Previews and Reviews

This production of The Mikado garnered quite a bit of media attention. Here are excerpts from articles appearing in the local media, along with links to the full articles:

"Strong musicianship lifts Savoyards’ Mikado": "[I]t’s gratifying to report that this run of The Mikado is the most musically sure-footed of any Savoyard production I’ve seen to date... Steven Lumpkin’s clear crystal tenor as protagonist Nanki-Poo... soprano aerialist Keely Phillips’ matching achievements as his rather vain love, Yum-Yum... the cause: the musical direction of Alan Riley Jones... Stuart Albert’s notable work in the supporting role of Ko-Ko... Under Derrick Ivey’s witty, efficient direction, actor Jim Burnette graces Poo-Bah with a vocal touch of multiple personality disorder... Musically, there’s much to praise... the lovely balance maintained between orchestra and singers throughout the show..." Byron Woods, Independent Weekly [full review]

"Savoyards the Last: Meet the Orchestra": "Under the able leadership of Alan Riley Jones, the show's music director, these ... are an integral part of the sound and feel of the show." Matt Dees, Durham Magazine [full preview]

UNC-TV filmed some interviews and a rehearsal. The resulting show was on North Carolina Weekend (UNC-TV) March 18 & 19. You can now see it on the web at www.unctv.org/ncweekend.

"Savoyards Part III: Meet the Director": "Derrick Ivey is the passionate director of this weekend's The Mikado at The Carolina Theatre. It's his eighth year at the helm of a Durham Savoyards production, and his second time directing this particular operetta, easily one of Gilbert & Sullivan's most popular. I've heard more than one fellow Savoyard comment on Derrick's innate ability to motivate everyone toward perfection." Durham Magazine [full preview]

'Mikado' brings revelry to Carolina Theatre: "(A) sense of fun, even revelry, pervaded this run-through of 'The Mikado,' the Savoyards' next opera production, which begins Thursday at The Carolina Theatre." The Herald-Sun [full preview].

"Meet the Savoyards Part II: The Men": "Tickets are selling well, but there's still time to see the shows at The Carolina Theatre, which run Thursday-Sunday (all shows 8pm except for Sunday 2pm matinee)... And I'm told there's usually some tickets left for those who spontaneously decide to catch a show this weekend. Come on out!" Durham Magazine [full preview]

Savoyards' 'Mikado' bows in Durham: "If it's springtime (and it almost is) then it must be time for those fun-loving Gilbert and Sullivan operetta devotees known as the Durham Savoyards... The amateur actors - some veterans of the Savoyards and others with no stage experience - in the show are people from everyday life: freelance Japanese translator, a state agriculture department division head, a music teacher, a retired Duke chemistry professor, a church choir director, a former blues band singer and others." News & Observer [full preview].

"Fun Friday: Meet the Savoyards": "The best part of being a part of this production is having the best seat in the house to watch the amazingly talented folks in the lead roles." Durham Magazine [full preview]

"Durham Savoyards prepares for opening night of The Mikado": "Though the Savoyards only have one large performance each year, they make sure to do it in style... As far as [Sarah] Nevill, [one of the show's Producers] knows, no other group like the Savoyards exists in North Carolina... Richard Palmer plays the title character, the distinguished Japanese ruler. A Duke chemistry professor by day, this is his third production with Savoyards, and his first large role... Kate Farrar lends some abrasive comedy as Katisha, a cougarish woman past her prime sporting a garish ensemble and Divine-esque eyebrows." Independent Weekly [full preview].

"Editor Matt Dees ... wrote about the experience [of auditioning for the Durham Savoyards] by way of showing what a professional but close-knit group the Savoyards are. Be sure to check out their production of The Mikado March 18-21!" Durham Magazine [Full article appears in the Feb/Mar 2010 print issue].