Copperstar, Higley Center team up for ‘Les Miserables’
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Higley Center for the Performing Arts has given Chandler’s Copperstar Repertory Co. yet another chance for a comeback by providing a theater space for its production of “Les Miserables.”
Copperstar has faced a number of hardships after Mary-Jo Okawa, the theater company’s founder and artistic producing director, and her family watched their garage go up in flames two years ago.
The three-car space had been converted into a scene shop, which held all of the costumes and props.
“The fire started in the garage and they never discovered how,” Okawa said. “My husband heard a big bang, which he thought was a gunshot. He went outside to see what was happening and our garage exploded. It had been burning for a while.”
The house was a complete loss and demolished. For the next 10 months, the family lived in hotels and temporary housing until their house was rebuilt.
Consequently, the night of the fire, Copperstar was set to hold auditions for “The Wizard of Oz.” The family showed up for the tryouts as is—complete with soot on their faces and hands. That resulted in a sea of support. Okawa received many gifts and was nominated for CBS 5’s “Pay It Forward” award. Community theaters opened their warehouses for costumes and props.
However, the hardships have snowballed.
“In hindsight, it might have been wise to have taken a break when the fire happened because the years that followed have been very difficult and heartbreaking,” she said. “But truthfully, without Copperstar to keep us going and give us a bigger picture to focus on, I believe this time of our lives would have been even more difficult.”
The Okawas extended their credit and used up retirement and savings accounts as well as their children’s college funds to keep Copperstar going. By October 2014, the family was upside down, and they finally accepted defeat, thanks to the ongoing expense of rent for a studio and shop. Okawa said she found someone to rent the studio, but Copperstar is still paying rent on a nearly 3,000-square-foot shop.
Higley Center for the Performing Arts Operations Manager Robert Zucker wanted to help Copperstar and his facility at the same time.
To make money, Okawa has been selling Copperstar’s costumes, sets and props.
“Beginning Copperstar as I did—with no training or background in nonprofit— created a sort of snowball effect,” she said. “We started out with nothing, so we were always a show behind financially.”
“I sat down with Mary-Jo Okawa and talked about the realities,” he said. “She is an artistic director. I am a business man. We have different views of putting on a performance and I think the two of us working together will have much better results. That is what this is all about...me helping them with the business operations and them restoring
musical theater.”
The partnership began five years ago when Copperstar was a fledgling theater company looking for a home. Higley Center housed Copperstar for three years before it moved into the Mesa Arts Center.
Zucker said he kept tabs on Copperstar because of its work with kids and the public. Higley Center attracts the same audience.
Copperstar Repertory Co. is bringing “Les Miserables” to the Higley Center for the Performing Arts. Submitted photo
Gold Canyon Arts Council seeking original poster designs
The Gold Canyon Arts Council is seeking poster artists for the 16th annual Canyon Arts Festival and the Canyon Sounds concert series. An original piece of art will be transformed into an arts poster. Artists can use their choice of media that will reflect the Canyon Sounds concert program, which is vibrant with music, dance and drama; the Canyon Arts Festival depicting a colorful display of booths and people, or beauty of the Sonoran desert. Artists are asked to submit their work in an 8-by-10 photograph. Although an artist may reference a website as indicative of their work, they are asked to not direct the committee there to see a particular piece. Submissions can be sent to Canyon Rose Storage, Attn: Festival Poster Committee, 6405 S. Kings Ranch Rd., Gold Canyon,
AZ 85118. The submission must include name, address, phone and email. Individual artists may send up to three proposals for consideration.
The deadline for submission is Tuesday, Sept. 1, and the final selection will be made Friday, Sept. 18.
The selected artist is expected to contribute the rights to use the representation for advertising and be available at the Canyon Sounds concert for poster signing. The poster may be titled at the discretion of the artist. There also will be prominent visibility for other works the artist desires to display at the 2016 Canyon Arts Festival on Saturday, Jan. 23.
For more information, call Jean Buckborough at Jean@newvisionhealing.com.
