The Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts Announces February Lineup
By: Stephi Wild Jan. 24, 2018
Renowned Choreographer Mark Morris Returns to Philadelphia as the Annenberg Center's Inaugural Artist-in-Residence; residency includes performances of Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble, the Philadelphia Dance for PD Symposium, and an American Musical Film Series
The Daedalus Quartet continues its Beethoven String Quartet Cycle, February 4 and February 11
The Birdland All-Stars make their Annenberg Center Debut, February 17
Little Stones screens as part of the On Screen/In Person Film Series, February 27
This calendar is current as of 1.24.18. Programs subject to change.
Daedalus Quartet
The Complete Beethoven Quartets
Sunday, February 4, 2018 @ 3 PM
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Program: "After this, what's left to write?"
Staged reading of Opus by Michael Hollinger
Discussion with the playwright and Penn Theatre Arts Program Professor, Marcia Ferguson
Beethoven - Quartet no. 14 in C# minor, Op 131
Michael Hollinger's acclaimed play Opus follows the life of a professional string quartet as they prepare for a performance of Beethoven's late masterpiece, the String Quartet No. 14 in C# minor, Op. 131. Following a staged reading of Opus, Hollinger, Penn Theatre Arts Program Director Marcia Ferguson and the Daedalus Quartet consider the aesthetic and historical questions raised by the appearance of Beethoven's works, some of the most uncompromising "absolute" music ever written, at the center of a theatrical work. The event concludes with a performance of Beethoven's Opus 131 in its entirety.
This performance is part of the Complete Beethoven Quartets series, featuring eight performances across the University of Pennsylvania campus throughout the 2017-18 season.
In partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's Wolf Humanities Center.
Visit AnnenbergCenter.org/Beethoven for ticket information.
American Musical Film Series
The Blue Bird (1940)
Wednesday, February 7 @ 7 PM
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
One of four musical films handpicked by renowned choreographer Mark Morris as part of the Annenberg Center's inaugural Artist-in-Residence program. Each film showcases a wide breadth of dance, music style and dramatic situation.
Set in Germany in the late 18th century, The Blue Bird follows Mytyl (Shirley Temple), a disagreeable little girl who dreams a magical fairy sends her with her brother on an adventure to find the blue bird of happiness. Their journey takes them through the past, present and future but will the experience teach Mytyl to be kind and appreciate the comforts and joys of her home and family?
Visit AnnenbergCenter.org for ticket information.
Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble
Dances to American Music
Friday, February 9 @ 8 PM
Saturday, February 10 @ 8 PM
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Pacific
Mosaic and United
Three Preludes
Grand Duo
Dancers: Mica Bernas, Sam Black, Durell R. Comedy, Domingo Estrada, Jr., Lesley Garrison, Lauren Grant, Sarah Haarmann, Brian Lawson, Aaron Loux, Laurel Lynch, Dallas McMurray, Brandon Randolph, Nicole Sabella, Christina Sahaida, Billy Smith, Noah Vinson
As the Annenberg Center's inaugural Artist-in-Residence, Mark Morris' preeminent modern dance company returns to Philadelphia after 14 years with Dances to American Music, a program set to works by American composers. Featuring a wide range of music and dance styles in the Philadelphia premiere of Pacific and Mosaic and United as well as returning works Three Preludes and Grand Duo, this troupe will impress with its stunning combination of exceptional dancers, beautifully sophisticated choreography and live music.
Visit AnnenbergCenter.org for ticket information.
Philadelphia Dance for PD Symposium
Saturday, February 10
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
The first-ever Philadelphia Dance for PD Symposium will feature activities dedicated to exploring the Mark Morris Dance Group's acclaimed Dance for PD program and the impact of dance, music, and community on the lives of people with Parkinson's disease. Space is limited and advance reservations are required. The Mark Morris Dance Group is co-founder and administrator of Dance for PD, now a worldwide program. Click here for more information and here to register. Support for the Philadelphia Dance for PD Symposium has been provided by The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation.
Daedalus Quartet
The Complete Beethoven Quartets
Sunday, February 11, 2018 @ 3 PM
Arts, Research and Culture House (ARCH) 208 Auditorium at 3601 Locust Walk
Program:
Beethoven - Quartet no. 3 in D major, Op. 18 no. 3
Beethoven - Quartet no. 10 in Eb major, Op. 74 "The Harp"
Beethoven - Quartet no. 12 in Eb major, Op. 127
This performance is part of the Complete Beethoven Quartets series, featuring eight performances across the University of Pennsylvania campus throughout the 2017-18 season.
