A retired Burnaby North drama teacher is at the helm of Metro Theatre's new production of The Mikado.
Gilbert and Sullivan's classic comic opera graces the Metro stage from April 5 to May 3.
Director Alison Schamberger - well-known in Burnaby as the former drama teacher from North - says she's excited to present the popular opera, which first opened in 1885 in London.
"Having grown up in the U.K. and been an active member of the Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group for five years, I had the chance to perform in many Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, but The Mikado wasn't one of them," she said. "So this is, in some ways, undiscovered territory to me."
Schamberger isn't surprised by the opera's staying power.
"It has something for everyone: music, comedy, romance, drama and beautiful costumes, all played out against the background of a gorgeous palace," she said.
Schamberger is joined by musical director Spencer Bach, choreographer Dawn Ewen and stage manager Al Zylstra.
They lead a cast that includes Thomas Lamont as Nanki-Poo, Russell Cripps as Ko-Ko, Jonathan Ichikawa as Pooh-Bah, Andrew Sammons as Pish-Tush and Eric Biskupski as The Mikado. Laura Luongo appears as Yum-Yum, with Vanessa Coley-Donohue as Pitti-Sing, Jennifer Moran as Peep-Bo and Cathy Wilmot as Katisha.
The production runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., with two Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. on April1 3 and 27.
Tickets are $35 regular, or $30 for students and seniors. Call the box office at 604-266-7191 or buy online through Eventbrite.ca.
Metro Theatre is at 1370 Southwest Marine Dr. in Vancouver. Check out the website at www.metrotheatre.com.
