Wright State Theatre presents crowd-pleasing musical ‘Hot Mikado’

Wright State Theatre continues its 40th season with the smash hit musical “Hot Mikado” in the Festival Playhouse Oct. 23 to Nov. 9.

Wright State University Theatre continues its 40th season with the smash hit musical “Hot Mikado” Oct. 23 to Nov. 9 in the Festival Playhouse.

“Hot Mikado,” based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta “The Mikado,” debuted in 1939 on Broadway, where it ran for 85 performances, and was revived in 1986 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C.

W. Stuart McDowell, Ph.D., chair and artistic director for the Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures, said the theatre program has wanted to produce “Hot Mikado” for years.

“It’s a great play for our students to do because they get exposure not only to Gilbert and Sullivan . . . but also to the musical style of popular American music of the 1940s,” McDowell said.

“Hot Mikado” was adapted by David H. Bell (book and lyrics) and Rob Bowman (orchestrations and arrangements).

“The show is a knockout, delightful romp into a fantasyland of Gilbert and Sullivan characters,” McDowell said. “It’s going to be one of the most infectious crowd-pleasers of all times in the Festival Playhouse.”

The musical is directed by Greg Hellems (“Oklahoma!,” “Funny Girl”), with choreography by Teressa Wylie McWilliams (“Funny Girl,” “Oklahoma!”) and musical direction by Scot Woolley (“Les Miserables,” “Oklahoma!”). The set is designed by Pam Knauert Lavarnway (“Oklahoma!,” “Les Miserables”), lighting by Matthew P. Benjamin (“Grand Hotel,” “Oklahoma!”), costumes by guest designer Jeremy W. Floys, properties by John Lavarnway and sound by James Dunlap (“Les Miserables,” “Oklahoma!”).

On the stage, this production features Alimamy Barrie as The Mikado, Drew Bowen as Nanki-Poo, Bradley Farmer as Yum-Yum, Paige Dobkins (Pitti-Sing), Bailey Rose (Peep-Bo) Mark Beyer (Pish-Tush), Sean Jones (Ko-Ko), Nathan Pecchia (Pooh-Bah) and Jasmine Easler (Katisha). It also includes Jordan Adams, King Jones, Keaton Eckhoff, Connor Lysholm, Nick McQuillen, Kody Mullins, Logan Torbet, Alex Caldwell, Caroline Chisholm, Emma Jordan, Kate Mueller, Lauren Schorr, Alison Snyder, Scottie Stonburner, Meridith Zahn, Carrie Vorbroker and Eli Davis.

Performance and ticket information

Performances are Oct. 23, 29, 30 and Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.; Oct. 24, 25, 31 and November 1, 7 and 8 at 8 p.m.; and Oct. 26 and Nov. 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 students and seniors.

For tickets, call the Box Office at (937) 775-2500, or purchase single performance tickets online.

Wright State Theatre’s 40th season continues

Wright State Theatre’s season continues with “Romeo and Juliet” Nov. 14–23 in the Herbst Theatre.

The season also includes: “Pride and Prejudice,” Jan. 29–Feb. 8; “Peter Pan,” March 19–April 12; and “Sondheim on Sondheim,” April 17–26. Details are available on the theatre program website.