Visit AnnenbergCenter.org/Beethoven for ticket information.
American Musical Film Series
Love Me Tonight (1932)
Wednesday, February 14 @ 7 PM
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
One of four musical films handpicked by renowned choreographer Mark Morris as part of the Annenberg Center's inaugural Artist-in-Residence program. Each film showcases a wide breadth of dance, music style and dramatic situation.
Directed by Rouben Mamoulian and featuring music by the dynamic songwriting duo, Rodgers and Hart, Love Me Tonight stars Maurice Chevalier as a Parisian tailor who poses as a nobleman to collect a sizeable bill from an aristocrat, only to fall in love with an aloof princess (Jeanette MacDonald). Featuring the Rodgers and Hart hits "Love Me Tonight," "Isn't it Romantic?," "Mimi" and "Lover," celebrate Valentine's Day with this romantic comedy classic!
Visit AnnenbergCenter.org for ticket information.
The Birdland All-Stars
Featuring Tommy Igoe
The Art of Jazz
Saturday, February 17 @ 8 PM
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Direct from New York's legendary Birdland nightclub! With the city's finest musicians and led by drumming sensation Tommy Igoe, the Birdland All-Stars have packed the house every Friday night at "The Jazz Corner of the World" for the past decade. Touring for the first time in five years, and making their Annenberg Center debut, the group will perform new arrangements of music by David Bowie, The Police and Steely Dan, as well as iconic hits by Charlie Parker, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock.
Visit AnnenbergCenter.org for ticket information.
American Musical Film Series
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953)
Wednesday, February 21 @ 7 PM
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
One of four musical films handpicked by renowned choreographer Mark Morris as part of the Annenberg Center's inaugural Artist-in-Residence program. Each film showcases a wide breadth of dance, music style and dramatic situation.
A feature film by Dr. Seuss! Piano lessons with Dr. Terwilliker are the bane of young Bart Collins' existence. One day, Bart falls into a musical dream world of imprisonment in the Terwilliker Institute, where his teacher turned madman dictator forces him and 499 other boys (hence, 5,000 fingers) to play a ginormous piano. With his mother under the hypnotic influence of Dr. T too, Bart must dodge the institute's guards and figure out how to save them all.
Visit AnnenbergCenter.org for ticket information.
On Screen/In Person Film Series
Little Stones
Tuesday, February 27 @ 7 PM
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Producer/director Sophia Kruz
Cinematographer/Co-producer Meena Singh
Little Stones weaves together the personal narratives of four women from across the world using art to empower females and survivors of gender-based violence. A graffiti artist speaks out against domestic violence in the slums of Brazil; a dancer rehabilitates sex-trafficking survivors in India. The women contribute a stone to the mosaic of the women's rights movement through their art.
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Sophia Kruz and cinematographer Meena Singh, Little Stones was produced over a period of 18 months in Senegal, Kenya, Brazil, Germany, India and USA. The film and accompanying education initiative strive to raise awareness about global women's rights issues, and to celebrate creative, entrepreneurial and arts-therapy based solutions to the most pressing challenges facing women all over the world.
The On Screen/In Person Film Series offers a handpicked selection of six independent American films throughout the 17/18 season. The filmmaker(s) will do a Q&A following each screening, providing an in-depth look at the films and their respective topics and issues.
On Screen/In Person is made possible by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts' Regional Touring Program.
Visit AnnenbergCenter.org for ticket information.
American Musical Film Series
Hallelujah, I'm a Bum (1933)
Wednesday, February 28 @ 7 PM
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
One of four musical films handpicked by renowned choreographer Mark Morris as part of the Annenberg Center's inaugural Artist-in-Residence program. Each film showcases a wide breadth of dance, music style and dramatic situation.
With music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart, Hallelujah, I'm a Bum centers around Bumper, a drifting hobo (Al Jolson), New York Mayor John Hastings (Frank Morgan) and the mayor's mistress, June (Madge Evans). When the mayor accuses June of cheating, she flees to commit suicide in Central Park. Luckily, Bumper comes to her rescue, but when trying to find out who she is, he discovers she has amnesia. Bumper calls her Angel, and soon falls in love with her. When he finds out who she really is, will he connect her with Mayor Hastings or stay silent and keep her all to himself?
Visit AnnenbergCenter.org for ticket information.
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