Some retired teachers travel.

Some retired teachers catch up on their pleasure reading.

Cal Chiang is not one of those retired teachers.

Chiang, a longtime director and choreographer at Mamaroneck High School, has turned his attention to community theater. His latest effort, “Hot Mikado” at Nyack’s Elmwood Playhouse (through Dec. 13), finds an artist at the top of his powers in a production that threatens to blow the roof off the charming little space.

“Hot Mikado” is David Bell’s creative reimagining of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta about an emperor, The Mikado; his son, Nanki-Poo, and the girl he loves, Yum-Yum; the Lord High Executioner, who also loves her, Ko-Ko; and Katisha, the woman who loves the Mikado’s son.

They’re not Japanese — that’s a recurring joke — but the names have not been changed to reflect that.
Chiang fills the tiny Elmwood stage with about two dozen of the most lively hepcats and kittens you’re likely to find, in a toe-tapping, finger-popping take on Gilbert & Sullivan.

They sing. They dance. They act. They inspire.

Yes, this “Mikado” is definitely hot, buoyed by standout performances from the charming Nolan Muna as Nanki-Poo, the sweet-voiced Bridget Collins as Yum-Yum, the comic Michael Serpe as Ko-Ko, the fiercely talented Stephanie Vitale as Pitti-Sing and the blissfully overpowering Margaret Young as Katisha.
About 45 minutes into the show, Vitale (as Yum-Yum’s vibrant friend) and Young (as the manipulative, wronged woman) take over, raising the roof until the first act is over.

For a solid 15 minutes, the air is electric in the 99-seat theater as the ladies face off in can-you-top-this vocal performances that is exhilarating.

The act ends with a high-energy number that should be underwritten by Orange & Rockland utilities for its sheer megawattage.

The entire ensemble earns its 15-minute intermission.

Elmwood always sets the bar high, but Chiang raises it even higher here.

In an age when directors continually find it difficult to find strong male actors and dancers for community theater productions, Chiang raises a male chorus of triple threats that is precise, clean and a joy to watch.

As the Mikado, John Cedric Anderson is suitably confident and over-the-top in a sparkly outfit that is befitting an emperor. (Suzanne Potoma’s costumes are a wondrous mix of colors and styles.)

The five-man pit, led by music director Chris Bankey, is remarkable, playing from three different locations — drummer Jerome Morris in the rafters stage right; trumpeter Stephen Austin alongside keyboardist Bankey and Richard Louie on bass in the rafters stage left; and Jon Roth on trombone in the lighting loft behind the audience — but manage to stay together and not overpower the action below.

Bob Olsen’s set — a two-story Japanese gate or torii flanked by two long staircases — is a simple and effective playground on which Chiang sets his cast loose.

That showstopping Act 1 finale has the oft-repeated refrain: “We Do Not Heed Your Dismal Sound, For Joy Reigns Everywhere Around.”

Everywhere, that is, within earshot of Nyack’s wonderful little playhouse.

“Hot Mikado”
Where: Elmwood Playhouse, Park Street, Nyack.
When: Through Dec. 13, with performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $23, $21 for seniors and students. No discounts on Saturdays.
Call: 845-353-1313
Web: elmwoodplayhouse.com.
Next: Elmwood presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Doubt,” directed by Michael Edan, Jan. 16 to Feb. 7.

Top photo by Rob Woudenberg: Bridget Fenton Clark, Bridget Collins and Stephanie Vitale are “Three Little Maids” in the Elmwood Playhouse production of “Hot Mikado.”

Bottom photo by Rob Woudenberg:Scott Jones, Christopher Siley, Stephen Colantonio, Jordan Asinofksy, Jake Tenenbaum, Ricky Jones and Jake Allyne in the Elmwood Playhouse production of “Hot Mikado.”