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2010 Great Performances at Mason
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY’S
Center for the Arts
The Best of the Performing Arts
Center for the Arts
Great Performances at Mason:
The 20th Anniversary Season
F
HE
or this celebratory season, we present artists R FOR T TE who have become cherished regulars at the Center for the Arts, as well as many renowned and emerging artists who make their debut on our stage. Dance enthusiasts will delight in the 20 Y stunning contemporary dance of Lar Lubovitch EAR S Dance Company and Mark Morris Dance, the Latin 90 – 2 0 10 energy of Tango Buenos Aires, and the pure grace of Russian National Ballet’s Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet. Classical music lovers won’t want to miss a minute of this season’s top talent including the BBC Orchestra under the direction of Keith Lockhart, Turtle Island String Quartet with Cyrus Chestnut and Mike Marshall, and the young, musically brilliant, Brooklyn Rider. Those who love theater will delight in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy of Errors, as well as Theater of the First Amendment’s production of Live Wire. Virginia Opera returns with four spectacular productions, and if that weren’t enough, the holidays bring an impressive offering of world-class concerts to capture the spirit for you and your whole family. Plan now to be a part of the exciting twentieth anniversary season by subscribing today!
A RT S
CEN
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY’S
19
The Best of the Performing Arts Welcome to the Twentieth Anniversary season at the Center for the Arts! This season, we celebrate two decades of artistic excellence in our superb venue where so many special memories have been shared with friends and family. We have enjoyed bringing the best of the performing arts to Northern Virginia for these past twenty years, and we remain committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to enjoy the arts. For this reason, we make every effort to ensure that attending an event at the Center is affordable: our tickets are reasonably priced; there are halfprice tickets for children to many of our events; and there’s even plenty of free parking. The Center for the Arts is an integral component of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University. We often call upon the University’s rich resources to enrich and enhance the experience of attending performances. As the Center and its programs grow, so does our commitment to meet and satisfy the needs of the sophisticated, enlightened, and richly diverse population of Northern Virginia.
6
Dynamic Dance Series
Table of Contents 4 Magnificent Music Series
Subscribing to Great Performances at Mason It’s better when you subscribe! Not only will you enjoy the best of the performing arts all season long, but you will also enjoy many exclusive benefits that will enhance the experience.
6 Dynamic Dance Series
With all of this incredible artistry and entertainment, it will be hard to choose. Fortunately, our flexible subscription plans give you the option of selecting any of our series or creating your own Custom Series. For more information about our subscription plans, turn to page 19.
12 Enthralling Theater Series
The first section of this brochure presents nine different series, organized by genre. The second section of this brochure lists all of the events by date and includes a complete description of each performance. To subscribe, turn to the order form insert, and follow the instructions to place your subscription order by mail, fax, phone or online. Need help? Call our subscriber helpline anytime at 703-993-2787. Family Friendly Performances For those events deemed most appropriate for younger audiences, we offer half-price tickets for children through Grade 12 when accompanied by an adult. These Family Friendly events are identified in this brochure by this icon ff .
8 Global View Series 10 American Echoes Series
8
Global View Series
14 Virginia Opera Series 16 Keyboard Conversations® Series 17 All Music Series 17 All Dance Series 18 Holiday Events 19 Subscribing
10
American Echoes Series
12
Enthralling Theater Series
14
Virginia Opera Series
16
Keyboard Conversations® Series
20 Events by Date 28 Arts by George Benefit 29 Supporting the Center for the Arts 30 College of Visual and Performing Arts 31 University Student Productions
Please Note: Programs, artists, and dates are subject to change without notice. All patrons must have a ticket, regardless of age.
4
Magnificent Music Series
Center for the Arts
Great Performances at Mason:
The 20th Anniversary Season
F
HE
or this celebratory season, we present artists R FOR T TE who have become cherished regulars at the Center for the Arts, as well as many renowned and emerging artists who make their debut on our stage. Dance enthusiasts will delight in the 20 Y stunning contemporary dance of Lar Lubovitch EAR S Dance Company and Mark Morris Dance, the Latin 90 – 2 0 10 energy of Tango Buenos Aires, and the pure grace of Russian National Ballet’s Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet. Classical music lovers won’t want to miss a minute of this season’s top talent including the BBC Orchestra under the direction of Keith Lockhart, Turtle Island String Quartet with Cyrus Chestnut and Mike Marshall, and the young, musically brilliant, Brooklyn Rider. Those who love theater will delight in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy of Errors, as well as Theater of the First Amendment’s production of Live Wire. Virginia Opera returns with four spectacular productions, and if that weren’t enough, the holidays bring an impressive offering of world-class concerts to capture the spirit for you and your whole family. Plan now to be a part of the exciting twentieth anniversary season by subscribing today!
A RT S
CEN
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY’S
19
The Best of the Performing Arts Welcome to the Twentieth Anniversary season at the Center for the Arts! This season, we celebrate two decades of artistic excellence in our superb venue where so many special memories have been shared with friends and family. We have enjoyed bringing the best of the performing arts to Northern Virginia for these past twenty years, and we remain committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to enjoy the arts. For this reason, we make every effort to ensure that attending an event at the Center is affordable: our tickets are reasonably priced; there are halfprice tickets for children to many of our events; and there’s even plenty of free parking. The Center for the Arts is an integral component of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University. We often call upon the University’s rich resources to enrich and enhance the experience of attending performances. As the Center and its programs grow, so does our commitment to meet and satisfy the needs of the sophisticated, enlightened, and richly diverse population of Northern Virginia.
6
Dynamic Dance Series
Table of Contents 4 Magnificent Music Series
Subscribing to Great Performances at Mason It’s better when you subscribe! Not only will you enjoy the best of the performing arts all season long, but you will also enjoy many exclusive benefits that will enhance the experience.
6 Dynamic Dance Series
With all of this incredible artistry and entertainment, it will be hard to choose. Fortunately, our flexible subscription plans give you the option of selecting any of our series or creating your own Custom Series. For more information about our subscription plans, turn to page 19.
12 Enthralling Theater Series
The first section of this brochure presents nine different series, organized by genre. The second section of this brochure lists all of the events by date and includes a complete description of each performance. To subscribe, turn to the order form insert, and follow the instructions to place your subscription order by mail, fax, phone or online. Need help? Call our subscriber helpline anytime at 703-993-2787. Family Friendly Performances For those events deemed most appropriate for younger audiences, we offer half-price tickets for children through Grade 12 when accompanied by an adult. These Family Friendly events are identified in this brochure by this icon ff .
8 Global View Series 10 American Echoes Series
8
Global View Series
14 Virginia Opera Series 16 Keyboard Conversations® Series 17 All Music Series 17 All Dance Series 18 Holiday Events 19 Subscribing
10
American Echoes Series
12
Enthralling Theater Series
14
Virginia Opera Series
16
Keyboard Conversations® Series
20 Events by Date 28 Arts by George Benefit 29 Supporting the Center for the Arts 30 College of Visual and Performing Arts 31 University Student Productions
Please Note: Programs, artists, and dates are subject to change without notice. All patrons must have a ticket, regardless of age.
4
Magnificent Music Series
magnificent music Series
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
Save 20%. Enjoy these six concerts for only $248, $210, $124.
1
5
Brooklyn Rider
3
Veterans of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, the innovative young musicians of the string quartet, Brooklyn Rider, have impressed both critics and audiences alike with their brilliant exploration of works from J.S. Bach to Philip Glass in venues ranging from major concert halls to Joe’s Pub in New York City. The New Yorker says, “few young artists are so versatile.”
2
BBC Concert Orchestra Keith Lockhart, conductor Ilya Yakushev, piano
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Saturday, November 6 at 8 p.m.
Known for its versatility and flexibility, BBC Concert Orchestra enjoys an enviable reputation in the fields of classical, opera, and ballet music. The orchestra boasts an expansive repertoire that encompasses classic and contemporary works as well as lighter classical fare. Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart leads the orchestra in this memorable performance. See page 21 for more information.
5
4 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
6
SERIES SPONSOR
4
Opole, Philharmonic of Poland Boguslaw Dawidow, conductor Jacek Kortus, piano Saturday, February 12 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m.
“A sterling example of first-rate jazz music-making.” (Los Angeles Times) To celebrate their twentyfifth anniversary in grand style, the Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet has invited jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut and mandolinist Mike Marshall to join them for this appearance. Together they create a remarkable evening of music including classic jazz and Americana as well as some holiday favorites. See page 23 for more information.
See page 21 for more information.
2
Turtle Island Quartet
With Cyrus Chestnut and Mike Marshall
Saturday, October 16 at 8 p.m. 1
In its first American tour, this impressive orchestra debuts at the Center in a sublime evening of symphonic music. The program features Mozart’s Overture to Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) and Beethoven’s powerful Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Young virtuoso Jacek Kortus joins the orchestra for Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17 by celebrated Polish composer I.J. Paderewski. See page 25 for more information.
6 Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie
Arabella Steinbacher, violin
Philippe Entremont, conductor Sebastian Knauer, piano
Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 29 at 8 p.m.
The Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie, or the German State Philharmonic, regularly performs 90 concerts each season in Germany and abroad. Under the direction of renowned conductor and piano soloist Philippe Entremont, this imposing orchestra brings its first national tour of the U.S. to the Center. “A joyous whirlwind of sound that ultimately launched the music blazing into the ether.” (The Washington Post) See page 24 for more
This Grammy Award-winning chamber orchestra invigorates audiences around the world with its superior artistry, energy, and diverse repertoire. German violin virtuoso Arabella Steinbacher joins this world-class ensemble to perform a program that includes Strauss’ Serenade in E-flat Major, Op. 7; Hartmann’s Concerto Funèbre; Schubert’s Rondo for Violin and Strings, D. 438; and Haydn’s “London” Symphony (No. 104). See page 27 for more information.
information.
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 5
m a g n i f i c e n t m u s i c S eries
6
magnificent music Series
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
Save 20%. Enjoy these six concerts for only $248, $210, $124.
1
5
Brooklyn Rider
3
Veterans of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, the innovative young musicians of the string quartet, Brooklyn Rider, have impressed both critics and audiences alike with their brilliant exploration of works from J.S. Bach to Philip Glass in venues ranging from major concert halls to Joe’s Pub in New York City. The New Yorker says, “few young artists are so versatile.”
2
BBC Concert Orchestra Keith Lockhart, conductor Ilya Yakushev, piano
3
4
Saturday, November 6 at 8 p.m.
Known for its versatility and flexibility, BBC Concert Orchestra enjoys an enviable reputation in the fields of classical, opera, and ballet music. The orchestra boasts an expansive repertoire that encompasses classic and contemporary works as well as lighter classical fare. Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart leads the orchestra in this memorable performance. See page 21 for more information.
5
4 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
6
SERIES SPONSOR
4
Opole, Philharmonic of Poland Boguslaw Dawidow, conductor Jacek Kortus, piano Saturday, February 12 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m.
“A sterling example of first-rate jazz music-making.” (Los Angeles Times) To celebrate their twentyfifth anniversary in grand style, the Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet has invited jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut and mandolinist Mike Marshall to join them for this appearance. Together they create a remarkable evening of music including classic jazz and Americana as well as some holiday favorites. See page 23 for more information.
See page 21 for more information.
2
Turtle Island Quartet
With Cyrus Chestnut and Mike Marshall
Saturday, October 16 at 8 p.m. 1
In its first American tour, this impressive orchestra debuts at the Center in a sublime evening of symphonic music. The program features Mozart’s Overture to Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) and Beethoven’s powerful Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Young virtuoso Jacek Kortus joins the orchestra for Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17 by celebrated Polish composer I.J. Paderewski. See page 25 for more information.
6 Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie
Arabella Steinbacher, violin
Philippe Entremont, conductor Sebastian Knauer, piano
Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 29 at 8 p.m.
The Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie, or the German State Philharmonic, regularly performs 90 concerts each season in Germany and abroad. Under the direction of renowned conductor and piano soloist Philippe Entremont, this imposing orchestra brings its first national tour of the U.S. to the Center. “A joyous whirlwind of sound that ultimately launched the music blazing into the ether.” (The Washington Post) See page 24 for more
This Grammy Award-winning chamber orchestra invigorates audiences around the world with its superior artistry, energy, and diverse repertoire. German violin virtuoso Arabella Steinbacher joins this world-class ensemble to perform a program that includes Strauss’ Serenade in E-flat Major, Op. 7; Hartmann’s Concerto Funèbre; Schubert’s Rondo for Violin and Strings, D. 438; and Haydn’s “London” Symphony (No. 104). See page 27 for more information.
information.
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 5
m a g n i f i c e n t m u s i c S eries
6
Dynamic Dance Series MOMIX
3
Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m.
Botanica Saturday, October 2 at 8 p.m.
Renowned for works of delightful inventiveness, physical beauty, and stunning costumes and props, MOMIX presents a new creation, the green-themed Botanica. Flowers bloom, go to seed, and die; vegetable, animal, and mineral—all in human form—combine and metamorphose. An herbal remedy for whatever ails you! See page 20 for more information. 2 Lar Lubovitch Dance company Friday, November 5 at 8 p.m.
Lar Lubovitch, hailed as “one of the ten best choreographers in the world” by The New York Times, creates dances that are renowned for their musicality, rhapsodic style, and sophisticated formal structures. In this long-awaited appearance, the company performs exciting recent works as well as classic pieces from Lubovitch’s repertory. See page 21 for
Mark Morris Dance Group Mark Morris has had a profound impact on the dance world with his ability to combine beautiful music, graceful movement, and delicious wit. As always, the company performs to live music including classic pieces from its repertory as well as inspiring new works. See page 24 for more information.
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5
Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m.
Parsons Dance teams up with the East Village Opera Company to present its acclaimed dance opera, Remember Me, a dynamic and original performance experience. This modern ballet tells a compelling tale of jealousy and rivalry, and features electrifying choreography by David Parsons, cutting edge music from this Grammy-nominated rock opera ensemble, stunning costumes, and dramatic lighting and multimedia special effects. See page 26 for more
Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m.
2
3
information.
6
Russian National Ballet Theatre Romeo and Juliet Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m.
This spectacular company brings the greatest love story of all time to the stage in the grand tradition of Russian ballet. The ballet is performed with the awe-inspiring artistry of these Russian dancers and enhanced with the resplendent costumes and sets.
See page 26 for more information.
more information.
Parsons Dance With East Village Opera Company Remember Me
Tango Buenos Aires “Swirling, fast-paced tapestries of movement, laced with proud postures and sensual couplings,” said The Washington Post of this celebrated company, known as Argentina’s most authentic and uncompromising representative of the Tango. Tango Buenos Aires never fails to enrapture audiences with tango performed with dazzling intricacy, dramatic flourish, and deep emotion and passion.
Save 20%. Enjoy these seven events for only $258, $213, $129.
D y n a m i c D a n c e S eries
1
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
1
See page 27 for more information.
7
4
5
Trisha Brown Dance Company Saturday, April 30 at 8 p.m.
This astonishing nine-member company is known for challenging the boundaries of contemporary dance under legendary artistic director, Trisha Brown. In celebration of 40 years of presenting dance that is inventive, intellectual and always cutting edge, the Trisha Brown Dance Company performs an intimate evening of extraordinary and ingenious dance. See page 27 for more information.
6 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
6
7
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 7
Dynamic Dance Series MOMIX
3
Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m.
Botanica Saturday, October 2 at 8 p.m.
Renowned for works of delightful inventiveness, physical beauty, and stunning costumes and props, MOMIX presents a new creation, the green-themed Botanica. Flowers bloom, go to seed, and die; vegetable, animal, and mineral—all in human form—combine and metamorphose. An herbal remedy for whatever ails you! See page 20 for more information. 2 Lar Lubovitch Dance company Friday, November 5 at 8 p.m.
Lar Lubovitch, hailed as “one of the ten best choreographers in the world” by The New York Times, creates dances that are renowned for their musicality, rhapsodic style, and sophisticated formal structures. In this long-awaited appearance, the company performs exciting recent works as well as classic pieces from Lubovitch’s repertory. See page 21 for
Mark Morris Dance Group Mark Morris has had a profound impact on the dance world with his ability to combine beautiful music, graceful movement, and delicious wit. As always, the company performs to live music including classic pieces from its repertory as well as inspiring new works. See page 24 for more information.
4
5
Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m.
Parsons Dance teams up with the East Village Opera Company to present its acclaimed dance opera, Remember Me, a dynamic and original performance experience. This modern ballet tells a compelling tale of jealousy and rivalry, and features electrifying choreography by David Parsons, cutting edge music from this Grammy-nominated rock opera ensemble, stunning costumes, and dramatic lighting and multimedia special effects. See page 26 for more
Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m.
