The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Celebrates 50 Years with "The Mikado" at the University of Chicago, March 12 – 14, 2010
Hyde Park’s only Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble brings to life one of the most popular pieces of musical theater ever written in the English language, "The Mikado"
Chicago, IL, February 20, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company will perform "The Mikado or the Town of Titipu" – from the witty pens of W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan – in the University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall on March 12-14 to celebrate the Company’s 50th anniversary. Directed by Thrisa Hodits and produced by Mark Johnson, the classic English comic opera will be accompanied by the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra, conducted by David Cubek.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s 2010 Production showcases the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan of them all: "The Mikado", a two-act comedic opera situated in the faraway foreign land of Japan, a setting that helped the pundits satirize British politics. The opera first opened at London’s Savoy on March 14, 1885, around the time of the hugely popular Japanese Exhibition in 1884-85. The production ran for 672 performances – the second longest run for any musical theater work. While only the elaborate costumes authentically reflect Japanese culture, "The Mikado" has been criticized for being sexist and racist since its characters have names like Nanki-poo (which is actually English baby-talk for ‘handkerchief’). As a result of this misconception, productions have been both boycotted and picketed. In truth, though, Japan is only a canvas for an exaggerated mockery of all things British. In fact, in 1907, the Japanese Prince Fushimi Sadanaru expected raging insults from the production only to be “deeply and pleasantly disappointed” by finding "The Mikado" to be “bright music and fun.” Audiences may cringe at the often-antiquated anecdotes, but they are sure to laugh at the timeless humor of this charming work.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Inc. has been a mainstay of Chicago’s Hyde Park cultural scene since the company’s first production, The Gondoliers, in 1960. Incorporated on March 4, 1964, the Company is devoted to the promotion and performance of the musical arts and to the presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s delightful operatic oeuvre. In collaboration with the Special Collections Research Center, the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company has mounted an exhibit of past production costumes in the University’s Joseph Regenstein Library, 1100 East 57th Street. The elaborate theatrical apparel will be on display through the end of March 2010.
Performances of Gilbert & Sullivan’s "The Mikado" take place at the University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall, 1131 East 57th Street, Chicago, from March 12 through 14. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 pm, and a Sunday matinee is at 2:00 pm. Proceeds will benefit the Department of Music’s performance program. Tickets order forms can be downloaded at music.uchicago.edu/events. Beginning March 1, you can purchase your single tickets and make a donation by calling the ticket hotline: 773.702.9075, 12 to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Patron tickets are $50; general admission tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students and children. Mandel Hall is located at the southwest corner of University Avenue and 57th Street in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago campus.
Quick Facts
What:
Gilbert and Sullivan’s "The Mikado, or the Town of Titipu"
Who:
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
The University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra
Director: Thrisa Hodits
Conductor: David Cubek
Producer: Mark Johnson
When:
Friday, March 12, at 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 13, at 8:00pm
Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 pm
Where:
Mandel Hall,
The University of Chicago campus
1131 E 57th Street, Hyde Park
Admission
Tickets: $50 patron / $20 general / $5 students
Ticket Hotline: 773.702.9075
Ticket form: music.uchicago.edu/events
Tickets go on sale by phone March 1
Tickets also available at door one hour before each performance
Website: music.uchicago.edu
###
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s 2010 Production showcases the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan of them all: "The Mikado", a two-act comedic opera situated in the faraway foreign land of Japan, a setting that helped the pundits satirize British politics. The opera first opened at London’s Savoy on March 14, 1885, around the time of the hugely popular Japanese Exhibition in 1884-85. The production ran for 672 performances – the second longest run for any musical theater work. While only the elaborate costumes authentically reflect Japanese culture, "The Mikado" has been criticized for being sexist and racist since its characters have names like Nanki-poo (which is actually English baby-talk for ‘handkerchief’). As a result of this misconception, productions have been both boycotted and picketed. In truth, though, Japan is only a canvas for an exaggerated mockery of all things British. In fact, in 1907, the Japanese Prince Fushimi Sadanaru expected raging insults from the production only to be “deeply and pleasantly disappointed” by finding "The Mikado" to be “bright music and fun.” Audiences may cringe at the often-antiquated anecdotes, but they are sure to laugh at the timeless humor of this charming work.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Inc. has been a mainstay of Chicago’s Hyde Park cultural scene since the company’s first production, The Gondoliers, in 1960. Incorporated on March 4, 1964, the Company is devoted to the promotion and performance of the musical arts and to the presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s delightful operatic oeuvre. In collaboration with the Special Collections Research Center, the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company has mounted an exhibit of past production costumes in the University’s Joseph Regenstein Library, 1100 East 57th Street. The elaborate theatrical apparel will be on display through the end of March 2010.
Performances of Gilbert & Sullivan’s "The Mikado" take place at the University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall, 1131 East 57th Street, Chicago, from March 12 through 14. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 pm, and a Sunday matinee is at 2:00 pm. Proceeds will benefit the Department of Music’s performance program. Tickets order forms can be downloaded at music.uchicago.edu/events. Beginning March 1, you can purchase your single tickets and make a donation by calling the ticket hotline: 773.702.9075, 12 to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Patron tickets are $50; general admission tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students and children. Mandel Hall is located at the southwest corner of University Avenue and 57th Street in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago campus.
Quick Facts
What:
Gilbert and Sullivan’s "The Mikado, or the Town of Titipu"
Who:
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
The University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra
Director: Thrisa Hodits
Conductor: David Cubek
Producer: Mark Johnson
When:
Friday, March 12, at 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 13, at 8:00pm
Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 pm
Where:
Mandel Hall,
The University of Chicago campus
1131 E 57th Street, Hyde Park
Admission
Tickets: $50 patron / $20 general / $5 students
Ticket Hotline: 773.702.9075
Ticket form: music.uchicago.edu/events
Tickets go on sale by phone March 1
Tickets also available at door one hour before each performance
Website: music.uchicago.edu
###
Contact
University of Chicago Department of Music
Rashida N. Black
773.702.3427
music.uchicago.edu
Rashida N. Black
773.702.3427
music.uchicago.edu
Contact
Categories