plays

Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present “A Wrinkle in Time,” a new play adapted from the popular children’s novel by Madeleine L’Engle, in the de Jong Concert Hall Wednesday, May 29 through Saturday, June 15, including matinee performances on Saturdays. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the children’s novel, BYU presents this new stage adaptation about love, faith, and the importance of family. On a dark and stormy night, Meg and her family receive an unexpected knock at their door. Behind it lurks an unearthly guest with incredible news. She knows the location of the children’s missing father who has gone missing while experimenting with time travel. As they trek through space to find him, Meg must learn to harness the power of love in order to conquer the forces of evil. Visit byuarts.com for tickets and show times.

Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present “A Wrinkle in Time,” a new play adapted from the popular children’s novel by Madeleine L’Engle, in the de Jong Concert Hall Wednesday, May 29 through Saturday, June 15, including matinee performances on Saturdays. Tickets are $6 for anyone older than the age of six. The audience will be seated in general admission chairs on the de Jong Concert Hall stage surrounding the playing space on three sides. For tickets, visit the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-4322 or visit byuarts.com/tickets. There are no performances Sundays or Mondays. Please note that there will be strobe lighting used throughout the production. The performance on Thursday, June 6, will offer American Sign Language interpretation. Directed by Rodger Sorensen, the BYU production of “A Wrinkle in Time” celebrates the 50th anniversary of the children’s science fiction novel about love, faith and the importance of family. First published in 1962, the book won a Newbery Medal, the Sequoyah Book Award, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and was a runner up for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. On a dark and stormy night, Meg and her family receive an unexpected knock at their door. Behind it lurks an unearthly guest with incredible news. She knows the location of the children’s father who went missing while experimenting with time travel. As they trek through space to find him, Meg must learn to harness the power of love in order to conquer the forces of evil. “Is it possible for adults to tell simple, truthful stories in imaginative ways, without relying on technology, elaborate sets and amazing special effects – stories that will transport us all into that genuine place where children seriously play?” Sorensen asks in the director’s note. “Let's find out. Unlock the doors. Fling wide the windows. Come play with us. Let's contemplate the beauty of Mrs. Whatsit’s transformation. Let’s listen to the music of the spheres in celebration of goodness, light and love.” The production is also featured in 4th Wall, a dramaturgy project run by the Theatre and Media Arts Department. The project works to break down the supposed wall separating the audience from the actors through insights from the rehearsal room, interesting historical information, interviews with the production team and more. For more information about 4th Wall, visit 4thwalldramaturgy.byu.edu. The cast features Lindsay Clark as Meg Murry, Adam White as Charles Wallace, Logan Hayden as Calvin O’Keefe, Stephanie Richardson as Mrs. Whatsit, Chelsea Hickman as Mrs. Who, Jenna Hawkins as Mrs. Which, James Lyon as Mr. Murry, Jasmine Fullmer as Mrs. Murry, and Amy Castro, Allyson Thaxton, Johnny Spelta and Beth Lloyd in the ensemble. The design and technical crew also includes Brittany Corbett, production stage manager; Eric Fielding and Logan Hayden, set designers; Desiree Moss, costume designer; Marianne Ohran, lighting designer; Patrick Hayes; Anna Deceuster, dramaturg; Lindsay Clark, choreographer and music director; and Lara Cobb, properties designer. For more information, contact Ken Crossley at (801) 422-9348 or ken_crossley@byu.edu. Source: BYU News

