Recently recognized with a Bessie Award for Best Emerging Choreographer, Jessica Lang will bring her company, Jessica Lang Dance (JLD), to the Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Repertory Theater at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, to perform an evening of contemporary dance.
“We’re doing our mixed-rep program, which will have six works—five dance pieces and one film,” says Lang, via telephone from New York City, where her ballet-influenced contemporary dance company is based. “Three works are in the first act.”
JLD opens with “Line Cubed,” a piece inspired by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. The dancers follow that with “Mendelssohn/Incomplete,” based on “Piano Trio No. 3 in D Minor.” The first half wraps up with the seven-minute piece “Among the Stars.”
“When we come back (from intermission), we return with ‘The Calling,’ which is a piece with a large, white skirt that’s quite the signature of our company,” Lang says.
The show finishes with the film “White,” and the seven-person dance, “i.n.k.”
“It’s a nice, diverse program,” she says. “There’s so much to take away from it.”
The stop at the Mesa Arts Center is the end of a month-long tour of the Grand Canyon State. JLD had a two-week residency at the Del E. Webb Center for
the Performing Art in Wickenburg so Lang could put the finishing touches on her new full-length piece, “The Wanderer.”
Accompanied by the music of Schubert’s song cycle “Die schöne Müllerin,” the evening-length work will make its world premiere at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) as part of the prestigious 2014 Next Wave Festival in December.
After the residency, the company headed to Tucson for three performances. In Mesa, JLD will perform once show and participate in a series of outreach programs. As part of Mesa Arts Center’s educational outreach programs, JLD will offer free dance master classes to students in dance programs at Arizona State University, Glendale Community College, Grand Canyon University and Scottsdale Community College, and to Ballet Etudes, a founding resident company at Mesa Arts Center.
“We’ll get the kids doing some of our rep,” she says. “We’ll teach them some of the rep they’ll see in the show. It’s always nice to have a connection between what we’re teaching and what they’re seeing.”
Lang is a graduate of The Juilliard School, under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy. Upon graduation, she became a member of Twyla Tharp’s company “THARP!” where she performed in major dance festivals around the world. She also worked with Tharp in her Diabelli Project
that premiered in Palermo, Italy, in 1998.
Since 1999, Lang has created more than 80 works on companies worldwide including Birmingham Royal Ballet, The National Ballet of Japan at the New National Theatre Tokyo, Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet San Jose, Richmond Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ailey II, ABT II, Hubbard Street 2 and New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute, among many others. American Ballet Theatre has presented her work at the Metropolitan Opera House, and she has received commissions from the Dallas Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum for its Works and Process series.
Lang explains she always thought she would be a choreographer, even though she yearned to be a dancer when she was younger.
“I always had an interest in it,” she says. “I went to Juilliard and primarily thought I would be a professional dancer. I danced with Twyla Tharp. I traveled with her for
two years.
When the company folded, she thought she would try choreography.
“That was in 1999 and I have never danced again professionally,” she says. “I went on to just be a choreographer. I have 87 works in my repertory now.”
She misses the idea of dancing, but not the physicality of it.
“I feel more gratified watching people dance, controlling the situation, the creating the work,” she says. “I have way more satisfaction in that than I did as a dancer, definitely.”
Jessica Lang Dance performs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Repertory Theater, One E. Main St., Mesa. Tickets are $30 to $40. For more information, call (480) 644-6500 or visit www.mesaartscenter.com.
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun. com.
WELL KNOWN: Jessica Lang Dance’s “The Calling” features a large, white skirt that has become the company’s signature. Submitted photo
Chandler Art Walk shows off the write stuff
The Chandler Art Walk, a monthly staple event on third Friday evenings in Downtown Chandler, will this month host Author’s Walk from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, to spotlight local authors and the art of writing. The walk takes place along Boston and San Marcos streets.
Typically, more than 50 local artists display their works around the shops and park ramadas in Downtown Chandler as live music plays and guests are free to stroll and view the pieces. This month, local authors will promote their books in the courtyard of the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort. There will be a range of book genres from independently published authors and local publishing companies participating. The Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort will also have wine tastings, a bar and their fire pits going with comfortable seating for the public. Book enthusiasts and event attendees will get to meet and interact with the authors as they learn about their books and will be able to purchase books at the event or download ebooks.
