The Mikado – Cast Breakdown

The Mikado of Japan  –  Bass – cheerfully bloodthirsty. 

         Range:   Low F (below bass staff) to D above middle C

        

 

Nanki-Poo, His Son, disguised as a wandering minstrel, in love with Yum-Yum  – Tenor – looks like a typical romantic love interest, but controls others to get what he wants.

         Range:   E  below middle C to high A above middle C

          

 

Ko-Ko,  Lord High Executioner of Titipu – Comic Baritone – charming and simple, though he thinks himself clever – he must rise to the occasion to save his village and himself. 

         Range:  Low G (bottom of bass staff) to  E above middle C

          

 

Pooh-Bah, Lord High Everything Else –  Bass-Baritone – delightfully pompous and corrupt bureaucrat.

         Range:  Low G (bottom of bass staff) to F# above middle C.  Should have “weight” towards the lower end.

        

 

Pish-Tush, A Noble Lord  – Baritone or Bass-Baritone – class-conscious, but friendly.

         Range:   Low F (below bass staff) to E above middle C

        

 

Yum-Yum, A Ward of Ko-Ko, also engaged to Ko-Ko  – Soprano – perfect romantic love interest, also charming monster of egotism.

         Range:   D above middle C to high A (above treble staff)

          

 

Pitti-Sing,  Ward of Ko-Ko, sister of Yum-Yum and Peep-Bo –  Mezzo-soprano – lively Gal Friday-type.

         Range:  G below middle C to high F (top of  treble staff)

          

 

Peep-Bo,  Ward of Ko-Ko, sister of Yum-Yum and Pitti-Sing  –  Soprano or Mezzo-soprano – kinda wacky.

         Range:   E  above middle C to high D 

            

 

Katisha, An Elderly lady, in love with Nanki-Poo – Contralto – terrifying, controlling woman, but secretly vulnerable and lonely.

         Range:   A-flat below middle C to high F (top of treble staff).

          

 

Chorus of School-Girls, Nobles, Guards, Bunraku Puppetmasters, etc.