Tulsa PAC Offers Romantic Outings in February
By NANCY HERMANN
LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS: Tulsa Ballet performs Lady of the Camellias, a tale of love and loss, Feb. 1-3 at the Tulsa PAC.
Valentine’s Day is upon us, and February entices with live entertainment that is romantic, thought provoking and fun.
I am so looking forward to the return of Tulsa Ballet’s Lady of the Camellias, Feb. 1-3. This is a stunning work, choreographed by Val Caniparoli. I was there to see our Tulsa Ballet electrify an international audience more than a decade ago in Sintra, Portugal with this story of love and loss. It takes place in 19th-century Paris and centers on a courtesan, Marguerite, and Armand, her young lover. Armand’s father thinks his son’s relationship with a kept woman will hurt the chances of his daughter to find a suitable husband. Marguerite is ready to sacrifice her happiness for what might be best for Armand’s family. You might need a tissue or two to get through this one. Tulsa Symphony performing Chopin’s music will be a treat in itself.
On Feb. 8, Tulsa Town Hall presents White House correspondent Ann Compton. She was one of only two journalists allowed to stay on Air Force One with President Bush during the first frightening hours following the 9/11 attacks and currently offices in the West Wing. She will give us her insider’s view on those events and maybe a behind-the-scenes look at the President’s recent inauguration.
Tulsa Symphony is front and center on Feb. 9 with guest artist Mark O’Connor, who will perform a jazzy Double Violin Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra. Among his mentors was French jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli. The Symphony’s “Red” program also features Michael Daugherty’s Route 66 and Charles Ives’ Symphony No. 1.
If you’re up for something romantic and funny, you couldn’t do better than Playhouse Tulsa’s Barefoot in the Park, Feb. 8-16. Do you remember a very young Robert Redford and Jane Fonda in the film? Barefoot’s couple, acted by Playhouse Tulsa’s Courtneay Sanders and Chris Crawford, begins their marriage in a cold, cramped apartment, five floors up with no elevator, and a skylight that leaks. No matter how much you love somebody, discomfort gets old fast. And it does for the play’s Corie and Paul, making for bristly and comic moments and an eventual heart-warming surrender to sweet love. Courtneay and Chris in the lead roles are going to make amazing theatre. They are joined by acting pros Ron Friedberg, playing the neighbor, and Barbara Murn as the mother/mother-in-law. This Neil Simon classic earns a Show Buzz guarantee – which means I can’t imagine anyone could see this and not thoroughly enjoy it.
I’m such a fan of Playhouse Tulsa’s productions, and Shakespeare, so I’m not going to miss one of two opportunities to see that company’s production of Othello. This story of love, jealousy and betrayal will be performed by six actors. Catch Othello at the , Feb. 13 and 16.
More love comes your way with Chamber Music Tulsa’s presentation of the Tesla Quartet. This string ensemble is composed of four young Juilliard graduates who have already won prestigious awards. They will spend a week in Tulsa sharing their love for music at various venues, including a soup kitchen and a bus terminal! Composer Carter Pann, who the Tesla has worked with at the University of Colorado, will be in town that week to meet with young composers at TU. Among the pieces featured during Tesla’s Feb. 17 concert at the will be Pann’s composition, “Love Letters,” and Debussy’s String Quartet in D. Major, K. 575. International music critics have been crazy about Tesla’s performance of the Debussy work, lauding the quartet for imbuing the piece with color and intimacy. Sounds romantic to me!
Do you seek out thought-provoking dance theatre and performance art? Consider the New Genre Festival’s Strange Planet, Feb. 22-23. The Jordan Fuchs Company from Texas is guest of Living Arts of Tulsa. Also that week, Theatre North returns to the with Radio Golf by Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson. This poignant and funny play is set in the 1990s and follows the story of a successful entrepreneur, with a secret past, who wants to become Pittsburgh’s first black mayor. You can catch Radio Golf Feb. 23-24 and Mar. 1-2.
There’s much more to preview next month concerning The Most Happy Fellow, but get tickets now for this operatic Broadway piece. It was written by Frank Loesser, who composed music for Guys and Dolls. Love blooms in a vineyard in this Tulsa Opera premiere, sung in English, Feb. 23 and Mar. 1 and 2.
Now beginning my 21st year at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, I want to thank you for the love you have shown this special City-run facility and the arts groups that present events at the . I look forward to seeing you in the weeks ahead for one or more of these outstanding performances.
Nancy Hermann is Director of Marketing at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
Updated 02-14-2013
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