For more information, visit www. chandlerartwalk.com or check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ ChandlerArtWalk.
‘Elf the Musical’ starts Dec. 2 at MAC
The 2014-2015 Broadway on Center Series, presented at Mesa Arts Center in partnership with WestCoast Entertainment, brings National Touring Broadway production “Elf the Musical,” a comedic Christmas favorite based on the 2003 Will Ferrell hit movie, to the Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, and Wednesday, Dec. 3. Tickets are available at the Mesa Arts Center Box Office, www. mesaartscenter.com or by calling (480) 644-6500.
Critically praised, “Elf” is the humorous and touching tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (“The Wedding Singer”), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (“Annie,” “The Producers,” “Hairspray”) and Bob Martin (“The Drowsy Chaperone”).
The production will feature direction by Sam Scalamoni and choreography by Connor Gallagher.
HAVE YOUR ELF A MERRY CHRISTMAS: The Mesa Arts Center rings in the holiday season with two productions of “Elf the Musical.” Submitted photo
Country Thunder lineup set to be unveiled at WHP
Lucy Hale, Cassadee Pope and John King will take the stage at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino Festival Park, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, as KMLE’s Country Thunder lineup for 2015 is officially unveiled at the second annual KMLE Country LaunchFest.
Guests at the country music celebration will see exclusive video greetings from the stars of the CT 2015 roster. Hale, actress and singer best known for her role on “Pretty Little Liars” will perform live along with “The Voice” season 3 winner Cassadee Pope and up and coming singer-songwriter John King.
Fans will also have a chance to win
money. Prior to the event, fans can listen for on-air cues to win LaunchFest tickets and automatically be entered to play KMLE’s $100,000 Big Money Punchboard. On-air cues are each weekday at 7:05 a.m., 8:05 a.m., 11:05 a.m., 1:05 p.m., 3:05 p.m. and 5:05 p.m. KMLE Country Thunder LaunchFest tickets are available at www.kmle1079. cbslocal.com. General admission tickets are $20; VIP are $65 and include reserved seating, private restroom facilities and bar access. KMLE Nation Exclusive Experience tickets are $150 and include reserved seating within the first three rows, artist meet and greet, private bar, private restroom access, a free food ticket and two beverages.
MIM comes to Sun Lakes
The Musical Instrument Museum, based in Phoenix, will give a presentation in the Ed Robson Branch Library, 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes, on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Presenters will discuss the museum, be present for discussion, and will show a slideshow and sampling of several instruments.
For more information on library
events, visit www.mcldaz.org. To learn more about the Musical Instrument Museum, visit www.mim.org.
Take a work of art ‘Off the Wall’
“Off the Wall,” an art exhibition and silent auction where guests can view and bid on fine art and photography, is happening through Saturday, Dec. 6, at Art Intersection, 207 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 201, Gilbert. The works, by emerging and established artists, will be on display in the gallery. Visitors may either bid in person while the gallery is open or by email.
Email bids will be accepted until 12 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and final bids will be taken at a silent auction to be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
Anyone interested in browsing the pieces may view the art in an online gallery at www.artintersection.
com/event/off-the-wall-exhibitionand-silent-auction-2014, and may be purchased at a “buy it now” price any time before the auction Dec. 6.
Sales proceeds will help support exhibitions in Art Intersection’s North and South galleries; which showcase work from student, emerging and internationally known artists; as well as “Emerge,” the student photography exhibition, and the organization’s artistin-residence program.
For more information, call (480) 3611118, email info@artintersection.com or visit www.artintersection.com/event/ off-the-wall-exhibition-and-silentauction-2014.
The Performing Arts League gears up for another season
The Performing Arts League is welcoming new members for $10 per single or $15 per couple. Those who are members can climb onto the bus for only $20 roundtrip. Members of the league are provided a bus from Cottonwood Country Club in Sun Lakes, to the various theaters to see professionals act, sing, make music or make people laugh.
The upcoming shows include: “Mary Poppins” in Phoenix, Thursday,
Dec. 4; “Rachmaninoff and Friends on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Scottsdale; “The 39 Steps” in Mesa, Thursday, Jan. 22; “Soul of Flamenco” on Saturday, Feb. 14, in Chandler; “Anything Goes” in Phoenix, Friday, March 6; “Carousel” in Mesa, Friday, March 20, and “Chopin and Grieg on Tuesday, March 24, in Scottsdale.