2
3
information.
6
Russian National Ballet Theatre Romeo and Juliet Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m.
This spectacular company brings the greatest love story of all time to the stage in the grand tradition of Russian ballet. The ballet is performed with the awe-inspiring artistry of these Russian dancers and enhanced with the resplendent costumes and sets.
See page 26 for more information.
more information.
Parsons Dance With East Village Opera Company Remember Me
Tango Buenos Aires “Swirling, fast-paced tapestries of movement, laced with proud postures and sensual couplings,” said The Washington Post of this celebrated company, known as Argentina’s most authentic and uncompromising representative of the Tango. Tango Buenos Aires never fails to enrapture audiences with tango performed with dazzling intricacy, dramatic flourish, and deep emotion and passion.
Save 20%. Enjoy these seven events for only $258, $213, $129.
D y n a m i c D a n c e S eries
1
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
1
See page 27 for more information.
7
4
5
Trisha Brown Dance Company Saturday, April 30 at 8 p.m.
This astonishing nine-member company is known for challenging the boundaries of contemporary dance under legendary artistic director, Trisha Brown. In celebration of 40 years of presenting dance that is inventive, intellectual and always cutting edge, the Trisha Brown Dance Company performs an intimate evening of extraordinary and ingenious dance. See page 27 for more information.
6 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
6
7
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 7
global view Series
2
The Merchants of Bollywood
Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company 3
Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 14 at 4 p.m.
Called “the most exhilarating musical seen this year,” by Britain’s Manchester Evening News, this show is a nonstop whirl of color, music, and dance. This inspiring musical is filled with an exhilarating fusion of Western and Indian dance, scores of glittery costumes and jewelry, and non-stop, high-octane music. Don’t miss this dazzling spectacle. See page 21
Filled with radiant visual beauty, intense passion, and authentic traditional dance, this performance is a magical experience for the whole family to enjoy! As the official company of the Philippines, the ensemble performs spectacular folk dances that embody the country’s diverse indigenous Chinese, Spanish, and Islamic cultures. See page 22 for more
for more information.
information.
Buika Saturday, October 30 at 8 p.m.
Hailed as the “flamenco queen” by the New York Post, this sensual songstress is known for her smoky and captivating voice, and her unique blend of jazz, blues, and soul with gypsy rumba and Afro-Cuban music—and, of course, flamenco. Buika is hailed as “Luminous… magnificent…superb!” (The New York Times) See page 21 for more information.
4
5
Saturday, January 22 at 8 p.m.
Formed to celebrate Peru’s African cultural heritage, Perú Negro fills the stage with festive and celebratory dances interwoven with vibrant live music that recreates their folkloric ancestry. These electrifying AfroPeruvian artists team up with sultry songstress Eva Ayllón, who is celebrated as “one of the great figures of today’s Latin music.” (NPR Music)
Tango Buenos Aires Sunday, March 6 at 4 p.m.
“Swirling, fast-paced tapestries of movement, laced with proud postures and sensual couplings,” said The Washington Post of this celebrated company, known as Argentina’s most authentic and uncompromising representative of the tango. Tango Buenos Aires never fails to enrapture audiences with diverse styles of tango performed with dazzling intricacy, dramatic flourish, and deep emotion and passion. See page 26 for more 2
information.
Perú Negro With Eva Ayllón Festejo
Save 20%. Enjoy these six events for only $218, $180, $109.
g l o b a l v i e w S eries
1
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
6
3
Danú Friday, March 18 at 8 p.m.
For more than a decade, Danú has performed to enthusiastic audiences around the globe with its use of traditional instruments accompanied by exquisite vocals. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the “fierce fiddle reels” and “pensive ballads” (The New York Times) of Danú! See page 26 for more information.
PERFORMANCE SPONSOR
See page 24 for more information.
4 3
4
1 5
8 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
6
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 9
global view Series
2
The Merchants of Bollywood
Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company 3
Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 14 at 4 p.m.
Called “the most exhilarating musical seen this year,” by Britain’s Manchester Evening News, this show is a nonstop whirl of color, music, and dance. This inspiring musical is filled with an exhilarating fusion of Western and Indian dance, scores of glittery costumes and jewelry, and non-stop, high-octane music. Don’t miss this dazzling spectacle. See page 21
Filled with radiant visual beauty, intense passion, and authentic traditional dance, this performance is a magical experience for the whole family to enjoy! As the official company of the Philippines, the ensemble performs spectacular folk dances that embody the country’s diverse indigenous Chinese, Spanish, and Islamic cultures. See page 22 for more
for more information.
information.
Buika Saturday, October 30 at 8 p.m.
Hailed as the “flamenco queen” by the New York Post, this sensual songstress is known for her smoky and captivating voice, and her unique blend of jazz, blues, and soul with gypsy rumba and Afro-Cuban music—and, of course, flamenco. Buika is hailed as “Luminous… magnificent…superb!” (The New York Times) See page 21 for more information.
4
5
Saturday, January 22 at 8 p.m.
Formed to celebrate Peru’s African cultural heritage, Perú Negro fills the stage with festive and celebratory dances interwoven with vibrant live music that recreates their folkloric ancestry. These electrifying AfroPeruvian artists team up with sultry songstress Eva Ayllón, who is celebrated as “one of the great figures of today’s Latin music.” (NPR Music)
Tango Buenos Aires Sunday, March 6 at 4 p.m.
“Swirling, fast-paced tapestries of movement, laced with proud postures and sensual couplings,” said The Washington Post of this celebrated company, known as Argentina’s most authentic and uncompromising representative of the tango. Tango Buenos Aires never fails to enrapture audiences with diverse styles of tango performed with dazzling intricacy, dramatic flourish, and deep emotion and passion. See page 26 for more 2
information.
Perú Negro With Eva Ayllón Festejo
Save 20%. Enjoy these six events for only $218, $180, $109.
g l o b a l v i e w S eries
1
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
6
3
Danú Friday, March 18 at 8 p.m.
For more than a decade, Danú has performed to enthusiastic audiences around the globe with its use of traditional instruments accompanied by exquisite vocals. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the “fierce fiddle reels” and “pensive ballads” (The New York Times) of Danú! See page 26 for more information.
PERFORMANCE SPONSOR
See page 24 for more information.
4 3
4
1 5
8 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
6
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 9
american echoES Series
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
Save 20%. Enjoy these six events for only $212, $173, $106.
4
Hot Tuna founding members and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady join forces with blues icon Charlie Musselwhite and Grammy winning bluegrass guitarist John Lauderdale for a celebration of blues, jazz, bluegrass, and folk.
Saturday, October 9 at 8 p.m.
more information.
1
2
2
Dailey & Vincent Friday, November 12 at 8 p.m.
“The most celebrated new bluegrass act of the last few years,” raves The New York Times. These two bluegrass veterans have amassed 10 International Bluegrass Music Awards and a large following of adoring fans for good reason: their vocal arrangements are impeccable, their performances flawless, and their two-part harmonies breathtaking. See page 22 for more information.
3 3
4
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New Orleans Nights
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra 6
Saturday, February 19 at 8 p.m.
Anthony Maiello, conductor
The American Festival Pops Orchestra returns to the Center this fall to perform a delightful program of popular American music from television, movies, and Broadway with well-known pieces by composers John Williams, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Marvin Hamlisch, and more. See page 20 for
Hot Tuna Blues
Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m.
This superb group of outstanding musicians from Washington, D.C. is known for its stunning interpretations of classics by jazz masters such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong. The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra returns to the Center to bring the house down and the audience to its feet. See page 26 for more information.
See page 25 for more information.
5
DRUMLine Live Sunday, February 27 at 7 p.m.
This vibrant and energetic phenomenon brings show-style marching bands from the football field to the stage. Featuring contemporary hip hop and R&B hits, classic Motown tunes and more, the heart of the show remains the talented percussionists whose spectacular showdown astounds with its precision and force. “Explosive percussion, resounding brass, and dazzling choreography,” declares The Morning Call. See page
3
25 for more information.
with Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton, and the Joe Krown Trio Sunday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
In tribute to the grand epicenter of jazz, New Orleans Nights brings together three musical legends: Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton and the Joe Krown Trio. Don’t miss this incredible evening of swingin’ jazz music celebrating the rich musical traditions of America’s favorite southern city! See page 22 for more information.
5 10 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
6 2010/2011 Great performances at mason 11
AMERICAN ECHO e s S eries
American Festival Pops Orchestra 1
american echoES Series
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
Save 20%. Enjoy these six events for only $212, $173, $106.
4
Hot Tuna founding members and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady join forces with blues icon Charlie Musselwhite and Grammy winning bluegrass guitarist John Lauderdale for a celebration of blues, jazz, bluegrass, and folk.
Saturday, October 9 at 8 p.m.
more information.
1
2
2
Dailey & Vincent Friday, November 12 at 8 p.m.
“The most celebrated new bluegrass act of the last few years,” raves The New York Times. These two bluegrass veterans have amassed 10 International Bluegrass Music Awards and a large following of adoring fans for good reason: their vocal arrangements are impeccable, their performances flawless, and their two-part harmonies breathtaking. See page 22 for more information.
3 3
4
4
New Orleans Nights
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra 6
Saturday, February 19 at 8 p.m.
Anthony Maiello, conductor
The American Festival Pops Orchestra returns to the Center this fall to perform a delightful program of popular American music from television, movies, and Broadway with well-known pieces by composers John Williams, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Marvin Hamlisch, and more. See page 20 for
Hot Tuna Blues
Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m.
This superb group of outstanding musicians from Washington, D.C. is known for its stunning interpretations of classics by jazz masters such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong. The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra returns to the Center to bring the house down and the audience to its feet. See page 26 for more information.
See page 25 for more information.
5
DRUMLine Live Sunday, February 27 at 7 p.m.
This vibrant and energetic phenomenon brings show-style marching bands from the football field to the stage. Featuring contemporary hip hop and R&B hits, classic Motown tunes and more, the heart of the show remains the talented percussionists whose spectacular showdown astounds with its precision and force. “Explosive percussion, resounding brass, and dazzling choreography,” declares The Morning Call. See page
3
25 for more information.
with Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton, and the Joe Krown Trio Sunday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
In tribute to the grand epicenter of jazz, New Orleans Nights brings together three musical legends: Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton and the Joe Krown Trio. Don’t miss this incredible evening of swingin’ jazz music celebrating the rich musical traditions of America’s favorite southern city! See page 22 for more information.
5 10 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
6 2010/2011 Great performances at mason 11
AMERICAN ECHO e s S eries
American Festival Pops Orchestra 1
enthralling theater Series Aquila Theatre
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2
L.A. Theatre Works
3
The Real Dr. Strangelove
Save 20%. See all five plays for only $141, $109, $71.
e n t h r a l l i n g t h e a t e r S eries
1
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
Aquila Theatre
Six Characters in Search of an Author
Friday, November 19 at 8 p.m.
Friday, January 28 at 8 p.m.
Friday, February 11 at 8 p.m.
Shakespeare’s most timeless and beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, examines the universal theme of love and its attendant complications: passion, lust, frustration, depression, confusion, and, of course, marriage. Aquila weaves a web of the enchanted forest, the injustice of the Athenian court, and the political strife of the Fairy Kingdom. “Timely and pleasing… this ‘Dream’ soothes the eye and tickles the funny bone.” (The New York Times) See page 22 for more information.
If you have the knowledge, are you obligated to use it? America’s premier radio theater company brings Peter Goodchild’s gripping docu-drama to the stage to explore this critical question. It tells of the fractured relationship between the scientists Teller and Oppenheimer, and outlines the dramatic events that set America on the path to becoming a nuclear superpower—and the resulting consequences. See page 24 for more
This surrealistic tragicomedy dares to ask fundamental questions about the very nature of art and entertainment, blurring the line between reality and artifice. The play opens with actors in rehearsal for a Pirandello play when six nameless characters unexpectedly appear in search of an author, explaining that the writer failed to finish their story. This remarkable work is incredibly relevant, poignant, and funny.
information.
See page 24 for more information.
4
1
The Acting Company The Comedy of Errors
Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m.
This award-winning repertory ensemble presents Shakespeare’s witty farce about two sets of identical twins accidentally separated at birth. One of the bard’s earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors involves a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities leading to wrongful attacks, a near-seduction, an arrest, and hilarious schemes. See page 25 for more information.
5
Theater of the First Amendment
4
Live Wire Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m.
3
Live Wire recreates the distinctive look, exciting sound, and nostalgic feel of the classic radio days of the 1930s, presenting a selection of authentic Great Depression-era shows. The talented cast of actors and musicians from Theater of the First Amendment spans a range of styles from “Living Newspaper” to mystery to musicale in this enthralling collection of radio plays. See page 27 for more information.
12 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
2
5 2010/2011 Great performances at mason 13
enthralling theater Series Aquila Theatre
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2
L.A. Theatre Works
3
The Real Dr. Strangelove
Save 20%. See all five plays for only $141, $109, $71.
e n t h r a l l i n g t h e a t e r S eries
1
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
Aquila Theatre
Six Characters in Search of an Author
Friday, November 19 at 8 p.m.
Friday, January 28 at 8 p.m.
Friday, February 11 at 8 p.m.
Shakespeare’s most timeless and beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, examines the universal theme of love and its attendant complications: passion, lust, frustration, depression, confusion, and, of course, marriage. Aquila weaves a web of the enchanted forest, the injustice of the Athenian court, and the political strife of the Fairy Kingdom. “Timely and pleasing… this ‘Dream’ soothes the eye and tickles the funny bone.” (The New York Times) See page 22 for more information.
If you have the knowledge, are you obligated to use it? America’s premier radio theater company brings Peter Goodchild’s gripping docu-drama to the stage to explore this critical question. It tells of the fractured relationship between the scientists Teller and Oppenheimer, and outlines the dramatic events that set America on the path to becoming a nuclear superpower—and the resulting consequences. See page 24 for more
This surrealistic tragicomedy dares to ask fundamental questions about the very nature of art and entertainment, blurring the line between reality and artifice. The play opens with actors in rehearsal for a Pirandello play when six nameless characters unexpectedly appear in search of an author, explaining that the writer failed to finish their story. This remarkable work is incredibly relevant, poignant, and funny.
information.
See page 24 for more information.
4
1
The Acting Company The Comedy of Errors
Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m.
This award-winning repertory ensemble presents Shakespeare’s witty farce about two sets of identical twins accidentally separated at birth. One of the bard’s earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors involves a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities leading to wrongful attacks, a near-seduction, an arrest, and hilarious schemes. See page 25 for more information.
5
Theater of the First Amendment
4
Live Wire Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m.
3
Live Wire recreates the distinctive look, exciting sound, and nostalgic feel of the classic radio days of the 1930s, presenting a selection of authentic Great Depression-era shows. The talented cast of actors and musicians from Theater of the First Amendment spans a range of styles from “Living Newspaper” to mystery to musicale in this enthralling collection of radio plays. See page 27 for more information.
12 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
2
5 2010/2011 Great performances at mason 13
virginia opera Series
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
Save 10% Friday evening series: four operas for only $310, $260, $159 Save 10% Sunday matinee series: four operas for only $353, $288, $173
v i r g i n i a o p e r a S eries
Rigoletto Friday, October 15 at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 17 at 2 p.m.
Virginia Opera’s season opens with Verdi’s dark masterpiece of love, loss, betrayal, and vengeance. Based on the Victor Hugo novel, this is the heartrending tale of the doomed jester Rigoletto, his naive daughter, and the lascivious duke. After mocking the noblemen whose wives and daughters have been the object of the duke’s affections, the clown is threatened with revenge. Meanwhile, his secret daughter has fallen in love with the lecherous duke, whom she has mistaken for a student. Tragedy strikes when the young maiden becomes a hopeless pawn as her father and her lover conspire to destroy each other. The bold characterizations and magnificent music make this among Verdi’s most beloved operas. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. See page 20 for more information.
14 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
CosÌ fan tutte
The Valkyrie
Friday, December 3 at 8 p.m.
Friday, February 18 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 5 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m.