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Sonoran Desert Chorale to sing opera
“HMS Pinafore,” the concert version, arrives with the Sonoran Desert Chorale in Mesa and Paradise Valley on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3. It is the fi rst half of the concert, “Phantasies of the Opera,” to be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Mesa and at 3 p.m. Sunday at Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley.
This gentle satire of British class and custom has been a crowd-pleaser since it fi rst appeared on stage as the fourth collaboration of the famous W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. Audiences still love its catchy melodies and tonguetwisting lyrics.
Chorale members from across the Valley are performing the character roles, supported by the chorus singing as the sailors of the Pinafore and the ladies of Sir Joseph Porter K.C.B.’s entourage.
“I fi rst fell in love with Gilbert and Sullivan in college when I performed as Ruth from ‘Pirates of Penzance,’” said Jan Daley of Tempe.
“Now I have the great opportunity to sing ‘HMS Pinafore’ with the chorale, performing as Cousin Hebe. I fi nd myself humming the memorable melodies
throughout the day and smiling at the clever, and sometimes silly, lyrics. The music is wonderfully infectious. I’m excited to be a part of such a fun and musically rewarding concert.”
The second half of the concert will feature choruses from famous operas by Mozart, Puccini, Wagner, and more, plus the “Flower Duet” from Lakmé.
“Whether you know it or not, you’ve heard the ‘Flower Duet,’” said Ann McEwen Kelley of Phoenix. Countless commercials and movie scores have used this stunning soprano duet. I can’t wait to sing it with my singing partner, Rachel Stoddard.”
Tickets for “Phantasies of the Opera” are available through the box offi ce at (480) 305-4538 or online at www. SonoranDesertChorale.org.
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• 42-inch upper and 36-inch lower maple cabinetry and choice of finishes
• Option for soft water
Chandler youth to perform at the MIM
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Some of Chandler’s finest young musicians who placed near the top in the 2015 Arizona Musicfest competition will take the stage with their winning selections at the Musical Instrument Museum at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 3.
Lena Han, 14, is among the musicians chosen to perform. She was the first-place winner for the 2015 Piano Competition for ninth grade. She is excited to play the acoustically sound MIM because she hasn’t had many opportunities to perform beyond her studio recitals.
“It’s more pressure, more exciting because there are going to be more people watching,” Lena said of playing at the MIM. “I want to become a better performer. Every performance you gain more experience and become more comfortable on stage.”
Thirteenyear-old Hannah Goldstick won third place for the Solo Orchestral Instruments
and Chamber Ensemble, as well as first place for her group Perfect 4th Quarter. “I look forward to getting to experience this kind of professional venue and also professional situation where we are being asked to play at such a nice hall at the MIM,” Hannah said. “Putting
music out there is what I hope to gain.”
Nathaniel Gass, 18, took first place for the Musicfest Piano Competition for grade 12.
“It was a really good experience,” he said. “It was the first time doing a competition and everyone was really nice. The staff was excellent. My only regret is not being able to do it again (due to age). Performance is part of playing piano. That is what it’s for, sharing music for other people.”
Chandler resident Samuel Xu, 14, won first place for the piano competition for eighth grade. This is the second year Samuel has competed in the Arizona
Local impact
Here is the complete list of Chandler-based 2015 Arizona Musicfest winners, along with their schools. Piano competition winners: Division 1: Seventh and eighth grades
• Samuel Xu, First-place winner, grade eight: Arizona Virtual Academy
• Lena Han: First-place winner, grade nine: Hamilton High School
Hannah Goldstick, a first violinist for Perfect 4th Quartet, performed at the Arizona Musicfest competition. Submitted photo
Samuel Xu, first-place winner for the 2015 piano competition grade eight, performed during the Arizona Musicfest. Submitted photo
Zachariah Gass, second-place winner for grade eight, 2015 piano competition, and first place winner for grade eight, 2015 piano competition, Samuel Xu. Submitted photo
Musicfest.
“It’s a very good opportunity for me to perform and learn through the suggestions the judges have to give me,” he said. “I am looking forward to the concert...performing at the MIM is a really good privilege. The experience is good, too.”
