Download 2008-2009 performing arts guide

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2008-2009
PERFORMING
ARTS GUIDE
Above: Maestra Sarah Ioannides leads the El Paso Symphony.
See Pages 13, 17
Left: Showtime El Paso! presents the New York Theatre Ballet.
See Pages 9, 12
Right: El Paso Pro-Musica season stars Itzhak Perlman.
See Pages 6, 23
The El Paso Convention & Performing Arts Centers present the Broadway in El Paso series at The Plaza Theatre.
UTEP Theatre & Dance
present season of variety.
See Pages 11, 19
See Pages 4, 15, 18, 24
Your annual guide
to over 30 area
per forming
arts groups
and season
schedules
The Spencer Theater brings Broadway
& more to the mountains. See Pages 8, 14
Bruce Nehring Consort season
includes February “Mystery Pianist.”
See Page 7
UTEP Dinner Theatre opens its season
with “The Producers.” See Pages 2, 10
Page 2 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
September 2008
‘What I Did Last Summer’ — Aug. 29-
Sept. 14, Black Box Theatre, 430 N.
Downtown Mall, Las Cruces. Presented by No
Strings Theatre Company. Directed by Ceil
Herman. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 and 14, and
7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. Tickets: $7-$10.
Information/reservations: (575) 523-1223 or
no-strings.org.
‘Shakespeare on the Rocks’ — The the-
ater festival is Sept. 4-28, at Ysleta ISD Fine
Arts Amphitheater, 8455 Alameda. Four of
Shakespeare’s plays will be performed in a
repertory format at 8 p.m. Thursday through
Sunday. Information: 474-4275 or shakespeareontherocks.com. The festival is presented by
Eden Enterprises in cooperation with Ysleta
Independent School District and El Paso
Community College. Artistic Director is Hector
Serrano. Tickets are $10 ($8 students with ID
and seniors 65 and older), sold at the door
(beginning at 7 p.m.). Group rate is $6 with
advance purchase (434-9715). Seating is general admission and is on concrete benches.
Patrons may bring a stadium cushion.
• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” — Sept. 4,
12, 20 and 28.
• “Julius Caesar” — Sept. 5, 13, 21, 25.
• “The Tempest” — Sept. 6, 14, 18, 26.
• “Romeo & Juliet” — Sept. 7, 11, 19, 27.
‘Jake’s Women’ – El Paso Playhouse, 2501
Montana, presents the Neil Simon Comedy
Sept. 5-27. Jake, a writer with a struggling
marriage, talks to many of the women he
knows, both in real life and in his imagination,
as he works to save his marriage. Directed by
Jan H. Wolfe. Ticket information: 532-1317,
elpasoplayhouse.com.
Performing Arts Season Calendar
September 2008-August 2009
Following are performing arts events events in the El Paso
region (including southern New Mexico) listed by month.
Events that overlap months are listed in the first month they occur.
Events listed are those provided by various performing arts organizations
and major presenting venues. All events and dates are subject to change.
Please call the number listed to confirm event information.
An overview of area peforming arts organizations
and a synopsis of their schedules begins on Page 18.
For updates of this event schedule, please pick up a current copy of El Paso
Scene (published monthly) or check our website, www.epscene.com
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
Randy Limbird, Editor & Publisher
Lisa Kay Tate, Assistant Editor
El Paso Scene, P.O. Box 13615, El Paso TX 79913
Phone: (915) 542-1422 FAX: (915) 542-4292
web: www.epscene.com email: [email protected]
Howard Na — 8 p.m. Sept. 6, at the
Chamizal National Memorial. Part of the 2008
El Paso Chopin Festival of free piano concerts.
Na made his first public recital at age 11, and
his first orchestral appearance two years after.
Na recently won the University of Miami
Concerto Competition. Admission is free.
Information: 584-1595 or elpaso-chopin.com.
‘Il Trovatore’— 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 and 13,
at the Abraham Chavez Theatre, featuring El
Paso native Ricardo Herrera. El Paso Opera
presents Giuseppe Verdi’s story of a troubadour’s quest for power and love that leads him
to the truth about his family and his past. Youth
Night at the Opera is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Tickets: $15-$90. Information: 581-5534 or
epopera.org.
