2006 Season - Genesius Guild

Gilbert & Sullivan: “The Mikado” featuring Opera@Augustana

The season begins with the guild’s third presentation of “The Mikado” by Gilbert and Sullivan; the first by Opera@Augustana. Since its premiere in 1885, “The Mikado” has remained the most popular of all the celebrated Savoy Theatre productions.

The plot is superficially Japanese, but is actually an English comedy of manners. It contains some of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s most glorious music and some of William S. Gilbert’s wittiest literary inventions.

The story involves the convoluted adventures of the Mikado’s run-away son, Nanki-Poo; his love for the beautiufl, if slightly dim, Yum-Yum; and the fate of a man who is “taken from the county jail” to become Lord High Executioner, only to find his own neck in jeopardy. The
recent motion picture, “Topsy Turvy” recounts the genesis of this delightful work.