Performances Begin at the Tulsa PAC
By NANCY HERMANN
RAISE THE CURTAIN: The Tulsa Performing Arts Center has prepared their 35th season, which will feature ballets, music, Broadway and more.
Our 35th season begins at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. What could be a better launch pad than Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers? That Aug. 24 show begins a year filled with extraordinary performances from the 14 regular user groups of the , with some special touring events added throughout the season.
Tulsa Town Hall launches its lecture series with the venerable news broadcaster Ted Koppel. His talk, “Dangerous Times, Dangerous World,” will address many issues that are weighing on his mind – everything from the economy to what he considers the growing lack of discipline in America.
His Sept. 9 appearance is the first of six for Town Hall. Its 2011-12 lineup also features Writers Anna Quindlen and Michael Wallis, Economist Barry Asmus, Adventurer Alison Levine and a real “music man” John Edward Hasse. This is the only series at the where tickets to individual events are not sold. Lectures are held at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays throughout the year.
How about a little Wagner, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky to get the Tulsa Symphony season rolling? There are seven concerts planned, including the opening “Fate and Folklore” Sept. 10 and November’s “Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” This performance will incorporate the men of the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus and scenes from the movie shown on a big screen.
If you love dance, this is your year. Between Choregus Productions an
d Tulsa Ballet, you will be able to see the work of the world’s leading choreographers. Choregus leads its year with the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Sept. 16-17. The hallmark of King’s work is vulnerability, tenderness and a sense of shared humanity, and technique rooted in classical ballet. Later this year, Choregus will present Keigwin+Company, a troupe with distinctive wit and theatrical sensibility. The Mark Morris Dance Group is during February, and the Batsheva Dance Company from Israel drops by in March. Also from Choregus, catch the return of the surrealistic Diavolo in May.
Choregus also includes music in its performance season. Time for Three was outrageously good when Choregus hosted the group previously. Ladysmith Black Mambazo from South Africa takes the stage in January and, to help the celebrate its 35th anniversary, The Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers will bring down the house March 17. One other production to take in this season is Music of the Sun: ETHEL with Robert Mirabal April 28. ETHEL is acclaimed as America’s premier post-classical string quartet, and Robert Mirabal is a three-time Grammy-winning Native American flutist.
Tulsa Ballet is off to a spectacular year with new talent and new material. The company’s Artistic Director Marcello Angelini has wanted to stage Ronald Hynd’s The Merry Widow for many years. This light, romantic piece, set in Belle Époque Paris with music by Franz Lehár will be gorgeous and thrilling to see. Buy your tickets now for The Merry Widow Sept. 23-25. Tulsa Ballet will also stage Nine Sinatra Songs in October, The Nutcracker in December, Romeo and Juliet in February, and a special Ballet Russe Evening tribute to Tulsa Ballet founders Roman Jasinski and Moscelyne Larkin in March.
Check Tulsa Ballet’s website for other performances, some of which are performed in the intimate Studio K at Tulsa Ballet headquarters.
Tulsa Opera presents three outstanding productions this season: The Barber of Seville in October, American composer Jake Heggie’s opera Dead Man Walking Feb. 25 and March 2 and 4; and the Puccini classic Madame Butterfly in April. Take advantage of season package discounts now. You can find out more by calling Tulsa Opera or visiting the Opera’s website.
There is incredible theatre scheduled for this 35th anniversary season, along with children’s shows and special guests such as Buddy Valastro the Cake Boss, improv geniuses Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, and pianist Jim Brickman, all in November.
I also want to buzz about what is unquestionably one of the best Broadway seasons ever. Celebrity Attractions brings the 2010 Tony winner Memphis to the Nov. 1-6, followed by The Addams Family in January, the raucous, ultra-cool percussion and dance sensation STOMP in March, the beloved Fiddler on Roof May 8-13, and the phenomenal Jersey Boys to close the season in June. The can help you with Celebrity Attractions season tickets.
I’m a sentimental soul and the has always meant a lot to be. I’m sentimental about the core of individuals who used finesse and American ingenuity to move the building of the forward, coupled with the Tulsa citizens who embraced the idea of creating a central home for the arts. Please help us celebrate these 35 years by attending events throughout this season at the . We’re saving a seat for you.
Updated 08-30-2011
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