2011 2012 centerstage season brochure

richmondcenterstage.com

2011–2012SEASON

Presents

Welcome Home To CenterStage!

Dear Friends:

There’s nothing more exciting than a new season at CenterStage. The lights are ready to shine, the costumes are ready to sparkle and we’re ready to bring you the best in music, dance and theater.

As we celebrate our second full year in our new home in historic downtown Richmond, there’s a lot to share with you. The 2011–2012 season, our third, features some of the finest artists from around the world and around the corner. Our stages will be glowing with productions like The Lion King, Forever Tango, Wicked, South Pacific and Mannheim Steamroller, and performances by Patti LaBelle, the National Chinese Acrobats, Straight No Chaser, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Sandra Reaves-Phillips, KT Sullivan, West End Comedy, the Richmond Symphony, the Richmond Ballet, the Virginia Opera and many others. Just browse through the pages of this brochure and see what catches your eye! And don’t forget about our website, richmondcenterstage.com, which is a great place to stop by for updates and exciting new additions to our performing arts season.

If you’re a regular at CenterStage, we’d like to say, “Welcome back!” If you haven’t been here yet, I personally invite you to join us and see for yourself what amazing entertainment we have to offer. Remember, there really is something for everyone at CenterStage.

See you at the theater!

Richard M. Parison, Jr.Executive Director, Richmond CenterStage

Cheryl Burke, two-time champion of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, appears for one night only in the internationally celebrated dance spectacular Luis Bravo’s Forever Tango. This fiery Latin production boasts visually tantalizing dance of the highest artistic caliber. You will be overwhelmed by the sensuality, talent and cinematic beauty of Forever Tango. Sexy and sophisticated, the tango inhabits a world where everything can be said with the flick of a leg, the tug of a hand, the tap of a foot and the arch of an eyebrow! Don’t miss this explosive evening of Argentine fire and passion!

NOV15tuesday

20117:30PM

FEB2thursday

20127:30PM

Windows On The World

Direct from Beijing, The National Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China are poised to balance, swing and soar through the Carpenter Theatre for an unforgettable performance. As one of the world’s most thrilling and influential acrobatic troupes, the performers astound audiences with acts ranging from skillful to daring, set to a beautiful combination of traditional and modern music.

THE NATIONAL ACROBATS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, DIRECT FROM BEIJINGCo-Presented with the Modlin Center for the Arts

Ticket Prices: $28, $32, $36 Carpenter Theatre

Ticket Prices: VIP tickets available for $50 include a Meet & Greet with Cheryl Burke and cast membersOther Tickets: $20, $27, $37; Select seats available for $12Senior and student discounts available at the Box Office only

FOREVER TANGOStarring Cheryl Burke from Dancing with the Stars

Carpenter Theatre

FOr TickETSCall 1.800.514.ETIX (3849)

Visit us online at richmondcenterstage.com

Come to the CenterStage Box Office (Monday–Friday 11:00 am–4:00 pm)

CenterStage In The Community

CenterStage and the Firehouse Theatre Project come together to present Dessa Rose, a musical full of love, laughter, hope and a pair of unlikely heroines. One is a fallen lady of society abandoned by her husband, the other a pregnant slave sentenced to death on the gallows. When circumstances thrust them together, they form an uneasy alliance in an attempt to secure them both their freedom and that of their infant children. Based on imagined details of real events, this dangerous adventure of a musical celebrates life in all its joys, triumphs and challenges.

DESSA ROSEA co-production with the Firehouse Theatre Project

Based on the novel by Sherley Anne WilliamsMusic by Stephen FlahertyBook and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

Ticket Prices: $12–$28

all performances at the Firehouse Theatre

Tickets available at the Firehouse Theatre only.Call for Information 804.355.2001Tickets will not be available at CenterStage Box Office.

