YSU Theater to present popular opera ‘Mikado’

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University Theater will present “The Mikado,” one of the most-popular operas of all time, for two weekends beginning Friday. The comic opera — one of many gems created by the legendary team of Gilbert and Sullivan — opened in London in 1885 and has been popular ever since.

Opera productions at YSU typically run for just one weekend. But due to the wide appeal of “The Mikado,” two weekends were scheduled.

“The decision to run the performance a second weekend was made to ensure that all who want to see this opera can,” said Michele Lepore Hagan, director of the Performing Arts Series at YSU. “Beyond that, it’s performed in English, making it even more attractive to a larger audience.”

Set in Japan, the opera’s story centers on Nanki-Poo, who is the son of the Mikado, or emperor of Japan. Nanki-Poo leaves home disguised as a musician to escape his marriage. He meets Yum-Yum, a beautiful girl, and falls in love with her. Nanki-Poo wants to marry Yum-Yum, but obstacles are cast in his way by her guardian, Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, who is also in love with Yum-Yum. Also causing problems is Katisha, Nanki-Poo’s jilted bride, who shows up with Nanki-Poo’s father, the Mikado.

Matthew Miles of Youngstown will play Nanki-Poo in what will be his final performance at YSU. Miles will attend a graduate school in the fall to continue his studies in opera. He has been accepted by the University of Southern California, the Cleveland Institute of Music and Florida State University.

Allan R. Mosher is the director/vocal director of YSU’s “The Mikado.”

Jon Simsic is music director/conductor; David Vosburgh of Opera Western Reserve is stage director and set designer; Kevin Wolfgang is lighting designer; Barbara Luce, costume designer; and Jerome Rezanka, rehearsal accompanist/music preparation.

Also assisting are Lynn Sabeh, assistant director; Sue Ellen Harris Davis, Girard schools children’s chorus director; Frank Bongen, master carpenter; and Johnnethen C. Pierce, stage manager.

The production is double cast for some roles. Cast members, with roles and hometown, are as follows:

Anthony Ruggiero (the Mikado), Struthers; Matthew J. Miles (Nanki-Poo), Boardman; Christopher Anderson (Ko-Ko), Lancaster; Clint Joste (Ko-Ko), San Francisco; Trevor Coleman (Pooh-Bah), Boardman; Raymond Morgan III (Pish-Tush), Niles; Shafica Kaleel (Yum-Yum), Boardman; Kayla Wilson (Yum-Yum), Austintown; Shawna Jones (Peep-Bo), Beloit; Bethany Lukes (Peep-Bo), Fombell, Pa.; Natalie Modarelli (Pitti-Sing), Austintown; Allyson Pollice (Pitti-Sing), Boardman; Alecia Hetrick (Katisha), Boardman;

Deidre Nuss (Katisha), Cortland; Abby Smith (chorus), Austintown; Molly Scherer (chorus), Wampum; Victoria Lubonovich (chorus), Hubbard; Alyssa Leith (chorus), Girard; Tara Horvath (chorus), Struthers; Nelson Reep (chorus), Bristolville; Ernesto Pantoja (chorus), Ashtabula; and Anthony DeRose (chorus), North Lima.

The Girard City Schools Children’s Chorus is also part of the performance.