The Virginia Opera asks the age-old question—“are all women alike?”—when it brings Mozart’s beloved opera buffa Così fan tutte to the stage this fall. First performed in Vienna in 1790, this hilarious opera tells the story of two sisters in Naples whose soldier fiancés make a bet with a cynical old bachelor to test the women’s love and fidelity. Pretending to go off to war, they instead disguise themselves and attempt to seduce the sisters. Will the women remain faithful to their betrothed or give in to the temptations of these charming strangers? Filled with uproarious comedy, romantic drama, and the sublime voices of the Virginia Opera, this deliciously wry tale takes an ironic look at the foibles of love. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. See page 22 for more
The Virginia Opera brings Wagner’s epic masterpiece to the Center for the Arts. The cornerstone of the majestic “Ring Cycle,” The Valkyrie is the second part of this magnificent tetralogy, and has achieved immense popularity as an independent work. In this magnum opus based on Norse and Teutonic myths, a powerful god is torn between conflicting loyalties among his mortal and divine children in his desire to possess a magical ring that will make him omnipotent. Wagner’s brilliant score includes “Ride of the Valkyries,” one of the most famous and exhilarating piece in the operatic literature, and the breathtaking finale leaves audiences speechless. Sung in German with English supertitles.
information.
See page 25 for more information.
Madama Butterfly Friday, April 1 at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at 2 p.m.
The Virginia Opera concludes its season with a stunning production of Puccini’s heartbreaking Madama Butterfly. This beloved masterpiece transports audiences to the Japanese city of Nagasaki at the turn of the 20th century. Cultures collide and tragedy ensues when a flippant American officer takes a young geisha as his bride and then leaves her when he returns home to the U.S. After anxiously awaiting his return for years, the lovesick girl is distraught to learn that her husband has remarried. This poignant tale of love, betrayal, and sacrifice has become one the most beloved works in all of operatic literature. This captivating opera touches the heart with its deep human tragedy, powerful music, and the extraordinary voices of the Virginia Opera. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. See page 26 for more information
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 15
virginia opera Series
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
Save 10% Friday evening series: four operas for only $310, $260, $159 Save 10% Sunday matinee series: four operas for only $353, $288, $173
v i r g i n i a o p e r a S eries
Rigoletto Friday, October 15 at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 17 at 2 p.m.
Virginia Opera’s season opens with Verdi’s dark masterpiece of love, loss, betrayal, and vengeance. Based on the Victor Hugo novel, this is the heartrending tale of the doomed jester Rigoletto, his naive daughter, and the lascivious duke. After mocking the noblemen whose wives and daughters have been the object of the duke’s affections, the clown is threatened with revenge. Meanwhile, his secret daughter has fallen in love with the lecherous duke, whom she has mistaken for a student. Tragedy strikes when the young maiden becomes a hopeless pawn as her father and her lover conspire to destroy each other. The bold characterizations and magnificent music make this among Verdi’s most beloved operas. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. See page 20 for more information.
14 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
CosÌ fan tutte
The Valkyrie
Friday, December 3 at 8 p.m.
Friday, February 18 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 5 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m.
The Virginia Opera asks the age-old question—“are all women alike?”—when it brings Mozart’s beloved opera buffa Così fan tutte to the stage this fall. First performed in Vienna in 1790, this hilarious opera tells the story of two sisters in Naples whose soldier fiancés make a bet with a cynical old bachelor to test the women’s love and fidelity. Pretending to go off to war, they instead disguise themselves and attempt to seduce the sisters. Will the women remain faithful to their betrothed or give in to the temptations of these charming strangers? Filled with uproarious comedy, romantic drama, and the sublime voices of the Virginia Opera, this deliciously wry tale takes an ironic look at the foibles of love. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. See page 22 for more
The Virginia Opera brings Wagner’s epic masterpiece to the Center for the Arts. The cornerstone of the majestic “Ring Cycle,” The Valkyrie is the second part of this magnificent tetralogy, and has achieved immense popularity as an independent work. In this magnum opus based on Norse and Teutonic myths, a powerful god is torn between conflicting loyalties among his mortal and divine children in his desire to possess a magical ring that will make him omnipotent. Wagner’s brilliant score includes “Ride of the Valkyries,” one of the most famous and exhilarating piece in the operatic literature, and the breathtaking finale leaves audiences speechless. Sung in German with English supertitles.
information.
See page 25 for more information.
Madama Butterfly Friday, April 1 at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at 2 p.m.
The Virginia Opera concludes its season with a stunning production of Puccini’s heartbreaking Madama Butterfly. This beloved masterpiece transports audiences to the Japanese city of Nagasaki at the turn of the 20th century. Cultures collide and tragedy ensues when a flippant American officer takes a young geisha as his bride and then leaves her when he returns home to the U.S. After anxiously awaiting his return for years, the lovesick girl is distraught to learn that her husband has remarried. This poignant tale of love, betrayal, and sacrifice has become one the most beloved works in all of operatic literature. This captivating opera touches the heart with its deep human tragedy, powerful music, and the extraordinary voices of the Virginia Opera. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. See page 26 for more information
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 15
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
keyboard conversations Series with jeffrey siegel ®
all music Series
concerts with commentary
y oeticall p d n a l tfu rds “Insigh ed, both in wo st t Po interpre c” —the Washington si and mu
American Festival Pops Orchestra
Keyboard Conversations Concerts are always a joy for the piano aficionado and novice alike. Each concert features a full program of piano masterpieces performed by Mr. Siegel, interspersed with his enlightening commentary about the composers and their work. Every performance is sure to be a delight, infused with Siegel’s charm and engaging wit, and each concludes with an open question and answer session, in which the artist encourages all questions!
Three Great “Bs”—Bach, Beethoven, and Barber
Northern Lights
Sunday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
In the third Keyboard Conversations performance of the season, Mr. Siegel takes the audience on a journey to Northern Europe to experience a smorgasbord of short, atmospheric mood pictures in sound by the Norwegian Edvard Grieg, the Finnish Jean Sibelius, the Danish Carl Nielsen, and the German Johannes Brahms. See page 26 for more information.
The Fantastic Fantasy World of Robert Schumann Sunday, November 7 at 7 p.m.
This program celebrates the 200th birthday of Robert Schumann by exploring some of his music inspired by love including his Fantasies, Op. 12, as well as his stupendous Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13 or “variations on a theme of a false father-in-law!” See page 21 for more information.
Turtle Island Quartet
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, October 9 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 20.
Event description on page 23.
Event description on page 26.
Brooklyn Rider
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Saturday, October 16 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 21.
BBC Concert Orchestra Keith Lockhart, conductor Ilya Yakushev, piano Saturday, November 6 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 21.
Philippe Entremont, conductor Sebastian Knauer, piano Saturday, January 29 at 8 p.m.
Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m.
Arabella Steinbacher, violin Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 27.
Event description on page 24.
Opole, Philharmonic of Poland
Friday, November 12 at 8 p.m.
Boguslaw Dawidow, conductor Jacek Kortus, piano Saturday, February 12 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 22.
Event description on page 25.
New Orleans Nights
Hot Tuna Blues
with Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton, and the Joe Krown Trio Sunday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 19 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 25.
Event description on page 22.
Sunday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
all dance Series Save 25% See all ten performances for only $351, $291, $176 Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company Sunday, November 14 at 4 p.m.
Event description on page 22.
Paris 1911—A Festive Musical Year!
Perú Negro
Sunday, May 1 at 7 p.m.
Jeffrey Siegel concludes his season of Keyboard Conversations with a delightful look at some of the engaging and enduring music that flourished in Paris in 1911. The program includes Ravel’s touching Valses Nobles et Sentimentale, the Preludes of Debussy and Fauré, and Petrouchka, Stravinsky’s beautiful Russian ballet about a puppet that comes to life. See page 27 for more information.
MOMIX Botanica Saturday, October 2 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 20.
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
SERIES SPONSOR
16 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Save 25% See all eleven events for only $396, $330, $198
with Cyrus Chestnut and Mike Marshall Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m.
Dailey & Vincent
Save 15% Enjoy all four concerts for only $130, $102, $65
In the first of four concerts, Mr. Siegel investigates the lives and works of three of the most prolific composers of all time. The program includes Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, Beethoven’s beloved “Appassionata” Sonata, Op. 57 in F Minor, and several works by Samuel Barber, whose 100th birthday we celebrate this season. See page 20 for more information.
all music Series /all dance Series
Parsons Dance with East Village Opera Company Remember Me Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 26.
with Eva Ayllon Festejo Saturday, January 22 at 8 p.m.
Russian National Ballet Theatre
Event description on page 24.
Event description on page 27.
Mark Morris Dance Group
Russian National Ballet Theatre
Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m.
Swan Lake Sunday, April 10 at 4 p.m.
Event description on page 24.
Tango Buenos Aires
Friday, November 5 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 21.
Event description on page 26.
Romeo and Juliet Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 27.
Trisha Brown Dance Company Saturday, April 30 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 27.
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 17
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
keyboard conversations Series with jeffrey siegel ®
all music Series
concerts with commentary
y oeticall p d n a l tfu rds “Insigh ed, both in wo st t Po interpre c” —the Washington si and mu
American Festival Pops Orchestra
Keyboard Conversations Concerts are always a joy for the piano aficionado and novice alike. Each concert features a full program of piano masterpieces performed by Mr. Siegel, interspersed with his enlightening commentary about the composers and their work. Every performance is sure to be a delight, infused with Siegel’s charm and engaging wit, and each concludes with an open question and answer session, in which the artist encourages all questions!
Three Great “Bs”—Bach, Beethoven, and Barber
Northern Lights
Sunday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
In the third Keyboard Conversations performance of the season, Mr. Siegel takes the audience on a journey to Northern Europe to experience a smorgasbord of short, atmospheric mood pictures in sound by the Norwegian Edvard Grieg, the Finnish Jean Sibelius, the Danish Carl Nielsen, and the German Johannes Brahms. See page 26 for more information.
The Fantastic Fantasy World of Robert Schumann Sunday, November 7 at 7 p.m.
This program celebrates the 200th birthday of Robert Schumann by exploring some of his music inspired by love including his Fantasies, Op. 12, as well as his stupendous Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13 or “variations on a theme of a false father-in-law!” See page 21 for more information.
Turtle Island Quartet
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, October 9 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 20.
Event description on page 23.
Event description on page 26.
Brooklyn Rider
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Saturday, October 16 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 21.
BBC Concert Orchestra Keith Lockhart, conductor Ilya Yakushev, piano Saturday, November 6 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 21.
Philippe Entremont, conductor Sebastian Knauer, piano Saturday, January 29 at 8 p.m.
Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m.
Arabella Steinbacher, violin Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 27.
Event description on page 24.
Opole, Philharmonic of Poland
Friday, November 12 at 8 p.m.
Boguslaw Dawidow, conductor Jacek Kortus, piano Saturday, February 12 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 22.
Event description on page 25.
New Orleans Nights
Hot Tuna Blues
with Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton, and the Joe Krown Trio Sunday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 19 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 25.
Event description on page 22.
Sunday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
all dance Series Save 25% See all ten performances for only $351, $291, $176 Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company Sunday, November 14 at 4 p.m.
Event description on page 22.
Paris 1911—A Festive Musical Year!
Perú Negro
Sunday, May 1 at 7 p.m.
Jeffrey Siegel concludes his season of Keyboard Conversations with a delightful look at some of the engaging and enduring music that flourished in Paris in 1911. The program includes Ravel’s touching Valses Nobles et Sentimentale, the Preludes of Debussy and Fauré, and Petrouchka, Stravinsky’s beautiful Russian ballet about a puppet that comes to life. See page 27 for more information.
MOMIX Botanica Saturday, October 2 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 20.
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
SERIES SPONSOR
16 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Save 25% See all eleven events for only $396, $330, $198
with Cyrus Chestnut and Mike Marshall Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m.
Dailey & Vincent
Save 15% Enjoy all four concerts for only $130, $102, $65
In the first of four concerts, Mr. Siegel investigates the lives and works of three of the most prolific composers of all time. The program includes Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, Beethoven’s beloved “Appassionata” Sonata, Op. 57 in F Minor, and several works by Samuel Barber, whose 100th birthday we celebrate this season. See page 20 for more information.
all music Series /all dance Series
Parsons Dance with East Village Opera Company Remember Me Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 26.
with Eva Ayllon Festejo Saturday, January 22 at 8 p.m.
Russian National Ballet Theatre
Event description on page 24.
Event description on page 27.
Mark Morris Dance Group
Russian National Ballet Theatre
Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m.
Swan Lake Sunday, April 10 at 4 p.m.
Event description on page 24.
Tango Buenos Aires
Friday, November 5 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 21.
Event description on page 26.
Romeo and Juliet Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 27.
Trisha Brown Dance Company Saturday, April 30 at 8 p.m.
Event description on page 27.
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 17
it’s even better when you subscribe n
The Waverly Consort The Christmas Story Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m.
In this extraordinary company, talented singers join instrumentalists playing reproductions of medieval instruments to create a performance that recounts the events of the Biblical Christmas story in an uplifting and moving celebration of ritual drama and song. The Waverly Consort invokes the spirit and pageantry of medieval church drama in this unique holiday celebration. See page 23 for more information.
Synergy Brass Quintet Christmas in Brass Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m.
Acclaimed for their technical skill, marvelous showmanship, and diverse programming, the Synergy Brass Quintet has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting new ensembles. The quintet presents a spirited holiday program that features lush brass arrangements of classical works amid a broad selection of Christmas carols, all presented in a joyful celebration. “Unadulterated exuberance and a rock star approach of performing.” (U.S.1) See page 23 for more information.
Leahy Leahy Family Christmas Friday, December 17 at 8 p.m.
When this charming Canadian octet of siblings last performed at the Center, they packed the house and brought the audience to its feet. Leahy performs this holiday season with an energetic program that demonstrates its musical prowess and ferocious dancing, mixing Celtic melodies with traditional Christmas carols. “A true family affair!” (Calgary Herald) See page 23 for more information.
Vienna Boys Choir Christmas in Vienna Saturday, December 18 at 8 p.m.
n n
n
R FOR T
20 Y 90
Not only will you enjoy the best of the performing arts all season long, you will also enjoy many benefits exclusive to subscribers. n
TE
EAR
A RT S
“No one does a better choral Christmas than the virtuoso male voices of Chanticleer.” (New Yorker) These twelve singers have been a hallmark of the Christmas season for more than 30 years and their magnificent and elegant holiday concert is a cherished tradition at the Center for the Arts. This season, Chanticleer performs an enchanting program that features treasured traditional carols, revered sacred works, and delightful holiday favorites. See page 22 for more details.
2010 /2011 season HE
Saturday, November 27 at 8 p.m.
Great Performances at Mason
CEN
Chanticleer A Chanticleer Christmas
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
19
h o l i d a y p erforman c es
celebrate the holidays at the center! Celebrate the Holidays at the Center!
S
– 2 0 10
Better Seats—Receive priority over single ticket buyers for prime seat locations. Ticket Exchanges—Exchange tickets up to the day before the performance for tickets to any other Great Performances at Mason event of the 2010/2011 season. Great Savings—Save up to 25% off single ticket prices. Discounts for Friends and Family—Purchase additional tickets throughout the season, and receive a 10% discount. Subscriber Helpline—Use this special phone number to get personal assistance and information about your subscription and to purchase additional tickets throughout the season.
Two Ways to Subscribe
Subscribe to one or more Great Performances at Mason Series or create your own Custom Series. Either way, you get all of the subscriber benefits above! 1. The Great Performances at Mason Series:
Select any of the series you will find in the front section of this brochure. The events are grouped by genre in these series, each offering a sublime collection of performance experiences. The Magnificent Music Series, for example, presents musical virtuosity at its very best, and the Dynamic Dance Series offers a rich variety of modern dance, world dance, and ballet. The American Echoes Series explores performances as a reflection of our own culture, while the Global View Series travels the globe seeking arts from far-away cultures. There are nine different series in total, and you can subscribe to as many as you like. See pages 4-17
2. The Custom Series:
Select any of the events from the entire season, which you will find on the following pages, to create your own Custom Series. This plan gives you complete flexibility to choose the events of greatest interest to you. Choose as few as four events or as many as fifteen, twenty, or even more; but just remember this—the more events you choose, the more you save!
# of Performances
% Savings
4 to 5 Save 10% over single ticket prices
6 to 9 Save 15% over single ticket prices
10 to 14 Save 20% over single ticket prices
15 or more Save 25% over single ticket prices See pages 20-27
Sunday, December 19 at 4 p.m.
For more than five centuries, the Vienna Boys Choir has been synonymous with choral music, delighting the world with its distinctive charm and a crowd-pleasing repertoire of Austrian folk songs and waltzes, classical masterpieces, pop songs, and holiday favorites. “Theirs are the voices of Christmas, as pure as angels, as clear as the winter light.” (Charles Passy, Ovation) See page 23 for more information.