Arizona Musicfest Executive
Director Allan Naplan said the young musicians’ competition was added to the Arizona Musicfest 14 years ago. Now in its 24th year, the festival began as a small chamber music festival. The competition, Naplan said, gives the best and brightest musicians the opportunity to have competitive and performance experiences. They can also receive juried comments.
Young musicians can fill out an applications to participate. Naplan said through various competitions, about 90 kids take part.
“Almost anyone can participate, although there is a high level of music proficiency that these kids are competing at,” he said. “Through our competition, we are able to attract kids from well beyond the Valley because of the caliber of young artists that we are attracting.”
Arizona Musicfest Young Musicians Winners Concert is 1 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit www.mim.org.
Meghan McCoy is a section editor with the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@santansun.com.
Division 3: 11th and 12th grades
• Nathaniel Gass: First-place winner, grade 12: Seton Catholic Preparatory Solo Orchestral Instruments and Chamber Ensemble winners include:
• Tiffany Chang, violin: Second-place winner, grade 10: Corona del Sol High School
Division 3: 11th and 12th grades (first place not awarded)
• Teresa Yu, violin: second place winner, grade 11: Corona del Sol High School
Division 4: Seventh to 12th grades
• Perfect 4th Quartet: First-place winners. Hannah Goldstick, violin 1, grade eight, Primavera Online Middle School; and Elena Boyd, violin 2, grade 9, Chandler Preparatory Academy are part of the quartet.
• BASIS Chandler String Quartet: Second-place winners: Daphane Guo, viola, grade 12, BASIS Chandler; and Jaeyoung Kang, cello, grade 10, BASIS Chandler, are part of the quartet.
Happy Mother’s Day
‘Die-Nasty in Dallas’ coming to the Forum
“Die-Nasty in Dallas,” an interactive murder-mystery based on popular 1980s TV shows like “Dallas” and “Dynasty,” comes to the Forum on Saturday, May 16.
The $45 tickets include the show and a three-course Italian buffet dinner at the Forum, formerly known as Fazio’s, at 700 W. Warner Rd., Chandler.
“These shows are so entertaining because they let audience members participate by playing a part in the story while helping to solve a crime,” said executive producer Marney Austin.
“For even more fun, we encourage attendees to dress in the era of the show.”
Murder Ink Productions has been presenting interactive murder-mysteries, stage shows and team-building events for corporations at venues throughout Arizona since 1989.
“Die-Nasty in Dallas” is part of a monthly series that began last fall when the facility was known as Fazio’s.
In addition to the mystery evenings, Murder Ink’s parent company, Arizona Performing Arts, is presenting “A Couple of Blaguards,” a comedic stage show by award-winning writers Frank and Malachy McCourt, on Saturday, June 20. The twoman show features Tom Koelbel and Alan Austin transforming themselves into 47 characters.
Tickets are available at www.fazioscateringhall.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cocktails, followed by the mystery and dinner at 7 p.m. For more information and discounts on groups of 20 or more, call (480) 967-6800, or visit www. murderinkproductons.com
Singer celebrates birthday with performance
Cheryl Thurston will celebrate her birthday by entertaining with her Mardi Gras Jazz Band at the May 17 Arizona Classic Jazz Party at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, One San Marcos Pl., Chandler.
Her New Orleans songs and music will be featured at the concert from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Arizona Classic Jazz Society members, $15 nonmembers. For more information, visit www.azclassicjazz.org or call (480) 620-3941
A multitalented musician, Thurston began cornet lessons at age 4 after her father gave her a Wild Bill Davidson cornet. She played trumpet in school bands from elementary through high
school, toured Europe at age 16 with the American Youth Symphony, and played in a stage band at Kent State University.
She played piano nearly concurrently. Her piano lessons started at age 6, with her first gig happening “accidentally” age 14 when she filled in for an absent piano player.
Thurston also performs as Cheryl’s Memories on occasional Thursdays at Palo Verde Restaurant, Sun Lakes, from November through April. Cheryl’s Mardi Gras Jazz Band hits the stage at the Pier d’Orleans Restaurant in Mesa on many Saturday nights. She is also the pianist for the 52nd Street Jazz Band.