For the most up-to-date times and ticket availability about these events, visit byuarts.com/tickets. Tuesday, March 1 Vocal Concert: Popular male vocal group Chanticleer, known around the world as 'an orchestra of voices,' will be performing in a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets are on sale at byuarts.com/tickets and cost $17 to $35 for the public, $14 to $32 for alumni and senior citizens or $10 to $28 for BYU students and employees. Tuesday, March 1 — Saturday, March 5 Jazz Week: The School of Music's 32nd Annual Jazz Week celebration will feature the following events: Tuesday, March 1 — Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band Concert: BYU's Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band will be performing at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Guest artist Dan Barrett will be featured on trombone. Tickets are $6 at byuarts.com/tickets. Wednesday, March 2 — Jazz Voices Concert: Jazz Voices, a student ensemble that features some of the brightest jazz singers at BYU, will be performing at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. The vocal group is known for its tight harmonies, rhythmic accuracy, clever improvisation and 'scatting' abilities, sung a cappella and with other instruments such as the piano, guitar, bass and drums. Tickets are available at byuarts.com/tickets for $6. Jazz Voices is directed by Allen Matthews. Friday, March 4 — Jazz Ensemble Concert: Directed by Mark Ammons, BYU's up-and-coming Jazz Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall for $6 a seat, available at byuarts.com/tickets. Saturday, March 5 - Synthesis Big Band Concert: BYU's premier jazz band Synthesis will perform in its 'American Big Band Jazz' concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost between $6 and $10 a seat and can be purchased at byuarts.com/tickets. Synthesis is directed by Ray Smith. Wednesday, March 2 Concerto Solos: Student soloists from the School of Music and the Philharmonic Orchestra will be featured in the annual 'Evening of Concertos' at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets are available at byuarts.com/tickets or (801) 422-4322 for $6 to $10. Thursday through Saturday, March 3-5 Vocal Concert: BYU's premier nine-man a cappella singing group Vocal Point is bringing its alumni back together for its 20th anniversary in a 'Maximum A Cappella' reunion concert Saturday, March 5, at 2 p.m. at the Covey Center for the Arts. Three additional performances, without Vocal Point alumni, will be held Thursday through Saturday, March 3-5, at 7:30 p.m. at the same location. Tickets are available at coveycenter.org or (801) 852-7007 for $10 for the balcony or $12 for the main floor. Friday, March 4 Violin Concert: Hong-Mei Xiao, first prize-winning violist at the Geneva International Music Competition, will be the guest artist at BYU's annual William Primrose Memorial Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Admission is free for both the concert and the accompanying Primrose Memorial Master Class Thursday, March 3, at 5 p.m. in E-432 Harris Fine Arts Center. Tuesday, March 8 Modern Music Concert: BYU's avant-garde music ensemble Group for New Music will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Admission is free. Guest clarinetist Kenneth Long, professor of clarinet at Georgia State University, will present the Utah premiere of 'Corrugated Refrains,' a commissioned piece by BYU faculty composer Neil Thornock. Piano Concert: The School of Music is commemorating the 200th birthday of Franz Liszt in a piano recital featuring 18 of his famous Hungarian Rhapsodies at 6 p.m. in the Museum of Art Auditorium. Admission is free. Wednesday, March 9 Folk Concert: The BYU Folk Music Ensemble will be performing in concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Tickets cost $6 a seat, available at byuarts.com/tickets. Playing traditional American Cajun, bluegrass and country-western music, the Folk Music Ensemble taps the roots of BYU's pioneer heritage to present a colorful display of harmony and rapid-fire instrumental work. Thursday through Saturday, March 10-12 Dance Competition: BYU will once again host the 2011 U.S. National Amateur Dancesport Championships, one of the nation's largest amateur ballroom dance competitions, in the Marriott Center. Ticket prices vary according to seats and competition day. For a complete competition schedule and ticket pricing, go to byudancesport.com. Tickets can be purchased at the Marriott Center Ticket Office at (801) 422-BYU1 or at byutickets.com. Shakespearean Play: The Theatre and Media Arts Department at BYU will present a WWII-twist to Shakespeare's classic comedy 'Much Ado About Nothing' nightly at 7:30 p.m. in the Margetts Theatre. A matinee performance will also be Saturday, March 12, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for all performances, available at byuarts.com/tickets. Friday, March 11 Bass Recital: Guest artist Barry Green will perform on double bass at 7:30 p.m. at the Madsen Recital Hall. Admission is free. Green was the principal bassist for the Cincinnati Symphony and teaches his own bass method, having published three instructional books during his career. Saturday, March 12 Experimental Music Concert: BYU's Group for Experimental Music will be joined by British saxophone luminary John Butcher in a free concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Butcher is a virtuoso and pioneer of extended techniques on the saxophone and a master of collective and solo improvisation. Wednesday, March 16-Friday, April 1 Play: The Theatre and Media Arts Department at BYU will present an adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Persuasion' nightly at 7:30 p.m. in the Pardoe Theatre. Tickets cost from $10 to $15. Dress rehearsals will be held Wednesday and Thursday, March 16-17, for $8 a seat, while a matinee performance will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19, also for $8. Purchase tickets at byuarts.com/tickets or call (801) 422-4322. There will be no performances Sundays or Mondays. Thursday through Saturday, March 17-19 Musical Performance: BYU's energetic Young Ambassadors musical performance group will appear in concert at the de Jong Concert Hall nightly at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance Saturday, March 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost from $6 to $10, available at byuarts.com/tickets. The Young Ambassadors' repertoire consists of contemporary music and dance for a fast-paced showcase of American musical theater. Student Directing Project: A showing of a student-made production based on Oscar Wilde's classic novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' will