Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), closes the 2013-2014 HOT Opera Season this June with a modern take on the operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan, The Mikado. Performed in English, this family friendly classic takes the audience through a series of hilarious events, as Nanki-Poo, the son of The Mikado, tries to escape an arranged marriage and finds new love along the way.
Although set in Japan, this enchanting work brings together worlds in only the way the opera can, as the story makes fun of English society and mores of the time. Directed by HOT Artistic Director, Henry Akina, with Costumes designed by local Fashion Designer Anne Namba, the Artistic Team is presenting a modern take on the tale with characters dressed in the style of Harajuku Girls, Yakuza, and Anime characters. Conductor Tim Shaindlin returns to Hawaii to lead the orchestra.
Bass-Baritone Jamie Offenbach, a native of Honolulu, leads a phenomenal cast and stars as in the title role. Offenbach has enjoyed a stellar career and has performed at venues around the world including his appearance in Florentine’s Opera’s production of Elmer Gantry, which earned two Grammy Awards in 2012.
Tenor Joshua Kohl portrays Nanki-Poo, a role he performed with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and was described as having “an excellent lyric tenor voice” by The KC Independent. Baritone Curt Olds, who The Rochester Times describes as “born to interpret Gilbert’s witty libretto” plays The Lord High Executioner, Koko. The object of both Nanki-Poo and Koko’s affection is Yum-Yum, who will be performed by rising star, Soprano Sarah Asmar (Yum-Yum).
Metropolitan Opera star Mezzo-Soprano Victoria Livengood (Katisha), University of Hawaii Professor Bass-Baritone John Mount (Pooh-Bah), and Baritone Leon Williams (Pish-Tush) round out the Soloists.
The Mikado will be performed over two weekends at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall from June 13-15 & 20-22. HOT will also bring opera back to the island of Maui for the first time in seven years with a performance of The Mikado at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theatre on Maui on June 18.
For all Oahu performances, tickets can be purchased by contacting the HOT Box Office at (808) 596-7858, online at www.HawaiiOpera.org or via www.TicketMaster.com.
Tickets to the performance on Maui can be purchased by contacting the Maui Arts & Cultural Center at (808) 242-7469 or online at www.MauiArts.org.
