The Hot Mikado (1939 production)

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This article is about the 1939 musical. For the 1986 musical, see Hot Mikado.

The Hot Mikado was a 1939 adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. Michael Todd originally produced it after the Federal Theatre Project turned down his offer to manage the WPA production of The Swing Mikado (another all-black adaptation of The Mikado). The orchestrations were arranged by Charles L. Cooke, and the production was directed by Hassard Short. Choreography was by Truly McGee. The show was produced at the 1939–1940 New York World's Fair (using the sets from Todd's earlier touring production of The Mikado) and was reportedly one of the most popular attractions at the fair. The show was also produced at the Broadhurst Theatre from March 23, 1939 to June 3, 1939, running for 85 performances.

The Hot Mikado was jazzier than its rival and had a full-voiced, star-studded cast to back up its sass. It follows both the story line of The Mikado and the spectacle of the original. The Hot Mikado was noted for its wild costuming. "Rosa Brown's outfit, a winged dress with train and a gigantic hat, weighed thirty-five pounds." (Mordden, p.240). The spectacle and jazzed-up score attracted a crowd that made The Swing Mikado seem like "chicken feed." It ran for 85 performances at the Broadhurst Theatre from March–June 1939. A summer-stock revival, including Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, produced by Cheryl Crawford, played for one week in 1941 at the Maplewood Theater.

The opening night cast included Bill "Bojangles" Robinson as The Mikado; Frances Brock as Pitti-Sing; Rosa Brown as Katisha; Maurice Ellis as Pooh-Bah; Eddie Green as Ko-Ko; Rosetta LeNoire as Peep-Bo; James A. Lilliard as Pish-Tush; Bob Parrish as Nanki-Poo; Gwendolyn Reyde as Yum-Yum; Freddie Robinson as Messenger Boy; and Vincent Shields as Red Cap.