr are cast as the infamous Pooh-Bah, Lord High Everything Else. The three little maids include Jessica Rose Futran and Amy Maude Helfer as the sassy Pitti-Sing, and Lauren Frankovich and Alexandra Haines play a pretty Peep-Bo. New company members Chris Vaughan and Joshua Miller play the stately and aristocratic Pish Tush.

The Mikado will feature original choreography and direction by NYGASP Associate Stage Director David Auxier with Assistant Director Kelvin Moon Loh. Aaron Gandy will serve as music director and conduct the 25-piece orchestra. The production will showcase a new production design including scenery designed by Anshuman Bhatia, costumes designed by Quinto Ott and lighting designed by Benjamin Weill. In director Auxier's new production concept, elements of Victorian England and Japanese culture have been carefully curated and combined with fantasy to enhance the production.

Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, The New YorK Gilbert & Sullivan Players has been hailed as "the leading custodian of the G&S classics" by New York Magazine and has created its own special niche in the cultural mosaic of New York City and the nation. Since its founding in 1974, the company has presented over 2,000 performances of the G&S masterpieces throughout the United States, Canada and England, captivating audiences of all ages.

For more information and tickets for the NYGASP season which includes The Mikado (December 28-31, 2016 and January 5-8, 2017) as well as Patience (April 29-30, 2017) at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (East 68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues) log onto www.nygasp.org or by phone (212) 769-1000.