18 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Subscribe Now for the Best Seats Subscriptions are processed in the order in which they are received. To ensure you get the best seats, order your subscription today! Start right now by turning to the order form in center of this brochure, by calling 703-993-2787, or by going online to cfa.gmu.edu. 2010/2011 Great performances at mason 19
it’s even better when you subscribe n
The Waverly Consort The Christmas Story Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m.
In this extraordinary company, talented singers join instrumentalists playing reproductions of medieval instruments to create a performance that recounts the events of the Biblical Christmas story in an uplifting and moving celebration of ritual drama and song. The Waverly Consort invokes the spirit and pageantry of medieval church drama in this unique holiday celebration. See page 23 for more information.
Synergy Brass Quintet Christmas in Brass Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m.
Acclaimed for their technical skill, marvelous showmanship, and diverse programming, the Synergy Brass Quintet has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting new ensembles. The quintet presents a spirited holiday program that features lush brass arrangements of classical works amid a broad selection of Christmas carols, all presented in a joyful celebration. “Unadulterated exuberance and a rock star approach of performing.” (U.S.1) See page 23 for more information.
Leahy Leahy Family Christmas Friday, December 17 at 8 p.m.
When this charming Canadian octet of siblings last performed at the Center, they packed the house and brought the audience to its feet. Leahy performs this holiday season with an energetic program that demonstrates its musical prowess and ferocious dancing, mixing Celtic melodies with traditional Christmas carols. “A true family affair!” (Calgary Herald) See page 23 for more information.
Vienna Boys Choir Christmas in Vienna Saturday, December 18 at 8 p.m.
n n
n
R FOR T
20 Y 90
Not only will you enjoy the best of the performing arts all season long, you will also enjoy many benefits exclusive to subscribers. n
TE
EAR
A RT S
“No one does a better choral Christmas than the virtuoso male voices of Chanticleer.” (New Yorker) These twelve singers have been a hallmark of the Christmas season for more than 30 years and their magnificent and elegant holiday concert is a cherished tradition at the Center for the Arts. This season, Chanticleer performs an enchanting program that features treasured traditional carols, revered sacred works, and delightful holiday favorites. See page 22 for more details.
2010 /2011 season HE
Saturday, November 27 at 8 p.m.
Great Performances at Mason
CEN
Chanticleer A Chanticleer Christmas
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
19
h o l i d a y p erforman c es
celebrate the holidays at the center! Celebrate the Holidays at the Center!
S
– 2 0 10
Better Seats—Receive priority over single ticket buyers for prime seat locations. Ticket Exchanges—Exchange tickets up to the day before the performance for tickets to any other Great Performances at Mason event of the 2010/2011 season. Great Savings—Save up to 25% off single ticket prices. Discounts for Friends and Family—Purchase additional tickets throughout the season, and receive a 10% discount. Subscriber Helpline—Use this special phone number to get personal assistance and information about your subscription and to purchase additional tickets throughout the season.
Two Ways to Subscribe
Subscribe to one or more Great Performances at Mason Series or create your own Custom Series. Either way, you get all of the subscriber benefits above! 1. The Great Performances at Mason Series:
Select any of the series you will find in the front section of this brochure. The events are grouped by genre in these series, each offering a sublime collection of performance experiences. The Magnificent Music Series, for example, presents musical virtuosity at its very best, and the Dynamic Dance Series offers a rich variety of modern dance, world dance, and ballet. The American Echoes Series explores performances as a reflection of our own culture, while the Global View Series travels the globe seeking arts from far-away cultures. There are nine different series in total, and you can subscribe to as many as you like. See pages 4-17
2. The Custom Series:
Select any of the events from the entire season, which you will find on the following pages, to create your own Custom Series. This plan gives you complete flexibility to choose the events of greatest interest to you. Choose as few as four events or as many as fifteen, twenty, or even more; but just remember this—the more events you choose, the more you save!
# of Performances
% Savings
4 to 5 Save 10% over single ticket prices
6 to 9 Save 15% over single ticket prices
10 to 14 Save 20% over single ticket prices
15 or more Save 25% over single ticket prices See pages 20-27
Sunday, December 19 at 4 p.m.
For more than five centuries, the Vienna Boys Choir has been synonymous with choral music, delighting the world with its distinctive charm and a crowd-pleasing repertoire of Austrian folk songs and waltzes, classical masterpieces, pop songs, and holiday favorites. “Theirs are the voices of Christmas, as pure as angels, as clear as the winter light.” (Charles Passy, Ovation) See page 23 for more information.
18 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Subscribe Now for the Best Seats Subscriptions are processed in the order in which they are received. To ensure you get the best seats, order your subscription today! Start right now by turning to the order form in center of this brochure, by calling 703-993-2787, or by going online to cfa.gmu.edu. 2010/2011 Great performances at mason 19
events by date
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
s e pte mbe r — octob e r
octob e r — n ov emb e r
American Festival Pops Orchestra
Anthony Maiello, conductor
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel
Three Great “Bs”—Bach, Beethoven, and Barber Sunday, September 19 at 7 p.m. Renowned pianist Jeffrey Siegel returns, celebrating the 18th season of his popular “concerts with commentary” series at the Center for the Arts. In this first of his four concerts, Mr. Siegel investigates the lives and works of three of the most prolific composers of all time. Included in the program are Bach’s towering Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, Beethoven’s volcanic and noble “Appassionata” Sonata, Op. 57 in F Minor and in celebration of his 100th birthday, several works by the great American composer Samuel Barber. $38, $30, $19 ff KC
joel grey
Saturday, September 25 at 8 p.m. Hailed as “The quintessential song-and-dance man,” by The Washington Post, Joel Grey has spent more than 50 years starring on Broadway, television, and film. Best known for his scenestealing role as the demonic emcee in the Broadway and film versions of Cabaret, this charismatic entertainer is one of only eight actors to win both a Tony and an Oscar for the same role. Recent stage credits include the Wizard in Wicked, Roxie Hart’s milquetoast husband in the revival of Chicago, and he starred in the lead role in George M!, Goodtime Charlie, and The Grand Tour, winning a Tony Award for Best Actor in each role. Recent television appearances include roles on Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and House. For this performance, Grey joins a twenty-piece orchestra to take the audience on a virtual tour of his career—singing, dancing, and storytelling—performing songs by Kander & Ebb, Rodgers and Hart, Billy Joel and more. $60, $52, $30
Saturday, October 9 at 8 p.m. Last season, this remarkable new orchestra made its debut at the Center where it was received with unbridled enthusiasm. This fall, American Festival Pops Orchestra returns to the Center, where it makes its home, to perform a delightful program of popular American music from television, movies, and Broadway with well-known pieces by composers John Williams, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Marvin Hamlisch, and more. Founder and artistic director, Anthony Maiello, who is also Director of Instrumental Studies at Mason, has brought together this fantastic orchestra of 60 talented musicians from the D.C. area. Together this extraordinary ensemble performs some of the most memorable and treasured music of the 20th century! $46, $38, $23 ff AE AM
Brooklyn Rider
Saturday, October 16 at 8 p.m. This multi-faceted string quartet performs music in fresh new ways with its broad and inclusive repertoire. Veterans of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, the talented, innovative, young musicians known as Brooklyn Rider have garnered the attention of critics and audiences alike with their brilliant exploration of classic works by Beethoven, Bach, and Haydn, while also including the music of more contemporary composers like Philip Glass, Derek Bermel, and Osvaldo Golijov. Bringing their music to new audiences and venues is an essential part of their creative mission, which has found them performing in venues as varied as Joe’s Pub in New York City and the San Francisco Jazz Festival. The New Yorker says, “few young artists are so versatile.” $40, $32, $20 MM AM
Buika
Saturday, October 30 at 8 p.m. Hailed as the “flamenco queen” by the New York Post, this sensual songstress has gone from struggling artist to trailblazing force in contemporary Spanish music in just a few short years. The daughter of African political refugees from Equatorial Guinea, Buika may have grown up poor in a gypsy neighborhood on Mallorca, but her childhood was rich with song. “Like meals, music was a part of our daily life,” she says. Known for her smoky and captivating voice, and her unique blend of jazz, blues, and soul with gypsy rumba and Afro-Cuban music—and, of course, flamenco—Buika is a master of coplas, or torch songs. “Luminous…magnificent…superb!” raves The New York Times. $42, $34, $21 GV
This concert is part of the ARTS by George! benefit. Please see page 28 for details.
MOMIX
Botanica
Icon Key
Magnificent Music..................................................... MM Dynamic Dance........................................................... DD Global View.................................................................. GV American Echoes........................................................ AE Enthralling Theater..................................................... ET Virginia Opera.............................................................. VO Keyboard Conversations.......................................... KC All Music....................................................................... AM All Dance....................................................................... AD Family Friendly*.............................................................. ff *Youth through grade 12 half price
Saturday, October 2 at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 3 at 4 p.m. “The sheer beauty and potential of the human body magnified,” raves The Washington Post about this mesmerizing company. Renowned for works of delightful inventiveness and physical beauty, MOMIX presents a new creation, the green-themed Botanica. This latest invention of artistic director and founder Moses Pendleton follows the rhythms of New England’s seasons, the evolution of the world, and the passing of a day. Flowers bloom, go to seed, and die; vegetable, animal, and mineral—all in human form—combine and metamorphose. The stunning costumes and props by Michael Curry (from Broadway’s The Lion King), combined with graceful movement, create a whimsical and imaginative landscape that will enchant the entire family. An herbal remedy for whatever ails you, Botanica is an event not to be missed! $46, $38, $23 ff DD AD
20 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Virginia Opera Rigoletto
Friday, October 15 at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 17 at 2 p.m. Virginia Opera’s season opens with Verdi’s dark masterpiece of love, loss, betrayal, and vengeance. Based on the Victor Hugo novel, this is the heartrending tale of the doomed jester Rigoletto, his naive daughter, and the lascivious duke. After mocking the noblemen whose wives and daughters have been the object of the duke’s affections, the clown is threatened with revenge. Meanwhile, his secret daughter has fallen in love with the lecherous duke, whom she has mistaken for a student. Tragedy strikes when the young maiden becomes a hopeless pawn as her father and her lover conspire to destroy each other. The bold characterizations and magnificent music make this among Verdi’s most beloved operas. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. $86, $72, $44 – Friday $98, $80, $48 – Sunday VO
The Merchants of Bollywood
Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m. Called “the most exhilarating musical seen this year,” by Britain’s Manchester Evening News, The Merchants of Bollywood is a nonstop whirl of color, music, and dance. A sensation in Europe and Australia, this runaway hit is based on the true story of the Merchant family, renowned choreographers from the golden age of Indian cinema. A clash between generations ensues when the young daughter breaks free of family tradition to create her own voice, finding love, heartbreak, and independence along the way. This inspiring musical is filled with an exhilarating fusion of Western and Indian dance, scores of glittery costumes and jewelry, and non-stop, high-octane music. Don’t miss this dazzling spectacle and touching tale of reconciliation. $48, $40, $24 ff GV
Lar Lubovitch Dance company
Friday, November 5 at 8 p.m. Described as a “national treasure” by Variety, this New York-based dance ensemble is one of the world’s foremost modern dance companies, and has performed in virtually every state and more than 30 countries since it was formed over 40 years ago by its prolific and esteemed choreographer. Lar Lubovitch, hailed as “one of the ten best choreographers in the world” by The New York Times, creates dances that are renowned for their musicality, rhapsodic style, and sophisticated formal structures. Dance enthusiasts throughout the world have praised his radiant choreography and deeply humanistic voice. In this long-awaited appearance, the company performs exciting recent works, as well as classic pieces from Lubovitch’s repertory. “Freshness, buoyancy, and sheer dancerly joy.” (Seattle Times) $44, $36, $22 DD AD
BBC Concert Orchestra
Keith Lockhart, conductor Ilya Yakushev, piano
Saturday, November 6 at 8 p.m. Known for its versatility and flexibility, BBC Concert Orchestra is one of the world’s most respected orchestras. The 56 members of this extraordinary ensemble, who have been described as serious musicians with a sense of humor, all share wide-ranging tastes and enjoy crossing musical boundaries. With an enviable reputation in the fields of classical, opera, and ballet music, the orchestra boasts an expansive repertoire that encompasses classic and contemporary works as well as lighter classical fare. Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart directs the orchestra in a program of impressive Russian works including Balakirev’s Overture on Three Russian Folk Songs, Prokofiev’s “Classical” Symphony No. 1, Op. 25, Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite (1919 version), and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18. $60, $52, $30 MM AM
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel
The Fantastic Fantasy World of Robert Schumann
Sunday, November 7 at 7 p.m. Described by the Chicago Tribune as “the Leonard Bernstein of the piano,” this remarkable pianist is known for delighting audiences with his talent, wit, and enlightening commentary on some of the most beloved music in the classical repertoire. In this program, Mr. Siegel celebrates the 200th birthday of Robert Schumann by exploring some of the most romantic music ever composed. Love inspired Schumann’s Fantasies, Op. 12 as well as his stupendous Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13 or “variations on a theme of a false father-in-law!” $38, $30, $19 ff KC
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 21
events by date
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
s e pte mbe r — octob e r
octob e r — n ov emb e r
American Festival Pops Orchestra
Anthony Maiello, conductor
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel
Three Great “Bs”—Bach, Beethoven, and Barber Sunday, September 19 at 7 p.m. Renowned pianist Jeffrey Siegel returns, celebrating the 18th season of his popular “concerts with commentary” series at the Center for the Arts. In this first of his four concerts, Mr. Siegel investigates the lives and works of three of the most prolific composers of all time. Included in the program are Bach’s towering Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, Beethoven’s volcanic and noble “Appassionata” Sonata, Op. 57 in F Minor and in celebration of his 100th birthday, several works by the great American composer Samuel Barber. $38, $30, $19 ff KC
joel grey
Saturday, September 25 at 8 p.m. Hailed as “The quintessential song-and-dance man,” by The Washington Post, Joel Grey has spent more than 50 years starring on Broadway, television, and film. Best known for his scenestealing role as the demonic emcee in the Broadway and film versions of Cabaret, this charismatic entertainer is one of only eight actors to win both a Tony and an Oscar for the same role. Recent stage credits include the Wizard in Wicked, Roxie Hart’s milquetoast husband in the revival of Chicago, and he starred in the lead role in George M!, Goodtime Charlie, and The Grand Tour, winning a Tony Award for Best Actor in each role. Recent television appearances include roles on Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and House. For this performance, Grey joins a twenty-piece orchestra to take the audience on a virtual tour of his career—singing, dancing, and storytelling—performing songs by Kander & Ebb, Rodgers and Hart, Billy Joel and more. $60, $52, $30
Saturday, October 9 at 8 p.m. Last season, this remarkable new orchestra made its debut at the Center where it was received with unbridled enthusiasm. This fall, American Festival Pops Orchestra returns to the Center, where it makes its home, to perform a delightful program of popular American music from television, movies, and Broadway with well-known pieces by composers John Williams, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Marvin Hamlisch, and more. Founder and artistic director, Anthony Maiello, who is also Director of Instrumental Studies at Mason, has brought together this fantastic orchestra of 60 talented musicians from the D.C. area. Together this extraordinary ensemble performs some of the most memorable and treasured music of the 20th century! $46, $38, $23 ff AE AM
Brooklyn Rider
Saturday, October 16 at 8 p.m. This multi-faceted string quartet performs music in fresh new ways with its broad and inclusive repertoire. Veterans of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, the talented, innovative, young musicians known as Brooklyn Rider have garnered the attention of critics and audiences alike with their brilliant exploration of classic works by Beethoven, Bach, and Haydn, while also including the music of more contemporary composers like Philip Glass, Derek Bermel, and Osvaldo Golijov. Bringing their music to new audiences and venues is an essential part of their creative mission, which has found them performing in venues as varied as Joe’s Pub in New York City and the San Francisco Jazz Festival. The New Yorker says, “few young artists are so versatile.” $40, $32, $20 MM AM
Buika
Saturday, October 30 at 8 p.m. Hailed as the “flamenco queen” by the New York Post, this sensual songstress has gone from struggling artist to trailblazing force in contemporary Spanish music in just a few short years. The daughter of African political refugees from Equatorial Guinea, Buika may have grown up poor in a gypsy neighborhood on Mallorca, but her childhood was rich with song. “Like meals, music was a part of our daily life,” she says. Known for her smoky and captivating voice, and her unique blend of jazz, blues, and soul with gypsy rumba and Afro-Cuban music—and, of course, flamenco—Buika is a master of coplas, or torch songs. “Luminous…magnificent…superb!” raves The New York Times. $42, $34, $21 GV
This concert is part of the ARTS by George! benefit. Please see page 28 for details.
