By Sarah Mankowski   Published May 24, 2005 at 5:11 AM

{image1}The full house crowd at the opening of Skylight Opera Theatre's production of "The Mikado" was twittering with excitement Friday night. A few young people were dressed in yukatas and Japanese headbands and were leaning over the balconies in anticipation of Skylight's final production of the season. A brief overture accompanied the rising curtain and was met with thunderous applause to reveal a brightly-lit stage decked out in amazing colors. Scenic and lighting designer Peter Dean Beck made the viewer gasp at the breathtaking oranges, greens, reds and teals that assaulted the eye from every direction. The hanging Japanese panels and large fans painted on the backdrop nicely complemented the oversized ornamental vases to the side of the multi-tiered stage.

Nevertheless, the men's ensemble did a wonderful job in grabbing the audience's attention. Their use of fans was incredibly effective -- snapping them open and shut added an unexpected dimension to the number that really made it soar above and beyond your typical male choral introduction. Makeup artist Lara Dalbey did such a good job with the men that the women's ensemble practically paled in comparison.

Despite the fact that Dalbey might have gone a bit overboard to make Colm Fitzmaurice, who played Nanki-Poo, the son of his majesty the Mikado, resemble David Bowie in the glam years or even Captain Spock, his vocal prowess certainly made up for it. In songs like "Lullaby," he really let his upper range shine.

Another highlight of the production was John Muriello's performance as Pooh-Bah - Lord High of Everything Else. He delineates his posts with changing accents, ranging from the First Lord of the Treasury using a crisp British accent to the Archbishop of Titipu in a monastic chant -- waving his fan back & forth like a censer -- to the Commissioner of Potawatomi Bingo and Solicitor, with which he uses a thick south side Milwaukee accent. The underrated star of Skylight's production earlier this season, "A Water Bird Talk," employed fabulous Kabuki-esque facial expressions as well as an impressive vocal stamina -- holding notes longer than one would think humanly possible.

Costume designer Kärin Kopischke really outdid herself in this production, with subtle touches that made statements in themselves, such as prominent dollar signs on Pooh-Bah's emerald green kimono. Headdress artisian Lara Dalbey also added an absurd dimension to the self-important character, whose feathered headdress bobbed up and down, making his movements even more comical.

Gary Briggle, however, who played Ko-Ko, Lord High Executioner of Titipu, received a standing ovation for his performance. Kopischke's clownish costume - replete with plaid yukata with white pom poms, flowered pants and a pink hat - accentuated the comedic aspects of his character. Plot devices also augmented the humorous side of the executioner who "could never kill anybody." His 20-foot long "little list of society offenders," in large red Japanese characters, included "Americans eating sushi on their knees - who'd think them Japanese?" as well as celebs in today's headlines, such as Michael Jackson, "Hillary, W and Osama . . . you know who - none of them would be missed."

The women's ensemble, which included DSHA alum Michaela Chaconas, amuses the audience when they force Pooh-Bah, who is repulsed by "foolish virgins" to dance with them. Alicia Berneche's performance as Yum-Yum - the object of Nanki-Poo's affection and Ko-Ko's fiancé - was cute enough to be passable for the main component in the love triangle, whose emotional chaos was mirrored at one point by a three-ring circus-like number that involved Nanki-Poo on one red rollerskate, Ko-Ko riding a tricycle and Yum-Yum riding a scooter, which all ended up in an offstage crash.

Jennifer Clark's rendition of Katisha, an elderly lady who was slated to marry Nanki-Poo was a feast for the eyes with her huge red claw-like fingernails, amazing headdress and vibrant fuchsia and orange kimono. Dalbey gave her amazingly dramatic Kabuki makeup that would make any man shrink in fear -- Ko-Ko was climbing up a ladder on the side of the stage at one point in order to escape her "charms." She provided a wonderful foil for Yum-Yum, who described herself as "way more beautiful than anyone."

The dramatic entrance of the comic opera's namesake was fitting for the Emperor of Japan, dancers with ribbons accompanied a majestic rolling cart that unfolded to reveal his majesty. Ray Jivoff effectively inspires fear and respect as he ominously snaps his fan and describes how the punishment should fit the crimes of offenders such as the MU board of trustees, MAM vandals, SUV drivers, and American Idol judges.

One can expect to be thoroughly entertained at Skylight's finale of another successful season. The Mikado lived up to - and exceeded - even the most cynical viewer's expectations for this Gilbert and Sullivan classic.

"The Mikado" runs through June 12. For tickets, call (414) 291-7800.