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PHOTO BY SKIP BARTTELS WITH THANKS TO THE KUBOTA GARDENS

GLORIOUS SATIRE. The Mikado (Dave Ross, center) is satisfied with the outcome of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most famous comic opera. Cast left to right: Nanki Poo (Parker Albin), Yum-Yum (Cara Iverson), The Mikado (Ross), Ko-Ko (John Brookes) and Katisha (Alyce Rogers).

‘The Mikado’ makes for a wonderful evening of theater

By Peg Doman

How charming is that? I love Gilbert and Sullivan’s works; some are more successful than others. The current production of “The Mikado,” at Bagley Wright Theatre at Seattle Center, is totally successful, charming and funny. I recognized many of the songs and felt encouraged to sing along (only in my mind, of course.)

When I was in fourth grade, I was introduced to G&S as my fifth-grade sister came home with “HMS Pinafore.” I was fascinated by the Admiral of the Navy who had never sailed on a ship. Then when I was a junior in high school, I saw a Bellarmine and St. Leo’s production of “The Pirates of Penzance.” The gorgeous blond Frederic sealed my fate as a serious G&S aficionado. Perhaps the highlight of this amble down memory lane was when my mother and I took the train to Seattle to see Jim Belushi as the Pirate King and Peter Noone as Frederic at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Marvelous. This was before Belushi had such a belly and a lot more hair!

Gilbert’s witty words and Sullivan’s glorious music make for a wonderfully exciting evening. The voices were wonderful and expressive. Parker Albin as Nanki-Poo, the emperor’s son disguised as a musician, was melodious throughout although he moved a bit stiffly. Maybe since he is such a big guy, he does not move easily, but he sure can sing. His beloved is Yum-Yum (Cara Iverson), a ward of Ko-Ko (John Brookes), the cheap tailor who was appointed Lord High Executioner instead of being beheaded for flirting.

Iverson is a yummy Yum-Yum and in beautiful voice. The character that steals the show is John Brooks as Ko-Ko. He has a wonderful voice and is so expressive; it is a pleasure to watch him. The other show stopper is Pooh-Bah (Craig Cantley), the Lord High Everything Else except executioner.

When the “cheap tailor” becomes the executioner, all the other officials quit because they are too proud to serve under the tailor. That is where Pooh-bah comes in. He has everything else: “Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Chief Justice, Master of the Backhounds, Groom of the Back Stairs, Archbishop of Titipu and Lord Mayor, both acting and elect, all rolled into one. And at a salary!” This is just one sample of the silliness and mockery of existing officials that Gilbert gibed.

Pish-Tush (William J. Darkow) opens the show in very dignified manner, full of self-importance and propriety, and sings a superb baritone. Pitti-Sing (Carla Hilderbrand) and Peep-Bo (Annette Dennis) is also a ward of Ko-Ko. The three wards and several other “young maids” have “come from school.”

Katisha (Alyce Rogers) is an elderly Lady of the Court, in love with Nanki-Poo. She thought she was training him to love her, but, alas, it will never happen. She comes to Titipu to reclaim Nanki-Poo but is thwarted by his love for Yum-Yum. Gilbert and Sullivan normally have an older woman in the cast whom they treat as an object of fun. Ageism, it is ever with us. Rogers is more than up to the role and makes it terrifying for the cast members but the audience has empathy for her.

Some small but funny pieces of business were conducted by Nathan Rodda as the butler. For instance, he appears as a British butler, dressed in a morning coat. He came out when all were seated for tea and each character held out his/her cup for a drink from his flask.

The last of the characters is the emperor of Japan, the Mikado, played by Dave Ross of KIRO 710 AM radio fame. He has a wonderful voice as well. Ross’ daughter, Caitlin, is an alto in the chorus and his wife, Patricia, is assistant stage manager.

The orchestra was sprightly and sad as needed. The costumes were sumptuous, as befits Japanese nobles, with some of the gowns from earlier productions and some made to order. Carl Bronsdon’s costumes were lush and colorful.

“The Mikado runs July 17-19 and July 24-26. For tickets, call the Gilbert and Sullivan Society at (206) 341-9612 or Ticketmaster at (206) 292-ARTS.You can also go online to the Society’s website for tickets or to order DVDs of previous shows.

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