theatre

The Deseret News featured an article today about the upcoming performance, “Mandy Patinkin: Dress Casual, with Paul Ford on Piano.” The show will take place at the HFAC in the de Jong Concert Hall on August 31 at 7:30 p.m. and on September 1 at 2:00 p.m. View the full article here.

by Angela Fischer Brigham Young University’s Young Ambassadors will perform a variety of Broadway songs in “Circle of Life” Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 16-18, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. A matinee performance will take place Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and faculty. To purchase tickets, call the Fine Arts Ticket Office at (801) 422-4322 or visit performances.byu.edu. “Circle of Life” is a musical review celebrating selections from musical theatre of the 20th and 21st centuries. Show numbers include favorites such as “Lida Rose” from “The Music Man” and “All I Ask of You” from “Phantom of the Opera.” The show will also feature a medley from “Fiddler on the Roof” and numbers from “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Mary Poppins” and “Mamma Mia.” “With complex choreography representing a wide variety of dance styles and charismatic rhythms, our program has kept people in the audience tapping their shoes for generations,” said director Randy Boothe. “The Broadway tunes selected also celebrate friends, family, love and laughter amid the challenges of today’s world.” “Circle of Life” involves a four-member band and a cast of 30 singers and dancers. The group is also supported by 10 student technicians who provide backstage support and control lighting and sound. The Young Ambassadors will perform “Circle of Life” on tour in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Illinois this summer. Last year, they performed and toured in China and South Korea. For more information, contact Randy Boothe at (801) 422-2564. Source: BYU News

Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts has announced its 2005-2006 theatre series in the Pardoe and Margetts Theatres. Full of comedy, drama and beautiful music, the 2005-2006 theatre season will offer productions for the entire family. “The theatre season is designed to reach out to the audience and engage them in the experience,” said Rodger D. Sorensen, Theatre and Media Arts Department chair. “We want them to be enlightened and entertained.” “As an academic institution, ours is the responsibility to provide students with growth experiences,” Sorensen added. “We want to help the students become better. Theatre productions are like lab experiments where we test and ask questions.” The Pardoe Theatre Series will begin with Lope de Vega’s Spanish Golden Age classic “Fuente Ovejuna” directed by Nestor Bravo Goldsmith. The production runs Sept. 21 through Oct. 8. Sparks will fly when two childhood friends fall in love with the same woman in Shakespeare’s comedy “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” directed by Alexandra Mackenzie. The production runs Nov. 9 through Dec. 3. There will be performances Nov. 20-29 because of Thanksgiving break. The series will continue with Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida,” a story of enslaved Nubian princess who falls in love with the Egyptian guard holding her captive. Directed by Tim Threlfall, the production runs Jan. 25 through Feb. 11. Theatre faculty members Barta Heiner and Janet Swenson will delight audiences as they portray the Brewster sisters in Joseph Kesselring’s “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a comedy full of murderous criminals, romantic strife and insane in-laws. Directed by Laurie Harrop-Purser, the production runs March 29 through April 15. Completing the season will be a Theatre for Young Audiences production of Patricia MacLachlan’s popular book-turned-play, “Sarah, Plain and Tall.” Directed by Amy Petersen Jensen, the play focuses on a 19th-century Midwest widower with two children who advertises for a new wife. The production runs May 31 through June 17. The Margetts Theatre Series will begin with “Getting Married,” a comedy by George Bernard Shaw and directed by Barta Heiner. With confusion igniting on a young couple’s wedding day, the clergy, a lovesick fool and the coal-maker’s wife all ask whether or not marriage is a worthy ideal. The production runs Oct.26 through Nov. 12. The exciting adventures of four orphans will be presented in the Theatre for Young Audiences production of “The Boxcar Children” based on the books by Gertrude Chandler Warner and adapted for stage by Barbara Field. Directed by George D. Nelson, performances run Feb. 8-18 in the Nelke Theatre. Finishing the Margetts Series will be the world premiere of “Angels Unaware: A Story of Joan of Arc” written by Melissa Leilani Larson. Directed by David Morgan, the production follows a young girl named Joan who accepts the call to arms from her Lord and Savior when France loses hope of gaining back its faith and patriotism. Performances run March 8-25. There will be no performances in either theatre Sundays or Mondays. Reduced-price dress rehearsals and matinee performances will be available for each performance. For more information, contact the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-4377, or at performances.byu.edu. Source: BYU News

Lope de Vega's 'Fuente Ovejuna'

