The Midland Center for the Arts has announced its 2013-14 season schedule, with an engaging, vibrant, and varied array of Season Openers, beginning with Dracula: The Musical that will run from September 27 - October 12th.
Presented in the Little Theatre, this rendition of timeless folklore is geared to get your heart pumping with its dark and passionately haunting musical mix of Gothic romance and dreamlike temptation as the famed vampire lusts for new blood in a world filled with intimacy and intrigue.
Based on the novel by Bram Stoker with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton and music by Frank Wildhorn, this production will be directed by Keeley Stanley-Bohn and has enjoyed decided success in the theatrical world.
Opening night is similarly strong for the Midland Symphony Orchestra, as it opens it's season with Piazzolla Tango on October 5th at 8 PM in the Auditorium with a 7 PM prelude. Featuring a first time MSO appearance by guest soloist Peter Soave, master of the bandoneon, Soave will kick-off the season with an out-of-the-ordinary classical concert experience performing Smetana's musical homage to the Czech Republic, along with Shostakovich's intense, politically charged Symphony No. 5 to complete the program.
The bandoneon is a type of concertina particularly popular in Argentina, Uruguay and Lithuania. It is an essential instrument in most tango ensembles from the 1910s onwards and in folk music ensembles of Lithuania. Named for the German instrument dealer, Heinrich Band, it was originally intended as an instrument for religious music and the popular music of its day, in contrast to its predecessor, the German concertina. German sailors and Italian seasonal workers brought the instrument with them to Argentina in the late 19th century, where it was incorporated into the local music such as the tango.
Continuing with a litany of varied musical excursions available at Midland Center for the Arts, the Center Stage Choirs are slated to present Proud To Be An American, a special program featuring American songs of patriotism from yesterday and today, which will be the highlight of this 60-minute family-friendly concert featuring the Chorale and Bella Voce Singers. This production will take place on November 10th and is directed by James Hohmeyer and Jennifer Breneman.
As for Matrix: Midland, they kick off their Fall events with a special appearance by Alton Brown who presents his The Edible Inevitable Tour. Held on November 3rd at 3 PM in the auditorium, the star of Food TV's Good Eats brings his unique brand of quirky humor and culinary science antics to the MCFTA stage with a unique blend of stand-up comedy, food experimentation, talk show antics, multimedia lecture, and - for the first time…live music! Audience interaction is strictly enforced throughout and obviously, things tend to get messy.
Following this madcap excursion, Matrix: Midland follows up with a November 14th performance of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain at 7:30 PM in the Auditorium. Eight world-famous musical comedians tear down the house strumming hits from rock oldies to today's hits as this worldwide (and YouTube) sensation take to the Midland stage for one night only in a performance that has been described as Monty Python with 32 strings!
Single tickets for these performances go on sale August 12th at Midland Center for the Arts and you can phone 800-523-7649 or 989-631-8250 for more details and to purchase tickets; or go to mcfta.org.
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Aug 08, 2013
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