“Hot Mikado weaves a hilarious tale where, despite life or death stakes, characters still find time to tap their toes and do their fair share of scatting,” according to Mitishows Web site, Wesleyan’s production of the Hot Mikado was featured for students, faculty and family members at the red carpet premiere on February 3, 2016. Kendra Morris and Shelley Nobles greeted attendees on the red carpet and welcomed them to the show.
Principal, Jeff Plunk and head of communications, Chad McDaniel interviewed faculty and parents of the cast on their thoughts on the premiere. Before the curtain even opened, director, Steven Broyles did a raffle and gave away gift cards to members of the audience to various food chains.
The play is based on a character named Nanki-Poo who falls in love with a woman named Yum Yum. However, Yum Yum is engaged to the Lord High Executioner Koko. The Mikado demands someone to be executed and Nanki-Poo volunteers but only if he can marry Yum Yum for a month. It is a twisted love story that will leave you laughing at the edge of your seat.
On the making of the production, a member of the ensemble sophomore Payton Kaloper said, “Throughout the musical process into making a production it includes many rehearsals, which include singing and dancing, costuming, and set construction.” Senior Carter Gravitt who plays the role of “Koko” said, “A whole lot of time went into this production. Perhaps more than the average student realizes. The cast puts in three hours every day, four and a half hours once we get into two weeks before the show, and that really is draining.”
Senior Caroline Hodges said “I was thoroughly impressed by lead vocalists, junior Abrianna Harris and seniors Olivia Larner and Carter Gravitt. I left with all of the best Hot Mikado songs stuck in my head.”
To close out the show, members of the cast ran off stage and into the audience to do a final dance number that set the tone of the play with an upbeat and enthusiastic ending.
The cast also performed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday following the red carpet premiere so everyone had a chance to see the show. With raving reviews from students, teachers and parents, the play was a complete success. Be sure and congratulate your peers who participated in the play on an outstanding performance.
Senior Carter Gravitt said, “The production has been an entirely different beat than any of the other plays I have been a part of in high school. I haven’t been in a play where so many people are constantly involved in both singing and dancing. The swing feel and unique blending of American, British, and Japanese cultures is really cool to be a part of as well.”