Learn about drone photography at Art Intersection
Drone photography, which captures dramatically different perspectives and viewpoints, will be introduced to the public by Mark Lipczynski from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Art Intersection, 207 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 201, Gilbert.
There are a number of new regulations about flying drones that individuals need to know before going out into public and taking images or videos. Lipczynski will share his experience and demonstrate his drone, a DJI Phantom 1, in the Art Intersection atrium. Attendees will be able to view the images after the flight.
The Chandler Symphony Orchestra will bring its 22nd season to a close with “War & Peace: An Homage to the Great Wars” at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler.
Admission is free, but donations of $5 are encouraged. Musician and/ or concert sponsorships are available. Doors will open 30 minutes beforehand for open, first-come seating.
This season coincides with the 100th anniversary of the start of World War 1 and the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. As a result, the orchestra will present “Victory at Sea: Symphonic Suite” by American composers Richard Rogers and Robert Russell Bennett. Originally heard in the mid 1950s, as the musical soundtrack for the Emmywinning TV series and movie of the same name, this suite is stirring, rousing and inspirational.
American composer Aaron Copland created “Quiet City” in 1939 as part of a score for a Broadway play of the same
name by Irwin Shaw.
Finally, in keeping with the CSO’s 2014-2015 theme, “Musical Adventures Abroad,” the orchestra makes a final stop in Russia before returning to American soil featuring works by Nikolai RimskyKorsakov and Pyotr IIyich Tchaikovsky.
“Capriccio Espagnol, op. 34” will open the Sunday concert. It is one of RimskyKorsakov’s most popular orchestral compositions. Tchaikovsky’s “Variations on the Theme Roccoco by Cello and Orchestra” will feature double bassist Catalin Rotaru on the cello. Rotaru has been teaching at ASU’s School of Music since 2005 and is in demand as a performer and clinician worldwide. In recent years, he has been featured as a solo performer or guest soloist with numerous symphony orchestras in the United States, Asia, Europe and South America.
For more information, visit www. chandlersymphony.com or call (480) 899-3447.
Mark Lipczynski will
May 30. Submitted photo
“Since Copperstar left, we have been missing musical theater. I always felt it was a big hole in our offering,” he said. Conversations that began six months ago turned serious about three weeks ago when the two organizations began a partnership.
“Honestly, we could not be more excited or thrilled,” Okawa said. “We truly thought we were done and had made peace with it, but we were still grappling with a lot of debt. When
Bob Zucker contacted me and asked if we were interested in coming back, I honestly did not think it was possible. But Bob believed in us and has worked very hard to make it happen and we are delighted.”
Copperstar’s first performance at the Higley Center will be “Les Miserables” from Thursday, June 25, through Saturday, June 27. Okawa said they have been applying for the rights of “Les Miserables” since 2008 because it is one of her favorite shows.
“It was just a fantastic turn of events and a blessing (for) the rights to one of the greatest shows of all times for our homecoming,” she said. “There could not be a better show for a second chance.”
Copperstar is also trying to raise $25,000 through Razoo by May 15. As of April 26, the site, www.razoo.com/ story/Savecopperstar, shows Copperstar has about $23,000 to go.
“These funds will help us catch up on nearly all of our previous debt,” Okawa said. “Proceeds from ‘Les Miserables’ will be used to finish paying our debt
and maybe even pay a bit of ‘the Okawa Loan’ off as well.”
“Les Miserables” hits the stage at various times from Thursday, June 25, and Saturday, June 27, at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert. Tickets are $18 to $35. For more information, call (480) 279-7194 or visit www.higleyarts.org.
Meghan McCoy is a section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@santansun.com.
Proceeds from “Les Miserables” will be used to pay the debt of Copperstar Repertory Co. Submitted photo
Performances of “Les Miserables” are scheduled from Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27. Submitted photo
ON STAGE
Michael McDonald. Submitted photo
Michael McDonald, Saturday, May 2, WHP. McDonald is known for such hits as “What A Fool Believes” and “I Keep Forgettin’.”
