Hot Mikado: Difference between revisions
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In January 2006, the medical musical theatre society of King's College London presented a production of the show, which was given a modern-asian look and was staged at the Greenwood Theatre at London Bridge (where the first edition of the [[BBC One|BBC1]] show [[Question Time (TV series)|Question Time]] was filmed). [[Craig Revel Horwood]] also directed a successful production of ''Hot Mikado'' at the [[Watermill Theatre]] in England in 2006. |
In January 2006, the medical musical theatre society of King's College London presented a production of the show, which was given a modern-asian look and was staged at the Greenwood Theatre at London Bridge (where the first edition of the [[BBC One|BBC1]] show [[Question Time (TV series)|Question Time]] was filmed). [[Craig Revel Horwood]] also directed a successful production of ''Hot Mikado'' at the [[Watermill Theatre]] in England in 2006. |
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A number of community groups and high schools have performed the show in the United States and Britain. In 2006, the piece was produced at the Pocono Playhouse, New Hope, PA (US) and at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, in Elmsford, NY (US), and it is scheduled to be produced in May 2007 by the [ |
A number of community groups and high schools have performed the show in the United States and Britain. In 2006, the piece was produced at the Pocono Playhouse, New Hope, PA (US) and at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, in Elmsford, NY (US), and it is scheduled to be produced in May 2007 by the [[Off-Monroe Players]], Rochester, NY. [http://www.off-monroeplayers.org] The performing rights are available from Music Theater International.[http://www.mtishows.com/show_home.asp?ID=000257] |
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==Production details== |
==Production details== |
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Revision as of 04:12, 1 May 2007
Hot Mikado is a musical comedy, based on Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, adapted by David H. Bell (book and lyrics) and Rob Bowman (orchestrations and arrangements). After researching the 1939 Broadway musical, The Hot Mikado, Bell and Bowman created a new adaptation, Hot Mikado, which ran from March 18–July 27, 1986 [1] at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC. Bell directed and choreographed the production.
Subsequent Productions
Bell directed several other professional productions after 1986. The 1995 Washington DC production received Helen Hayes Awards for (1) Outstanding Director -- Resident Musical -- David H. Bell; and (2) Outstanding Lead Actor -- Resident Musical -- Ross Lehman (Ko-Ko). Productions were also nominated for the following awards: (1) 2005 Los Angeles Drama Critics Award: Best Production; (2) 2004 Los Angeles Ovation Award: Best Musical; and (3) 1995 Helen Hayes Award: Outstanding Resident Musical. [2]
In January 2006, the medical musical theatre society of King's College London presented a production of the show, which was given a modern-asian look and was staged at the Greenwood Theatre at London Bridge (where the first edition of the BBC1 show Question Time was filmed). Craig Revel Horwood also directed a successful production of Hot Mikado at the Watermill Theatre in England in 2006.
A number of community groups and high schools have performed the show in the United States and Britain. In 2006, the piece was produced at the Pocono Playhouse, New Hope, PA (US) and at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, in Elmsford, NY (US), and it is scheduled to be produced in May 2007 by the Off-Monroe Players, Rochester, NY. [3] The performing rights are available from Music Theater International.[4]
Production details
The plot of Hot Mikado does not stray far from the Gilbert and Sullivan original. [5]
The musical has the same witty tone as the original, with many of the songs bearing the same name and melody. For example, the song "I Am So Proud" has the same melody for the verses, changing only towards the end, where it folds into a more jazzy round. It is set in Japan in the 1940s, with suggested settings and costuming combining Japanese design with American 1940s design. The set uses Japanese architecture, executed in the textures of The Cotton Club (neon, brass, mahogany). The costumes include zoot suits, snoods, wedgies and felt hats, executed in the colorful silk kimono textures of Japan.
The score uses 1940s popular musical harmonies and arrangements and a wide range of styles, including hot gospel, blues, rock, Cab Calloway swing, and torch songs. The 'Three Little Maids' sing in Andrews Sisters' style. The dances called for include the Lindy Hop, tap-dancing, the jitterbug and other 1940s dances. [6]
The orchestrations call for Double Bass, Electric Bass, Drums, Timpani, Duck Call, Glockenspiel, Large Gong, Mark Tree, Triangle, Wood Block, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Cowbell, Trombone, Flugelhorn, Tambourine, and Trumpet.
Roles
- The Mikado, Baritone The Big "Cat" of Japan
- Nanki-Poo, Tenor The Son of the Mikado
- Yum-Yum, Soprano The Ward of Titipu's Lord High Executioner
- Pitti-Sing, Mezzo-Soprano Yum-Yum's Sister
- Peep-Bo, Soprano Yum-Yum's Sister
- Pish-Tush, Tenor The "Coolest" Gentleman of Japan
- Ko-Ko, Baritone Lord High Executioner
- Pooh-Bah, Bass Lord High "Everything Else"
- Katisha, Contralto Spurned Elderly Suitor of Nanki-Poo
- Also 6 gentlemen of Japan and 3 ladies of Japan
According to the publisher's website, casting is intended to be inter-racial, with the MIKADO, KATISHA and POOH-BAH specifically singing in African-American musical styles.[7] Hot Mikado has sometimes been criticized for the inclusion of white actors scat singing.
Musical Numbers
Act One
- Overture
- We Are Gentlemen of Japan (the Gentlemen)
- Wand'ring Minstrel (Nanki-Poo, the Gentlemen)
- And the Drums Will Crash (Pooh-Bah, ensemble)
- Behold the Lord High Executioner (Ko-Ko, the Gentlemen)
- I've Got a Little List (Ko-Ko, the Gentlemen)
- Three Little Maids (Yum-Yum, Peep-Bo, Pitti-Sing)
- This Is What I'll Never Do (Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo)
- I Am So Proud (Pooh-Bah, Pish-Tush, Ko-Ko)
- Let the Throng Our Joy Advance (Nanki-Poo, Yum-Yum, ensemble)
- Katisha's Entrance (Katisha)
- For He's Gonna Marry Yum-Yum (Pitti-Sing, ensemble)
- Hour of Gladness (Katisha)
- Finale/Act One (ensemble)
Act Two
- Entr'acte
- Braid the Raven Hair (Pish-Tush, ensemble)
- Sun and I (Yum-Yum)
- Swing a Merry Madrigal (Nanki-Poo, Pitti-Sing, Yum-Yum, Pish-Tush)
- Here's a Howdy-Do (Nanki-Poo, Yum-Yum, Ko-Ko)
- Mikado Song (The Mikado, ensemble)
- Alone and Yet Alive (Katisha)
- Tit-Willow (Ko-Ko)
- Beauty in the Bellow (Ko-Ko, Katisha)
- Finale (ensemble)
- Playout