Long Center to Celebrate Bernstein with Restaging of MASS

Legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein will be celebrated with a Texas-style centennial staging of "MASS: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers" at The Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas on June 29-30. This production is part of Bernstein100Austin, a season-long celebration of community events honoring the life and legacy of Leonard Bernstein to mark his 100th birthday.

Led by the baton of maestro Peter Bay, musical director and conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Austin performances will come to life in an epic production of 300 cast and crew members. Bernstein100Austin outreach events include: free community discussions about Bernstein's music and his influence on American culture; a "West Side Story" movie sing-a-long at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema; and for sponsors and donors, an opening gala event including special guests-the children and extended family of Leonard Bernstein and John F. Kennedy.

The provocative and compelling story behind Bernstein's "MASS" began when it was commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for the 1971 opening of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. At that world premiere, the show addressed progress, peace and the role of religion in civic life amidst the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. The themes presented are still relevant and timely, given America's current political and cultural climate. The Austin production of "MASS" will honor the creative spirit of Bernstein's original production while transforming The Long Center, the city's beloved performing arts center, into a unique and engaging music and theatrical experience.

"I'm honored to work with the immensely talented artists we've gathered together for this production of 'MASS.' This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Bay said. "This production is a testament-not only to Leonard Bernstein's genius-but to his generosity in giving this amazing gift of a performance piece that has the same potential to bring people together in celebration and in unity through music."

The Austin performances of Bernstein's "MASS"-in partnership with Austin's performing arts community, is a showcase of the maturity and vibrancy of the city's cultural offerings. Presented by Merick Strategies, the Austin performance of "MASS" represents a bold new staging of one of Bernstein's most celebrated musical and theatrical works.

Featured performers in the Austin production include Grammy nominated singer Jubilant Sykes as the Celebrant, the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Grammy-winning Conspirare with Craig Hella Johnson, Austin Opera, members of Ballet Austin, The University of Texas Marching Band, The African Children's Choir, Panoramic Voices, The Austin Children's Choir, and guitarist Mitch Watkins and other surprise guests.

"MASS: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers"

"MASS" employs an unorthodox mixture of musical genres, from gospel, blues, rock and jazz to Broadway and classical, with text by Bernstein and additional text and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and Paul Simon. Drawn from Bernstein's own exploration of Jewish and Catholic traditions, the depiction of interfaith influences in "MASS" was controversial at the time. The son of Russian-Jewish parents, Bernstein created a broadly eclectic theatrical event. With 20th century music and lyrics, Bernstein explored the crisis in faith and cultural breakdown of the post-Kennedy era.

For more information about the Bernstein centennial celebration in Austin, please visit www.bernstein100austin.org.

Tickets are on sale now for the June 29-30, 2018 performances of "MASS: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers" at www.thelongcenter.org.

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