Lyric Opera of Kansas City's THE MIKADO Begins Tonight

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City closes its 55th season with Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, tonight, April 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28, 2013 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

This all new whimsical production based on Japanese screens and scrolls is designed by R. Keith Brumley (The Flying Dutchman 2013, Turandot 2011) and directed by William Theisen (The Barber of Seville 2012, H.M.S. Pinafore 2009).

"This is undoubtedly the greatest English operetta of all time and always a favorite with our audiences," notes Lyric Opera Artistic Director Ward Holmquist. "Especially after this long dark winter, we take special joy in completing the season with this delightful comic opera. Our audiences will feel as though spring has now officially sprung."

"We look forward to a fun filled production, bringing together a cast of sophisticated stage veterans, young emerging talent in the opera field and soon to be graduates of our apprentice program," said Lyric Opera General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler. "All of this wrapped together in a clever, witty and newly designed production that is bright and colorful. A delightful must see."

Added performance due to demand
Due to the popularity of this production, an additional performance on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. has been added to accommodate the high demand. During the Company's first season in the Kauffman Center last year, it sold 90% of its total season capacity and added an additional performance of The Barber of Seville to accommodate heavy demand. The Monday performance offers the general public the opportunity to purchase the best seats, which are typically reserved by subscribers.

Robert Gibby Brand, highly regarded local actor and baritone singing Ko-Ko, the executioner, in The Mikado, recently explained the secret to Gilbert and Sullivan's long-term popularity, "What's the appeal? There's really nothing else like it. Combine creativity and nonsense with biting commentary and the results are truly amazing." Brand has been in four Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, including three productions of The Mikado.

Acclaimed star Denyce Graves makes her Lyric Opera debut
Performing the role of Katisha, Mezzo soprano Denyce Graves has been called "an operatic superstar" by USA Today. Ms. Graves' signature portrayals of the title roles in Carmen and Samson et Dalila have been seen at The Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera, Covent Garden, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera National de Paris and many others. Ms. Graves has sung at The White House on numerous occasions and has been the recipient of many awards, including the "Grand Prix du Concours International de Chant de Paris." The Mikado marks her debut with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

"In addition to singing with our Company on the Kauffman Center stage, Ms. Graves also will help us extend our reach into the community," noted Deborah Sandler, General Director and CEO of the Company. Ms. Graves will lead a master class for Lyric Opera Apprentice Artists from the University of Kansas and University of Missouri - Kansas City. Members of the Ginger Frost High School Honors Artist Program and the UMKC Musical Bridges program also will participate.

Also making his Lyric Opera of Kansas City debut, acclaimed bass baritone Dale Travis will be performing the title role of The Mikado. With a repertoire of more than 50 roles in 25 years in a wide variety of styles from Mozart, Donizetti and Rossini to Strauss, Puccini and Wagner, Mr. Travis has been a frequent guest with many of the world's leading opera companies. Recent performances include Bartolo in The Marriage of Figaro and Dr. Kolenaty in The Makropulos Case at the San Francisco Opera, Louis in A View from the Bridge at the Teatro Dell'Opera in Rome, Alidoro in La cenerentola at Opera Colorado, and Sulpice in The Daughter of the Regiment at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Mr. Travis can be seen in Manon Lescaut, as part of the Metropolitan Opera's HD Live Series.

Tenor Joshua Kohl will be making his Lyric Opera debut in the role of Nanki-Poo. Recently called a "tenor to watch" by The Boston Herald, Mr. Kohl was recently singled out for his "glorious, relaxed performance" by Opera News. This season, Mr. Kohl will be heard as Alfredo in La Traviata with Opera Omaha, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor with Dayton Opera, Chevalier in Dialogues of the Carmelites with Hawaii Opera Theatre, and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Opera Southwest.

Soprano Sarah Jane McMahon, in her Lyric Opera debut, will be performing the role of Yum-Yum. Hailed by The New York Times as "bright, active, and fastidiously musical," and by Opera News as having "a golden sound," Ms. McMahon is recognized for her "beautiful vocal sophistication" and "sparkling stage presence." Ms. McMahon recently sang a Gala concert opposite Placido Domingo and made her debut with The San Francisco Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, the Wiener Konzert Haus, Bremen's Die Glocke, and the Santo Domingo Festival in The Dominican Republic. A frequent guest artist at New York City Opera, she performed Mabel in their new production of The Pirates of Penzance and was described by The New York Times as "the most polished and flexible singer in the cast" and "a deft comic actress."

All new production by R. Keith Brumley
Director of Design and Technical Production, R. Keith Brumley has wowed audiences with his past work on landmark Lyric Opera productions such as Turandot (2011) and Carmen (2010). Of the Turandot production, Sarah Tyrell of KCMetropolis.org raved, "The sets were simply phenomenal."

Principal Cast
Nanki-Poo: Joshua Kohl*
Ko-Ko: Robert Gibby Brand
Yum-Yum: Sarah Jane McMahon*
Katisha: Denyce Graves*
The Mikado: Dale Travis*
Poo-Bah: David Kravitz*
Pish-Tush: Chris Carr ~
Pitti-Sing: Elizabeth Tredent ~
Peep-Bo: Etta Fung +

Artistic Staff
Conductor: Mark Ferrell
Director: William Theisen
Set Designer: R. Keith Brumley
Costume Designer: Kärin Kopishke
Wig and Make-Up Designer: Allison Hanks
Chorus Master: Mark Ferrell
Stage Manager: Jennifer Rimmer

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