Previews: May 2–May 3, 2012: 8:00 pm Opening Night: Friday, May 4, 2012: 8:00 pmDate and Time: Thursdays–Saturdays,May 5–June 2, 2012: 8:00 pm; Wednesday, May 23, 2012: 2:00 pm matinee

dessa rose

SEPT10saturday

20117:00PM Carpenter Theatre

AN EVENING WITH PATTI LABELLECelebrating Richmond CenterStage’s 2nd Birthday

Ticket Prices: $48–$125

Legendary icon Patti LaBelle’s hypercharged stage performance and vocal range draw standing-room-only crowds across the country. Her unparalleled musicality has made her one of the most engaging and in-demand concert performers today. Ms. LaBelle has enjoyed one of the longest-lived careers in contemporary music, with hits spanning the last 50 years, including Lady Marmalade, New Attitude, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and On My Own. Whether she’s on Broadway, at the White House, at Carnegie Hall – or right here at Richmond CenterStage – Patti LaBelle’s high-octane concerts dazzle, delight and astound audiences with her own brand of pure heart and soul. So join us for this ONE NIGHT ONLY extraordinary performance by the soulful diva extraordinaire, Patti LaBelle.

Encompassing a broad range of music, The Great American Song Book – which extends as far back as the 1800s and travels right up to the present day – will delight all listeners. Enjoy classics from different genres performed at CenterStage by acclaimed singers, hum along with tunes you know and find some new favorites too. These iconic American songs will resonate long after the memorable performances.

Gold Performance Sponsor

Platinum Performance Sponsor

LIFE IS A CABARETA Celebration of the American Song Book

Ser ies

Ticket Prices:Lounge Seating: $27Reserved Ticket: $42Inner Circle Single Ticket: $52 Inner Circle Season Ticket: $208Sunday Brunch Packages available.

Rhythm Hall

KT SULLIVANColored Lights


LUMIRI TUBOA Tribute to Nat King Cole

Cabaret sensation KT Sullivan brings her critically acclaimed show Colored Lights to Richmond CenterStage. As the inaugural performer for this dynamic cabaret series, this dazzling singer is at the zenith of her powers. Just listen to what she does to Barbara Song from The Threepenny Opera or Who’s that Woman? from Follies. KT makes each song a brilliant three-act play before launching into a cataclysmically funny rendition of Noel Coward’s World Weary succeeded by a sensational tour de force of One Halloween/But Alive from Applause. Colored Lights is cabaret at its glorious best!

Described by critics as “electrifying,” “dynamic” and “stunning,” Lumiri Tubo brings her musical tribute to the legendary Nat King Cole to life before your eyes. Paying homage to the singer and the songs that inspired a generation, Lumiri will astound you with her renditions of some Nat King Cole classics, such as Unforgettable, Mona Lisa, Ramblin’ Rose and many more. Lumiri will capture you with her stunning voice, dynamic style and subtle phrasing. She has thrilled and inspired audiences with each appearance. Richmond CenterStage will be no exception.

THURSDAY–SATURDAY 7:00PMSHOW TIMES:

Gottwald Playhouse

Sunday Brunch Packages available. Call Noelle Yount at 804.592.3339 for details.

MATINEE3:00PMSUNDAY

13–16OCTOBER

thursday –sunday

2011

17–20NOVEMBER

thursday –sunday

2011

FOr TickETS: Call 1.800.514.ETIX (3849) Visit us online at richmondcenterstage.com Come to the CenterStage Box Office (Monday–Friday 11:00 am–4:00 pm)

KATHY HALENDAClass & Brass: The Music of Judy Garland and Bette Midler


Rhythm Hall

SANDRA REAVES-PHILLIPSMe, Myself & You


Me, Myself & You is an intimate tour de force performance by the international singer-actress Sandra Reaves-Phillips. Join her in CenterStage’s Rhythm Hall as she sensually reels you in with a song, makes you laugh at self and life, and then blows the roof off with her take on the blues! This cabaret is like a “pot-luck” party of music that only she can host! With Ms. Reaves-Phillips, you will be in for an evening of unforgettable music. Get your tickets early for this one!