Pickamania — Sept. 13-14, in Gough Park,
N.M. Silver City, N.M. Mimbres Regional Arts
Council presents a weekend of folk, bluegrass
and Americana acoustic music. Information: 1888-758-7289.
Side Street Strutters – 7:30 p.m. Sept.
15, at WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater, Silver
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 3
Season Sponsor
El Paso Convention &
Performing Arts Center
See Pages 4, 15, 18, 24
Sponsors
El Paso Pro-Musica
El Paso Symphony
UTEP Dinner Theatre
Showtime El Paso!
Spencer Theater
UTEP Theatre & Dance
2, 10
13, 17
12, 22
9,12
8, 14
11,19
Co-Sponsors
ASNMSU Cultural Series
Bruce Nehring Consort
El Paso Chopin Festival
El Paso Kids-N-Co.
El Paso Opera
10, 21
7
5, 20
18,22
3,21
City, N.M. Presented by Grant County
Community Concert Association. Tickets: $17.
Information: (575) 538-5862.
17 Hippies – 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at NMSU’s
Music Recital Hall. ASNMSU Cultural Series
opens its 2008-2009 season with 17 Hippies’
eclectic mix of the world music from Eastern
Europe, France and America in what they call
their own “Berlin Style.” Tickets: $10-$12.50.
Ticket information: 544-8444 or (575) 6461420..
P l e as e t ur n t o P a ge 4
El Paso becoming a ‘must stop’ for more tours
When a worldwide group of musicians
exclaimed “I Ain’t Gonna Play Sun City”
in 1985, fortunately they weren’t talking
about El Paso (the song was a protest
against then-apartheid South Africa). In
fact, t more and more performers are this
Sun City a must-stop on their tours.
Wendy Garrett, Director of Theatres for
the El Paso Convention and Performing
Arts Centers, said nearly all performers
who come to El Paso have a rewarding
experience, but she is noticing more who
are making a conscious effort to get down
to the border.
The example that stands out most in her
mind is the indie band The Killers. who
played the Abraham Chavez Theatre in
September 2007.
“Their agent told me they specifically
asked for El Paso to be on their tour,”
Garrett said. “When they got here it was a
fantastic experience for them. The lead
singer Brandon Flowers went into
Downtown and bought his outfit for the
concert that night.”
Beck, who will perform Sept. 25 at the
Abraham Chavez, also made a point to
have El Paso as part of his tour, particularly after having such a great time giving
an impromptu and unannounced performance last year at UTEP-area nightspot
The Black Market.
“He told his agent El Paso needs to be a
stop,” Garrett said.
She said the draw has a lot to do with El
Paso’s authenticity and its connection to
Con t’ d from P a g e 3
‘Sweeney Todd’ — 8 p.m. Sept 18-19 at
the Spencer Theater for Performing Arts in
Alto, N.M. The demon barber of Fleet Street
slices up tasty meat pies in the celebrated 2006
Tony Winning musical thriller. The bizarre,
spine-tingling tale features a brilliant cast of
actors/musicians. Tickets: $53-$59.
Information: (575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872
or spencertheater.com.
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
‘Spectacular Beginnings’ – 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 19-20, in the Plaza Theatre, Maestra
Sarah Ioannides, conductor. Guest artist Lukas
Vondracek, piano, will accompany the symphony in performing Shostakovich’s Festive
Overture, op. 96, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto
No. 5, op. 73, E-flat major “Emperor” and
Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2, op. 43, D major.
Tickets: $11-$37. Information: 532-3776.
Misha Dacic — 8 p.m. Sept. 20, at the
Chamizal National Memorial. Part of the 2008
El Paso Chopin Festival. Dacic made his
American debut at the Discovery Series of the
Sixth Miami International Piano Festival.
Admission is free. Information: 584-1595 or
elpaso-chopin.com.
John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party –
7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Flickinger Center for
Performing Arts, Alamogordo, N.M. Tickets:
$10-$25. Information: (575) 437-2202.
