Waiting for Godot

Originally created by Classical Theater of Harlem, this Waiting for Godot takes place in the world of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. Two shabbily dressed African-American men become increasingly desperate for help as they wait on the roof of a dilapidated home surrounded by water in a flood of immense proportions. Directed by Christopher McElroen.

“Though hurricane relief was almost certainly not on Beckett’s agenda when he wrote the play, the recent history of New Orleans certainly comes to mind as Vladimir and Estragon stand atop their ruin and wait. This, though, is no parody; it’s a serious reading that is not afraid of the tale’s comedy, and the two actors carry it off admirably” (The New York Times). More Information

Mazowsze

An ensemble of 90 dancers, musicians, and singers, mazowsze is a thrilling display of dazzling movement, vibrant color and stunning beauty. Mazowsze whirls, leaps, stamps and glides in a glorious outpouring of sound and motion, rhythm, and music that celebrates the cultural legacy of Poland. A full 23-member orchestra performs music ranging from Chopin to simple folk melodies beloved by the Poles for centuries.

“The material that the singers and dancers present – 28 numbers here – is lilting and vigorous, and filled with humor. But most of all, the Mazowsze performers look genuinely pleased and proud to be doing what they do. Their delight in themselves and the audience is infectious” (The New York Times). More Information

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura and her family travel across America in search of a place they can call home. Facing obstacles such as scarlet fever and eviction from their land, their pioneering spirit and family bonds are tested but never broken. This uplifting story of one of America’s most beloved authors comes to life in ArtsPower’s popular musical. Recommended for Grades 2 – 6. Running time: 55 minutes.

Curriculum Connections: Family relationships, History, Literature-based, Musical, Values-based, Language/communications skills.

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The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats

THE SHANGRI-LA CHINESE ACROBATS®
have taken the world by storm and continue to do so in their 30 years as a North American Theatre attraction for hundreds of Universities and performing arts centers. The precision and grace of Chinese acrobatics is an art form honed by centuries of old style training and discipline. Their multi-faceted and multi-cultural production features dazzling acrobatic displays, formidable feats of daring and balance, explosive energy and brilliant costumes- all with a touch of Chinese comedy. These daring maneuvers and death-defying acrobatic acts will have student audiences clamoring for more! Recommended for all ages. Running Time: 65 minutes

Curriculum connections: Cultural diversity, Physical movement & mechanics, Circus arts, Music, Foreign language

More information

The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats

The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats have taken the world by storm and continue to do so in their 30 years as a North American Theatre attraction for hundreds of Universities and performing arts centers. The precision and grace of Chinese acrobatics, is an art form honed by centuries old style of training and discipline. Their multi-faceted and multi-cultural production features dazzling acrobatic displays, formidable feats of daring and balance, explosive energy, brilliant costumes, with a touch of Chinese comedy. These daring maneuvers and death-defying acrobatic acts will have you clamoring for more! More Information

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin

The true story of mountaineer Greg Mortenson’s inspired mission and struggle to build schools for young girls in Pakistan.

From the first heart-stopping opening moments stranded on a mountaintop, this accomplished actor brings audiences through the very intimate journey of one man’s fight against all odds to make a difference in the world. The story feels simultaneously personal and of epic consequence. Alternating between scenes in the U.S. and Pakistan, students become aware of the lessons that can be learned from a culture that is seemingly so different from their own; consequently they come to understand the need to share in the responsibility of educating children everywhere. Surrounded by a pre and post show interactive discussion the audience will explore themes including social action, intercultural understanding and perseverance.This story launched the “Pennies for Peace” project across America, an elementary to high school program, that collects pennies to help build schools for Dr. Greg’s Central Asia Institute. Recommended for Grades 7-12. Run Time: 60 minutes with 30 miniutes of pre and post show Question & Answer.

Curriculum connections: Cultural diversity, Language and Literature, Theater, Geography, History.

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Three Cups of Tea

Based on the best selling book by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Redin

Produced by The American Place Theater Literature to Life series

Three Cups of Tea is a gripping theater piece beautifully constructed word to word from the book of the same name by the world renowned mountain climber Greg Mortenson and literary journalist David Oliver Relin.
From the first heart-stopping opening moments stranded on a mountaintop, this actor brings us through the very intimate journey of one man’s fight against all odds to make a difference in the world. The journalistic style of the book is woven into a narrative that feels simultaneously personal and of epic consequence. Alternating between scenes in the U.S. and Pakistan we become aware of the lessons that can be learned from a culture that is seemingly so different from our own. This story has touched the hearts of students across America and the “Pennies for Peace” project got students from elementary to high school learning the roots of community activism by collecting pennies to help build schools for Dr. Greg’s Central Asia Institute.

Surrounded by a pre and post show interactive discussion the audience will explore themes including social action, intercultural understanding and perseverance. More information

Balé Folclórico da Bahia

The 38-member troupe of dancers, musicians, and singers performs “Bahian” folkloric dances of african origin that features slave dances, capoeira (a form of martial arts), samba, and carnival dances.

“You could call it the Brazilian ‘Blast’ or the Bahian ‘Riverdance.’ With them one speaks in superlatives: the operative tempos are frenetic, the movement furious, the colors hallucinogenic…” (The Boston Globe).

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet

An exceptionally talented corps of sixteen dancers performs new works by the world’s most sought-after emerging choreographers. Through their daring, athletic movement and integration of ballet into contemporary and popular forms, the dancers of Cedar Lake take audiences on an unforgettable choreographic journey.

The FAC program includes important new works by some of the world’s leading choreographers. Exploiting the company’s talents, Joe Strømgren‘s Sunday Again weaves abstract movement patterns with baroque musical ornamentation from Johann Sebastian Bach to tell the simple story of a couple taxed by the quirks of cohabitation. In Jacopo Godani’s Unit Reaction the dancers are pushed until they release themselves from the cerebral and are totally immersed in the purely physical qualities of dance. Tinged with irony and humor and set to a varied score, acclaimed Dutch choreographer Didy Veldman’s piece frame of view investigates how emotion can energize and overtake the body.

“A star in Europe, Cherkaoui made Orbo Novo for the New York-based troupe, his first for an American company, whose 15 dancers not only owned the intricately athletic moves but also breathed a kind of spectral life into them” (Victoria Looseleaf, Los Angeles Times).

L.A. Theatre Works, Susan Albert Loewenberg, Producing Director, presents “The RFK Project”

The 60’s in America was a decade of heroes, violence, love, death, progress, and disappointment. “The RFK Project” chronicles Robert Kennedy’s dramatic transformation from discomfort with and indifference towards the Civil Rights movement to a champion and crusader. This docudrama brings to life the compelling and dramatic illumination of this crucial decade, enabling a new generation to hear the words, feel the tension and explore the issues that still resonate today.

The LA Theatre Works/RFK Project is a commission led by the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Dame and co-commissioned by the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, Stanford Lively Arts at Stanford University, and the Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond.

Tuesday, February 23
Concert Hall 7:30 PM
$35, $25, $15, Five College/GCC/STCC students and Youth 17 and under: $15