Rhythm Hall

Presented in cooperation with

Presented in cooperation with

Kathy Halenda returns to Richmond and makes her CenterStage debut with Class & Brass: The Music of Judy Garland and Bette Midler. This cabaret will show you that Midler and Garland, two iconic performers with completely different backgrounds and song styles, are very similar in heart and passion. Come spend an evening listening to their most beloved songs and walk away with an appreciation of these two “dames” and their legendary music. Richmond native Kathy Halenda is sure to heat things up for this musical tribute – a night you will not soon forget!

26–29

2012JANUARY

thursday –sunday

LIFE IS A CABARET

5–82012APRIL

thursday –sunday

FOR INNER CIRCLE SEASON TICKETS:Call Samantha Sawyer at 804.592.3332.

Richmond CenterStageFree and Open to the Public

MARCH3saturday

201212:00PM–5:00PM

Bring The Kids! Family Series

LIGHTS UP!A Celebration of Children and the Arts

As part of the statewide celebration Minds Wide Open: Children and the Arts, we are bringing back Lights Up!, which features a day of FREE arts workshops, master classes and lots of FUN at Richmond CenterStage. Led by talented artists from our resident companies and other area arts organizations, our offerings will include classes in acting, dance, music, painting, visual arts and much more! For children and youth ages 3–18, no experience necessary! Just be ready for FUN!

DEC7wednesday

20117:00PM

SILLY BUS HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Ticket Prices: Adult $15; Children $8

Gottwald Playhouse

Once upon a time … in the magical land of Richmond, Virginia, six imaginative friends combined their creative powers to revolutionize family music. The result is the award-winning Silly Bus! Well … hop on the Silly Bus, because the next stop is Richmond CenterStage. Join us as we celebrate the holidays with one fun-filled night of song and cheer. The Silly Bus Holiday Extravaganza blends holiday and children’s song classics with other Silly Bus fan favorites. The Silly Bus Holiday Extravaganza is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit with the entire family. ’Tis the season to celebrate with Silly Bus at CenterStage!

Comedy at CenterStage

Come to the CenterStage Comedy Club! Join us for hilarity in the River City as West End Comedy comes to Downtown Richmond. West End Comedy is a troupe of talented and experienced comedians specializing in improvisational comedy! In the style of What’s My Line? or Who’s Line Is It Anyway?, these talented performers will stretch the realm of improv comedy for adult audiences throughout the season! Bring some friends, grab a cocktail from our cash bar and prepare to laugh all night! There are no scripts and no plots – they will use YOUR suggestions to create a night of uproarious comedy! Who knows – you may just become part of the show!

WEST END COMEDY DOWNTOWN!

Ticket Price: $10 General Admission, Cash Bar Available

Rhythm HallFor Mature Audiences

FRIDAYS8:00PMNOVEMBER 4 | JANUARY 13FEBRUARY 3 | MARCH 16

FOr TickETSCall 1.800.514.ETIX (3849)

Visit us online at richmondcenterstage.com

Come to the CenterStage Box Office (Monday–Friday 11:00 am–4:00 pm)

CenterStage is proud to be home to the region’s most talented and exciting performing arts organizations. We invite you to check out CenterStage Resident Companies. Bring your family and friends along and start making memories that will last forever.

CenterStage Resident Companies

RICHMOND SYMPHONYThe Richmond Symphony performs more than 100 performances annually. The Richmond Symphony’s 2011–2012 season will feature magnificent works from composers like Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich, Dvorák as well as bringing shows featuring Casablanca, Patti Austin and so much more. Visit richmondsymphony.com.

RICHMOND BALLETRichmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia, is dedicated to its mission, which is to “awaken and uplift the human spirit, both for audiences and artists.” Season highlights include the holiday favorite The Nutcracker and the charming and family-friendly Coppélia. Visit richmondballet.com.

