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Center for the Arts announces 2003-04 season
By DAVID WEDEKINDT
Reporter Contributor
The 2003-04 season of the Center for the Arts will feature cutting-edge dance companies, compelling theater, family entertainment and unique music concerts.
The Key Bank Dance Series will includes five dance performances this season, opening on Oct. 23 with a performance by Ailey II. As one of the most popular and critically acclaimed groups in the United States, Ailey II emphasizes a balance of repertoire, technique and performance spanning all areas of dance.
Gov't Mule, with special guest Chris Robinson and New Earth Mud, will perform in the CFA Mainstage on Oct. 15. The band is among a diverse lineup of performers appearing during the CFA's 2003-04 season.
On Feb. 6, the CFA will welcome Garth Fagan Dance, which is celebrating its 33rd season. Fagan is the Tony Award-winning choreographer of Broadway's "The Lion King."
Audiences will experience the various types of American jazz dance when Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago comes to the CFA on March 5.
The series will continue on April 3 with a performance by the Martha Graham Ensemble, which entertains audiences with the groundbreaking techniques of one of the most influential artists of our time.
The series will conclude on April 20 with the Moscow Festival Ballet—known as Russia's leading ballet company—in "Swan Lake."
The Tops Family Adventure Series is designed to encourage families to enjoy the creativity and excitement of the performance experience. This series will open on Dec. 27 with two performances of "A Garfield Christmas." Now in his 25th year, Garfield will be joined by his good friends, Odie and John Arbuckle, to share how he learns that giving can be better than receiving in the holiday season. Garfield lights up the stage with help from music, dance and the audience.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the CFA will present two performances of "Franklin's Class Concert" from the popular series of books by well-known author Paulette Bourgeois. Franklin the turtle shares the troubles and experiences of his annual class concert. The show is filled with non-stop singing, dancing and audience participation.
The CFA's concert offerings this season should appeal to just about any musical taste.
Gov't Mule, with special guest Chris Robinson & New Earth Mud, will perform on Oct. 15. Gov't Mule is led by incendiary guitarist Warren Haynes, who divides his time between this band and the Allman Brothers Band. Former Black Crowes lead singer Chris Robinson and his band will open the show.
On Nov. 8, acclaimed guitarist Pat Metheny will appear with Christian McBride and Antonio Sanchez. The recipient of 14 Grammy Awards in various categories, Metheny has been on the international jazz scene since 1974 and has continued to redefine the genre through his improvisation and use of new technology.
Guitar prodigy Derek Trucks plays lead and slide guitar with both The Allman Brothers Band and his own five-piece band, infusing blues, jazz and world music into his own unique style. The Derek Trucks Band will perform on Nov. 19.
On Dec. 13, the Girls Choir of Harlem will give an inspirational holiday performance showcasing their vast repertoire. In existence since 1997, the choir is the female counterpart to the world famous Boys Choir.
The legendary Colm Wilkinson, best known for his songwriting and performing contributions in the productions of "Les Miserables" and "The Phantom of the Opera," will perform on Feb. 28. Wilkinson recently returned to his roots as a solo performer and will sing popular songs, as well as the well-loved, Andrew Lloyd Webber music with which he is so closely associated.
The CFA also will present The Off Center Series offering some of the most creative minds in comedy.
Known to many as "America's foremost commentator on everything," Lewis Black and his satirical, comedic commentaries are seen every week on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." Black, who also has appeared on The Conan O'Brien Show," "Murphy Brown" and "Mad About You," will appear at UB on Oct. 29.
"Best known for incorporating ground-breaking and controversial topics into her works, Margaret Cho will perform on Nov. 14. A stand-up comedienne since the age of 16, Cho also is known for a variety of other accomplishments, including best-selling books, a TV series, and an off-Broadway show.
"The Simpsons" will meet Shakespeare in the hilarious one-man show, MacHomer, on Feb. 27. Performed by the Canadian actor/writer Rick Miller, the story of the Bard's "Macbeth" is told by Miller using as many as 50 character voices from the hit cartoon.
The CFA season also feature a variety of international events.
On Oct. 17, Behind the Mask Theatre will present excerpts from the China Beijing Opera, "The Monkey Knows No Walls." This adaptation is a short tribute to the many forms that is Chinese opera: music, dance, stylized dance and posture, facial expression, martial arts and mystical stories of the immortals of heaven.
With a history of more than 120 years, the Korean masquerade play "Dongnae Yaryu" will be presented on Nov. 21. The play is an art form in which dance, words and body movements come together as a fully developed drama.
"Gypsy Spirit—Journey of the Roma" will be presented by the Budapest Dance Ensemble on March 18. The ensemble, which has been in existence for 40 years, pays homage to the legendary music and dance of the Gypsy tradition.
The CFA also will present a number of other special events as part of this season's lineup.
The fifth annual Masquerade Ball to benefit the center's community outreach initiatives, will be held on Nov. 1.. A performance by UB's own Zodiaque Dance Company will highlight the evening, which will be presented by the Friends of the Center for the Arts.
Performances of the holiday classic "The Nutcracker" by the American Academy of Ballet will be held Dec. 5-7.
The Department of Theatre and Dance will present several dynamic and innovative performances by talented young actors, dancers and choreographers. All performances are open to the general public. Performances include "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," Oct. 16-19 and Oct. 23-26; "Playboy of the Western World, An Irish Comic Masterpiece," Nov. 12-16; Zodiaque Dance Company's 30th Anniversary, Nov. 13-16 and Nov. 20-23; Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble, Dec. 4-7; Zodiaque Dance Company, 30th Anniversary, Feb. 12-15 and Feb. 19-22; "Paderewski's Children," by UB theatre department faculty member Kazimierz Braun, Feb. 25-29; "Fiddler on the Roof," April 15-18 and April 21-24, and Young Choreographers, April 23-25.
Tickets are now on sale and prices vary for each show and/or series. Tickets are available at the CFA box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and at all Ticketmaster outlets. For information, call 645-ARTS or visit the CFA Web site at http://www.ubcfa.org.