Minnesota Opera presents a major new revival of Dominick Argento's The Dream of Valentino as the sixth production of the New Works Initiative. A sultry young dancer is transformed from an unknown immigrant into a silent film sensation. Rudolph Valentino's stardom blazes across the silver screen but is quickly consumed by the same forces that ignited it. Seduction and scandal swirl in this tango-tinged opera about an artist discovered and destroyed by Hollywood. Composed by Argento with a libretto by Charles Nolte as a joint commission between Washington and Dallas opera companies, the work received its world premiere in 1994 at The Kennedy Center, where it was described by the Chicago Tribune as “visually and theatrically ... a thumping success.”
Straight from Skid Row, Audrey II is taking a bite out of Seattle in Little Shop of Horrors, the delightfully demented musical comedy about a man and his plant. Based on the 1960 black comedy film, this hysterical musical devours audiences in the fourth of an incredibly successful string of collaborations between The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT - A Contemporary Theatre. After his recent Broadway debut at the helm of First Date, The 5th Avenue's own Bill Berry will direct this camp horror hit that ran for five years Off-Broadway. Little Shop of Horrors features an incredible cast that includes Seattle stars Joshua Carter, Jessica Skerritt, Jeff Steitzer, David Anthony Lewis, Eric Esteb, Ekello J. Harrid, Jr., Alexandria Henderson, Naomi Morgan, and Nicole Rashida Prothro.
For DIRECTOR'S CHOICE, the fourth program of Pacific Northwest Ballet's 2013-2014 season, Artistic Director Peter Boal selects from his roster of acquisitions and increases them by one: The captivating mixed-bill program will feature a much-anticipated world premiere by Alejandro Cerrudo, resident choreographer of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. The program also reprises audience favorites TAKE FIVE…More or Less, Broadway-darling Susan Stroman's sunny slice of jazz-infused Dave Brubeck fun; and Susan Marshall's distinctive aerial duet, Kiss. Rounding out the lineup is Molissa Fenley's State of Darkness, a tour-de-force solo performance set to Stravinsky's riot-inducing The Rite of Spring. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE runs for seven performances only, March 14 through 23 at Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Tickets start at just $28 and may be purchased by calling the PNB Box Office at 206.441.2424, online at PNB.org, or in person at the PNB Box Office, 301 Mercer Street.
Minnesota Opera announces its 2014–2015 season, which presents a world premiere, a company premiere, two masterpieces not seen at Minnesota Opera in nearly three decades and a new production of an operatic blockbuster. All five productions are new to Minnesota audiences.
Conductor Michael Christie will lead the opening concerts of the Minnesota Orchestra's classical season subscription series today, February 20 at 11am; Friday, February 21 at 8pm; and Saturday, February 22 at 8pm as the orchestra returns to the renovated Orchestra Hall (1111 Nicollet Mall) for its homecoming subscription series, which runs from February through July 2014.
Based on DuBose Heyward's novel 'Porgy' and the play of the same name, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward, the Broadway revival of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is a stunning and stirring new staging with a magnificent 23-piece orchestra, including such legendary songs as 'Summertime,' 'It Ain't Necessarily So,' and 'I Got Plenty of Nothing.'
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music will return to the Ordway for a third year in a row. On Saturday, Mar. 22, the Ordway will present two screenings of the popular film at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $27.
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that AXIS Dance Company, one of the world's most acclaimed and innovative ensembles, will perform one night only on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 pm at the Ordway. Under the artistic direction of Judith Smith, the company of seven dancers-with and without disabilities-challenges the possibilities of movement, expanding and enriching the art form itself.
Minnesota Opera presents a major new revival of Dominick Argento's The Dream of Valentino as the sixth production of the New Works Initiative. A sultry young dancer is transformed from an unknown immigrant into a silent film sensation. Rudolph Valentino's stardom blazes across the silver screen but is quickly consumed by the same forces that ignited it. Seduction and scandal swirl in this tango-tinged opera about an artist discovered and destroyed by Hollywood. Composed by Argento with a libretto by Charles Nolte as a joint commission between Washington and Dallas opera companies, the work received its world premiere in 1994 at The Kennedy Center, where it was described by the Chicago Tribune as “visually and theatrically ... a thumping success.”
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today the launch of 'Taking Our Place Centerstage: The African Diaspora in Harmony.' This special initiative offers enhanced programming that includes master classes and workshops, an art exhibition, social gatherings and cultural conversations to celebrate the rich artistic traditions of communities of African and African American ancestry. The surrounding events are designed to enrich the Ordway's 2013-2014 season of world-class performances by Rennie Harris Puremovement, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Maria de Barros, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, and Step Afrika!.
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today the launch of 'Taking Our Place Centerstage: The African Diaspora in Harmony.' This special initiative offers enhanced programming that includes master classes and workshops, an art exhibition, social gatherings and cultural conversations to celebrate the rich artistic traditions of communities of African and African American ancestry. The surrounding events are designed to enrich the Ordway's 2013-2014 season of world-class performances by Rennie Harris Puremovement, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Maria de Barros, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, and Step Afrika!.
Conductor Michael Christie will lead the opening concerts of the Minnesota Orchestra's classical season subscription series on Thursday, February 20 at 11am; Friday, February 21 at 8pm; and Saturday, February 22 at 8pm as the orchestra returns to the renovated Orchestra Hall (1111 Nicollet Mall) for its homecoming subscription series, which runs from February through July 2014.
Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its first production of 2014. Verdi's dark-hued Macbeth examines the corrosive consequences of tyranny. At the urging of his wife, Macbeth murders the king to claim the crown. His desperate and deadly reign of terror devastates his country and hastens his doom in this masterwork based upon Shakespeare's classic thriller. The Show Premieres Saturday, January 25th, and runs through February 2nd at Ordway, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. The show is sung in Italian with English surtitles projected above the stage.
On Sunday, January 26, 2014, South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo received the GRAMMY® Award for Best World Music Album for their 2013 album Live: Singing For Peace Around The World.
Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its first production of 2014. Verdi's dark-hued Macbeth examines the corrosive consequences of tyranny. At the urging of his wife, Macbeth murders the king to claim the crown. His desperate and deadly reign of terror devastates his country and hastens his doom in this masterwork based upon Shakespeare's classic thriller.
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that nominations for the 2013 Sally Ordway Irvine Awards are being accepted through January 31, 2014. These prestigious awards, now in their 22nd year, provide an opportunity to recognize and honor extraordinary achievements in the arts throughout Minnesota.
The Target World Music and Dance Series at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts presents three distinctive performances in February. The month kicks off on Feb 7 at 7:30 pm with hip-hop powerhouse RENNIE HARRIS PUREMOVEMENT. World-renowned, 2013 Grammy Award-nominated LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO follows on Feb 9 at 7:30 pm and Afro-Caribbean songstress MARIA DE BARROS brings a dance party to the Ordway on Feb 19 at 7:30 pm.
Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its first production of 2014. Verdi's dark-hued Macbeth examines the corrosive consequences of tyranny. At the urging of his wife, Macbeth murders the king to claim the crown. His desperate and deadly reign of terror devastates his country and hastens his doom in this masterwork based upon Shakespeare's classic thriller.
Grammy award-winning South African a cappella group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, will perform traditional songs and gospel inspired music of peace, love and harmony, at the Byham Theater on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.