VIRGINIA OPERAVirginia Opera celebrates its 37th anniversary during the 2011–2012 season, featuring the opera premiere of Verdi’s Aida, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Philip Glass’s Orphée and Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera The Mikado. Visit vaopera.org.

RICHMOND SHAKESPEAREMainstage performances at CenterStage include the final year of A Christmas Carol for Two Actors and Shakespeare’s thrilling tragedy of Macbeth, plus a one-night-only performance of Twelfth Night on the night itself! Visit richmondshakespeare.com.

MODLIN CENTER FOR THE ARTSThe Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond presents more than 40 world-class performing arts events as part of the ModlinArts Presents Series, including performances by the Department of Theatre and Dance, the University Players and Dancers, and the Department of Music’s annual free concert series. Visit modlin.richmond.edu.

SPARC SPARC is celebrating 30 years of inspiring young people to reach their full potential through quality training in the performing arts. From birth to 18, students are not only trained by our teachers to be excellent artists, but are also encouraged to cultivate life skills, preparing them for productive lives and leadership roles. Visit sparconline.org.

RICHMOND FORUMOne of the most respected speakers series in America, The Richmond Forum brings the world’s biggest names to the stage of the Landmark Theater, a CenterStage venue. Some of the season’s highlights include former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, music industry legend Quincy Jones, Robert Reich and others. Visit richmondforum.org or call 804.330.3993.

THEATRE IV/BARKSDALE THEATRETheatre IV/Barksdale Theatre is Central Virginia’s leading professional theater company. Theatre IV produces a mainstage season for families in the historic Empire Theatre in Richmond’s Arts District. The Barksdale Theatre side of the company produces national-caliber plays and musicals in three different locations. Visit theatreivrichmond.org or call 804.783.1688.

ELEGBA FOLKLORE SOCIETYElegba Folklore Society offers art and enrichment in a lively celebration of African and African American culture. Enjoy our performance company in theaters and schools. Take classes or collect art and imports in our cultural center. Embrace the Spirit! Visit efsinc.org or call 804.644.3900.

AFRICAN AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATREConceived in 1999, the African American Repertory Theatre (AART) is committed to providing a full season of theatrical performances designed to illuminate African American culture. AART is led by award-winning artistic director Derome Smith. Visit aartva.org or call 804.355.2187.

For more information on our Resident Companies visit richmondcenterstage.com.

Broadway Series

In RichmondBROADWAYThe Most

To Come To Richmond

© Disney

Broadway Season

IntroducingExciting

BroadwayInRichmond.com

February 15 - March 11, 2012

October 5 - 16, 2011

RAIN - A TributeTo The Beatles South PacificBlue Man Group

Amy Grant & Vince Gill

Straight No Chaser

Plus

The Christmas Music OfMannheim Steamroller

804-592-3401

aseries

Stage An Unforgettable Event

CARPENTER THEATREFully renovated and restored, the historic Carpenter Theatre is the cornerstone of the performing arts complex. It features state-of-the-art lighting and world-class acoustics while still preserving its Old World feel.

GOTTWALD PLAYHOUSEOn the second floor of Dorothy Pauley Square, the 200-seat Gottwald Playhouse provides an intimate space for close encounters with top regional and local talent. Gottwald Playhouse is also available for private and corporate use and is well suited for lectures, conventions and presentations.

RHYTHM HALLRhythm Hall, a multipurpose venue on the first floor of Dorothy Pauley Square, features local performing artists and an array of activities, concerts and community gatherings.

SHOWCASE GALLERYAttached to Rhythm Hall is Showcase Gallery, a visual arts venue where audiences can gather before or after a show.

GENWORTH BRIGHTLIGHTS EDUCATION CENTERThe Genworth BrightLights Education Center offers spacious classrooms for corporate meetings and educational activities. Our classrooms range in size and are able to hold 15–50 occupants, depending upon the setup. Rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and whiteboards and can be set up to meet the needs of the renter.

