The UNLV Performing Arts Center welcomes the legendary New York Gibert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) as they present 'The Mikado' at the Artemus W. Ham Concert on Friday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m.
NYGASP’s production of 'The Mikado' features costume design by Quinto Ott, set design by Anshuman Bhatia, conceived and directed by David Auxier, and produced by David Wannen. The history and inspiration for the writing of 'The Mikado' is center stage as we combine the real-life characters of Victorian London’s D’Oyly Carte Opera Company with the imagined setting of Titipu, influenced by the art and architecture of Japan that had recently reached England in the late 19th century.
Called “a comic gem” by The New York Times, the audience meets Messrs. Gilbert, Sullivan, and D’Oyly Carte themselves, and joins them on a fantastic voyage to a land where the timeless libretto, beautiful music, and favorite characters await, including the three little maids from school, a wandering minstrel, a hilariously corrupt public official and a Lord High Executioner with a list of offenders deserving of his services, including himself – for flirting!
At the heart of this tale is a love story: a beautiful schoolgirl loves the romantic wandering minstrel, but she is engaged to the executioner. This romantic triangle takes the usual course of thwarted love, until the arrival of a fearsome noble woman claiming the minstrel as her perjured lover, and later of the emperor himself, with his own list of punishments to fit the crime.
The critically acclaimed production of 'The Mikado' premiered in New York at The Kaye Playhouse in January 2017. The production represents a great deal of work between NYGASP and the Asian American theatrical community in New York; and serves an example of a cooperative effort to promote diversity, equity and inclusive practice with classic works of art. From the advisory committee to the creative team, the production is a wonderful result of people listening to each other and working through problems and differences.
The production starkly contrasts historical treatments of “The Mikado” in several ways. A NYGASP original prologue, written by director David Auxier, is introduced that provides the audience with a context for the work, primarily highlighting Gilbert’s influences from the Japanese and setting up the
in-dream setting of “The Mikado” itself. The character representation onstage, from the principals to the chorus, are of a decidedly Victorian English company, with fantastical highlights and juxtapositions between an imagined Japan and anachronistic elements from 1880’s London (fueled only by Gilbert’s own imagination). This production actively seeks diversity in its casting, welcoming performers of all backgrounds to share the magic of Gilbert & Sullivan with audiences from all backgrounds as well.
Single tickets are on sale now starting at $27.75 (discounts available). Tickets may be ordered online at pac.unlv.edu and can also be purchased in person at the PAC box office from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. When purchasing tickets, consider a donation to the UNLV PAC to provide local students the opportunity to work with this season’s artists and to help support programming during the UNLV PAC’s 50th Anniversary Season (2026-2027).
About UNLV Performing Arts Center
The UNLV Performing Arts Center is the original home for the arts in Southern Nevada; it opened in 1976 and celebrates its 49th season in 2025-26. A self-sustaining unit of UNLV, the PAC operates like many other arts organizations: costs for productions, some facilities improvements, and other projects come from ticket sales, rentals, and donations. It hosts a variety of performances and events and is home to self-produced events plus productions of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre, UNLV School of Music, UNLV Dance, the Las Vegas Men’s Chorus, among many other community arts presenters, and various Clark County School District fine arts festivals and concerts. For further information, visit pac.unlv.edu.