MOMIX
Botanica
Icon Key
Magnificent Music..................................................... MM Dynamic Dance........................................................... DD Global View.................................................................. GV American Echoes........................................................ AE Enthralling Theater..................................................... ET Virginia Opera.............................................................. VO Keyboard Conversations.......................................... KC All Music....................................................................... AM All Dance....................................................................... AD Family Friendly*.............................................................. ff *Youth through grade 12 half price
Saturday, October 2 at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 3 at 4 p.m. “The sheer beauty and potential of the human body magnified,” raves The Washington Post about this mesmerizing company. Renowned for works of delightful inventiveness and physical beauty, MOMIX presents a new creation, the green-themed Botanica. This latest invention of artistic director and founder Moses Pendleton follows the rhythms of New England’s seasons, the evolution of the world, and the passing of a day. Flowers bloom, go to seed, and die; vegetable, animal, and mineral—all in human form—combine and metamorphose. The stunning costumes and props by Michael Curry (from Broadway’s The Lion King), combined with graceful movement, create a whimsical and imaginative landscape that will enchant the entire family. An herbal remedy for whatever ails you, Botanica is an event not to be missed! $46, $38, $23 ff DD AD
20 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Virginia Opera Rigoletto
Friday, October 15 at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 17 at 2 p.m. Virginia Opera’s season opens with Verdi’s dark masterpiece of love, loss, betrayal, and vengeance. Based on the Victor Hugo novel, this is the heartrending tale of the doomed jester Rigoletto, his naive daughter, and the lascivious duke. After mocking the noblemen whose wives and daughters have been the object of the duke’s affections, the clown is threatened with revenge. Meanwhile, his secret daughter has fallen in love with the lecherous duke, whom she has mistaken for a student. Tragedy strikes when the young maiden becomes a hopeless pawn as her father and her lover conspire to destroy each other. The bold characterizations and magnificent music make this among Verdi’s most beloved operas. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. $86, $72, $44 – Friday $98, $80, $48 – Sunday VO
The Merchants of Bollywood
Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m. Called “the most exhilarating musical seen this year,” by Britain’s Manchester Evening News, The Merchants of Bollywood is a nonstop whirl of color, music, and dance. A sensation in Europe and Australia, this runaway hit is based on the true story of the Merchant family, renowned choreographers from the golden age of Indian cinema. A clash between generations ensues when the young daughter breaks free of family tradition to create her own voice, finding love, heartbreak, and independence along the way. This inspiring musical is filled with an exhilarating fusion of Western and Indian dance, scores of glittery costumes and jewelry, and non-stop, high-octane music. Don’t miss this dazzling spectacle and touching tale of reconciliation. $48, $40, $24 ff GV
Lar Lubovitch Dance company
Friday, November 5 at 8 p.m. Described as a “national treasure” by Variety, this New York-based dance ensemble is one of the world’s foremost modern dance companies, and has performed in virtually every state and more than 30 countries since it was formed over 40 years ago by its prolific and esteemed choreographer. Lar Lubovitch, hailed as “one of the ten best choreographers in the world” by The New York Times, creates dances that are renowned for their musicality, rhapsodic style, and sophisticated formal structures. Dance enthusiasts throughout the world have praised his radiant choreography and deeply humanistic voice. In this long-awaited appearance, the company performs exciting recent works, as well as classic pieces from Lubovitch’s repertory. “Freshness, buoyancy, and sheer dancerly joy.” (Seattle Times) $44, $36, $22 DD AD
BBC Concert Orchestra
Keith Lockhart, conductor Ilya Yakushev, piano
Saturday, November 6 at 8 p.m. Known for its versatility and flexibility, BBC Concert Orchestra is one of the world’s most respected orchestras. The 56 members of this extraordinary ensemble, who have been described as serious musicians with a sense of humor, all share wide-ranging tastes and enjoy crossing musical boundaries. With an enviable reputation in the fields of classical, opera, and ballet music, the orchestra boasts an expansive repertoire that encompasses classic and contemporary works as well as lighter classical fare. Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart directs the orchestra in a program of impressive Russian works including Balakirev’s Overture on Three Russian Folk Songs, Prokofiev’s “Classical” Symphony No. 1, Op. 25, Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite (1919 version), and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18. $60, $52, $30 MM AM
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel
The Fantastic Fantasy World of Robert Schumann
Sunday, November 7 at 7 p.m. Described by the Chicago Tribune as “the Leonard Bernstein of the piano,” this remarkable pianist is known for delighting audiences with his talent, wit, and enlightening commentary on some of the most beloved music in the classical repertoire. In this program, Mr. Siegel celebrates the 200th birthday of Robert Schumann by exploring some of the most romantic music ever composed. Love inspired Schumann’s Fantasies, Op. 12 as well as his stupendous Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13 or “variations on a theme of a false father-in-law!” $38, $30, $19 ff KC
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 21
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
d ece mb e r
n ov embe r — d ece mbe r
events by date
Aquila Theatre
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Dailey & Vincent
Friday, November 12 at 8 p.m. “The most celebrated new bluegrass act of the last few years,” raves The New York Times. Since launching their career as a duo in 2007, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have taken the bluegrass world by storm: an inaugural album debuting at #1 on Billboard; winning a combined 10 International Bluegrass Music Awards including Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year; and amassing a large following of adoring fans and impressed critics. These two bluegrass veterans have achieved these early successes for good reason: their vocal arrangements are impeccable, their performances flawless, and their two-part harmonies breathtaking. Though they are not related, they are often compared to other legendary sibling duos, including Bill and Charlie Monroe and Ralph and Carter Stanley. “High lonesome magic with flawless picking and seamless harmonies on a thoughtful collection of secular and sacred songs.” (News & Observer) $44, $36, $22 ff AE AM
Friday, November 19 at 8 p.m. “Gleefully engaging…almost unbearably fun,” The New York Times says of this acclaimed British/ American touring company, which performs an imaginative interpretation of Shakespeare’s most timeless and beloved comedy. Set against a classical Athenian backdrop, A Midsummer Night’s Dream examines the universal theme of love and its attendant complications: passion, lust, frustration, depression, confusion, and, of course, marriage. Aquila weaves a theatrical web that shows audiences the heart of an enchanted forest, the injustice of the Athenian court, and the political strife of the Fairy Kingdom. The New York Times praised Aquila Theatre’s production as “Timely and pleasing…this ‘Dream’ soothes the eye and tickles the funny bone.” $34, $26, $17 ET
Leahy
Chanticleer
A Chanticleer Christmas Saturday, November 27 at 8 p.m. “No one does a better choral Christmas than the virtuoso male voices of Chanticleer.” (New Yorker) These twelve singers have been a hallmark of the Christmas season for more than 30 years and their magnificent and elegant holiday concert is a cherished tradition at the Center for the Arts. Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for its “tonal luxuriance and crisply etched clarity,” this Grammy Award-winning ensemble delights audiences with its flawless technique, rapturous melody, and original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance music to jazz, from gospel to popular new music. This season, Chanticleer performs an enchanting program that features treasured traditional carols, revered sacred works, and delightful holiday favorites. “The only American chorus able to compete on equal terms with the great (and very old) choirs of Europe.” (Philadelphia Inquirer) $48, $40, $24
Virginia Opera Così fan tutte
New Orleans Nights
Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company
Saturday, November 13 at 8 p.m. Sunday, November 14 at 4 p.m. Filled with radiant visual beauty, intense passion, and authentic traditional dance, a performance by the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company is a magical experience for the whole family to share and enjoy! Praised by The Washington Post for its “flawless deportment” and for looking “as pretty and gracious as ever,” this esteemed dance ensemble is the official company of the Philippines, and has spent more than 50 years bringing the beauty, culture, and the dance and musical traditions of its homeland to audiences around the world. In costumes that are both intricate and brilliantly colorful, the ensemble performs spectacular folk dances that embody the country’s diverse indigenous Chinese, Spanish, and Islamic cultures, promoting togetherness and international understanding. $46, $38, $23 ff GV AD
with Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton, and the Joe Krown Trio Sunday, November 21 at 7 p.m. In tribute to the grand epicenter of jazz, New Orleans Nights brings together three musical legends: Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton and the Joe Krown Trio. Described by The Washington Post as “the embodiment of New Orleans music,” Allen Toussaint has been praised for his seminal influence on the music of this great city, and his numerous honors include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Trustee Award. The New York Times has called Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton “abundantly gifted” and “a high-wire soloist.” These two virtuoso musicians join forces with the Joe Krown Trio, described by offBEAT Magazine as “a killer combination between three of New Orleans greatest players.” Don’t miss this incredible evening of swingin’ jazz music in celebration of the rich musical traditions of America’s favorite southern city. $44, $36, $22 ff AE AM
22 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Friday, December 3 at 8 p.m. Sunday, December 5 at 2 p.m. The Virginia Opera asks the age-old question— “are all women alike?”—when it brings Mozart’s beloved opera buffa Così fan tutte to the stage this fall. First performed in Vienna in 1790, this hilarious opera tells the story of two sisters in Naples whose soldier fiancés make a bet with a cynical old bachelor to test the women’s love and fidelity. Pretending to go off to war, they instead disguise themselves and attempt to seduce the sisters. Will the women remain faithful to their betrothed or give in to the temptations of these charming strangers? Filled with uproarious comedy, romantic drama, and the sublime voices of the Virginia Opera, this deliciously wry tale takes an ironic look at the foibles of love. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. $86, $72, $44 – Friday $98, $80, $48 – Sunday VO
Leahy Family Christmas
Turtle Island Quartet
Friday, December 17 at 8 p.m. When this charming Canadian octet of brothers and sisters last performed at the Center, they packed the house and brought the audience to its feet. Described by the Buffalo News as “fresh, vibrant, and engaging,” this award-winning band grew up playing music together on the family farm, exploring their Irish-Scottish musical roots while perfecting their talents. They have since captured the hearts and minds of countless fans with their engaging fiddle-driven music, awe-inspiring dancing, and enchanting vocals. Leahy performs this holiday season with an energetic and joyous program that demonstrates its formidable musical prowess and ferocious dancing, mixing Celtic melodies with traditional Christmas carols. “Leahy makes Christmas a true family affair!” (Calgary Herald) $48, $40, $24 ff
with Cyrus Chestnut and Mike Marshall
Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m. “A sterling example of first-rate jazz music-making,” the Los Angeles Times said of this Grammy Awardwinning quartet. Twenty-five years ago, four virtuosos formed this innovative ensemble and began redefining chamber music by integrating jazz improvisation and rhythms and including music styles such as bluegrass, classical, funk, jazz, Latin American, and Indian classical. To help celebrate their anniversary in grand style, Turtle Island Quartet invites two extraordinarily talented musicians to join them onstage—pianist Cyrus Chestnut and mandolinist Mike Marshall. Hailed by Time as “the best jazz pianist of his generation,” Chestnut is known for his inventive, imaginative style and has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in music. Marshall demonstrates his incredible technique and versatility on the mandolin through a variety of musical styles. Together they create a remarkable evening of music including classic jazz and Americana as well as some holiday favorites. $44, $36, $22 MM AM
Vienna Boys Choir
Synergy Brass Quintet
Christmas in Vienna
Christmas in Brass
The Waverly Consort
The Christmas Story
Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m. “This is the way to begin the Christmas season,” says the Los Angeles Times of the unique holiday celebration presented by this 13-member ensemble. Singers join instrumentalists playing reproductions of medieval instruments to recreate the pageantry and joy of the medieval church. Their performance recounts the events of the Biblical Christmas story—the message of the archangel Gabriel to the shepherds, the journey of the Magi to the manger at Bethlehem, the intrigue of Herod and his court, and the flight into Egypt—in an uplifting and moving celebration of ritual drama and song. “One of the joys of the season.” (Chicago Tribune) $42, $34, $21 ff
Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m. “Blazing precision…amazing technique,” says the Watertown Daily Times about this illustrious brass quintet that averages 300 performances a year. Acclaimed for their amazing technical skill, marvelous showmanship, and diverse programming, the Synergy Brass Quintet has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting new classical music ensembles. The quintet makes its Center debut this season with a spirited holiday program that features lush brass arrangements of Bach’s choral works, as well as Handel’s triumphant Messiah, amid a broad selection of classic Christmas carols. Their extraordinary musicianship is matched only by the delightful wit that they weave into this evening of holiday entertainment. “Unadulterated exuberance and a rock star approach of performing.” (U.S.1) $44, $36, $22 ff
Saturday, December 18 at 8 p.m. Sunday, December 19 at 4 p.m. After a sold-out performance at the Center in 2008, The Washington Post praised this remarkable choir for its “totally disciplined voices” and bringing “ebullience, humor, or solemnity” to each piece of music. Since its founding more than five centuries ago, the Vienna Boys Choir has been synonymous with choral music, and has delighted audiences across the globe with its purity of tone, distinctive charm, and a crowdpleasing repertoire that encompasses Austrian folk songs and waltzes, classical masterpieces, beloved pop songs, and holiday favorites. “Theirs are the voices of Christmas, as pure as angels, as clear as the winter light.” (Charles Passy, Ovation) Bring the whole family to enjoy the exceptionally beautiful singing in this program of holiday music from Gregorian chant to favorite Christmas carols. $48, $40, $24 ff
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 23
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
d ece mb e r
n ov embe r — d ece mbe r
events by date
Aquila Theatre
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Dailey & Vincent
Friday, November 12 at 8 p.m. “The most celebrated new bluegrass act of the last few years,” raves The New York Times. Since launching their career as a duo in 2007, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have taken the bluegrass world by storm: an inaugural album debuting at #1 on Billboard; winning a combined 10 International Bluegrass Music Awards including Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year; and amassing a large following of adoring fans and impressed critics. These two bluegrass veterans have achieved these early successes for good reason: their vocal arrangements are impeccable, their performances flawless, and their two-part harmonies breathtaking. Though they are not related, they are often compared to other legendary sibling duos, including Bill and Charlie Monroe and Ralph and Carter Stanley. “High lonesome magic with flawless picking and seamless harmonies on a thoughtful collection of secular and sacred songs.” (News & Observer) $44, $36, $22 ff AE AM
Friday, November 19 at 8 p.m. “Gleefully engaging…almost unbearably fun,” The New York Times says of this acclaimed British/ American touring company, which performs an imaginative interpretation of Shakespeare’s most timeless and beloved comedy. Set against a classical Athenian backdrop, A Midsummer Night’s Dream examines the universal theme of love and its attendant complications: passion, lust, frustration, depression, confusion, and, of course, marriage. Aquila weaves a theatrical web that shows audiences the heart of an enchanted forest, the injustice of the Athenian court, and the political strife of the Fairy Kingdom. The New York Times praised Aquila Theatre’s production as “Timely and pleasing…this ‘Dream’ soothes the eye and tickles the funny bone.” $34, $26, $17 ET
Leahy
Chanticleer
A Chanticleer Christmas Saturday, November 27 at 8 p.m. “No one does a better choral Christmas than the virtuoso male voices of Chanticleer.” (New Yorker) These twelve singers have been a hallmark of the Christmas season for more than 30 years and their magnificent and elegant holiday concert is a cherished tradition at the Center for the Arts. Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for its “tonal luxuriance and crisply etched clarity,” this Grammy Award-winning ensemble delights audiences with its flawless technique, rapturous melody, and original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance music to jazz, from gospel to popular new music. This season, Chanticleer performs an enchanting program that features treasured traditional carols, revered sacred works, and delightful holiday favorites. “The only American chorus able to compete on equal terms with the great (and very old) choirs of Europe.” (Philadelphia Inquirer) $48, $40, $24
Virginia Opera Così fan tutte
New Orleans Nights
Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company
Saturday, November 13 at 8 p.m. Sunday, November 14 at 4 p.m. Filled with radiant visual beauty, intense passion, and authentic traditional dance, a performance by the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company is a magical experience for the whole family to share and enjoy! Praised by The Washington Post for its “flawless deportment” and for looking “as pretty and gracious as ever,” this esteemed dance ensemble is the official company of the Philippines, and has spent more than 50 years bringing the beauty, culture, and the dance and musical traditions of its homeland to audiences around the world. In costumes that are both intricate and brilliantly colorful, the ensemble performs spectacular folk dances that embody the country’s diverse indigenous Chinese, Spanish, and Islamic cultures, promoting togetherness and international understanding. $46, $38, $23 ff GV AD
with Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton, and the Joe Krown Trio Sunday, November 21 at 7 p.m. In tribute to the grand epicenter of jazz, New Orleans Nights brings together three musical legends: Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton and the Joe Krown Trio. Described by The Washington Post as “the embodiment of New Orleans music,” Allen Toussaint has been praised for his seminal influence on the music of this great city, and his numerous honors include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Trustee Award. The New York Times has called Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton “abundantly gifted” and “a high-wire soloist.” These two virtuoso musicians join forces with the Joe Krown Trio, described by offBEAT Magazine as “a killer combination between three of New Orleans greatest players.” Don’t miss this incredible evening of swingin’ jazz music in celebration of the rich musical traditions of America’s favorite southern city. $44, $36, $22 ff AE AM
22 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Friday, December 3 at 8 p.m. Sunday, December 5 at 2 p.m. The Virginia Opera asks the age-old question— “are all women alike?”—when it brings Mozart’s beloved opera buffa Così fan tutte to the stage this fall. First performed in Vienna in 1790, this hilarious opera tells the story of two sisters in Naples whose soldier fiancés make a bet with a cynical old bachelor to test the women’s love and fidelity. Pretending to go off to war, they instead disguise themselves and attempt to seduce the sisters. Will the women remain faithful to their betrothed or give in to the temptations of these charming strangers? Filled with uproarious comedy, romantic drama, and the sublime voices of the Virginia Opera, this deliciously wry tale takes an ironic look at the foibles of love. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. $86, $72, $44 – Friday $98, $80, $48 – Sunday VO
Leahy Family Christmas
Turtle Island Quartet
Friday, December 17 at 8 p.m. When this charming Canadian octet of brothers and sisters last performed at the Center, they packed the house and brought the audience to its feet. Described by the Buffalo News as “fresh, vibrant, and engaging,” this award-winning band grew up playing music together on the family farm, exploring their Irish-Scottish musical roots while perfecting their talents. They have since captured the hearts and minds of countless fans with their engaging fiddle-driven music, awe-inspiring dancing, and enchanting vocals. Leahy performs this holiday season with an energetic and joyous program that demonstrates its formidable musical prowess and ferocious dancing, mixing Celtic melodies with traditional Christmas carols. “Leahy makes Christmas a true family affair!” (Calgary Herald) $48, $40, $24 ff
with Cyrus Chestnut and Mike Marshall
Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m. “A sterling example of first-rate jazz music-making,” the Los Angeles Times said of this Grammy Awardwinning quartet. Twenty-five years ago, four virtuosos formed this innovative ensemble and began redefining chamber music by integrating jazz improvisation and rhythms and including music styles such as bluegrass, classical, funk, jazz, Latin American, and Indian classical. To help celebrate their anniversary in grand style, Turtle Island Quartet invites two extraordinarily talented musicians to join them onstage—pianist Cyrus Chestnut and mandolinist Mike Marshall. Hailed by Time as “the best jazz pianist of his generation,” Chestnut is known for his inventive, imaginative style and has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in music. Marshall demonstrates his incredible technique and versatility on the mandolin through a variety of musical styles. Together they create a remarkable evening of music including classic jazz and Americana as well as some holiday favorites. $44, $36, $22 MM AM
Vienna Boys Choir
Synergy Brass Quintet
Christmas in Vienna
Christmas in Brass
The Waverly Consort
The Christmas Story
Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m. “This is the way to begin the Christmas season,” says the Los Angeles Times of the unique holiday celebration presented by this 13-member ensemble. Singers join instrumentalists playing reproductions of medieval instruments to recreate the pageantry and joy of the medieval church. Their performance recounts the events of the Biblical Christmas story—the message of the archangel Gabriel to the shepherds, the journey of the Magi to the manger at Bethlehem, the intrigue of Herod and his court, and the flight into Egypt—in an uplifting and moving celebration of ritual drama and song. “One of the joys of the season.” (Chicago Tribune) $42, $34, $21 ff
Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m. “Blazing precision…amazing technique,” says the Watertown Daily Times about this illustrious brass quintet that averages 300 performances a year. Acclaimed for their amazing technical skill, marvelous showmanship, and diverse programming, the Synergy Brass Quintet has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting new classical music ensembles. The quintet makes its Center debut this season with a spirited holiday program that features lush brass arrangements of Bach’s choral works, as well as Handel’s triumphant Messiah, amid a broad selection of classic Christmas carols. Their extraordinary musicianship is matched only by the delightful wit that they weave into this evening of holiday entertainment. “Unadulterated exuberance and a rock star approach of performing.” (U.S.1) $44, $36, $22 ff
Saturday, December 18 at 8 p.m. Sunday, December 19 at 4 p.m. After a sold-out performance at the Center in 2008, The Washington Post praised this remarkable choir for its “totally disciplined voices” and bringing “ebullience, humor, or solemnity” to each piece of music. Since its founding more than five centuries ago, the Vienna Boys Choir has been synonymous with choral music, and has delighted audiences across the globe with its purity of tone, distinctive charm, and a crowdpleasing repertoire that encompasses Austrian folk songs and waltzes, classical masterpieces, beloved pop songs, and holiday favorites. “Theirs are the voices of Christmas, as pure as angels, as clear as the winter light.” (Charles Passy, Ovation) Bring the whole family to enjoy the exceptionally beautiful singing in this program of holiday music from Gregorian chant to favorite Christmas carols. $48, $40, $24 ff
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 23
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Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie
Perú Negro with Eva Ayllón
Festejo
Saturday, January 22 at 8 p.m. The Los Angeles Times describes this colorful, energetic ensemble as “a carnival of rhythm.” Formed 40 years ago to celebrate Peru’s African cultural heritage, Perú Negro has brought the unique music and dance traditions of the Afro-Peruvian community to audiences across the globe. Officially designated “Cultural Ambassadors of Peruvian Culture,” this group of more than 30 dancers and musicians perform the rhythms, sounds and movements propagated along Peru’s coast by African slaves. Their programs fill the stage with festive and celebratory dances interwoven with vibrant live music that recreates their folkloric ancestry. These electrifying Afro-Peruvian artists team up with sultry songstress Eva Ayllón, often called “Peru’s Tina Turner,” whose three-decade career has established her as “one of the great figures of today’s Latin music.” (NPR Music) $46, $38, $23 ff GV AD
Philippe Entremont, conductor Sebastian Knauer, piano
DRUMLine Live
Saturday, January 29 at 8 p.m. The official cultural ambassador of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, this grand ensemble is the musical voice of the Rhineland, dividing its performance schedule between the region’s two most important cities—Mannheim and Ludwigshafen. With 88 talented musicians, the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie, or the German State Philharmonic, regularly performs 90 concerts each season in Germany and abroad. Under the direction of renowned conductor Philippe Entremont, this imposing orchestra brings its first national tour of the U.S. to the Center, performing Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche by Strauss, Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, Op. 98, and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 19 performed by pianist Sebastian Knauer. “Entremont and his orchestra conjured up a joyous whirlwind of sound that ultimately launched the music blazing into the ether.” (The Washington Post) $60, $52, $30 MM AM
Sunday, February 27 at 7 p.m. After a sellout performance in 2009, Drumline LIVE is back with an enhanced, new show. This vibrant and energetic phenomenon brings showstyle marching bands from the college football field to the Center’s stage. These percussiondriven performances captured the attention of millions with the hit movie Drumline, and now this live show, based on the halftime tradition at historically black colleges and universities, is packing in audiences across the country. “Explosive percussion, resounding brass, and dazzling choreography,” declares The Morning Call. The extraordinary musicians and dancers perform contemporary hip hop and R&B hits, classic Motown tunes and the rousing music of popular brass-based bands like Earth, Wind and Fire. But the heart of the show is unquestionably the talented percussionists whose spectacular showdown astounds with its precision and force. Their rhythmic sounds, phenomenal choreography, and incredible athleticism amaze audiences of all ages. $46, $38, $23 ff AE
Opole, Philharmonic of Poland
Boguslaw Dawidow, conductor Jacek Kortus, piano
Saturday, February 12 at 8 p.m. In its first American tour, this impressive orchestra makes its debut appearance at the Center for a sublime evening of symphonic music. Formed in 1947, it regularly appears at prominent cultural events in its homeland, while also touring extensively abroad. Under the leadership of Maestro Boguslaw Dawidow, this esteemed ensemble has hosted a growing number of world-class musicians, as well as winners of piano, violin, and conducting competitions; and was invited to perform in honor of Pope John Paul II’s 80th birthday. The program features Mozart’s delightful Overture to Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) and Beethoven’s powerful Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Young virtuoso Jacek Kortus joins the orchestra for Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17 by celebrated Polish composer I.J. Paderewski. $50, $42, $25 MM AM
Virginia Opera
The Valkyrie
Mark Morris Dance Group
L.A. Theatre Works
The Real Dr. Strangelove
Friday, January 28 at 8 p.m. If you have the knowledge, are you obligated to use it? America’s premier radio theater company brings Peter Goodchild’s gripping docu-drama to the stage to explore this critical question. It tells of the fractured relationship between the scientists Teller and Oppenheimer, and outlines the dramatic events that set America on the path to becoming a nuclear superpower—and the resulting consequences. For more than two decades, this incredible company has presented radio dramas on stage with incredibly relevant works, first-rate casts, live sound effects, and a connection to the audience rarely felt in a traditional theater setting. “Consistently superb work,” says the Los Angeles Times. $36, $28, $18 ET
Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 5 at 8 p.m. For the past 30 years, Mark Morris Dance Group has enthralled critics, dance enthusiasts and novices alike with its amazing technical expertise, unique artistry and its signature use of music. Hailed as “one of the greatest living choreographers” by the New Yorker, Mark Morris has had a profound impact on the dance world ever since he burst onto the scene in 1980, and continues to create important new works with a singular ability to combine beautiful music, graceful movement, and delicious wit. His choreography is known for its inherent musicality, and he insists that the company always perform to live music. In honor of its 30th anniversary, the company performs classic pieces from its repertory as well as inspiring new works. $44, $36, $22 DD AD
24 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Aquila Theatre
Six Characters in Search of an Author
Friday, February 11 at 8 p.m. This illustrious British/American touring company returns this season with an exciting new theatrical production of this famous work by Nobel Laureate Luigi Pirandello. First staged in 1921, this surrealistic tragicomedy dared to ask fundamental questions about the very nature of art and entertainment, blurring the line between reality and artifice. The play opens with actors in rehearsal for a Pirandello play when six nameless characters unexpectedly appear. These characters are searching for the author who failed to finish their story, leaving them incomplete and unrealized. This remarkable work is incredibly relevant today, as well as poignant and funny. The Los Angeles Times said of Aquila’s production, “superb…intelligence and laser-sharp line readings.” $34, $26, $17 ET
Friday, February 18 at 8 p.m. Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m. The Virginia Opera brings Wagner’s epic masterpiece to the Center for the Arts. The cornerstone of the majestic “Ring Cycle,” The Valkyrie is the second part of this magnificent tetralogy, and has achieved immense popularity as an independent work. In this magnum opus based on Norse and Teutonic myths, a powerful god is torn between conflicting loyalties among his mortal and divine children in his desire to possess a magical ring that will make him omnipotent. Wagner’s brilliant score includes “Ride of the Valkyries,” one of the most famous and exhilarating pieces in the operatic literature, and the breathtaking finale leaves audiences speechless. Sung in German with English supertitles. $86, $72, $44 – Friday $98, $80, $48 – Sunday VO
Hot Tuna Blues
Saturday, February 19 at 8 p.m. The founding members of Hot Tuna join forces with other great musical talents to celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary and their fascinating musical odyssey. From their early days playing together in Washington, D.C., to their years with the Jefferson Airplane, to their current acoustic and electric blues music, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady have always been an important part of the American music scene. The duo formed Hot Tuna as a side project in 1969 to explore their passion for blues, jazz, bluegrass, and folk, combining Kaukonen’s talent for finger-picking guitar with Casady’s interest in the electric bass. Joining them for this performance are blues icon Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and guitar, and twotime Grammy Award-winning Americana and bluegrass guitarist John Lauderdale. “[Hot Tuna’s] music is more current now than ever before.” (Popmatters.com) $44, $36, $22 ff AE AM
The Acting Company
The Comedy of Errors
Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m. This award-winning repertory ensemble presents Shakespeare’s witty farce about two sets of identical twins accidentally separated at birth. One of the bard’s earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors involves a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities leading to wrongful attacks, a near-seduction, an arrest, and hilarious schemes. Shakespeare sets all this action in one day and features a recurring theme across the work: blending tragic situations with comedic resolutions and introducing slapstick, puns, and wordplay to delight the audience. Since 1972, “The Acting Company endures as the major touring classical theatre in the United States.” (The New York Times) $36, $28, $18 ET
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 25
f e b r ua ry — ma rc h
jan ua ry — f e b r ua ry
events by date
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Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie
Perú Negro with Eva Ayllón
Festejo
Saturday, January 22 at 8 p.m. The Los Angeles Times describes this colorful, energetic ensemble as “a carnival of rhythm.” Formed 40 years ago to celebrate Peru’s African cultural heritage, Perú Negro has brought the unique music and dance traditions of the Afro-Peruvian community to audiences across the globe. Officially designated “Cultural Ambassadors of Peruvian Culture,” this group of more than 30 dancers and musicians perform the rhythms, sounds and movements propagated along Peru’s coast by African slaves. Their programs fill the stage with festive and celebratory dances interwoven with vibrant live music that recreates their folkloric ancestry. These electrifying Afro-Peruvian artists team up with sultry songstress Eva Ayllón, often called “Peru’s Tina Turner,” whose three-decade career has established her as “one of the great figures of today’s Latin music.” (NPR Music) $46, $38, $23 ff GV AD
Philippe Entremont, conductor Sebastian Knauer, piano
DRUMLine Live
Saturday, January 29 at 8 p.m. The official cultural ambassador of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, this grand ensemble is the musical voice of the Rhineland, dividing its performance schedule between the region’s two most important cities—Mannheim and Ludwigshafen. With 88 talented musicians, the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie, or the German State Philharmonic, regularly performs 90 concerts each season in Germany and abroad. Under the direction of renowned conductor Philippe Entremont, this imposing orchestra brings its first national tour of the U.S. to the Center, performing Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche by Strauss, Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, Op. 98, and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 19 performed by pianist Sebastian Knauer. “Entremont and his orchestra conjured up a joyous whirlwind of sound that ultimately launched the music blazing into the ether.” (The Washington Post) $60, $52, $30 MM AM
Sunday, February 27 at 7 p.m. After a sellout performance in 2009, Drumline LIVE is back with an enhanced, new show. This vibrant and energetic phenomenon brings showstyle marching bands from the college football field to the Center’s stage. These percussiondriven performances captured the attention of millions with the hit movie Drumline, and now this live show, based on the halftime tradition at historically black colleges and universities, is packing in audiences across the country. “Explosive percussion, resounding brass, and dazzling choreography,” declares The Morning Call. The extraordinary musicians and dancers perform contemporary hip hop and R&B hits, classic Motown tunes and the rousing music of popular brass-based bands like Earth, Wind and Fire. But the heart of the show is unquestionably the talented percussionists whose spectacular showdown astounds with its precision and force. Their rhythmic sounds, phenomenal choreography, and incredible athleticism amaze audiences of all ages. $46, $38, $23 ff AE
Opole, Philharmonic of Poland
Boguslaw Dawidow, conductor Jacek Kortus, piano
Saturday, February 12 at 8 p.m. In its first American tour, this impressive orchestra makes its debut appearance at the Center for a sublime evening of symphonic music. Formed in 1947, it regularly appears at prominent cultural events in its homeland, while also touring extensively abroad. Under the leadership of Maestro Boguslaw Dawidow, this esteemed ensemble has hosted a growing number of world-class musicians, as well as winners of piano, violin, and conducting competitions; and was invited to perform in honor of Pope John Paul II’s 80th birthday. The program features Mozart’s delightful Overture to Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) and Beethoven’s powerful Symphony No. 3, “Eroica.” Young virtuoso Jacek Kortus joins the orchestra for Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 17 by celebrated Polish composer I.J. Paderewski. $50, $42, $25 MM AM
Virginia Opera
The Valkyrie
Mark Morris Dance Group
L.A. Theatre Works
The Real Dr. Strangelove
Friday, January 28 at 8 p.m. If you have the knowledge, are you obligated to use it? America’s premier radio theater company brings Peter Goodchild’s gripping docu-drama to the stage to explore this critical question. It tells of the fractured relationship between the scientists Teller and Oppenheimer, and outlines the dramatic events that set America on the path to becoming a nuclear superpower—and the resulting consequences. For more than two decades, this incredible company has presented radio dramas on stage with incredibly relevant works, first-rate casts, live sound effects, and a connection to the audience rarely felt in a traditional theater setting. “Consistently superb work,” says the Los Angeles Times. $36, $28, $18 ET
Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 5 at 8 p.m. For the past 30 years, Mark Morris Dance Group has enthralled critics, dance enthusiasts and novices alike with its amazing technical expertise, unique artistry and its signature use of music. Hailed as “one of the greatest living choreographers” by the New Yorker, Mark Morris has had a profound impact on the dance world ever since he burst onto the scene in 1980, and continues to create important new works with a singular ability to combine beautiful music, graceful movement, and delicious wit. His choreography is known for its inherent musicality, and he insists that the company always perform to live music. In honor of its 30th anniversary, the company performs classic pieces from its repertory as well as inspiring new works. $44, $36, $22 DD AD
24 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Aquila Theatre
Six Characters in Search of an Author
Friday, February 11 at 8 p.m. This illustrious British/American touring company returns this season with an exciting new theatrical production of this famous work by Nobel Laureate Luigi Pirandello. First staged in 1921, this surrealistic tragicomedy dared to ask fundamental questions about the very nature of art and entertainment, blurring the line between reality and artifice. The play opens with actors in rehearsal for a Pirandello play when six nameless characters unexpectedly appear. These characters are searching for the author who failed to finish their story, leaving them incomplete and unrealized. This remarkable work is incredibly relevant today, as well as poignant and funny. The Los Angeles Times said of Aquila’s production, “superb…intelligence and laser-sharp line readings.” $34, $26, $17 ET
Friday, February 18 at 8 p.m. Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m. The Virginia Opera brings Wagner’s epic masterpiece to the Center for the Arts. The cornerstone of the majestic “Ring Cycle,” The Valkyrie is the second part of this magnificent tetralogy, and has achieved immense popularity as an independent work. In this magnum opus based on Norse and Teutonic myths, a powerful god is torn between conflicting loyalties among his mortal and divine children in his desire to possess a magical ring that will make him omnipotent. Wagner’s brilliant score includes “Ride of the Valkyries,” one of the most famous and exhilarating pieces in the operatic literature, and the breathtaking finale leaves audiences speechless. Sung in German with English supertitles. $86, $72, $44 – Friday $98, $80, $48 – Sunday VO
Hot Tuna Blues
Saturday, February 19 at 8 p.m. The founding members of Hot Tuna join forces with other great musical talents to celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary and their fascinating musical odyssey. From their early days playing together in Washington, D.C., to their years with the Jefferson Airplane, to their current acoustic and electric blues music, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady have always been an important part of the American music scene. The duo formed Hot Tuna as a side project in 1969 to explore their passion for blues, jazz, bluegrass, and folk, combining Kaukonen’s talent for finger-picking guitar with Casady’s interest in the electric bass. Joining them for this performance are blues icon Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and guitar, and twotime Grammy Award-winning Americana and bluegrass guitarist John Lauderdale. “[Hot Tuna’s] music is more current now than ever before.” (Popmatters.com) $44, $36, $22 ff AE AM
The Acting Company
The Comedy of Errors
Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m. This award-winning repertory ensemble presents Shakespeare’s witty farce about two sets of identical twins accidentally separated at birth. One of the bard’s earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors involves a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities leading to wrongful attacks, a near-seduction, an arrest, and hilarious schemes. Shakespeare sets all this action in one day and features a recurring theme across the work: blending tragic situations with comedic resolutions and introducing slapstick, puns, and wordplay to delight the audience. Since 1972, “The Acting Company endures as the major touring classical theatre in the United States.” (The New York Times) $36, $28, $18 ET
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 25
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jan ua ry — f e b r ua ry
events by date
events by date
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marc h — apr i l
Northern Lights
Tango Buenos Aires
Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 6 at 4 p.m. “Swirling, fast-paced tapestries of movement, laced with proud postures and sensual couplings,” said The Washington Post after a previous performance by this celebrated company, which is known as Argentina’s greatest cultural export and the most authentic and uncompromising representative of the Tango. Tango Buenos Aires never fails to enrapture audiences as the diverse styles of tango are performed with dazzling intricacy, dramatic flourish, and deep emotion and passion. Formed in 1986, Tango Buenos Aires features a collection of dazzling dancers, talented vocalists, and gifted instrumentalists. Together they trace the history of the Argentine Tango, an integral part of their culture that was born in the dance halls and brothels in the late 19th century and swept Europe as high society embraced this unique dance sensation. $46, $38, $23 DD GV AD
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra
Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m. This superb group of outstanding musicians from the Washington, D.C. area is known for its stunning interpretations of traditional classics by jazz masters such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong. Each time the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra appears at the Center, this great band brings the house down and the audience to its feet. Artistic director Jim Carroll’s distinguished performing career includes appearances at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the White House with groups like Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Mr. Carroll is the Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University. $40, $32, $20 ff AE AM
Sunday, March 13 at 7 p.m. “Insightful and poetically interpreted, both in words and music,” says The Washington Post of Jeffrey Siegel’s unique “concerts with commentary” series, which are a joy for both the piano aficionado and novice alike. In this Keyboard Conversations performance, Mr. Siegel takes the audience on a journey to Northern Europe to experience a smorgasbord of short, atmospheric mood pictures in sound by the Norwegian Edvard Grieg, the Finnish Jean Sibelius, the Danish Carl Nielsen, and the German Johannes Brahms. $38, $30, $19 ff KC
Virginia Opera
apr i l — may
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel
Madama Butterfly
Friday, April 1 at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at 2 p.m.
The Virginia Opera concludes its season with a stunning production of Puccini’s heartbreaking Madama Butterfly. This beloved masterpiece transports audiences to the Japanese city of Nagasaki at the turn of the 20th century. Cultures collide and tragedy ensues when a flippant American officer takes a young geisha as his bride and then leaves her when he returns home to the U.S. After anxiously awaiting his return for years, the lovesick girl is distraught to learn that her husband has remarried. This poignant tale of love, betrayal, and sacrifice has become one the most beloved works in all of operatic literature. This captivating opera touches the heart with its deep human tragedy, powerful music, and the extraordinary voices of the Virginia Opera. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. $86, $72, $44 – Friday $98, $80, $48 – Sunday VO
Russian National Ballet Theatre Romeo and Juliet
Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. This spectacular company brings the greatest love story of all time to the stage in the grand tradition of Russian ballet. Petipa’s brilliant choreography and Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous score illuminate Shakespeare’s classic heartrending tale of young star-crossed lovers falling victim to family hatred. The ballet is performed with the awe-inspiring artistry of these Russian dancers, and enhanced with the resplendent costumes and sets. Founder and legendary Bolshoi dancer Elena Radchenko has dedicated the company to preserving the national tradition of Russian ballet works, while also developing new talents throughout Russia. “A cut above many of its rivals.” (The Washington Post) $54, $46, $27 ff DD AD
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Arabella Steinbacher, violin
Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m. Known for performing a diverse repertoire, this Grammy Award-winning ensemble has invigorated audiences and critics around the world with its superior artistry, energy, and distinctive approach to music-making. Founded in 1972, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is one of the few selfgoverning orchestras in the music world today, performing without a conductor and rotating the musical leadership roles for each piece. “The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra elegantly refutes the notion that a collective mind is unlikely to produce the same caliber of performance produced by a single mind.” (Chicago Tribune) This marvelous ensemble joins forces with German violin virtuoso Arabella Steinbacher to perform a program that includes Strauss’ Serenade in E-flat Major, Op. 7; Hartmann’s Concerto Funèbre; Schubert’s Rondo for Violin and Strings, D. 438; and Haydn’s “London” Symphony (No. 104). $56, $48, $28 MM AM
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel Paris 1911—A Festive Musical Year!
Sunday, May 1 at 7 p.m. Jeffrey Siegel concludes his season of Keyboard Conversations with a delightful look at the music that flourished in Paris in 1911—arguably one of the greatest and most productive years in classical music history. In this “concert with commentary,” Mr. Siegel shares some of the most engaging and enduring compositions written and performed 100 years ago in Paris. The program includes Ravel’s touching Valses Nobles et Sentimentale, the Preludes of Debussy and Fauré, and Petrouchka, Stravinsky’s beautiful Russian ballet about a puppet that comes to life. $38, $30, $19 ff KC
Danú
Friday, March 18 at 8 p.m. “[Danú] stirs the blood and lifts the heart,” says Irish Music Magazine. This spirited ensemble from Ireland’s County Waterford offers an authentic and passionate celebration of Celtic culture with its high-energy performances. For more than a decade, Danú has performed to enthusiastic audiences around the globe with its use of traditional instruments such as flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, and bouzouki accompanied by exquisite vocals. Praised by The New York Times for its “fierce fiddle reels” and “pensive ballads,” this group of talented musicians makes its Center for the Arts debut, performing a glorious mix of ancient Irish music to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. $44, $36, $22 ff GV
26 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Parsons Dance
with East Village Opera Company Remember Me Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m. Parsons Dance returns to the Center with the East Village Opera Company to present the latest version of its acclaimed rock dance opera, Remember Me, a dynamic and original performance experience. This modern ballet tells a compelling tale of jealousy and rivalry, and features electrifying choreography by David Parsons, cutting edge music from this Grammynominated rock opera ensemble, stunning costumes by designer Austin Scarlett of Project Runway, and dramatic lighting and multimedia special effects by Tony Award-winning designer Howell Binkley. The Village Voice praised its “eye-popping effects, excellent showbiz-savvy performers” and “lusty sensual movement” and raved, “Parsons enters the realm of pop spectacle with a vengeance!” For 25 years, Parsons Dance has delighted audiences worldwide, performing contemporary American dance with extraordinary artistry and uplifting spirit. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this newest work in the repertory of the gifted choreographer. $44, $36, $22 DD AD
Trisha Brown Dance Company
Russian National Ballet Theatre Swan Lake
Sunday, April 10 at 4 p.m. In the great tradition of grand Russian ballet, the Russian National Ballet Theatre presents a magical production of this beloved fantasy ballet. “Real Russian energy and passion.” (SanDiego.com) Swan Lake was inspired by the ancient German legend of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. With its melodramatic plot twists, Petipa’s exquisite choreography and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, this enchanting ballet is among the most revered in the classical canon. It is brought to stage by this leading Russian ballet company with all of the breathtaking virtuosity and stunning costumes that make Swan Lake a delight for the whole family. $54, $46, $27 ff AD
Saturday, April 30 at 8 p.m. This astonishing nine-member company has been challenging the boundaries of contemporary dance since its legendary artistic director, Trisha Brown, founded it four decades ago. Hailed as “the innovative high priestess of postmodern dance” by The New York Times, this dance pioneer began at the Judson Dance Theater where she pushed the limits of accepted dance movement. With the formation of her own company in 1970, Brown explored alternative performance spaces of Soho, staging performances on rooftops and walls, investigating the relationship between dance movement and gravity, and collaborated with renowned artists such as Robert Rauschenberg and Laurie Anderson. Celebrating 40 years of presenting abstract dance that is inventive, intellectual and always cutting edge, the Trisha Brown Dance Company performs an intimate evening of extraordinary dance including a new work entitled Pygmalion as well as other new and revived works from the company’s repertory. $44, $36, $22 DD AD
Theater of the First Amendment Live Wire
Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m. Live Wire recreates the distinctive look, exciting sound, and nostalgic feel of the classic radio days of the 1930s, presenting a selection of authentic shows drawn from George Mason University’s extensive Federal Theatre Project archives. These shows were created as part of the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration’s (WPA) attempt to keep the radio industry alive during the Great Depression and are performed by a cast of professional actors and musicians from Mason’s award-winning Theater of the First Amendment. Spanning a range of styles from “Living Newspaper” to mystery to musicale, Theater of the First Amendment’s original staging of Live Wire in 1992 was critically acclaimed by The Washington Post and was broadcast by National Public Radio. $36, $28, $18 ET
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 27
events by date
Subscribe Today! Call 703-993-2787 or visit cfa.gmu.edu
marc h — apr i l
Northern Lights
Tango Buenos Aires
Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 6 at 4 p.m. “Swirling, fast-paced tapestries of movement, laced with proud postures and sensual couplings,” said The Washington Post after a previous performance by this celebrated company, which is known as Argentina’s greatest cultural export and the most authentic and uncompromising representative of the Tango. Tango Buenos Aires never fails to enrapture audiences as the diverse styles of tango are performed with dazzling intricacy, dramatic flourish, and deep emotion and passion. Formed in 1986, Tango Buenos Aires features a collection of dazzling dancers, talented vocalists, and gifted instrumentalists. Together they trace the history of the Argentine Tango, an integral part of their culture that was born in the dance halls and brothels in the late 19th century and swept Europe as high society embraced this unique dance sensation. $46, $38, $23 DD GV AD
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra
Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m. This superb group of outstanding musicians from the Washington, D.C. area is known for its stunning interpretations of traditional classics by jazz masters such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong. Each time the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra appears at the Center, this great band brings the house down and the audience to its feet. Artistic director Jim Carroll’s distinguished performing career includes appearances at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and the White House with groups like Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Mr. Carroll is the Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University. $40, $32, $20 ff AE AM
Sunday, March 13 at 7 p.m. “Insightful and poetically interpreted, both in words and music,” says The Washington Post of Jeffrey Siegel’s unique “concerts with commentary” series, which are a joy for both the piano aficionado and novice alike. In this Keyboard Conversations performance, Mr. Siegel takes the audience on a journey to Northern Europe to experience a smorgasbord of short, atmospheric mood pictures in sound by the Norwegian Edvard Grieg, the Finnish Jean Sibelius, the Danish Carl Nielsen, and the German Johannes Brahms. $38, $30, $19 ff KC
Virginia Opera
apr i l — may
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel
Madama Butterfly
Friday, April 1 at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at 2 p.m.
The Virginia Opera concludes its season with a stunning production of Puccini’s heartbreaking Madama Butterfly. This beloved masterpiece transports audiences to the Japanese city of Nagasaki at the turn of the 20th century. Cultures collide and tragedy ensues when a flippant American officer takes a young geisha as his bride and then leaves her when he returns home to the U.S. After anxiously awaiting his return for years, the lovesick girl is distraught to learn that her husband has remarried. This poignant tale of love, betrayal, and sacrifice has become one the most beloved works in all of operatic literature. This captivating opera touches the heart with its deep human tragedy, powerful music, and the extraordinary voices of the Virginia Opera. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. $86, $72, $44 – Friday $98, $80, $48 – Sunday VO
Russian National Ballet Theatre Romeo and Juliet
Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. This spectacular company brings the greatest love story of all time to the stage in the grand tradition of Russian ballet. Petipa’s brilliant choreography and Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous score illuminate Shakespeare’s classic heartrending tale of young star-crossed lovers falling victim to family hatred. The ballet is performed with the awe-inspiring artistry of these Russian dancers, and enhanced with the resplendent costumes and sets. Founder and legendary Bolshoi dancer Elena Radchenko has dedicated the company to preserving the national tradition of Russian ballet works, while also developing new talents throughout Russia. “A cut above many of its rivals.” (The Washington Post) $54, $46, $27 ff DD AD
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Arabella Steinbacher, violin
Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m. Known for performing a diverse repertoire, this Grammy Award-winning ensemble has invigorated audiences and critics around the world with its superior artistry, energy, and distinctive approach to music-making. Founded in 1972, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is one of the few selfgoverning orchestras in the music world today, performing without a conductor and rotating the musical leadership roles for each piece. “The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra elegantly refutes the notion that a collective mind is unlikely to produce the same caliber of performance produced by a single mind.” (Chicago Tribune) This marvelous ensemble joins forces with German violin virtuoso Arabella Steinbacher to perform a program that includes Strauss’ Serenade in E-flat Major, Op. 7; Hartmann’s Concerto Funèbre; Schubert’s Rondo for Violin and Strings, D. 438; and Haydn’s “London” Symphony (No. 104). $56, $48, $28 MM AM
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel Paris 1911—A Festive Musical Year!
