Music Expert Richard LeSueur Discusses The Opera "The Rake's Progress"

Sun, 03/11/2012 - 1:25pm by hillary dorwart

Sunday March 11, 2012: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm -- Downtown Library: aadlfreespace

Love music? Frequent the opera and theatre much? Join us for a music-listening and learning session.

In anticipation of the upcoming performance of Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress" (performed by the University Opera Theatre on Sunday, March 25 at Hill Auditorium), Richard LeSueur, opera lover extraordinaire, will discuss the plot and the music of this classic opera.

This lecture will include recordings of some highlights of this morality opera.

UMS Night School: Explore Pure Michigan Renegade Session 3

Mon, 02/20/2012 - 11:48am by hillary dorwart

Monday February 20, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

This 90-minute UMS Night School class features discussions The Tallis Scholars and Random Dance. The 60-minute introduction portion of this event will center on the Hagen Quartet.

Each session includes a presentation by a genre expert, an interactive exercise to draw you into the themes behind the UMS Renegade Series performances, and a takeaway reading to enjoy on your own. Sessions are designed to engage you both with the performances and with other audience members.

This series is hosted by Prof. Mark Clague, Associate Professor of Musicology and Director of Research at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

UMS Night School: Explore Pure Michigan Renegade - Session 2:

Mon, 02/06/2012 - 11:24am by hillary dorwart

Monday February 6, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Session 2 of this UMS Night School series will feature discussions of the January performances of "Einstein on the Beach" and The Hamburg Symphony Orchestra. The 60-minute introduction portion of this event will center on two upcoming UMS Renegade events:

The Tallis Scholars, scheduled to perform on February 16 at St. Francis Of Assisi Church, have established themselves as the leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music throughout the world.

Random Dance, appearing February 18 at the Power Center, is famous for incorporating animation, digital film, 3-D architecture, electronic sound, and virtual dancers into the live choreography.

This series is hosted by Prof. Mark Clague, Associate Professor of Musicology and Director of Research at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Encore Theatre: It's a Wonderful Life

Sun, 11/27/2011 - 3:00pm by annevm

Encore Musical Theatre Company presents It's a Wonderful Life through Dec. 23 at 3126 Broad Street, Dexter. Jon Huffman, co-author of Club Morocco, directs this professional company in a revival of his and Encore founder Dan Cooney's adaptation of the beloved Frank Capra Christmas film about a good man tested by bad fortune. Performance and ticket information is here.

Skyline High: Into the Woods

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 11:29am by annevm

If you're looking for something fun to see this weekend Nov. 18-20, check out Into the Woods at Skyline High School. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this show is sure to be delightful. If you go, keep an eye out for Prince Charming -- who has a roving eye -- and the witch who raps. Sounds like great fun!

Young People's Theater: Oliver!

Tue, 11/15/2011 - 11:07am by annevm

Based on the classic novel Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens, the play Oliver! is always a delight. Young People's Theater will present the play Thursday Nov. 17 through Sunday Nov. 20 at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Plan to go and enjoy the pathos, humor, and songs, including "Food, Glorious Food," "I'd Do Anything," "Where is Love?" "Consider Yourself," "As Long As He Needs Me," "Who Will Buy" and "Reviewing the Situation." Ticket information is here.

Huron Players: The Beaux' Stratagem

Thu, 11/03/2011 - 4:30pm by annevm

The Huron High School Players continue their production of “The Beaux’ Stratagem” this weekend Nov. 4 and 5. The play is an adaptation by Thornton Wilder and Ken Ludwig of a comedy by George Farquhar. The story is about two young men who fall on hard times and try to charm young heiresses to marry them. When one of the men falls in love, the plot thickens. Ticket information is here.

Purple Rose: Escanaba in da Moonlight

Thu, 11/03/2011 - 10:51am by annevm

Escanaba in da Moonlight by Jeff Daniels -- "reloaded for the next generation" -- is playing through Dec. 17 at Purple Rose Theater in Chelsea. The show is directed by Guy Sanville. On the PRTC web page, the current Featured Artist is Wayne David Parker: "With his role as 'da Jimmer in this fall's production of Escanaba in da Moonlight, Wayne David Parker is making it an even two-dozen productions at the PRTC, where he is also a resident artist." Horray for Mr. Parker!

Verdi's Rigoletto Highlights With Music Expert Richard LeSueur

Wed, 11/02/2011 - 11:47am by hillary dorwart

Sunday November 6, 2011: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm -- Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room

In anticipation of the performance of selections from Verdi's Rigoletto by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra (which will occur Saturday, November 12 at the Michigan Theatre), Richard LeSueur, opera lover extraordinaire, will discuss the plot and the music of this classic opera.

This tragic tale of ill-fated love was the first opera of Verdi's great middle period and contains some of the most popular arias and ensembles in the operatic world. This lecture will include recordings of some of these highlights.

Pioneer Theatre Guild: Phantom of the Opera Opens this Weekend

Tue, 11/01/2011 - 11:32am by annevm

The fall musical at Pioneer High, The Phantom of the Opera, opens this weekend on Saturday Nov. 5. Based on the original story by Gaston Leroux, the production also owes thanks to the book and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. U-M musical theater students are helping with the show. For ticket information, click here.