Houston Grand Opera News

Theatre Jacksonville presents Happily Red 2009 Hello, Dolly! In Concert With Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman, Book by Michael Stewart. Based on the Play 'The Matchmaker' by Thornton Wilder with Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Gower Champion. Produced for the Broadway Stage by David Merrick and Champion-Five, Inc. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009 8:00PM Sponsored by Pacer International Starring Pamela Myers and Harvey Evans and featuring Sarah Boone, Michael Lipp, Juan Unzueta Directed by Jean Tait Musical Director: Eugene Gwozdz Choral Director: Rachel Clifton At Theatre Jacksonville's Harold K. Smith Playhouse 2032 San Marco Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32207 BOX OFFICE: 904.396.4425 Tickets: $60 (includes Champagne and Valentine treats at Intermission) VIP Tickets: $100 (includes 6 PM pre-show cocktail reception at Stellers Gallery)

Join us on Valentine's Day as Theatre Jacksonville presents Broadway legends Pamela Myers and Harvey Evans in a full concert version of Hello, Dolly! sponsored by Pacer International.

A cast of internationally most acclaimed Verdi singers is showcased in the Met's new production of the Italian master's melodic tour de force, Il Trovatore, which opens February 16. Renowned director David McVicar makes his Met debut, and Gianandrea Noseda conducts a cast that includes Marcelo ?lvarez in his first Met performances of the heroic title role, and three singers who are celebrated interpreters of their parts: Sondra Radvanovsky as Leonora, Dolora Zajick as Azucena, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Count di Luna. Kwangchul Youn makes his Met role debut as Ferrando. In later performances, Marco Berti is Manrico; Hasmik Papian is Leonora; Luciana D'Intino is Azucena, ?eljko Lučić is di Luna, and Burak Bilgili is Ferrando, conducted by Riccardo Frizza. Performances run through May 8.

Music Director Robert Spano will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus in an ASO Theater of a Concert presentation of Haydn's The Creation. Set designer Anne Patterson and Projection Designer Adam Larsen, whose work has enhanced the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's performances of St. John Passion and Gorecki's Third Symphony, return to design Joseph Haydn's The Creation in Atlanta Symphony Hall on February 26 and 28, 2008 at 8:00 pm. Soloists include soprano Janice Chandler, tenor Thomas Cooley, and bass Derrick Parker.

Broadway's most talked about new musical and the biggest Tony Award?-winner in years is coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Spring Awakening, the 8-time Tony Award? winning Broadway musical, will play a two-week engagement from February 10-22, 2009. Curtain times for the U.S. Bank Broadway Series presentation are Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, February 15 at 2 & 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 22 at 2 p.m. There is also a weekday matinee on Thursday, February 19 at 1 p.m.

Broadway's most talked about new musical and the biggest Tony Award-winner in years is coming to Cleveland. Spring Awakening, the 8-time Tony Award? winning Broadway musical, will open at PlayhouseSquare's PalaceTheatre and play for 16 performances, March 3-15. Spring Awakening is part of the KeyBank Broadway Series at PlayhouseSquare. Spring Awakening swept the 2007 Tony Awards? winning eight out of its eleven nominations, including Best Musical, Best Director (Michael Mayer), Best Book (Steven Sater), Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones), Best Orchestrations (Duncan Sheik), Best Lighting Design (Kevin Adams), Best Featured Actor (John Gallagher Jr.).

Theatre Jacksonville presents Happily Red 2009 Hello, Dolly! In Concert With Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman, Book by Michael Stewart. Based on the Play 'The Matchmaker' by Thornton Wilder with Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Gower Champion. Produced for the Broadway Stage by David Merrick and Champion-Five, Inc. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009 8:00PM Sponsored by Pacer International Starring Pamela Myers and Harvey Evans and featuring Sarah Boone, Michael Lipp, Juan Unzueta Directed by Jean Tait Musical Director: Eugene Gwozdz Choral Director: Rachel Clifton At Theatre Jacksonville's Harold K. Smith Playhouse 2032 San Marco Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32207 BOX OFFICE: 904.396.4425 Tickets: $60 (includes Champagne and Valentine treats at Intermission) VIP Tickets: $100 (includes 6 PM pre-show cocktail reception at Stellers Gallery)

On March 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., The Collegiate Chorale appears with The New York City Opera Orchestra at the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall in a performance of Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin's 1945 Broadway operetta The Firebrand of Florence. The performance, led by guest conductor Ted Sperling, stars baritone Nathan Gunn, soprano Anna Christy, baritone Terrence Mann, and soprano Victoria Clark. Krysty Swann, David Pittu and Patrick Goss complete the cast, and narration will be provided by Stage Director Roger Rees. Boasting a score by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and a book by playwright and screenwriter Edwin Justus Mayer, The Firebrand of Florence had a short run on Broadway in 1945. The work was subsequently not heard for over a half-century until three presentations - Ohio Light Opera (1999), the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London (2000) and the Radio Symphony Orchestra in Vienna (2000) - shed new light on the relatively obscure work. The performances were not only accepted, but widely acclaimed, thus giving hope for a new life in a new century. Variety's theater critic Steven Suskin says 'I have long believed that Firebrand in concert should be a dazzling delight.' Benvenuto Cellini, the great Florentine artist, is sentenced to hang, but he is pardoned when the duke realizes that he has not completed a previously commissioned sculpture. Freed, he is able to turn his attention to his favorite model (and object of his affections), Angela. The Duke also is interested in Angela. In a typical operetta plot, Cellini swashbuckles around the stage, keeping the Duke away from Angela, keeping himself away from the Duchess, and escaping yet another death sentence by fleeing to Paris, as the end of the show recapitulates the beginning.

