If you want to know who they are, they are gentleman of Milan!
The burning question: did Lamplighters Musical Theater sell out to political correctness run amuck by relocating Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado” from the beloved fantasy Japan of Titipu to the European city of Milan in a fantasy version of Italy?
The short answer: Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous. When they first presented this adaptation in 2016, the company noted that “Il Ducato strives to highlight the genius inherent to the original satire, while addressing and freeing it from the harmful stereotypes which have drawn increasing and long-deserved criticism in recent years.”
The result is a resounding success. This reviewer, at least, felt a delightful sense of relief from the moment the curtain revealed Miriam R. Ewis’s delightful commedia-inspired costumes and Peter Compton’s European setting. Relieved from the embarrassment of harmful stereotypes, I was free to enjoy this delights of this brilliant comedy of manners guilt free. I am nothing but grateful, and you should be too.
The clever adaptations of the lyrics, necessary to settle the story in Milan, are entirely satisfying and worthy of the great Gilbert himself. Nothing is lost and something is gained. And that’s that.
In every way, “Il Ducato” is up to Lamplighters’ usual award-winning standard
Jenifer Mitchell sings the role of Arniam (formerly “Yum Yum”) superbly, her high register as clear as a bell with no hint of harshness. Lawrence Ewing is hilarious as Coco, and his rendition of “Tit Willow” leaves nothing wanting. And as his eventual bride-to-be, the formidable Catsuià, contralto Sara Couden (who boasts an impressive resume of credits including the Metropolitan Opera) is hilarious. Both Ewing and Couden totally “get” Gilbert & Sullivan. When I saw Ewing as Sir Joseph Porter a few years ago, I remarked that if his performance were given on Broadway it might well have won a Tony. His Coco is in the same class. In the world of Gilbert & Sullivan, Ewing is a star of the highest caliber.
“Il Ducato” is not the very best of the Lamplighters, but it shines brightly!
Don’t be put off by the Italian hijack—more aptly described as Italian hijinx—nothing worth keeping is lost.
“Il Ducato” (The New Mikado) continues for two more performances (August 26 and 27th) at the Hoffman Theater at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. For further information, click here.
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Rating: **** (For an explanation of Theatrestorm’s rating scale, click here.)
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“Il Ducato” (The New Mikado) by Gilbert & Sullivan, adapted by Lamplighters Musical Theatre. Stage Director: M. Jane Erwin. Music Director/Conductor: Robby Stafford. Set/Projections Designer: Peter Crompton. Costume Designer: Miriam R. Lewis. Production Manager: Nicolas A. Garcia. Stage Manager: Chase Kupperberg. Lighting Designer: Brittany Mellerson. Props Coordinator: Elizabeth Reeves. Coc
Cast:
Coco: Lawrence Ewing. Niccolù: Sidney Ragland/Julian Baldwin. Ducato: Chung-Wai Soong. Poobà: Charles Martin. Piccia Tuccia: Liam Daley. Catisvià: Sara Couden. Arniam: Jennifer Mitchell. Amiam: Jennifer Mitchell. Puzzi: Rose Waldman. Pippa: Alica “Ash” Hurtado.
Ensemble:
Sopranos: Adeliz Araiza. Francille de Barros. Kat Feller. Melissa Kargiannakis. Victoria Mannah. Sarah Szeibel.
Altos: Draia Amit. Camile Lake. Carlet Langord. Ruby Orr. Carly Ozard. Michelle Pavlova. Grace Popple.
Tenors: Derek Cousineau. Peter De Vries. Lawrence Dillon. George Fernandez. Edward Im. Andy Serrano. Chris Focht.
Basses: Jeff Beaudoin. Robert Dorsett. Noah Evans. Daniel Griffin. Rik Mislewski.
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