For more information about the shows and events, call Pat at (480) 339-0283 or Mary at (480) 802-9354.
Photographer named SACA artist of the month
Superstition Arts and Cultural Alliance (SACA) and Dreams and Legends Gallery have announced their selection of Gold Canyon photographer Tom Hoctor as November’s Superstition Artist of the Month.
Hoctor has been a photographer for more than 45 years, ever since he received his first 35 mm camera while stationed in Vietnam in 1967. As a staff photographer for the Otis Elevator Co. and the New York City Department of Transportation, Hoctor has traveled to the bottom of coal mines and to the tops of the World Trade Center and the Brooklyn Bridge. His work has been featured on ABC, CBS, and other national networks, as well as in national publications such as the Atlantic Monthly and New York Magazine.
He likes to bill himself at art shows as “The Shootist” or “The Fastest Camera in the West.” He loves shooting cultural events and natural attractions in the Superstition Mountains area.
As the artist of the month, a selection of Hoctor’s photographs will be on exhibit in November at the Dreams and Legends of the Superstitions Gallery, located at 950 E. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, in the Apache Town Plaza. For more information, visit www. dreamsandlegendsart.com/.
To see Hoctor’s photos, visit http://
fineartamerica.com/profiles/thomashoctor.html.
SACA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and support of art and culture in the region through advocacy, development and education. Artists interested in being selected as a future artist of the month are invited to go to the SACA website at www.sacaaj.com/ for details.
Art at the Lakes seeks contributors
FIREFIGHTERS FIRE UP THE GRILL: Art at the Lakes will help support the 100 Club of Arizona and local firefighters, who will also be on hand to cook hot dogs and hamburgers. Submitted photo
Applications are being accepted for the seventh annual Art at the Lakes Show, which will be presented by Desert Artists Club, Oakwood Artists League and Sun Lakes Watercolor Club Saturday, March 7, at 25630 S. Brentwood Dr., Sun Lakes, (around Cottonwood Lake on Brentwood Drive in the Cottonwood subdivision).
The art show accepts submissions from all fine artists throughout the Valley who work in paintings, pastel and mixed media. Handmade jewelry, photography, gourd art, pottery and sculpture will also be represented in the show.
The show will also feature music from local bluegrass, country and other performers.
A $50 fee for participating in the show covers expenses including an 8-foot table and two chairs for each artist at the show. Artists may share a table, but each artist will pay $50.
Proceeds from the show will go to
an emergency relief fund for firefighters in the Valley. A raffle at the show will be offering items including gift baskets, artistic items, local dinners and more. Raffle proceeds and funds remaining after show expenses will go to first responders and their families and the 100 Club of Arizona. Firefighters will grill burgers and hot dogs for sale at the show.
About 60 creative artists will be accepted to display their works at the show. Applications are available in the Cottonwood office, 25630 S. Brentwood Dr., Sun Lakes; the Palo Verde office, 25219 S. EJ Robson Blvd., Sun Lakes, and in all the art rooms. Artists may also request an application online at ArtAtTheLakes@aol.com.
Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help out at the show. Contact Beverly Walters at bewalter@ msn.com or call (480) 802-4680 to volunteer, give a club donation or with any questions.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Tom Hoctor’s works are on display in Apache Junction throughout November. Submitted photo
Film festival kicks off sixth year with Tempe stop
Filmstock Film Festival, which was founded in Arizona with film screenings from artists in the Phoenix area, will celebrate its sixth year and the close of its 2014 four-city season with Filmstock Arizona at Harkins Valley Art in Tempe, Friday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 7.
The three-night, two-day festival, which was founded by Jeremy K. Clayton and Ryan M. Pierson in 2009 and has expanded to showcase short films from around the country, includes a diverse slate of awardwinning, local and international short films, as well as the Arizona Actor’s Showcase, which features live performances by local artists. With a focus on “connecting audiences with creative visionaries,” Filmstock showcases short films produced locally, nationally and abroad—and all artists who help bring those projects to light.
