Standing O
Mikado opened last night to a sold out house that included the Minister of Forestry and Fisheries from Bellingham's sister city, Tateyama, Japan. Congratulating us afterward, the minister bemoaned the fact that Mikado has never been seen in Japan. That's perhaps understandable since it was written at the end of the 19th century and reflects British imperial attitudes toward the Far East. Frankly, the show is borderline racist by today's standards.
A friend was sitting next to our Japanese visitor, who was here to dedicate a memorial to his late wife, and said that our guest enjoyed the production hugely.
As usual on opening night, there was a champagne gala designed to get the audience thoroughly lubricated. This time, there was hot and cold running sake, as well. It worked like a charm. The audience roared at every delicious line and roundly applauded each musical number.
Despite my skepticism, even the orchestra rose to the occasion and only drowned out a few lines. Tempos were still squirrely, but we acquitted ourselves well enough to earn the big standing O. Not bad for a town that is not all that familiar with Gilbert and Sullivan.
Now, it's time to self medicate myself off this adrenaline jag and try to get some rest. From here on in, we do nothing but kick ass and take names.
12:05:30 AM 
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