Getting Creative During the Time of COVID

How many of us guessed way back in March that we’d still be reorganizing our lives around COVID-19 come September? Our experience with the virus has been a guessing game all along. How do you safely (and reliably) plan anything when so many variables are in flux? Here are some updates from some of our city’s major arts and entertainment providers, and also a few suggestions for “wandering about” entertainment that you can enjoy with your peeps or on your own.
Like theatre groups across the country, Theatre Tulsa has found creative solutions to the current challenges. Among many other planned activities, the company is rolling out a season of interactive virtual programs that begin in September and run through February 2021. “These shows are a new type of live entertainment that actually benefits from being digital,” says Theatre Tulsa Executive Director Jarrod Kopp. “Remote Control with Max Major” will be introduced on Sept. 10-12. The world-renowned mentalist will lead at-home audiences through a fully interactive journey that incorporates long-distance hypnosis and mentalism. A week before each show, a “mystery box” will be delivered by mail to subscribed households. Each kit will contain props and other surprises that lend themselves to the involving and personal nature of the performances. More information about the programs and ticket packages is available at theatretulsa.org/inabox.
Book now to gain insight from Broadway stars Brittney Johnson (Oct. 10) and Brennin Hunt (Oct. 24) during two-hour virtual masterclasses, held online by Theatre Tulsa through Zoom. Johnson will provide interactive training focusing on song interpretation and auditions. Hunt will offer counsel to performers seeking a career in theatre. Each actor has impressive Broadway credentials. Apply online on Theatre Tulsa’s website.
Theatre Tulsa also plans a series of “Tell Me A Story” productions. The company is actively seeking people who have a personal story they are willing to share, and is looking for writers who can shape those stories into theatrical scenes or monologues. Performances begin in November with audiences rotating to different locations in socially distanced groups of 10 to view the produced stories.
Tulsa Opera presents Verdi’s “Rigoletto” in a “semi-staged” production on Oct. 9 at ONEOK Field. The story has been re-imagined, incorporating a baseball theme. Opera superstar Sarah Coburn will be featured along with an outstanding cast. Tickets are $25, or $50 for a family of five. Admission for children under the age of six is free. This would be a great way to introduce young ones to opera. Expect vocal fireworks along with an actual fireworks show following the performance.
Tulsa Symphony opens its full season at ONEOK Field on Sept. 5 with a powerful all-Beethoven program featuring acclaimed pianist Yefim Bronfman, and continues its season Oct. 18, 3 p.m. at the Field with a program of Mozart, Bruch and Brahms. Rain date for the latter is Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Executive Director Keith Elder has plenty of experience with outdoor concerts. He worked extensively with Boston Pops. Elder shared with GTR that an immense amount of thought, planning, and coordination with Tulsa City/Country Health Dept. Director Dr. Bruce Dart have gone into organizing the outdoor concerts. Acousticians, whom Elder knows, and who are accustomed to designing orchestra events in open-air settings, have been recruited to ensure a quality experience. Elder reports that TSO is finalizing plans for the remainder of the season at a location where social distancing in large numbers can be safely accomplished. TSO ballpark concerts will be followed by fireworks.
Chamber Music Tulsa will feature a virtual solo recital with renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine on Sept. 13. This ticketed event costs $20 per household and will be offered free to current CMT subscribers. Unrenewed subscribers can enjoy the music with a discounted $10/per household ticket. The program is titled “American Traditions.” Check out chambermusictulsa.org for tickets and additional info.
It won’t feel like Christmas this year without American Theatre Company’s “A Christmas Carol.” The company has cancelled performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center until Spring 2021. However, there will be pop-up performances of the show by “A Christmas Carol” cast members at various outdoor venues. The holiday favorite will return in 2021 with a new set!
I’ve spent much of the COVID lockdown months binging on TV and doing puzzles. But there’s a limit! Do you know that the brains of scientists who live in Antarctica were shown to have shrunk due to a dearth of variety in their surroundings? You can only look at the same scenery for so long. As ardent world travelers, my husband and I have visited all seven continents, but never before set foot in Gilcrease Museum’s backyard. I have looked out on the Osage Hills from Gilcrease’s Vista Room, but not imagined the paths, pond and picnic spot that are easily accessible from the Museum’s parking lot. If you go, take a lunch or just a blanket and a book. Four deer were rollicking in a field there during the late afternoon of our visit.
You may have spent time at The Gathering Place, which itself is impressively landscaped, but have you been to Tulsa Botanic Garden? There was hardly a soul at the Garden when we toured, so social distancing was not an issue. To ensure that, book ahead on the Garden’s website. We took a leisurely walk around the lake, stopped to watch butterflies and admired the immense variety of plants.
For a full day away, consider a trip to Pawhuska. Its downtown is quaint and interesting, particularly if you have read David Grann’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” His tale of the “Reign of Terror,” targeting the Osage people, is soon to be a major motion picture. One side trip to consider if you are up Pawhuska way is the Gray Horse Cemetery near Fairfax, where many of the victims from the “Reign of Terror” (1921-25) are buried. I thought it was fascinating.
Not far from where “Pioneer Woman” Rhea Drummond has built her tourist-drawing Mercantile Restaurant, you will find a well-marked entrance to the Tall Grass Prairie. I won’t guarantee that you will see bison close up and personal. The herd we spotted were grazing on a distant hill. We brought a lunch and enjoyed peace and quiet in the picnic area near the visitor’s center.
Day trips we are planning include excursions to Guthrie, Bartlesville and Okmulgee to look at architecture. Did you know that Okmulgee has awesome Art Deco to explore? Crystal Bridges in Arkansas is an easy up and back, and there’s still more in Tulsa to consider. We haven’t been to the Oxley Nature Center in years.
Stay tuned for updates on re-openings and show plans. Productions won’t be the same for a time, but we can support presenters and venues by being open to alternatives and following guidelines that keep everyone safe.