New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players presented  The Mikado,  at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. It was one of the most delightful operettas that  William S. Gilbert  (libretto) and  Arthur Sullivan  (music) ever wrote. It was first performed at the Savoy Theatre in London on March 14, 1885, and audiences have enjoyed it ever since. The music director and conductor  Albert Bergeret  led the orchestra, and the cast performed splendidly. Among the outstanding cast members, one must mention, first and foremost,   David Macaluso  as Ko-Ko the Lord High Executioner of the town of Titipu. He steals every scene in which he appears. Supporting him are the excellent soloists, like  Caitlin Burke  as Katisha, who marries Ko-Ko at the end. Other fine performers included the lovers,  Sarah Caldwell Smith  (Yum-Yum) and  John Charles McLaughlin  (Nanki-Poo),  David Wannen  in the title role,  Matthew Wages  (Lord High Everything else) and  David Auxier  (A Noble Lord), plus a wonderful ensemble. The orchestra never sounded better in a superb production. The audience left the theater happily, probably humming the glorious music.We have to thank the artist director Albert Bergeret for restoring Gilbert & Sullivan 135 years later with a brilliant production.
 

Columbus Library presented Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, by Mark Sandrich, 1942, starring Bing Cosby and Fred Astaire. The song and dance two men part, because one wants to retire and live in the country, where he opens his inn of the title on holidays. The delightful songs are with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, including the classic White Christmas. It is a feel-good film and I enjoyed every minute of it.

 

Columbus Library presented Mean Girls, by Mark Waters, 2004, starring Lindsay Lohan, which made Lohan a star. It became a popular film with teenage girls, and a musical version is appearing now on Broadway. It tells how a snobby clique of three girls dominate a high school, and Lohan, as a new student, becomes part of the group. Apparently, teenage girls relate to this film. Actually, it is an above average movie. and occasionally quite funny.