Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Hail to the great ?Mikado?

The Sun Valley Opera presents Gilbert and Sullivan


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Photo by Michael Nemeth New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players Julie Price, Keith Jurosko, Robin Bartunek, Laurelyn Watson (center foreground).

Celebrating its sixth year, the Sun Valley Opera will present the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players for "An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan" at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum.

This year's performance will include a condensed version of "The Mikado" for the first half of the show followed by a medley of popular Gilbert and Sullivan operettas for the second half of the evening. Led by conductor and artistic director Albert Bergeret, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players are considered to be the preeminent Gilbert and Sullivan ensemble.

Arthur Sullivan composed the music and W. S. Gilbert wrote the libretto for the infamous pair's ninth operetta, "The Mikado," which premiered at the Savoy Theatre in London on March 14, 1885. "The Mikado" ran for 672 performances and is considered to be one of the most performed theatrical productions in history.

Through clever language and song, "The Mikado" tells the story of what could be described as a modern-day soap opera about the unrequited love of the wandering minstrel Nanki-Poo for the very desirable maiden Yum-Yum. Nanki-Poo's destiny is ultimately saved inadvertently by the capricious Japanese emperor, the Mikado. The exotic setting of Japan allowed Gilbert to freely comment on English politics and institutions—a tactic he used frequently in Gilbert and Sullivan productions.

"The first half is 'The Mikado' with all the music and narration between musical numbers," said Sun Valley Opera patron Gary Hoffman. "There will be full costumes and props, and after the intermission there will be a part two of Gilbert and Sullivan that will include a special audience request. The Gilbert and Sullivan Players will close with a sing-a-long, and the words will be printed in the program for both performances."

It was over a year ago Hoffman saw the Gilbert and Sullivan Players in New York City. As a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan for many years, Hoffman was so impressed with the performance of the Gilbert and Sullivan Players that he needed to bring them to Sun Valley.

"The Sun Valley Opera wanted it, and it took lots of planning to make it happen," Hoffman said. "It's a group effort. I saw them and worked out the logistics to get them here, but it is really a Sun Valley Opera production."

The Gilbert and Sullivan Players are not on tour and will do an exclusive performance in Sun Valley. In addition, the Sun Valley Opera will host their first fund raiser at The Valley Club with the Gilbert and Sullivan Players in hopes to continue the quality of entertainment they bring to Sun Valley.

"For the first time, we are really going after a student audience and to bring opera to young people and make it accessible," Hoffman said. "It all starts with youth."

A weekend of Gilbert and Sullivan

The Sun Valley Opera presents Gilbert and Sullivan on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum, 100 Saddle Road. Tickets are $10 for students, $30 for regular seating and $100 for diva seating. Tickets are available at Chapter One Bookstore or sunvalleyopera.com.

On Friday, Feb. 16, there will be a black tie optional Sun Valley Opera Patrons Party at The Valley Club at 6 p.m. with a cocktail buffet. The tickets range from $150 to $500 with a special appearance by the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. Tickets include reserve seating at the performance, and tickets for students under 18 are $10.

On Sunday, Feb. 17, at 2:45 p.m. sharp, there will be a Gilbert and Sullivan workshop at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum, 100 Saddle Road. Tickets are $10 for students and free to anyone holding a ticket to the 4 p.m. performance. For more details, call 725-5522




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