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY Fine Arts and Entertainment Calendar January 2004 All month: 'On the Road with C.C.A. Christensen: The Moving Panorama' at the BYU Museum of Art. Carl Christian Anton (C.C.A.) Christensen, a Danish immigrant who worked and lived in Utah, was one of several Utah artists to use this popular art form. Christensen produced four panoramas, two of which are being exhibited in the Museum of Art. The exhibition presents two large moving panoramas. Accompanying the exhibition is a re-enactment of the 19th-century performance given by Christensen when he traveled his panorama to localities throughout Utah and Idaho. The 40-minute panorama performance will be presented every Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. and every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the gallery. The exhibit is free and the public is welcome to attend. '150 Years of American Painting' at the BYU Museum of Art is a permanent installation of paintings by renowned artists such as Frederic Edwin Church, Maynard Dixon, John Singer Sargent, and many local Utah favorites such as Mahonri Young. Admission is free. 'Outside Inside: Fragments of Place' continues on display at the BYU Museum of Art. This ambiguous exhibition title refers to a project in which seven Australian artists were commissioned to examine the extended community that has gathered along the Wasatch Front. These artists were selected for their ability to sensitively analyze cultures, social behaviors, geographic spaces and historical foundations, and manifest their research in thought-provoking ways. 'Outside Inside' is on display through April 27, 2004. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend. 'Contemporary Spaces, Underlying Culture' remains on display at the BYU Museum of Art. The exhibition brings together five artists who use photography as a means of exploring ideas related to a sense of place, cultural identity, human interaction and the nature of artistic expression in contemporary life. 'Contemporary Spaces' is on display through Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend. Thursday, Jan. 8 The Utah Symphony Orchestra will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. The performance will feature Britten's 'Sinfonia a Requiem,' Vaughn Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; and Dvorak's Concerto for orchestra and cello in B Minor, op. 104. The concert will be conducted by Keith Lockhart and will feature Shauna Rolston, cello. Tickets at $20 and $4 off with BYU or student ID are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 378-4322 or at www.byu.edu/hafc. Wednesday, Jan. 14 through Friday, Jan. 16 BYU's Living Legends, a celebration of Native American, Polynesian and Latin American music and dance will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets at $10 and $2 off with BYU or student ID are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 378-4322 or at www.byu.edu/hafc. Saturday, Jan. 17 The Intercollegiate Band, the finest musicians from Utah's colleges and universities, will perform under the direction of guest conductor Jerry Junkin from the University of Texas at Austin beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. The performance is free and the public is welcome to attend. Saturday, Jan. 17 The Amadeus Trio, one of the most dynamic chamber music groups performing today, including Timothy Baker, violin, Jeffrey Solow, cello, and Marian Hahn, piano, will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. A free master class will be offered Saturday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Tickets for the concert at $9 with $3 off with BYU or student ID are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 378-4322 or at www.byu.edu/hafc. To learn more about the Amadeus Trio visit www.amadeustrio.com. Tuesday, Jan. 20 Dallas Brass, directed by Michael Levine, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a performance tour that includes BYU. Dallas Brass is recognized as one of America's foremost musical ensembles. A unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion creates a performing entity of extraordinary range and musical challenges that the entire family will enjoy. Featuring Jason Ayoub, horn; Brian Neal, trumpet; Jose Sibaja, trumpet; Michael Levine, trombone; Deanna Swoboda, tuba; and Daniel Hostetler, percussion. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m., in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets at $9 and $3 off with BYU or student ID are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 378-4322 or at www.byu.edu/hafc. To learn more about the Dallas Brass visit www.dallasbrass.com. Wednesday, Jan. 21 through Saturday, Feb. 7 Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, directed and choreographed by Pat Debenham, with music direction by Randy Boothe will be presented at the Pardoe Theatre. You'll have reason to celebrate the heyday of rock 'n' roll when you are at Smokey Joe's Café, where the American pop that defined an era is transposed into exciting musical theatre. When you hear 40 favorites like 'Hound Dog,' 'Love Potion No. 9,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' 'Stand by Me' and 'Yakety Yak.' You won't just be strollin' down memory lane, you'll be dancin' in the aisles. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Previews are Wednesday, Jan. 21, and Thursday, Jan. 22. A matinee performance will be given Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. There will be no performances Sundays or Mondays. Tickets are $14 and $4 off with BYU or student ID. Tickets for previews and matinee performances are $5. Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 378-4322 or at www.byu.edu/hafc. Wednesday, Jan. 28 The Q'd Up Faculty Jazz Quintet, features Ray Smith, reeds; Ron Brough, percussion; Steve Lindeman, keyboards; Jay Lawrence, vibes; and Matt Larson, bass. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. The performance is free and the public is welcome to attend. Thursday, Jan. 29 through Saturday, Jan. 31 The Dancer's Company will appear in concert, with artistic direction by Rebecca Wright Phillips. 'Song of Deliverance,' dedicated to LDS pioneer heritage, is a tribute to the past, along with a beautiful piece by Bill Evans, 'For Betty,' to music by Antonio Vivaldi. 'April,' choreographed by guest artist Nana Shineflug of the Chicago Moving Company, is structurally based on the bell curve. 'Wheelenese Waltz,' a Viennese waltz like you've never seen before, is sure to bring a laugh, and the dancers' own choreographic premiere will bring us up to date as dancers use stunt stilts to leap, jump, and flip into the 21st century. Performances are in the de Jong Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. All tickets at $5 are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 378-4322 or at www.byu.edu/hfac. Thursday, Jan. 29 The Special Collections Motion Picture Archives Film Series presents 'Angels with Dirty Faces' at 7 p.m. in the Harold B. Lee Library auditorium. The mannerisms that made James Cagney famous (and earned him an Academy Award nomination) were established in this exciting crime drama that features the Dead End Kids, later known as the Bowery Boys. The final scene is a movie milestone. Directed by Michael Curtiz with movement and flair, it co-stars Pat O'Brian, Humphrey Bogart and Ann Sheridan. Admission is free. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Early arrival is recommended as seating is limited. Children ages 8 and over are welcome. Saturday, Jan. 31 The American Piano Duo featuring Jeffrey Shumway and Del Parkinson will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. The performance is free and the public is welcome to attend. Source: BYU News

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.