‘Tuna Does Vegas’– Sept. 26-27, at the
Plaza Theatre. The Broadway in El Paso 20082009 series begins with the latest “Tuna”
adventure starring “Greater Tuna” creators Joe
Sears and Jaston Williams. Oddball conservative
radio host Arles Struvie announces on air that
he and his wife are heading to Vegas to renew
its history and cultural diversity. The welcoming nature of the city is also a factor.
“The El Paso audiences are great,”
Garrett said. “The artists always leave
with such a positive experience.”
She added the audiences always greet
the artists with love, respect and enthusiasm. “El Paso is generally a very loving
community,” Garrett said. “It really is a
welcoming community to people who
visit, and I think they do the same for the
artists who perform here.”
When Texas musician Lyle Lovett performed in August at The Plaza Theatre,
he spoke comfortably with the crowd as if
they were old friends.
“It’s a little bit like the artists are seeing
something that is down here even before
we see it,” she said.
Eclectic performer Tom Waits was
another artist who deliberately made an
effort to perform here. Waits made a decision to try and play El Paso when he “discovered” the city while passing through.
When he did play at the Plaza Theatre,
he performed to a sold-out crowd and
even received the “Key to the City” as a
token of appreciation for his appearance.
His visit was so well-received, Garrett
commented, he later said his appearance
at a major performing venue in Houston
paled in comparison.
“Tom Waits came in the day of the show
and immediately fell in love with El
Paso,” she said. “He even asked for a
mariachi band to come play.
Unfortunately we couldn’t find one at
such short notice, but he said we could
get one for him next time he comes.”
This is an encouraging sentiment coming from an artist who is notorious for a
very selective and sparse tour schedule.
The venues themselves are also a draw,
such as the Abraham Chavez Theatre,
McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre,
Judson F. Williams Convention Center
and, of course The Plaza Theatre Center
for Performing Arts.
The historic Plaza Theatre is especially
getting a reputation among itself.
When the Plaza Theatre first opened in
1930, it was the largest movie theater of
its kind between Dallas and Los Angeles.
The Plaza eventually hosted popular traveling shows as well, becoming a fixture
in the lives of theatergoers for generations
to come.
“It’s Spanish mission-style parapet,
patrons were awed by the interior, with its
intricately painted ceilings, mosaic-tiled
floors, decorative metal railings and
sconces and, to heighten the effect,
antique furnishings,” information on The
Plaza’s history reads. “With such
grandiose rococo design, it’s no wonder
the Plaza was known as ‘The Showplace
of the Southwest.’”
In its earlier heyday, The Plaza hosted
countless motion picture events, including
several movie premieres bringing in
Golden Age stars such as John Wayne,
James Stewart and Elizabeth Taylor.
their wedding vows, but everyone in Tuna, (the
third smallest town in Texas) goes along for the
ride. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8
p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $19.50, $33 and $42.
Information: 544-8444.
‘Delicious Nut’ — Presented by No Strings
‘The Pillowman’ – Sept. 26-Oct. 12, at
the Hershel Zohn Theatre. American
Southwest Theatre Company opens its season
with the dark and disturbing drama by Martin
McDonagh. Showtime is 7 p.m. Thursday, 8
p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Preview night is 7 p.m. Sept. 25. Tickets: $15
($10 preview night). Information: 1-800-525ASTC (2782).
John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party —
7:30 p.m. Sept. 27, at the Abraham Chavez
Theatre. Showtime El Paso kicks off its 75th
season with the recreation of Buddy Holly’s
final concert featuring Ritchie Valens and The
Big Bopper. The tribute concert re-creates the
1959 tour starring Buddy Holly (portrayed by
Drama Desk Award-winner John Mueller),
Ritchie Valens (Ray Anthony) and J.P “The Big
Bopper” Richardson (portrayed by his son, Jay
Richardson), which ended in a tragic plane
crash. Individual tickets are $30, available at the
door. Information: 544-2022 or showtimeelpaso.com.
October 2008
‘Music of the Heart’ — Oct. 3 at St.
Chrstopher’s Episcopal Church, and Oct. 4-5
at The Chapel at Loretto. Bruce Nehring
Consort’s 17th season begins with The Consort
Singers directed by Nehring, Lester Ackerman
on organ and the Quintessential Brass.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and
Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Ticket information: 534-7664.
