Irvine Barclay Theatre: The Mikado

UCI Students Only!

PAUL AND BONNIE LUBOCK WITH THE BARCLAY PRESENT
THE NEW YORK GILBERT & SULLIVAN PLAYERS
THE MIKADO

For over 135 years, The Mikado has captivated audiences as the pinnacle of musical theatre. Its legacy endures, with performances lighting up stages across the English-speaking world daily for decades. This satirical masterpiece by Gilbert & Sullivan introduced iconic phrases like “grand Pooh-Bah” and “Let the punishment fit the crime,” embedding itself in our cultural lexicon.

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players are delighted to present their acclaimed reimagining of The Mikado, a production that has captivated sold-out audiences and earned critical praise since its 2016 debut. Opening with a brief, original prologue, the performance takes you to the offices of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, where W.S. Gilbert first conceived the story. From there, audiences are transported into the whimsical world of Titipu, where Sullivan’s soaring score and Gilbert’s sharp libretto come together to tell an enchanting tale.

At its heart is a captivating love story: a beautiful schoolgirl falls for a romantic wandering minstrel, despite being promised in marriage to the town’s executioner. This timeless narrative, infused with humor and pathos, is brought to life with fresh energy in this vibrant reimagining.

True to their tradition, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players have infused The Mikado with fresh, topical updates to keep it vibrant and relevant for modern audiences. But at its heart, this satire of human nature—its vanities, power struggles, and follies—remains universally resonant.

This performance of The Mikado is presented with a live orchestra.

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