“War & Peace—Homage to the Great Wars,” Saturday, May 2, CCA. The Chandler Symphony Orchestra, a group of volunteer musicians led by conductor Jack Herriman, will provide “War & Peace—Homage to the Great Wars.”
“Oh, the Places We’ll Go!,” Saturday, May 2, CCA. The Chandler Children’s Choir will sing songs that will inspire attendees to soar “Over the Rainbow.”
“The Three Javelinas Gala,” Saturday, May 2, TCA. Guests will be treated to a cocktail hour, live music, silent auction, southwestern photo booth and a VIP production of “The Three Javelinas.”
“Greater Tuna,” Saturday, May 2, Thursday, May 7, and Saturday, May 9, TPT. The play is filled with colorful characters in the third smallest town in Texas, the fictional city of Tuna.
A-Track, Sunday, May 3, MDN. At the age of 15, A-Track became the youngest DJ to win a DJ-battling world championship and the first to win all three major championships.
“For Lovers And Others,” Friday, May 8, WHP. “For Lovers and Others” is a concert featuring Jidenna, Sevyn Streeter, BJ The Chicago Kid, Charles Hamilton, Anthony Lewis and John Hart.
“Remember When...An Old-Fashioned Love Story,” Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, CCA. The CaZo Dance’s inaugural show will take audience members on a journey of love, family, loss and the appreciation of life itself.
War, Saturday, May 9, WHP. War has had a string of hits such as “Low Rider,” “Spill the Wine” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends.”
Sons of the Pioneers, Saturday, May 9, TPT. Sons of the Pioneers have been celebrating the songs of the West for more than 75 years.
Fifty-Six, Sunday, May 10, TPT. The group will perform hits from such artists as Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins and Elvis.
Eddie Money, Friday, May 15, WHP. Money has scored hits like “Baby Hold On” and “Two Tickets to Paradise.”
“The Wizard of Oz,” Thursday, May 21, through Friday, July 3, HCT. “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” as Dorothy and Toto join Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion on a journey to the magical land of Oz.
Vertical Horizon, Sunday, May 31, LW. Vertical Horizon is a popular alternative rock, post-grunge group who had a string of hits in 1999 and the early 2000s. Some of its hits include “Everything You Want,” and “You’re a God”.
The Chainsmokers, Sunday, May 31, MDN. The Chainsmokers put out remixes of popular indie tracks.
Dirty South, Sunday, June 7, MDN. Dragan Roganovic, otherwise known by his stage name Dirty South, is a world-renowned DJ, two-time Grammy-nominated producer and global festival headliner.
Butch Walker, Friday, June 12, LW. Bradley Glenn Walker III, known as Butch Walker,
ON STAGE VENUE INDEX
CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts
250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www.chandlercenter.org
HCT—Hale Center Theatre
50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert Tickets: (480) 497-1181, www.haletheatrearizona.com
LW—Livewire
7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale Tickets: (480) 970-1112 or www.Livewireaz.com
MAC — Mesa Arts Center
One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www.mesaartscenter.com
gained his first taste of major label success in the ‘90s as a member of the group Marvelous 3, whose single “Freak of the Weak” became a modern rock hit in 1999.
The English Beat, Saturday, July 11, LW. The English Beat is well known for its unique mix of ska, pop, reggae, soul and punk rock.
“American Idol Live!”, Sunday, Aug. 16, MAC. The concert will give fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with the top five “Idols” from season 14.
Bowling for Soup, Monday, Sept. 21, LW. The Texas-based band Bowling for Soup is known for such hits as “Girl All the Bad Guys Want,” “Almost,” “High School Never Ends” and “1985.”
MDN—Maya Day + Nightclub
7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale Tickets: (480) 625-0528 or www.mayaclubaz.com
TCA—Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe Tickets: www.childsplayaz.org/GALA or (480) 921-5761
TPT—The Palms Theatre
5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa Tickets: (480) 924-6260, www. thepalmstheatre.com
