‘Mikado’ Staged With Perfection
“Mikado” by Spokane Opera Saturday, May 23, The Met
Uptown Opera has changed its name to Spokane Opera, but, thank goodness, nothing else has changed.
Once again, the vocal talent, the production values, and the sheer attention to detail remain higher than we have any right to expect in an opera market of this size.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic masterpiece is exceptionally colorful and entertaining in the hands of artistic directors Bill Graham and Marjory Halvorson. This Japanese romp is goofy, romantic, silly and beautiful, all at the same time. No wonder “The Mikado” is one of the most-loved operettas ever.
The tone is set perfectly right from the beginning with the absolutely ingenious set design by George Caldwell. A set of large Japanese screens, with pagoda-like wooden frames, spell out the word “Mikado,” one letter per screen. The screens are then turned around to reveal Japanese scenes (Mt. Fuji, for instance) and are used to great effect to suggest gardens and other elegant backdrops.
The set is matched by the colorful, spare-no-expense quality of the traditional Japanese costumes (designed by Sherry Schmidt). Both sets and costumes perfectly complement one of Bill Graham’s great strengths as a stage director - the ability to create eye-pleasing tableaux in virtually every scene.
The ear has plenty to feast on as well. Tenor Pil-Sung Kim is the vocal star, singing the role of Nanki-Poo with a smooth mastery and a pleasing air of innocence. Bass James Newman is comically pompous and hilarious as Pooh-Bah, a man who holds practically every office in the court.
Tom Williams steals the majority of laughs in this show as the completely-over-the-top Koko, the Lord High Executioner who is in the uncomfortable position of having to behead himself. Williams plays this character as if he were Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin - if they were accomplished operatic tenors, that is.
Joanne Bouma, Christie Jones, Colleen Bryant and Michael Caldwell all contributed wonderful moments to the show, too. However, my favorite of all was Heather Peterson as Pitti-Sing, who not only has a brilliant voice, but a Burnett-like flair for physical comedy. She has tremendous stage presence - I found it hard to take my eyes off of her.
The orchestra, under the direction of James Schoepflin, has never sounded better. The dancers, choreographed by Janet Wilder, were inspired. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the spectacularly fanciful hair design by Jeanette Brenner - it was like something out of “Rashomon” by way of Dr. Seuss.
The new name of Spokane Opera establishes the group, rightly, as a Spokane institution. But make no mistake: They’re still uptown all the way.
“The Mikado” continues May 26, 27, 30 and 31. Call G&B Selecta-Seat for tickets.