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The Hot Mikado (1939 production)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Hot Mikado | |
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| Poster for The Hot Mikado | |
|---|---|
| Book | Mike Todd |
| Based upon | Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado |
| Productions | 1939 New York World's Fair 1939 Broadway |
The Hot Mikado was a 1939 musical theatre adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. Mike Todd originally produced it after the Federal Theatre Project turned down his offer to manage the WPA production of The Swing Mikado (another all-black adaptation of The Mikado).
The Hot Mikado was jazzier than The Swing Mikado and had a full-voiced, star-studded cast to back up its sass. It follows both the story line of The Mikado and the spectacle of the original. The Hot Mikado was noted for its wild costuming. "Rosa Brown's outfit, a winged dress with train and a gigantic hat, weighed thirty-five pounds." (Mordden, p.240). The spectacle and jazzed-up score attracted a crowd that made The Swing Mikado seem like "chicken feed."
The musical was first produced at the 1939–1940 New York World's Fair (using the sets from Todd's earlier touring production of The Mikado) and was reportedly one of the most popular attractions at the fair. The orchestrations were arranged by Charles L. Cooke, and the production was directed by Hassard Short. Choreography was by Truly McGee.
The show was also produced at the Broadhurst Theatre from March 23, 1939 to June 3, 1939, running for 85 performances. The opening night cast included Bill "Bojangles" Robinson as The Mikado; Frances Brock as Pitti-Sing; Rosa Brown as Katisha; Maurice Ellis as Pooh-Bah; Eddie Green as Ko-Ko; Rosetta LeNoire as Peep-Bo; James A. Lilliard as Pish-Tush; Bob Parrish as Nanki-Poo; Gwendolyn Reyde as Yum-Yum; Freddie Robinson as Messenger Boy; and Vincent Shields as Red Cap.
A summer-stock revival, including Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, produced by Cheryl Crawford, played for one week in 1941 at the Maplewood Theater.
- Mordden, Ethan (2005). Sing For Your Supper. Palgrave MacMillan. 0-312-23951-3.
- Article describing the audience and critical reception for the piece
- The Hot Mikado at the The Internet Broadway Database
- Poster for the 1939 version of The Hot Mikado