“We’re excited about our growth over the past few years, and we’re continually impressed by the caliber of filmmaker we are privileged to work with and show off,” says Filmstock Film Festival Director James A. Lee. Filmstock Arizona highlights the top 45 films of 1,100 submissions received, including 27 official selections and
12 award-winning films from this season’s Filmstock festival screenings in New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. The event’s opening night, Friday, Dec. 5, will kick off with a reception at Rula Bula on Mill Avenue and a free “Filmstock Flashback” screening of past Filmstock films from around the world. The program will continue with thought-provoking blocks of animated and darkly cinematic short films. Saturday’s five-block program includes a free afternoon panel for filmmakers and film lovers and a live performance competition featuring local actors and a panel of industryexpert judges.
Following a Sunday afternoon block of critically acclaimed documentaries, the event’s closing night on Dec. 7 will begin with Filmstock’s annual red carpet event. The festival’s final block of 2014 includes multi-genre drama shorts, from sci-fi exploration to WWII war camps. Open to the public, the Closing Night After Party invites all filmmakers, artists, supporters and attendees to celebrate and mingle. Ticket prices vary depending on events and access. For more information, visit www. filmstockfilmfestival.com.
Valley Youth Theatre releases full 2014-2015 schedule
Valley Youth Theatre, 525 N. First St., Phoenix, has announced the last two productions in its 2014-15 Season: “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley” in April at VYT and “Into the Woods” in June at the Herberger Theater Center. The shows join “Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail” Friday, Dec. 5, through Tuesday, Dec. 23, and “The Emperor’s New Clothes” Friday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 22, to round out the season.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first publication of the “Flat Stanley” book series, and VYT is eager to mark the occasion with its production.
“This isn’t the junior version seen at schools,” says Bobb Cooper, producing artistic director. “It’s one that features music written for more mature voices like those heard in VYT productions.”
The theater company recently received recognition when National Youth Arts Awards recognized four VYT performers as Outstanding Lead Actors or Actresses in a Musical (“Shrek the Musical”) and two Outstanding Supporting Actresses in a Musical (“Seussical the Musical”) during the 2014 Western Regional Ceremony Sept 7.
Timing was instrumental in booking “Into the Woods” as well.
“The film version is scheduled to open this Christmas,” says Cooper. “So we’re hoping to lasso some of that momentum
after it comes out on DVD in early 2015 and introduce the live musical version to a whole new audience.”
The “Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley” is based on the children’s book “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown and features lyrics by Timothy Allen McDonald and Jonathan K. Waller; music by Waller, McDonald, David Weinstein and Stephen Gabriel and musical book by McDonald, who is known for his work on such productions as “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach.”
“Into the Woods” features Tony Award-winning music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a musical book by James Lapine. Both men collaborated on the Broadway productions of “Sunday in the Park With George” and “Passion.”
Auditions for “Flat Stanley” are Tuesday, Feb. 10, and Wednesday, Feb. 11. Auditions for “Into the Woods” Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15. However, audition dates are subject to change. Interested performers are encouraged to check www.vyt.com/onstage/auditions for any updates.
Tickets go on sale for “Flat Stanley” Monday, Feb. 2, and for “Into the Woods Monday, March 30.
For more information, call (602) 2538188 or visit www.vyt.com.
Albue joins Jazz in Arizona’s board of directors
Jazz in Arizona, which owns The Nash, a Roosevelt Row jazz performance venue, elected Bryan A. Albue to its board of directors.
He is a member of the law firm of Sherman and Howard LLC.
“We are excited that Bryan has joined the board,” says Joel Goldenthal, the executive director of Jazz in Arizona.
“He can often be found after hours enjoying a wide variety of local music available at one of the downtown Phoenix’s music venues. His love for music of all genres will be a strong addition to our board.”
Albue says, “As a longtime patron of the arts, I am delighted to take a leadership role with Jazz in Arizona and I am truly excited to work with other members of the board to take a more active and handson role in the developing musical and art scene in downtown Phoenix.”
The Nash is named for “the most
valuable player” in jazz (Modern Drummer Magazine), Phoenix native drummer Lewis Nash. The Nash preserves the cultural treasure of American music history, showcases live performances and ensures the future of the iconic art of jazz for generations to come.
