the Washington Savoyards' own

THE CONDENSED MIKADO
an event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
created by Scott Kenison and David Simmons

Alvin Smithson, music director
Scott Kenison, director and designer

March 28 to April 25 , 2007
Wednesday to Sunday evenings at 7:30
Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 2:30
at the Atlas Performing Arts Center

The Washington Savoyards presents the second annual production of The Condensed Mikado as part of the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. All the fun and music from Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved opera boiled down to about one hour. With nine singers, the parts have been cut down and shifted around.

The Mikado takes place in the fictional Japanese town of Titipu, where its residents are contriving to avoid the Mikado’s wrath. The ruler has decreed that unless they perform an execution, the town will be demoted to the rank of a village, which will ruin all their lives. Ko Ko, the Lord High Executioner comes up with a plan, that then sets in motion a series of comical situations that leave Ko Ko in a very uncomfortable position—but at least he keeps his head.

—Scott Kenison , director