Hawaii Tribune-Herald Island Beat Thursday, July 20, 2017 9 their accompanying adults) will gain free admission to the opera performance, but donations are also accepted. “We in the classical music world are ever cognizant that our audience is aging,” says HPAF executive director Genette Freeman. “Because classical music isn’t taught in many schools, kids don’t know it and don’t love it like older generations did. One of the most important visions of HPAF is exposing kids to great music.” HPAF’s “The Mikado” promises to be a spectacular performance for all ages, Moniz says. “I’m really excited about our production for a number of reasons. First of all, our cast is composed of an allstar lineup from around the globe,” he says. “Each year, we hold auditions in numerous cities, carefully selecting the finest singers and actors to be a part of our summer season. “The cast of this ‘Mikado’ is like few others we’ve had here at HPAF — they are singers, actors and dancers. In addition, I am equally as excited to be working alongside a top tier artistic team, including music director Jennifer Tung, and my assistant director, Brett Sprague. Not to mention, our outstanding 30-piece orchestra promises to add a bit of excitement to all of this season’s offerings.” He adds that the costumes alone are worth the price of admission. “These kimonos have been shipped in from the East Coast, and were hand-crafted by artist Lucy Ho,” he explains. “Our company will don a number of authentic silk Japanese kimonos that I have designed especially for this HPAF premiere.” This production will mark Moniz’s fourth “Mikado,” — he has previously sung the lead male role of Nanki-Poo, and both directed and choreographed the piece. “Each time I revisit ‘The Mikado,’ I discover something new,” he says. “Gilbert and Sullivan were an incredible duo, and their text and music complement one another in a very cohesive way. While I believe it is important for directors to preserve much of the libretto, there are some great opportunities to rework various lyrics, include localisms, or even a comment or two about the current political climate. After all, ‘The Mikado’ was intended to poke fun at the British parliament.” Phoebe Haines will play the vengeful lead role of Katisha, an “aesthetically challenged” older lady in love with the tenor, Nanki-Poo. Haines, who first heard about HPAF from conductor Jennifer Tung at Songfest Los Angeles last year, says there are a variety of stylistic considerations that go along with preparing for a role like Katisha. “Firstly, the entire canon of Gilbert and Sullivan works is distinct from most operas in that they comprise dialogue alongside singing,” she says. “Too often, the music in operettas are an underestimated force. While the scores of many of these pieces were written to be performed by both professionals and amateurs, there are actually many fascinating musical complexities. So much of the musical interest in this piece for me lies in the chemistry between the different characters on stage.” Haines, who grew up listening to a wide variety of music, says her role as Katisha is a challenge — one that she relishes — because she is playing a character much older than herself. “There is so much humor in this role,” she says. “As a mezzo soprano, I am often playing characters who could not be more different from myself: from page boys to witches — this season of HPAF alone I am playing an abbess in a 1960s nunnery and Katisha. They are both exceptional opportunities to look outside myself musically and dramatically, and to learn to be vocally versatile. This is something which is expected of us in the industry, and I think it’s brilliant that HPAF demands this of us as young artists.” What she loves about opera is its contradictions, Haines says. “It is an art form that requires a lifetime of dedication and refinement, and yet the end goal of this vocation is to be able to express the most universal of human emotions.” “The Mikado,” she says, is a great entry point for audiences new to opera who will enjoy the fun and light production presented in English. Jake Stamatis will play the role of Ko-Ko. “He’s a sort of bumbling scaredy-cat who gets thrown into a position of power that he doesn’t know how to deal with,” says Stamatis, who will be joining HPAF for the first time this year. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to do ‘The Mikado.’ This kind of comedy is my comfort zone.” Unlike the bulk of Stamastis’ experience, however, which is in opera, the long portions of dialogue in “The Mikado” are a challenge, as are certain attributes of his character, including emotions that change on a dime. “Gilbert and Sullivan were all about political satire and English social commentary,” he says, “so while on a base level it may look like the show about Japanese culture, not far beneath that is the real story.” And, the entire production is hysterical, Stamastis says. Adds Moniz, “The Mikado” is one of few stage productions that combines the visual and performing art forms into one production. “Seldom do you see a stage production that combines music, theatre, dance, and visual art, while also featuring a full symphonic orchestra,” he says. “It’s a feast for the eyes, if you will.” The bottom line, says Stamatis, is that opera is about people. “All we do, as singers, is tell stories,” he says. “The idea is for people to relate to the characters on stage … Opera, like all other art, is up for interpretation. So if you’re on the fence and not sure whether you’d be interested or not, come and see our performance. I thought I wouldn’t care for opera at all, but that was before I exposed myself to it. Now it’s the love of my life. Maybe it will be the same for you.” Tickets for the Kahilu Theatre performance are $20, $30 or $40, available by calling 885-6868, visiting the box office from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday online at Kahilutheatre.org. Tickets for the Palace Theater show are $20 in advance, $25 the day of the show. available at the box office from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 934-7010. You can also visit www. Hawaiiperforminggartsfestival. org/tickets or call HPAF at 333-7378. Email Katie Young Yamanaka at BIVHawaii@gmail.com. MIKADO From page 6 Jake Stamatis as Ko-Ko Justin John Moniz Director Phoebe Haines as Katisha
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