Educational and performance programs at The Nash will include: classic jazz and new music; performance by student musicians, local pros and touring artists; jazz after hours; and educational programs ranging from one-on-one private lessons to combo labs, workshops, clinics and master classes, guided listening, jazz in film, jazz camp and more.
The mission of the organization is to support the art of live jazz and to cultivate interest in jazz through youth education, scholarship opportunities, and community outreach. For more information, visit www. jazzinzaz.org.
Orpheus Male Chorus sets holiday concerts
The Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix, Arizona’s longest-standing, continuously performing choral arts organization, opens its 86th season by presenting “Holidays with Orpheus” with a series of three holiday concerts:
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Velda Rose United Methodist Church, 5540 E. Main St., Mesa
• 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Dr., Paradise Valley
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 15649 N. Seventh St., Phoenix.
During this year’s “Holidays with Orpheus” concert, audience members will be asked to join in all the fun and sing along with the men of Orpheus in everyone’s favorite Christmas carols.
Enjoy old favorites like “Frosty the Snowman,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Jingle Bells.”
In addition to many standards, the chorus will also be singing Morten Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium” and a selection from
Central Africa, “Noel.” Adding to the everpopular Christmas carol sing-along featured at the holiday concerts, audiences will be invited to join Orpheus in a little “Reindeer Hula.”
The “Holidays with Orpheus” series features Dr. Sonja Branch on drums and other percussion.
Orpheus made its debut on Christmas morning 1929 on KTAR-AM and has delighted audiences in venues large and small throughout Arizona and beyond with a diverse mix of classical and popular music, ranging from sacred works to raucous drinking songs. Throughout its 85-year history, the chorus has also toured in the United States, Canada and Mexico, been featured in radio and TV broadcasts, and has sung the National Anthem at professional sporting events and for dignitaries, including John F. Kennedy.
Orpheus has gained international acclaim on tours throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
For ticket information, call (602) 271-9396 or visit www.orpheus.org.
ON STAGE
Mainstream Jazz: The CleveTet Too, Sat., Nov. 15, TN. Cleve Huff is joined by a phenomenal group of musicians for a night of great jazz.
“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” through Mon., Nov. 16, TCA. Childsplay brings back last year’s breakout hit, based on Newberywinner Kate DiCamillo’s beloved book. Centered on an exceptional toy that becomes lost, the play tells a fantastical story of finding friendship, finding yourself and eventually finding your way home.
Jazz in AZ Party: Dave Henning, Sun., Nov. 16, TN. Dave Henning brings his fiery playing style, passion and curiosity to a performance including Phoenix area all-star musicians to help him deliver his eclectic blend of musical styles.
“He Said-She Said,” Sat., Nov. 15, S55. An evening of solo performances by 10 Valley artists, responding to contemporary and timeless prompts to create 10 totally new and different responses.
Jessica Lang Dance, Thurs., Nov. 20, MAC. Hailed as “a master of visual composition” by Dance Magazine, Lang and her dance company transform classical ballet language and rigor into artfully crafted, emotionally engaging, contemporary works.
Carmela y Más, Fri., Nov. 21, TN. Carmela y Más is a kaleidoscope of Latin musical flavors. Latin jazz and salsa rhythms drive this electric band of award-winning musicians.
Mainstream Jazz: Ioannis Goudelis Trio, Sat., Nov. 22, TN. The Ioannis Goudelis Trio plays in one of the most talked-about show of the year at The Nash.
Fall Showcase, Sat., Nov. 22 and Sun., Nov. 23, BA. Upper-division students of Ballet Arizona perform and the new Studio Company presents their premiere performance.
Arizona Musicfest, Sun., Nov. 23, MIM. Arizona’s top young classical talented musicians perform on the piano, cello, violin and more in this first of a series of concerts.
“Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!,” Sat., Nov. 22 through Sun., Dec. 28, TCA. Everyone’s favorite first grader returns to Tempe Center for the Arts this holiday season as Childsplay brings back its holiday hit.
The Tenors, Fri., Nov. 28, MAC. This group brings memorable melodies to the stage, blending classical music and contemporary pop.
Ballet Etudes—”Nutcracker,” Fri., Nov. 28, through Sun., Nov. 30, and Fri., Dec. 5, through Sun., Dec. 7, CCA. The holiday favorite story of Clara’s magical journey plays out as she encounters life-size mice, swirling snowflakes, dancing confections and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sat., Nov. 29, WHP. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the nine-piece ensemble swings and parties on stage with its irresistible tunes and infectious energy.
