The M.A.K.A.DO: Make America Kingly Again!
IN Series
at Arena Stage
Jordan Wright
October 15, 2026
Greg Sliskovitch (Yankee-Poo), Andrew Adelsberger (Koch-Co.), and Teresa Ferrara (Num-Num) in IN Series production of The M.A.K.A.DO: Make America Kingly Again! at Arena Stage (Photo/IN Series).
Straight out of the gate, the title gives away its irreverent intent. The M.A.K.A.DO is a grandiose spoof and bitingly clever take off of Gilbert and Sullivan’s well-loved operetta The Mikado. IN Series describes it as “An Operatico-Politico-Buffo-Satirico” which if there were such a term, pretty much sums it up. Think off-the-wall, high octane hilarious with new lyrics provided by legendary spoof-masters, The Capitol Steps. I laughed my tail feathers off at the absurdities, shamelessly guffawing along with the rest of the audience at this collection of colorful characters who deliver songs and patter at lightening pace. Keep up as best as you can. It’s a damn good thing there are seats, otherwise you could fall down laughing and hurt yourself. Don’t hurt yourself.
Skewering a presidential administration, its cabinet, political appointees and elected officials has become an art form. We saw it earlier this year with 44 The Musical and I can only assume there will be more delightfully flippant follies in the works. Because, ladies and gentlemen, as you well know, there lies a wealth of current comic + drama material to glean from (insert daily slap to the forehead emoji here).
Robin McGinness (Poo-Bah), Greg Sliskovitch (Yankee-Poo), and John Solomon Collins (Pish-Tush) (Photo/IN Series).
I’ll try not to give too much away, but the dramatically lit opening features the Presidential Resolute Desk, a golden toilet and a hefty blond man in a dark suit with his back facing the audience as the orchestra plays the intro. It is in the Oval Office that we are introduced to Koch-Co. (Andrew Adelsberger) and his boot-licking assistants who quickly arrive to assist POTUS in his dark plans. Golden banquet chairs hang in clusters like chandeliers, and a character named Yankee-Poo (Greg Sliskovitch) arrives on a mission to find his long-lost love, the irresistible Num-Num (Teresa Ferrara), who is currently engaged to marry Koch-Co. the wicked slum lord and red ball cap-wearing leader – aka ‘The Lord High Retributioner’ – easily recognized as our current American president. His sycophantic aides, Poo-Bah (Robin McGinness) sporting a shiny leather sash reading “The Man, The Myth, The Legend” and cohort Pish-Tush (John Solomon Collins) who deliver epic hilarity as they bow and scrape to serve their fearless leader.
Hayley Abramowitz (Peep-Bo), Teresa Ferrara (Num-Num), and Melanie Ashkar (Pitti-Sing) (Photo/IN Series).
An “anti-flirtation law” condemns our Boy Scout hero Yankee-Poo to death by execution for canoodling with Num-Num who still loves him but is in a bit of a pickle with her untimely upcoming nuptials. A trio of MAGA babes, Peep-Bo (Hayley Abramowitz), Pitti-Sing (Melanie Ashkar) and Num-Num, arrive in matching tight red business suits and wavy blond hair cavorting and shooting an Insta reel and singing “How Cool Are We” to the tune of “Three Little Maids from School Are We”.
Cecelia McKinley (The Maqado) and Hunter Shaner (Kitty-KatiShaw) (Photo/IN Series).
Outlandish characters soon arrive to quell the dangers the young couple faces. A drop-dead fabulous Kitty-KatiShaw (Hunter Shaner), who damn near steals the show as the femme fatale who has a few gossipy weapons up her sequined sleeve as she slinks onto the stage to put a fly in the nuptial ointment. And oh, my dear, if we don’t remain seated, we could tumble onto the stage in stitches when The Maqado (Cecelia McKinley) arrives in all her splendor and French accent – no spoilers here.
Did I mention the eight-piece orchestra who accompany lampoons of familiar ditties from the opera plus a few marches from John Phillip Sousa. I damn near collapsed from laughing so hard at the wacky lyrics written for the well-known “On a Tree by a River (Tit-Willow)” sung by Koch-Co. attempting to convince Kitty-KatiShaw of his undying love? Ohmygawd, the irony, the idiocy! Absolutely delectable!
Cast of The M.A.K.A.DO: Make America Kingly Again! at Arena Stage (Photo/IN Series).
See it! Revel in the laughter, the gorgeous operatic voices and the delightful music. But do not fall out of your seat when you are doubled over with glee!
Stage Director, Timothy Nelson; Musical Director Dana Scott, Costume Design by William Linares; Lighting Design by Paul Callahan; Wig and Makeup Design by Andre Hopfer.
Through October 18th at Arena Mead Center’s Kogood Cradle, 1101 Sixth Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. For tickets and information visit www.INSeries.org or www.ci.ovationtix.com
P. S. Before the curtain, Artistic Director Timothy Nelson announced InSeries’ new shared multi-disciplinary theater complex. Named the Revada Arts Center, it is set to open late October a few blocks from The Wharf and Arena Stage at 340 Maple Drive, SW. The Center will host two other production companies – Theater Alliance and 4EYE Film Center. Check it out here www.RevadaArtsCenter.org.