SAVOR Richmond, the in-house caterer for Richmond CenterStage, offers a broad menu of catering services tailored specifically for the needs of each facility and the types of events and crowds each attracts. Catering services offered by SAVOR Richmond span the full spectrum of public catering needs – from intimate cocktail receptions to large sit-down dinners. With multiple exceptional spaces for your use at CenterStage, you won’t lack for the perfect spot for your special occasion.

To learn more about hosting an event at one of our CenterStage venues, contact Dolly Vogt at 804.592.3355.

Serve Up A Gourmet Event

Translate CenterStage’s magic into your next event. Maximize the attention your event gets by holding it at one of the spectacular spaces at Richmond CenterStage. Carpenter Theatre, Gottwald Playhouse, Rhythm Hall, Showcase Gallery, Bright Ideas Conference Room or our Genworth BrightLights Education Center classrooms are all available for rental.

Dine Out Before You Come In

BISTRO 2727 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220804.780.0086; bistrotwentyseven.com

Bistro 27 serves Mediterranean cuisine from the coastlines of France, Spain and Italy that features homemade pasta, fresh seafood and aged steaks. With handcrafted cocktails and a wine list from around the world, Bistro 27 has friendly service making this uptown restaurant in the heart of the Richmond Arts District a destination not to be missed. Located ideally between CenterStage and the Landmark Theater, Bistro 27 is the perfect dining option for a pre-show dinner or post-show drinks.

BISTRO BOBETTE1209 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219804.225.9116; bistrobobette.com

Bistro Bobette, located in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Slip, is an authentic bistro serving French comfort food. Voted Top 10 by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and listed in the Best 25 by Richmond Magazine, Bistro Bobette features a new menu each month, with fresh and seasonal food options changing daily, and offers an extensive French wine list. Complimentary parking is available.

LEMAIRE AND TJ’sThe Jefferson Hotel, 101 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23220Lemaire: 804.649.4629; TJ’s: 804.649.4672; jeffersonhotel.com

Lemaire is a New American restaurant bringing a fresh, modern culinary experience to one of Richmond’s most iconic attractions – The Jefferson Hotel. Enjoy Lemaire for a pre-theater dinner or small plates and cocktails in the lounge before or after the show.

TJ’s at The Jefferson is a Southern bistro providing a relaxed atmosphere for dining and an inviting lounge.

Start your evening off right with CenterStage’s 2011–2012 Restaurant Partners Program. CenterStage patrons can simply present their performance ticket at one of our Premiere restaurant Partners listed below and receive a 10% discount on food the night of the show (does not include taxes and gratuity). When you make reservations 48 hours in advance, you will also receive guaranteed service completion 30 minutes prior to showtime. Various parking options are available at each restaurant. For more information and a complete list of all our restaurant partners visit richmondcenterstage.com.

BrightLights Education At CenterStage

The Genworth BrightLights Education Center serves as the hub for the education programs of CenterStage, creating transformational arts education opportunities for students of all ages throughout the Richmond region.

PARTNERSHIPSIn 2009, we launched five exciting partnerships involving Richmond Public Schools, six surrounding counties and a consortium of private schools. Together with our school partners, our resident companies and other cultural organizations, we designed programs that address learning goals in the arts, English/language arts, technology and social sciences, spanning pre-K through 12th grades!

RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLSThroughout the year, CenterStage offers workshops, master classes and lecture-demonstrations featuring artists who perform in our venues, including touring Broadway productions. Through the capabilities of our Digital Arts Learning Center, these programs are available via live stream to any classroom with Internet access. Podcasts and study guides for the classroom are also available on our website.

BRING THE KIDS! FAMILY SERIESOur first-ever Family Series provides performances and other arts experiences for families, at CenterStage, that complement the wonderfully rich artistic offerings of our resident companies.

For more information visit richmondcenterstage.com/education or call 804.592.3330, ext.124.

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2011 2012 centerstage season brochure

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