“Elf the Musical,” Tues., Dec. 2, and Wed., Dec. 3, MAC. A modern-day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf.
“A Bloody Mary Christmas,” Thurs., Dec. 4, through Sun., Dec. 21, S55. Space 55 presents a holiday musical for people who hate the holidays and musicals. Sun City retirees Blanche, Bertha and Mabel sing, dance and drink themselves silly as they battle a heartless homeowner’s association that tries to evict them from their condo on Christmas Eve.
“A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail,” Fri., Dec. 5, through Tues., Dec. 23, VYT. Join everyone’s favorite Pooh Bear, along with his friends Piglet, Eeyore and more as they bring a Christmas story to the stage for the holidays.
“Captain Jack’s Space Attack,” Sat., Dec. 6, S55. Space 55’s late-night show
returns with more of the adventures of Captain Jack and his band as they explore the galaxy after the destruction of Earth in the year 3013.
“Rejoice and Sing!,” Sat., Dec. 6, and Sun., Dec. 7, SDC. Be a part of this annual tradition as the audience is invited to join the chorale in singing carols to celebrate the joys of the holiday season.
“Melissa Etheridge: This is M.E. Tour,” Tues., Dec. 9, MAC. Melissa Etheridge, who has won Academy and Grammy awards, will perform songs from her new album, “This is M.E.,” as well as hits like “Come to My Window,” “I’m The Only One” and “I Want to Come Over.” Etheridge will share personal stories about her remarkable journey and the inspiration behind her songs. With Alexander Cardinale.
“The SnowCat,” Sat., Dec. 13, CCA. An original musical production by flugelhornist and composer Dmitri Matheny, “The SnowCat” is the heartwarming tale of a little girl’s search for her wandering white cat on a chilly afternoon.
“Mythbusters: Behind the Myths,” Tues., Dec. 16, MAC. Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are back at it again with the return of their popular tour.
Their new show promises to be an outrageous evening of entertainment featuring brand new on-stage experiments, behind-the-scenes stories and some all-time favorites.
“Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2014,” Wed., Dec. 17, MAC. Dave Koz makes a visit on his Christmas tour, bringing with him guitar and vocalist, Jonathan Butler, singer songwriter ‘80s hit man Christopher Cross and rhythm and blues great Maysa.
Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet, Fri., Dec. 19, and Sat., Dec. 20, DS. The Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet cast features dancers from all around the Valley in the only “Nutcracker” ballet performed in the country by dancers ages 3 to 22.
“An Irish Christmas,” Sat., Dec. 20, MAC. This popular show features dancing through the generations over brooms and on half doors, performances of “Silent Night,” Little “Drummer Boy” and “Carol of the Bells,” music of the pipes, flutes, fiddles, button accordion and more.
Zoppé, An Italian Family Circus, Thurs., Dec. 26, to Sun., Jan. 4, CCA. The circus comes to town as the Zoppé family, which has
ON STAGE VENUE INDEX
BA—Ballet Arizona
2835 E. Washington St., Phoenix Tickets: (602) 381-1096, www.balletaz.org
CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts
250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www. chandlercenter.org
DS—Dance Studio 111
4910 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix Tickets: (602) 706-6040, www. dancestudio111.com
MAC—Mesa Arts Center
One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www. mesaartscenter.com
MIM—Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix Tickets: (480) 478-6000, www. mimmusictheater.themim.org
S55—Space 55
636 E. Pierce St., Phoenix Tickets: (602) 663-4032, www.space55.org
been performing for 170 years and six generations, brings this intimate one-ring circus to Chandler Center for the Arts’ West Lawn.
“An Evening with Paula Poundstone,”
SDC—Sonoran Desert Chorale
First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa and Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley Tickets: (480) 305-4538, www. sonorandesertchorale.org
TCA—Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe Tickets: (480) 350-2822, www.tca. ticketforce.com
TCA—The Nash-Phoenix 110 E. Roosevelt St., Suite 110, Phoenix Tickets: (602) 795-0464, www.thenash.org
VYT—Valley Youth Theatre 525 N. First St., Phoenix Tickets: (602) 253-8188, www.vyt.com
Wed., Dec. 31, MAC. Paula Poundstone, known from television, radio, stages across the country—and as a regular panelist on “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me...”—helps audiences celebrate New Year’s Eve with laughter.