New York City Opera is proud to present the company premiere of Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra in concert on January 15 and 16, 2009 at 8 PM in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium. Soprano Lauren Flanigan sings the role of Cleopatra opposite baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes, in his New York City Opera debut, as Antony. The cast includes rising tenor Simon O'Neill as Caesar and City Opera favorites David Pittsinger as Enobarbus, Sandra Piques Eddy as Charmian and Laura Vlasak Nolen as Iras. City Opera Music Director George Manahan will conduct. The company's celebration of Samuel Barber's upcoming centennial will also include a Symposium on Antony and Cleopatra on Saturday, January 10, co-presented by and taking place at Miller Theatre at Columbia University, which will feature City Opera soprano Elizabeth Futral in a unique recital of musical depictions and evocations of Cleopatra.

Broadway's most talked about new musical and the biggest Tony Award?-winner in years is coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Spring Awakening, the 8-time Tony Award? winning Broadway musical, will play a two-week engagement from February 10-22, 2009. Curtain times for the U.S. Bank Broadway Series presentation are Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, February 15 at 2 & 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 22 at 2 p.m. There is also a weekday matinee on Thursday, February 19 at 1 p.m.

Julie Taymor's hit production of Mozart's The Magic Flute returns to the Met as this season's special holiday presentation beginning December 22. The abridged, English-language version is specially priced to appeal to families and will have four matinees and one holiday evening performance, running through January 1.

DANCES PATRELLE's 'THE YORKVILLE NUTCRACKER' will have its 10th annual production, at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues) NYC; December 11h - 14th. Once again The Yorkville Nutcracker will have students from: Ballet Academy East, Studio Maestro, The Ailey School and 92nd St Y Harkness Dance Center. The two-act ballet, has been choreographed by Artistic Director, Francis Patrelle. It has set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smiths, costumes by Rita B. Watson, and lighting by David Grill. The cast will feature special guest artists from the New York City Ballet: Jenifer Ringer and Jared Angle.

DANCES PATRELLE's 'THE YORKVILLE NUTCRACKER' presents its 10th annual production this week, at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues) NYC; December 11h - 14th. Once again The Yorkville Nutcracker will have students from: Ballet Academy East, Studio Maestro, The Ailey School and 92nd St Y Harkness Dance Center. The two-act ballet, has been choreographed by Artistic Director, Francis Patrelle. It has set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smiths, costumes by Rita B. Watson, and lighting by David Grill. The cast features special guest artists from the New York City Ballet: Jenifer Ringer and Jared Angle. (artists subject to change)

DANCES PATRELLE's 'THE YORKVILLE NUTCRACKER' presents its 10th annual production this week, at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues) NYC; December 11h - 14th. Once again The Yorkville Nutcracker will have students from: Ballet Academy East, Studio Maestro, The Ailey School and 92nd St Y Harkness Dance Center. The two-act ballet, has been choreographed by Artistic Director, Francis Patrelle. It has set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smiths, costumes by Rita B. Watson, and lighting by David Grill. The cast features special guest artists from the New York City Ballet: Jenifer Ringer and Jared Angle. (artists subject to change)

New York City Opera is proud to present the company premiere of Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra in concert on January 15 and 16, 2009 at 8 PM in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium. Soprano Lauren Flanigan sings the role of Cleopatra opposite baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes, in his New York City Opera debut, as Antony. The cast includes rising tenor Simon O'Neill as Caesar and City Opera favorites David Pittsinger as Enobarbus, Sandra Piques Eddy as Charmian and Laura Vlasak Nolen as Iras. City Opera Music Director George Manahan will conduct. The company's celebration of Samuel Barber's upcoming centennial will also include a Symposium on Antony and Cleopatra on Saturday, January 10, co-presented by and taking place at Miller Theatre at Columbia University, which will feature City Opera soprano Elizabeth Futral in a unique recital of musical depictions and evocations of Cleopatra.

The American Theatre Wing's 'Working in the Theatre' Features 'Arias to Showstoppers: The Worlds of Opera and Theatre' on CUNY TV Premieres Sunday, November 16 at 5 p.m. Additional Air Dates: Friday, November 21 at 9 a.m, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 22 at 11 a.m.

The American Theatre Wing's 'Working in the Theatre' Features 'Arias to Showstoppers: The Worlds of Opera and Theatre' on CUNY TV Premieres Sunday, November 16 at 5 p.m. Additional Air Dates: Friday, November 21 at 9 a.m, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 22 at 11 a.m.

The Met's acclaimed production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, directed by the late Academy Award-winning film director Anthony Minghella, returns to the stage for twelve performances beginning Friday, October 24, 2008. Reprising their portrayals in the production this season are sopranos Patricia Racette and Cristina Gallardo-Domâs in the title role, tenors Roberto Aronica and Marcello Giordani as Pinkerton, and baritone Dwayne Croft as Sharpless. Patrick Summers conducts the opera for the first time at Met.

South Ark Stage (Rhoda Herrick, Producing Artistic Director) has announced that it will present the world premiere of the new chamber musical The Black Monk, with book, lyrics and music by Wendy Kesselman. Under the direction of Kevin Newbury, the four-member cast features Austin Pendleton as the Monk, Scott Robertson as Igor, Elon Rutberg as Andrei, and Sarah Ziegler as Tanya.