Viking_Yearbook_57

HThe Mikado" Gilbert and Sullivan's perpetual favorite, The Mikado, was the Portland State theater group's final presentation of the season. Most musical com– edies have an inescapable fate. Even the successful ones experience mo– ments of acclaim, and then plunge to oblivion. The Mikado is a rare excep– tion. An immediate success when it was first presented in 1890, The Mikado still delights millions every year. Dr. Charles Gaupp, the produc– tion's director, claims that, "It is the most popular single play-except maybe for Ha11ilet-ever written." If the plot is rather trite and implausible, the musical magic of Gilbert and Sullivan more than makes up with their musical satire, the authors thrust sharp barbs at corrupt British politics and administration. Their chiding of bureaucratic stupidity and dishonesty is timeless. Dr. John Stehn was in charge of the Portland State Symphony Orches– tra and the 24-voice chorus, while \\'iilliam McAnallen was responsible for the convincing scenery. 11