A Classic Reimagined: Empire Lyric Players Return to the MACC with The Mikado… in Space! July 25–27

When The Mikado premiered in 1885, it offered Victorian audiences a clever satire wrapped in exotic fantasy. This July, the Empire Lyric Players are bringing it back to the Mizel Arts and Culture Center—but this time, they’re blasting it off into the cosmos.

“Recently, there has been a growing conversation and valid concern surrounding The Mikado,” explains Catherine Montrose, producer of this summer’s production and board president of Empire Lyric Players. Historically, it was the second-longest-running Gilbert & Sullivan operetta and a staple of the canon. But as our understanding of cultural representation has grown, it’s become clear that the original setting—a European fantasy of Japan—has not aged well. Many have called for the show to be reimagined or even retired. “We didn’t want to abandon it entirely, but we knew we had to approach it differently.”

Their solution? A creative, cosmic twist: The Mikado… in Space!

When choosing this show, the creative team came together to really analyze the material and ask how they could honor the music while addressing the cultural appropriation baked into the original setting. Gilbert & Sullivan were known for updating their scripts with topical jokes of their day—so they took a page from their book. We’ve made intentional changes to the setting and tone, and added a fun layer of sci-fi humor, with nods to everything from Star Wars to Doctor Who. It’s still sharp and satirical, but now it’s set in a new universe where we can tell the story with more creativity and care.

Montrose, a long-time volunteer, past performer and now producer, has seen Empire Lyric Players evolve since she first got involved in 1989. The company, founded in 1958, is Denver’s only group dedicated exclusively to Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. Their productions feature, on average, a cast of 40–45 community members, a live orchestra, and often draw young professional leads from across the metro area. “We’re a true community theater,” Montrose emphasizes. “Our chorus includes people from all walks of life—from late teens to seniors, pre- and post-retirement. Many are serious hobbyists who come back year after year. Whether you’re an experienced performer or just curious about being part of something creative, we welcome everyone who wants to be involved.

This marks the group’s first performance at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center in nearly a decade, a space that holds fond memories for Montrose. “I think my favorite production we did here was Iolanthe—a world of fairies meets British Parliament. It was peak Gilbert & Sullivan,” she shares.

When asked what she hopes audiences will take away from this year’s show, Montrose smiles: “I want them to leave humming the tunes. I want them to laugh, enjoy the antics of our chorus, and maybe even reflect a bit on the timeless themes of greed, vanity, and ambition. But mostly? I just want them to have fun.”