be held nightly at 7:30 p.m. in the Margetts Theatre. The presentation is sponsored by the Department of Theatre and Media Arts. Dance Performance: The Department of Dance's annual 'dancEnsemble' will feature a contemporary dance showcase highlighting some of the best dancers in the department. The performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Richards Building Dance Studio Theatre (166 RB), with an additional matinée performance Saturday, March 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $6 a seat at byuarts.com. Saturday, March 19 Faculty Recital: Faculty artist Douglas E. Bush will present an organ recital commemorating J.S. Bach's birthday. The performance is free and will be held in the Madsen Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 Jazz Music: Everyone is welcome to attend the free Jazz Combo Night, an evening with performances by several of BYU's jazz ensembles. The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Madsen Recital Hall. Contemporary Dance Performance: The acclaimed Martha Graham Dance Company will be performing at BYU at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets for the performance cost from $8 to $30, available at byuarts.com/tickets. Wednesday, March 23 Flute Concert: BYU's Flute Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the University Parkway Center on the northeast corner of University Parkway and University Avenue. Admission is free. Wednesday through Saturday, March 23-26 Classic Greek Tragedy: The Experimental Theatre Company is presenting Sophocles' fateful 'Oedipus the King' nightly at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the Margetts Theatre. On Saturday, the play will be held at noon and 2 p.m. instead. Tickets are available at byuarts.com/tickets and cost $5 for students and $7 for the public. Thursday, March 24 Cultural Dance Performance: BYU's Polynesian, Latin American and Native American dancing sensation Living Legends will be performing cultural dances, choreographed to world music, in a performance at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets are on sale at byuarts.com/tickets for $6 to $10. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the ethnic dance group, which has performed in more than 45 countries since 1971. Saxophone Concert: BYU's saxophone ensemble will perform in the Saxophone Chamber Night at 7:30 p.m. at the University Parkway Center on the northeast corner of University Parkway and University Avenue. Admission is free. Friday and Saturday, March 25-26 Dance Showcase: Students from the Department of Dance present their final projects in the Senior Dance Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday in the Richards Building Dance Studio Theatre (166 RB). Tickets cost $6 at byuarts.com/tickets. Vocal Performance: The largest collegiate male choral group in the United States, the BYU Men's Chorus, will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets cost $6 to $10 at byuarts.com/tickets. Friday, March 25 Woodwind Concert: A student ensemble will perform in the School of Music's Woodwind Chamber Night at 7:30 p.m. at the University Parkway Center on the northeast corner of University Parkway and University Avenue. Admission is free. Saturday, March 26 Harp Performance: BYU's Harp Ensemble will perform in a recital at 3 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Admission is free. Tuesday, March 29 Trombone Concert: A student ensemble will perform in the School of Music's Trombone Choir concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Admission is free. Orchestra and Strings Concert: BYU's University Orchestra and University Strings will perform in a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets cost $3 a seat at byuarts.com/tickets. Wednesday, March 30 Songwriter Showcase: Students from the School of Music will perform new works in the Songwriter Showcase at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Admission to this Nashville-style event is free. Symphonic Concert: BYU's 85-member Symphony Orchestra will perform instrumental music at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets cost $6 and are available at byuarts.com/tickets. Note that the 2010-11 BYU arts season mrochure erroneously lists an additional performance by the BYU Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday, March 29. Wednesday is the only performance that will take place. Thursday, March 31 International Dance Showcase: BYU's International Folk Dance Ensemble presents a concert program at 7:30 p.m. at the Covey Center for the Arts. Tickets cost $8 for seniors, $9 for students and $10 for the public, available at coveycenter.org. The International Dance Showcase will feature traditional dances from more than a dozen nations, including Ukraine, Russia, Korea, Poland, Mexico and the United States. Student Directing Project: A showing of the student-made production called 'To Thine Own Self Be True: Being a Girl at BYU' will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Nelke Theatre. The presentation is sponsored by the Department of Theatre and Media Arts. Thursday and Friday, March 31-April 1 Contemporary Dance Showcase: The Department of Dance is presenting its Contemporary Dance Showcase, which features new contemporary works performed by students in the Richards Building Studio Theatre (166 RB). Tickets cost $6 and are available at byuarts.com/tickets. All Month Free Art Exhibits at the MOA: BYU's Museum of Art has a number of free exhibits on display throughout the month: 'Wide-Open Spaces: Capturing the Grandeur of the Southwest' includes a number of artists from the Western United States and explores how they capture the beautiful landscapes and people of the Southwest in art. The exhibit closes Thursday, March 10. The exhibit, 'Carl Bloch: The Master's Hand,' will continue until May 2011. The exhibit features works by Bloch, a 19th-century Danish artist, whose paintings of Jesus Christ are often used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Admission is free, but registration for tickets for this exhibit is required at carlbloch.byu.edu. 'e.g.' is an interactive art piece by Brian Knep that allows participants to walk through the art and watch it rebuild itself. 'Dorothea Lange's Three Mormon Towns,' a new exhibition at the BYU Museum of Art, features 21 of Lange's photographs from this series acquired by the museum. The exhibition also draws from the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Columbia College Chicago and the collection of John and Lolita Dixon. The MOA is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays. For tours and additional information, visit moa.byu.edu or call (801) 422-ARTS. Source: BYU News

