"The Mikado" @ SUU (CC: March 9 - 12)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 02/23/11
Benjamin Tyrrel
Marketing and Public Relations
College of Performing and Visual Arts
Southern Utah University
Office: 435-865-8667
Cell: 435-238-0261
cpvamktg@suu.edu

Photo credit: The Mikado (Greg Watts) is confronted by his future daughter-in-law, Katisha (Geneil Perkins). Photo: Courtesy of SUU CPVA.

FOR CALENDAR EDITORS: SUU'S MUSIC MASTERWORKS SERIES: THE MIKADO
WHAT: Love and the law have never been more fun than in Gilbert and Sullivan’s melodious comic treasure, The Mikado. SUU’s Music Masterworks Series presents the devilishly witty musical satire which features such memorable songs as "A Wand'ring Minstrel I," "Three Little Maids from School Are We" and "Here's a How-de-Do."

WHO: Southern Utah University, Department of Music, Music Masterworks Series

WHEN: March 9-12, 2011

TIME: 7:30pm

WHERE: Heritage Center Theater, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT

TICKETS: (435) 586-7872, M-F 8 am- 4:30 pm, online at www.suu.edu/arts or purchase at the door.

PRICES: General admission adult tickets are $8, $6 for SUU Faculty and Staff, $4 for students and children and SUU students are admitted free with a valid student ID.

INFO: Phone: Arts Hotline: (435) 865-8800 or visit: www.suu.edu/arts

SUU’S MUSIC MASTERWORKS SERIES PRESENTS
GILBERT & SULLIVAN’S COMIC MASTERPIECE
THE MIKADO
MARCH 9-12, 2011

Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah: Love and the law have never been more fun than in Gilbert and Sullivan’s melodious comic treasure, The Mikado. SUU’s Music Masterworks Series presents the devilishly witty musical satire March 9-12, 2011, at the Heritage Center Theater in Cedar City. Performances begin at 7:30 pm. General admission adult tickets are $8, $6 for SUU Faculty and Staff, $4 for students and children and SUU students are admitted free with a valid student ID.
W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's deliciously fun-filled classic operetta brilliantly satirizes British politics and social institutions by disguising them as the mythical Japanese town of Titipu. Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado, has fled from Court to avoid marrying the domineering Katisha. In the disguise of a second trombone, however, Nanki-Poo has fallen in love with beautiful Yum-Yum, who is officially engaged to her guardian Ko-Ko, who has been recently raised to the exalted rank of Lord High Executioner. In no time at all, the wickedly funny plot complications quickly collide – and the hilarity is highlighted by a series of classic songs. Filled with rich melodies by Arthur Sullivan and biting lyrics by W.S. Gilbert, The Mikado features such memorable songs as "A Wand'ring Minstrel I," "Three Little Maids from School Are We," and "Here's a How-de-Do." It is fun for all ages.

Produced by Professor Carol Ann Modesitt, Director of SUU’s Opera Theatre, the stage production is directed by Peter Sham, Interim co-Chair of SUU’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, with musical direction by Gerald Rheault. Sham is no stranger to The Mikado for he played the role of Pooh-Bah in 1996 for Utah Shakespeare Festival. Kiki Thompson is the assistant director and rehearsal stage manager.

Greg Watts plays the show’s title role and Matthew Clegg undertakes the role of his son, Nanki-Poo. Samantha Ontiveros is Yum-Yum, while Shaye Leavitt and Sarah Jane Maxwell portray her singing co-horts, Peep-Bo and Pitti-Sing. Geneil Perkins is the formidable Katisha, and Mario Castro plays the put upon Ko-Ko. Aaron Walker (Pish Tush), Sterling Young (Guysha) and Barrett Penrod (Poo Bah) are featured in the principal cast.

Members of the ensemble include Cameron Aboroa, Ally Best, Josh Durfey, Hannah Elton, Laney Fowle, Athena Hawks, Taliah Johnson, Kjersti Jones, Tyler Knight, Collin Longhurst, Daniel Palmer, Janese Shaw, Michael Wager, Lexie Way, Sarah Williams, and Sterling Young.

The creative team features choreography by Mindy Young, scenery by Wing-And-A-Prayer, Inc., costume design by Monica Salmond, lighting design by Jason Clark, sound design by Kyle Cook, prop design by Karina Bolton and Jayson LeBaron, make-up design by Lizzy Anderson, production consultant and wig mastering by Cesar Ad́an Bojórquez and Natalia Castilla. The production stage manager is Zac Trotter.

Travel to the exotic and hilarious land of Titipu, when SUU’s Music Masterworks Series presents the delightful musical masterpiece, The Mikado. For more information on the SUU College of Performing and Visual Arts events, please call the Arts Hotline at (435) 865-8800, or visit www.suu.edu/arts.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE
The Southern Utah University College of Performing and Visual Arts is comprised of nationally accredited departments of Art and Design, Music, Theatre Arts and Dance, as well as a graduate program in Arts Administration. The College offers 16 different degree areas, including liberal arts Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees; professional Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Fine Arts in art and theatre degrees; and a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration degree. More than 60 full- and part-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 550 majors in the College. Over 1100 students enroll each year in over 195 arts classes on the SUU campus. The College presents 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year. The College’s affiliate organizations include the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery, American Folk Ballet, Utah Shakespearean Festival, the performance group Acclamation, and the SUU Ballroom Dance Company. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, contact the Office of the Dean at (435) 865-8561, or by e-mail at cpvamktg@suu.edu.