Muleskinner

Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: Features

Jeremy Ruzich - Performers in Central´s Opera Theatre rehearse for "The Mikado," directed by Kenneth Wood, an operetta that is a spoof on Victorian society.

The Central Opera Theatre will open its performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta "The Mikado" tomorrow night at 7:30. The show, directed by Kenneth Wood, associate professor of music, will take place in Hart Recital Hall in the Utt Music Building.

"The Mikado," arguably Gilber and Sullivan's most popular operetta, is a story set in Japan and is a satire of Victorian and Japanese culture. The show deals with morals and laws pertaining to the culture in an ancient Japanese setting.

"It's a big farce on Japanese cultures," actor David Shewell said.

The show is set in the town of Titpu and deals with the arrival of a stranger named Nanki-Poo, who falls in love with a woman named Yum-Yum, who is already engaged to the village enforcer, Ko-Ko. The story examines the love triangle that exists between them and the dangers the situation presents to the rules and norms of the society.

As the plot unfolds, the town starts to learn more about this stranger and the secrets he holds. This becomes most prevalent when The Mikado, who is seen as sort of a god-like figure in the community, arrives in Titpu.

The Opera Theatre puts on a performance every other year in rotation with the theatre department, which offers a musical in the alternating years. Shewell said this idea has been in the works for quite some time.

"I was in talks with Wood, and he told me that he has wanted to do this for a while," Shewell said. "We started studying for this production last year and have been rehearsing since the semester began."

Shewell said other than some minor music problems, rehearsals have been a success.

There have been minor changes to the original script, including updating the dialogue and lyrics on some of the songs, but overall, the show stays true to its original interpretation.

"There were some changes to the dialogue to modernize it," Shewell said. "But we tried to stay true to the script."

The cast for the performance includes Darrin Hartman as Nanki-Poo, Candy Tuttle as Yum-Yum, David Shewell as Ko-Ko, Jeff Stillwell as Mikado, Heather Wheeler as Catishaw and Braden Duckworth as Poo-Bah.

The actors will be accompanied by members of the University Concert Choir under the direction of Stephen Kingsbury, associate professor of music. Wendy Inman will provide musical accompaniment on the piano, a part normally regulated for an entire ensemble.

Shewell said just being a part of the show is very rewarding.

"I have been excited to do this since I got the script," Shewell said.

The show opens tomorrow night with a follow up performance Sunday at 3:30 p.m..

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