James Mills grew up on the stages of Albuquerque theaters.
He’s grateful for the foundation which has led him to be part of the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players as their associate artistic director.
On Sunday, Feb. 5, Mills returns to Popejoy Hall to perform “H.M.S. Pinafore” with the company.
“It’s full circle for me,” Mills says. “It’s been 20 years since I did my very first musical on Popejoy’s stage. It was ‘Bye Bye Birdie.’ I was a little kid and didn’t know anything. I graduated from UNM and the department of theatre and dance had our commencement on Popejoy’s stage. It’s a special place for me.”
“H.M.S. Pinafore” takes place aboard the Royal Navy ship HMS Pinafore.
The captain’s daughter, Josephine, is in love with a lower-class sailor, Ralph Rackstraw, although her father intends her to marry Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty.
She abides by her father’s wishes at first, but Sir Joseph’s advocacy of the equality of humankind encourages Ralph and Josephine to overturn conventional social order.
They declare their love for each other and eventually plan to elope.
Mills says the Captain discovers this plan, but, as in many of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, a surprise disclosure changes things dramatically near the end of the story.
Mills plays Sir Joseph Porter.
“Our presentations tend to lean on the original side of Gilbert and Sullivan’s pieces,” he says. “We perform it as it’s written with a contemporary flair. The themes are still relevant because the human conditions doesn’t change.”
Mills describes his character as “delightfully disdainful.”
“He’s the kind of character that you love to hate,” Mills says. “All the characters are so ridiculous that you can’t help but love them. He’s not a villain, he’s a product of his class.”
The 2023 run of “H.M.S. Pinafore” marks 10 years since Mills began portraying Sir Joseph Porter.
“It’s been 20 years since I first saw the show,” he says. “The biggest challenge is to give the audience a new experience and not get stuck. After two years of not performing, I’m getting my body back to being performance ready.”
Mill always enjoys any chance he gets to return to Albuquerque. He says his trips back home are usually tied to performances with the company.
“My younger brother posted a picture from the UNM campus in front of Popejoy Hall,” he says. “In the photo, there I was on the window as part of the ad for ‘H.M.S. Pinafore.’ Seeing that hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m proud of all the work I’ve put into my career. I get to travel and perform all over.”
