YSU's 'The Mikado' features talented cast
YOUNGSTOWN - If you have never seen an opera, Gilert and Sullivan's "The Mikado" is a great introduction and Youngstown State University's production is good chance to see it live.
With catchy melodies, a charming plot and plenty of laughter, it's a show without pretenses. (The town is called Titipu. And it's absolutely OK to laugh at that.) With the cast at YSU, "The Mikado" also comes with talent not to be missed.
The standout of the show is Matthew J. Miles as minstrel Nanki-Poo, listed in the program as a Dana School of Music Vocal Performance graduate. Not only does Miles have an amazing, crooning voice, but he plays the character with just enough edge that he maintains a rugged masculinity while singing opera.
Another star of "The Mikado" is Anthony Ruggiero as the title character, reprieving the role from productions previously at The Youngstown Playhouse (also under the direction of David Vosburgh) and at YSU, when, according to the program, he was a graduate student studying vocal performance. Although, The Mikado doesn't appear until later in the show, Ruggiero's performance is a memorable one.
Ruggiero's banter with Katisha, played by Diera Nuss (Alecia Hetrick in alternating performances), is also a delight straight from a vaudevillian stage.
"A More Humane Mikado" is one of the evening's strong points, full of localized humor. For instance, The Mikado's punishment for graffiti? Art classes at YSU.
Another piece with Mahoning Valley references worked in is, "They'll None of Them Be Missed," a clever piece performed by Ko-Ko, performed April 9 by Christopher Anderson. The updates reference modern annoyances, like text messaging, which saves the audiences from some grueling lines in the original libretto about people who eat peppermints, female writers and "the lady from the Provinces who dresses like a guy."
Trevor Coleman is perfectly cast as Pooh-bah, whose baritone voice is only matched by his charming stage prescence. The talents of Raymond E. Morgan (Pish-Tush), Allyson Pollice (Pitti-Sing) and Kaleel and Miles is perfectly showcased in "Brighly Dawns Our Wedding Day."
The first act starts slow, as the audience learns the plot. It picks up with "Comes A Train of Little Ladies" and the pace is quite comfortable when Yum-Yum is introduced.
In the Friday night performance, Shafica Kaleel played Yum-Yum with one of the most beautiful voices of local stage. That idea you have about sopranos in operas? Throw it out - Kaleel's voice is delightful. (The part will also be played by Kayla Wilson.)
By the end of the first act, the pace is frenetic, with up-tempo songs and lots of opportunities to laugh. After the intermission, it's straight back to an upbeat performance with a beautiful rendition of "Braid the Raven Hair."
The second act is home to the show's most memorable tunes, like "Here's a How-De-Do," "Mi-ya Sa-ma," "Willow, Tit-willow" and closes on the reprise of "For He's Gone and Married Yum-Yum."
This production is very straight-forward in terms of sets and costuming, almost to a fault. Pieces of costumes included Old Navy pajama pants and scrubs, which did take a bit of attention away from the cast's performance.
A critique of all performances of "The Mikado" is at some of the humor comes at the mercy of being racially insensitive. The storyline comes from minds at the end of the 19th century and a portion of the shtick is based on old-fashioned thinking.
"The Mikado" has been popular with audiences for more than 100 years, living through countless interpretations. This production is a straight-forward look at the piece, letting the work of Gilbert and Sullivan stand on it's own. With a modern references, an upfront simplicity in staging and a talented cast, "The Mikado" is a production that's enjoyable for opera fans. If you only know opera by clips of it on TV, "The Mikado" is a perfect first-step into the world of opera.
"The Mikado," part of the Performing Arts Series at YSU, will have performances in Ford Theater in Bliss Hall through April 18. For reservations, call (330) 941-3105.
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