Sunday, May 1 at 7 p.m. Jeffrey Siegel concludes his season of Keyboard Conversations with a delightful look at the music that flourished in Paris in 1911—arguably one of the greatest and most productive years in classical music history. In this “concert with commentary,” Mr. Siegel shares some of the most engaging and enduring compositions written and performed 100 years ago in Paris. The program includes Ravel’s touching Valses Nobles et Sentimentale, the Preludes of Debussy and Fauré, and Petrouchka, Stravinsky’s beautiful Russian ballet about a puppet that comes to life. $38, $30, $19 ff KC
Danú
Friday, March 18 at 8 p.m. “[Danú] stirs the blood and lifts the heart,” says Irish Music Magazine. This spirited ensemble from Ireland’s County Waterford offers an authentic and passionate celebration of Celtic culture with its high-energy performances. For more than a decade, Danú has performed to enthusiastic audiences around the globe with its use of traditional instruments such as flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, and bouzouki accompanied by exquisite vocals. Praised by The New York Times for its “fierce fiddle reels” and “pensive ballads,” this group of talented musicians makes its Center for the Arts debut, performing a glorious mix of ancient Irish music to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. $44, $36, $22 ff GV
26 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
Parsons Dance
with East Village Opera Company Remember Me Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m. Parsons Dance returns to the Center with the East Village Opera Company to present the latest version of its acclaimed rock dance opera, Remember Me, a dynamic and original performance experience. This modern ballet tells a compelling tale of jealousy and rivalry, and features electrifying choreography by David Parsons, cutting edge music from this Grammynominated rock opera ensemble, stunning costumes by designer Austin Scarlett of Project Runway, and dramatic lighting and multimedia special effects by Tony Award-winning designer Howell Binkley. The Village Voice praised its “eye-popping effects, excellent showbiz-savvy performers” and “lusty sensual movement” and raved, “Parsons enters the realm of pop spectacle with a vengeance!” For 25 years, Parsons Dance has delighted audiences worldwide, performing contemporary American dance with extraordinary artistry and uplifting spirit. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this newest work in the repertory of the gifted choreographer. $44, $36, $22 DD AD
Trisha Brown Dance Company
Russian National Ballet Theatre Swan Lake
Sunday, April 10 at 4 p.m. In the great tradition of grand Russian ballet, the Russian National Ballet Theatre presents a magical production of this beloved fantasy ballet. “Real Russian energy and passion.” (SanDiego.com) Swan Lake was inspired by the ancient German legend of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. With its melodramatic plot twists, Petipa’s exquisite choreography and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, this enchanting ballet is among the most revered in the classical canon. It is brought to stage by this leading Russian ballet company with all of the breathtaking virtuosity and stunning costumes that make Swan Lake a delight for the whole family. $54, $46, $27 ff AD
Saturday, April 30 at 8 p.m. This astonishing nine-member company has been challenging the boundaries of contemporary dance since its legendary artistic director, Trisha Brown, founded it four decades ago. Hailed as “the innovative high priestess of postmodern dance” by The New York Times, this dance pioneer began at the Judson Dance Theater where she pushed the limits of accepted dance movement. With the formation of her own company in 1970, Brown explored alternative performance spaces of Soho, staging performances on rooftops and walls, investigating the relationship between dance movement and gravity, and collaborated with renowned artists such as Robert Rauschenberg and Laurie Anderson. Celebrating 40 years of presenting abstract dance that is inventive, intellectual and always cutting edge, the Trisha Brown Dance Company performs an intimate evening of extraordinary dance including a new work entitled Pygmalion as well as other new and revived works from the company’s repertory. $44, $36, $22 DD AD
Theater of the First Amendment Live Wire
Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m. Live Wire recreates the distinctive look, exciting sound, and nostalgic feel of the classic radio days of the 1930s, presenting a selection of authentic shows drawn from George Mason University’s extensive Federal Theatre Project archives. These shows were created as part of the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration’s (WPA) attempt to keep the radio industry alive during the Great Depression and are performed by a cast of professional actors and musicians from Mason’s award-winning Theater of the First Amendment. Spanning a range of styles from “Living Newspaper” to mystery to musicale, Theater of the First Amendment’s original staging of Live Wire in 1992 was critically acclaimed by The Washington Post and was broadcast by National Public Radio. $36, $28, $18 ET
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 27
You are cordially invited to the
Support the Center for the Arts Help bring the best of the performing arts to our community by making a gift to the Center for the Arts. Celebrate twenty years of artistic excellence with your membership gift and ensure a bright future for Great Performances at Mason and the Center for the Arts for decades to come.
AN EVENING CELEBRATING THE ARTS AT MASON TO BENEFIT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE GREAT PERFORMANCES AT MASON SEASON Don and Tota Conwell, Event Co-Chairs Larry Kelly, So J. Lim and Carolyn Peterson, Sponsorship Co-Chairs
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010
Joel Grey
Join us for a benefit in support of student scholarships at George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. The evening begins by showcasing the remarkable talents of Mason students amid an array of spectacular food and beverages, and culminates in the Concert Hall with a performance by Oscar and Tony Award-winner, Joel Grey, hailed as "the quintessential song-and-dance man," by The Washington Post. Afterward, a private dessert and champagne reception with the artist takes place on stage. Our 5th Anniversary celebration will be the first in the newly expanded de Laski Performing Arts Building, providing many new and exciting opportunities for our guests. 5:00 p.m.: ARTS by George! event • Showcases of College of Visual and Performing Arts students • Sumptuous cuisine and fine wines • Silent Auction of unique arts-related items and experiences n 8:00 p.m.: Concert Hall performance by Joel Grey n 9:45 p.m.: Champagne and dessert reception on stage with Joel Grey n
$200/person. Sponsorship packages available at: $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 For more information contact Deborah Paez (dpaez@gmu.edu or 703-993-4188) 28 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
The Friends of the Center for the Arts provide critical financial and volunteer support that enriches the Center’s programmatic activities and physical infrastructure. As a Friend, your membership directly supports the Great Performances at Mason season, the Friends-only Artists in Conversation and special post-performance events. For more information, please contact Deborah Paez at dpaez@gmu.edu or 703.993.4188.
Become a Friend. Every Donation makes a difference. Please consider making a donation when ordering your subscription.
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 29
You are cordially invited to the
Support the Center for the Arts Help bring the best of the performing arts to our community by making a gift to the Center for the Arts. Celebrate twenty years of artistic excellence with your membership gift and ensure a bright future for Great Performances at Mason and the Center for the Arts for decades to come.
AN EVENING CELEBRATING THE ARTS AT MASON TO BENEFIT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE GREAT PERFORMANCES AT MASON SEASON Don and Tota Conwell, Event Co-Chairs Larry Kelly, So J. Lim and Carolyn Peterson, Sponsorship Co-Chairs
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010
Joel Grey
Join us for a benefit in support of student scholarships at George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. The evening begins by showcasing the remarkable talents of Mason students amid an array of spectacular food and beverages, and culminates in the Concert Hall with a performance by Oscar and Tony Award-winner, Joel Grey, hailed as "the quintessential song-and-dance man," by The Washington Post. Afterward, a private dessert and champagne reception with the artist takes place on stage. Our 5th Anniversary celebration will be the first in the newly expanded de Laski Performing Arts Building, providing many new and exciting opportunities for our guests. 5:00 p.m.: ARTS by George! event • Showcases of College of Visual and Performing Arts students • Sumptuous cuisine and fine wines • Silent Auction of unique arts-related items and experiences n 8:00 p.m.: Concert Hall performance by Joel Grey n 9:45 p.m.: Champagne and dessert reception on stage with Joel Grey n
$200/person. Sponsorship packages available at: $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 For more information contact Deborah Paez (dpaez@gmu.edu or 703-993-4188) 28 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
The Friends of the Center for the Arts provide critical financial and volunteer support that enriches the Center’s programmatic activities and physical infrastructure. As a Friend, your membership directly supports the Great Performances at Mason season, the Friends-only Artists in Conversation and special post-performance events. For more information, please contact Deborah Paez at dpaez@gmu.edu or 703.993.4188.
Become a Friend. Every Donation makes a difference. Please consider making a donation when ordering your subscription.
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 29
enhance your subscription with these delightful student productions and save 10%
M
ason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) is dedicated to advancing the study, creation, performance, and exhibition of the arts, acting on a strong belief in their transformative influence on individuals and societies. CVPA honors the value of the great traditions in the arts while actively engaging in the creation of new works and ideas. CVPA students enjoy the intense professional training of an arts conservatory along with the vast resources of a major research university. They are guided by a faculty of dedicated artist-teachers who themselves practice what they teach—performing and exhibiting at renowned venues across the country and around the world. The new Art and Design building. Opened Fall 2009.
Student organizations within the Schools of Music, Dance, and Art as well as George Mason University Players make it possible for the students to advance their craft formally and informally throughout the year. They perform, create and exhibit work in a wide variety of public venues on campus ranging from the grand Concert Hall to the intimate TheaterSpace, and the newly opened Fine Art Gallery. Major new facilities Exterior rendering of the expansion of the Performing Arts Building are opening recognizing the leadership gift of the de Laski Family Foundation and Donald and the late Nancy de Laski. Opening Fall 2010. illustrating Mason’s commitment to the arts. Thanks to the transformational gift of the de Laski Family Foundation, a major expansion of the Performing Arts Building will open in Fall 2010, dramatically increasing teaching and rehearsal space Rendering by Rochon Associates for music and dance. The new Art and Design building opened in the fall of 2009, effectively doubling the department’s teaching and studio space. This extraordinary fusion of the academic and the professional, the campus and the community, the past and the present, defines the college as it moves forward into a decade of growth and discovery.
30 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
College of Visual and Performing Arts
s t u d e n t p ro d u c tions
t h e c o l l e g e o f visua l an d p erforming arts
The College of Visual and Performing Arts
Student Productions Backstage Notes Pre-Performance Discussions Each of our Concert Hall performances is preceded by a lively presentation led by local experts, and sometimes the artist themselves. These popular discussions are a wonderful way to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the performance you are about to see. Preperformance Discussions are held on Grand Tier III in a relaxed, conversational atmosphere 45 minutes prior to each performance. Admission is free to all ticket holders.
See our stars in the making in these exciting student productions presented by our Dance, Music, and Theater students in Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts! Order any of these events with your subscription, and you will save 10% off the listed price.
Parking There is plenty of inexpensive covered parking in the Parking Deck adjacent to the facility and free parking in outdoor lots just a short walk away.
Children Parents are the best judges of what is most appropriate for their children. However, due to the length and content of our performances, we recommend that children attending an event be at least six years of age. All children, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
Family Friendly Performances Many events are particularly suited to families attending together and are designated as Family Friendly. Youth through Grade 12 qualify for half-price tickets to Family Friendly events when accompanied by an adult. Family Friendly events can be identified by this icon ff .
Concessions Before each performance and during all intermissions, beverages and light snacks are available for purchase. Beverages include wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and bottled water.
Educational Outreach Throughout the season, we organize workshops with our touring artists for students in local schools. These programs are valuable educational tools for the students, and help create a greater appreciation and understanding for the performing arts.
George Mason University Players Pericles by Shakespeare October 21–23 and 28–30 at 8 p.m. October 23, 30, and 31 at 2 p.m.
The George Mason University Players, committed to bringing the excitement of live theater to the Mason community and the region, produce a wide variety of theatrical performances, from new plays to classics, featuring talented Mason students on stage and behind the scenes, under the direction of faculty or guest artists. TheaterSpace $12 Adults, $8 Students, Staff and Seniors
George Mason University Symphony Orchestra and Choruses
George Mason University Dance Company 2011 Gala Concert March 25 & 26 at 8 p.m.
Holiday Concert Sunday, December 12 at 7 p.m.
George Mason University Symphony Orchestra and Choruses join forces for an annual concert that features traditional favorites, and the alwayspopular audience sing-along. Concert Hall $20 Adults, $15 Students and Seniors
The Gala Concert is the Dance Company’s crowning season event. Presented in the Concert Hall and featuring live music, the program includes works by contemporary professional choreographers. Concert Hall $20 Adults, $12 Students, Staff and Seniors
Please order tickets for all of these events on the “Additional Tickets for Great Performances and Student Productions” section of the order form. These events may not be selected as part of a Custom Series.
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 31
enhance your subscription with these delightful student productions and save 10%
M
ason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) is dedicated to advancing the study, creation, performance, and exhibition of the arts, acting on a strong belief in their transformative influence on individuals and societies. CVPA honors the value of the great traditions in the arts while actively engaging in the creation of new works and ideas. CVPA students enjoy the intense professional training of an arts conservatory along with the vast resources of a major research university. They are guided by a faculty of dedicated artist-teachers who themselves practice what they teach—performing and exhibiting at renowned venues across the country and around the world. The new Art and Design building. Opened Fall 2009.
Student organizations within the Schools of Music, Dance, and Art as well as George Mason University Players make it possible for the students to advance their craft formally and informally throughout the year. They perform, create and exhibit work in a wide variety of public venues on campus ranging from the grand Concert Hall to the intimate TheaterSpace, and the newly opened Fine Art Gallery. Major new facilities Exterior rendering of the expansion of the Performing Arts Building are opening recognizing the leadership gift of the de Laski Family Foundation and Donald and the late Nancy de Laski. Opening Fall 2010. illustrating Mason’s commitment to the arts. Thanks to the transformational gift of the de Laski Family Foundation, a major expansion of the Performing Arts Building will open in Fall 2010, dramatically increasing teaching and rehearsal space Rendering by Rochon Associates for music and dance. The new Art and Design building opened in the fall of 2009, effectively doubling the department’s teaching and studio space. This extraordinary fusion of the academic and the professional, the campus and the community, the past and the present, defines the college as it moves forward into a decade of growth and discovery.
30 George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
College of Visual and Performing Arts
s t u d e n t p ro d u c tions
t h e c o l l e g e o f visua l an d p erforming arts
The College of Visual and Performing Arts
Student Productions Backstage Notes Pre-Performance Discussions Each of our Concert Hall performances is preceded by a lively presentation led by local experts, and sometimes the artist themselves. These popular discussions are a wonderful way to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the performance you are about to see. Preperformance Discussions are held on Grand Tier III in a relaxed, conversational atmosphere 45 minutes prior to each performance. Admission is free to all ticket holders.
See our stars in the making in these exciting student productions presented by our Dance, Music, and Theater students in Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts! Order any of these events with your subscription, and you will save 10% off the listed price.
Parking There is plenty of inexpensive covered parking in the Parking Deck adjacent to the facility and free parking in outdoor lots just a short walk away.
Children Parents are the best judges of what is most appropriate for their children. However, due to the length and content of our performances, we recommend that children attending an event be at least six years of age. All children, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
Family Friendly Performances Many events are particularly suited to families attending together and are designated as Family Friendly. Youth through Grade 12 qualify for half-price tickets to Family Friendly events when accompanied by an adult. Family Friendly events can be identified by this icon ff .
Concessions Before each performance and during all intermissions, beverages and light snacks are available for purchase. Beverages include wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and bottled water.
Educational Outreach Throughout the season, we organize workshops with our touring artists for students in local schools. These programs are valuable educational tools for the students, and help create a greater appreciation and understanding for the performing arts.
George Mason University Players Pericles by Shakespeare October 21–23 and 28–30 at 8 p.m. October 23, 30, and 31 at 2 p.m.
The George Mason University Players, committed to bringing the excitement of live theater to the Mason community and the region, produce a wide variety of theatrical performances, from new plays to classics, featuring talented Mason students on stage and behind the scenes, under the direction of faculty or guest artists. TheaterSpace $12 Adults, $8 Students, Staff and Seniors
George Mason University Symphony Orchestra and Choruses
George Mason University Dance Company 2011 Gala Concert March 25 & 26 at 8 p.m.
Holiday Concert Sunday, December 12 at 7 p.m.
George Mason University Symphony Orchestra and Choruses join forces for an annual concert that features traditional favorites, and the alwayspopular audience sing-along. Concert Hall $20 Adults, $15 Students and Seniors
The Gala Concert is the Dance Company’s crowning season event. Presented in the Concert Hall and featuring live music, the program includes works by contemporary professional choreographers. Concert Hall $20 Adults, $12 Students, Staff and Seniors
Please order tickets for all of these events on the “Additional Tickets for Great Performances and Student Productions” section of the order form. These events may not be selected as part of a Custom Series.
2010/2011 Great performances at mason 31
NON-PROFIT
Center for the Arts
U.S. POSTAGE
4400 University Dr., MS 4C1 Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
PAID FAIRFAX, VA PERMIT NO. 1532
Subscribe today! Order now to get the best seats. Place your order in one of these three easy ways. Online: cfa.gmu.edu By Phone: 703.993.2787 In Person: At the Center for the Arts Ticket Office
SPONSORS FOR THE 2010/2011 SEASON OF GREAT PERFORMANCES AT MASON
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Arts at Mason Means Business Corporate Support Program For information please call (703) 993-8641