Lope de Vega's 'Fuente Ovejuna'

Brigham Young University

This musical homage to Julia Child promises a showcase of vocal and culinary talent The BYU School of Music has a delicious surprise in store for audiences this June: the performance of operas “A Dinner Engagement,” a lighthearted romantic comedy about two strangers who bond over their love of food, and “Bon Appétit,” a piece based on a real episode of Julia Child’s cooking show.

The BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts presents Travesties, a dramatic comedy, beginning Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and playing through Dec. 3. In Stoppard’s award-winning classic, important historical figures such as Lenin, Tristan Tzara and James Joyce cross wits on the nature and function of politics and art in a farcical tale of misunderstandings, mistaken identity and a misplaced handbag borrowed directly from Wilde’s masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest. “We’re doing Travesties in conjunction with our production of The Importance of Being Earnest, which Oscar Wilde called a trivial comedy for serious people,” said Megan Sanborn Jones, director of Travesties. “Travesties, on the other hand, is a serious comedy for trivial people. It deals with art, revolution, and responsibility of the people to change the world for the better. These are very serious topics but it’s done in a trivial manner, through singing vaudeville songs, through limericks and through slapstick comedy.” TMA is pleased to present both The Importance of Being Earnest and Travesties simultaneously. Travesties, which begins Nov. 11, is heavily inspired by Earnest and though able to stand alone, the scripts for the two plays share a comparable relationship. “I can’t think of a better play that teaches the time period 1875 -1915,” said Jones. “It’s a delight, but for me it’s hard to access if you don’t know Earnest, and so it always made sense to me that you should do the two together.” TMA will also host a post-performance discussion on Nov. 17 and Dec. 1. An ASL interpreted performance will be held on Nov. 17. Dates and Times: Nov. 11–12, 16–19, 29–30, Dec. 1-3, 7:30 p.m Nov. 12, 19 2:00 p.m. (additional Saturday matinee performance) Location: Margetts Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $8-14 Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com