First Coast Opera: The Mikado

First Coast Opera presents fully staged performances of The Mikado on March 20 and 21, 2026, in Lewis Auditorium. The Friday performance begins at 7:30 p.m., and the Saturday performance begins at 4:00 p.m. Both productions offer a pre-show talk open to all ticket holders, beginning one hour before each show.

The Mikado was first performed in March of 1885 at the Savoy Theatre in London, where it ran for more than 600 performances. This timeless comedic opera has since been performed worldwide by school groups and professional opera companies. Sean Stork conducts the First Coast Opera production of The Mikado, and Nelson Sheeley is the stage director. The cast includes: Rachel Querreveld as Yum-Yum, Fran Daniel Laucerica as Nanki-Poo, Angela Christine Smith as Katisha, Curtis Tucker as Ko-Ko, John Tibbetts as Pish-Tush, Anthony Offerle as Pooh-Bah, Jason Whitfield as The Mikado, Katherine Kincaid as Peep-Bo, and Victoria Isernia as Pitti-Sing.

Each performance includes a pre-show talk that begins one hour before the opera, and shares the opera's historical context and information about the creators and music. While set in a fantasy "Japan," complete with fans and kimonos, W.S. Gilbert wrote The Mikado as a satire of late 19th century British politics and society. 

Admission: Prices vary depending on the day and the seating. Prices for adults range from $45.00 to $90.00. Student prices are $20.00 or $90.00. First Coast Opera has more information and tickets here.

When: 

• Friday, March 20, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. The lobby opens at 6:00 p.m., and the pre-show talk begins at 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. The lobby opens at 2:30 p.m., and the pre-show talk begins at 3:00 p.m.

Where: Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada Street, St. Augustine, Florida, 32084