TSO maintains cutting-edge reputation with ‘Attic’
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Trans-Siberian Orchestra concerts are visual feasts, with videos of marching toy soldiers, while lights blink and strobe overhead—that’s just for one song. The act puts millions into its yearly concerts, but there’s a simple explanation for founder Paul O’Neill’s obsession with all things special effects.
“(I) have a deep-seated fear of having to get a real job,” O’Neill cracks during a teleconference with reporters.
All joking aside, technology is so important to O’Neill that TSO’s management company has a division of “young kids” who are charged with coming up with new special effects.
“We always tell them the same thing: ‘Make believe you’re working for NASA,’” O’Neill explains. “‘We don’t want you thinking rocketry or jet propulsion. We want you thinking transport beams and warp.’ If only one out of 100 ideas makes it to the flight deck, we win. Also, every light company, every pyro company, every special effect company knows that we’re always looking for cutting-edge stuff.”
Fans can expect nothing less when TSO comes to Gila River Arena in Glendale on Sunday, Nov. 30, for two performances of “The Christmas Attic.” This is the first tour the mega rock orchestra is doing this show.
“We never intended to do (1996’s) ‘Christmas Eve and Other Stories’ for 13 years in a row. It just sort of happened,” O’Neill says.
When O’Neill approached his agents
about switching things up, they told him they subscribed to the theory of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But O’Neill came out on top.
First, TSO decided to do “The Lost Christmas Eve” and when that did “phenomenally,” fans started asking “When are you going to do ‘The Christmas Attic’?”
Always up for something new, O’Neill relented and worked studiously on the show.
“We always have a narrator, so if somebody brings his girlfriend, it’s easy for him to follow the story, it’s easy for her to follow the story,” O’Neill says.
“It’s about a kid who goes into an attic where people have been throwing things for decades, if not centuries, and anyone who has been in an old house with an attic knows it’s filled with all kinds of treasures.”
The girl discovers the trunk and reads letters from the past, distant glimpses of how the holidays affected people decades and centuries ago, and a glimpse into the future.
“Of all the rock operas I’ve written, it’s probably the lightest,” O’Neill says.
“It’s more along ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ just because, again, between what’s going on in the world with ISIS and all these other things, people need escapism, and so we just wanted to give them a great escape story.”
The second half of the show will feature songs from upcoming albums.
The show is unabashedly prog rock with 24 lead singers, a small orchestra, a rock
SHOW: Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs “The Christmas Attic” twice on Sunday, Nov. 30. The band is seen here on last year’s tour. Photo by Lewis Lee
band and two stages. The demographics of his performances amaze O’Neill to this day. He sees everyone from grandparents to 5-year-old kids at arenas worldwide.
“Around 2004, I got a call in the middle of the night from one of our promoters, who’s a demographic nut,” O’Neill says. “He goes, ‘Paul I just got your demographics back. I’ll give you 10 guesses, you’ll never guess them.’”
It turns out the shows attract folks from every economic class, from the extremely poor to the super rich. The average age is 21. Despite the uber special effects, TSO strives on keeping its ticket prices reasonable to accomplish this goal of bringing in the masses.
“We always agonize over keeping the ticket prices between $25 and $70, so even with people adding fees, shipping fees, nothing ever goes over $100,” he says.
“Trans-Siberian Orchestra never sells behind the stage, never sells obstructed view, and it’s just super important to us that we watch the fan’s money 10 times more than we watch our own money. So far, it’s worked out.”
And it’s all worth it in the end.
“You love the look on the audience’s faces—especially the kids when they see a new special effect that they’ve never seen before, and we need more than the ordinary band because, as you are probably well aware, we have stages at both ends of the arena.
“You can always tell the rookies in the audience just because they hear orchestra, they think 50 people in folding chairs, 200 lights on or off, and then all of a sudden this humongous prog rock production starts to put itself together, and we’re off and running.”
Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Gila River Arena, formerly known as Jobing.com Arena, 9400 W. Maryland, Glendale. Tickets are $32 to $67. For more information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster. com.
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun.