Theatre Co. Oct. 3-19 at the Black Box
Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall, Las Cruces.
Directed by Mark Medoff. The world premiere
drama by Ross Marks takes place in a group
therapy session. Performances are 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12
and 19, and 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. Tickets:
$7-$10. Information: (575) 523-1223 or nostrings.org.
‘The Producers’ – Oct. 3-25 at UTEP
Dinner Theatre. The theater opens its 26th
Season opens with the Tony Award recordbreaker. This hilarious musical, based on the
Mel Brooks movie, is of a down-on-his-luck
producer and his mild mannered accountant
who come up with a scheme to producer the
worst musical in history and bilk their investors
out of millions of dollars. Unfortunately the
result, “Springtime for Hitler” becomes an
instant hit. Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday
through Saturday; dinner matinee performance
is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5; non-dinner matinees are 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, 19 and 26.
Tickets $26-$38 dinner shows; $12-22 non-dinner matinee. Information: 747-6060.
Lucy Scarbrough — 8 p.m. Oct. 4, at the
Chamizal National Memorial. The 2008 El Paso
Chopin Festival of free piano concerts closes
with a performance by its celebrated founder.
Scarbrough’s most recent honor was recognition from the President of the United States for
her humanistic contributions to the arts in El
Paso, Texas. Admission is free. Information:
584-1595 or elpaso-chopin.com.
Las Cruces Symphony – Oct. 4-5 at the
NMSU Recital Hall. The symphony, directed by
Lonnie Klein, opens its season with guest artist
Manuel Barrueco, guitar. Selections include the
Page 4 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
In the decades since, The Plaza lost its
movie audiences to newer cineplexes and
eventually closed, fell into disrepair and
almost became a victim of the wrecking
ball. The El Paso Community Foundation
and the City of El Paso joined forces to
restore the landmark, and it reopened in
2006 as a major performing arts venue.
In the two and a half years since, The
fully restored Plaza has hosted crooners
like Tony Bennett and Michael Buble, big
name Broadway performances including
“Stomp” and “The Producers,” and even
heavy metal giant Alice Cooper.
Waits himself said he thought The Plaza
was “beautiful” a common adjective used
my most of the performers utilizing its
stage.
“Don Henley loved it here and told us
this is a wonderful theater and to please
keep it beautiful,” Garrett said. “Lyle
Lovett expressed the same thing.”
If past concerts are an indication, El
Paso’s appreciation and generosity
towards touring acts could be a catalyst to
even more artists. Lovett’s continuous
response to one fan’s periodic exclamation of “We love you Lyle!” was a
straightforward “We love you more.”
Apparently, he isn’t the only one.
For more information on upcoming concerts, visit the El Paso Convention and
Visitors Bureau website at elpasocvb.com
or The Plaza Theatre at
theplazatheatre.org.
mountain premiere of Schwantner’s “Chasing
Light,” Vivaldi’s Concerto in D, Sierra’s “Folias”
and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3
p.m. Sunday. Ticket information: (575) 6463709 or lascrucessymphony.com.
‘The Wizard of Oz’ — Oct. 4-26 at Kids-
N-Co. Education and Performance Center,
1301 Texas. Kids-N-Co. opens its 2008-2009
season with the L. Frank Baum’s timeless
adventure. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays
and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets:
$5-$7. Information: 351-1455 or kidsnco.org.
‘Oliver’ — 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Spencer
Theater for Performing Arts in Alto, N.M.
Nationally touring Broadway musical about
orphans in a workhouse features some of
Charles Dickens’s most unforgettable characters and a hit score with “Consider Yourself At
Home,” “Food, Glorious Food” and “Where Is
Love.” Tickets: $56-$59. Information: (575)
336-4800, (888) 818-7872 or
spencertheater.com.
Manuel Barrueco – 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7, at
UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. El Paso ProMusica opens its 31st season with the internationally recognized Cuban guitarist important
guitarist. His unique artistry has been continually described as that of a superb instrumentalist
and a superior and elegant musician, possessing
a seductive sound and uncommon lyrical gifts.
In conjunction with the performance the documentary “Cuban Guitarist” will be shown 7
p.m. Oct. 6, at Trinity First United Methodist
Church. Tickets: $5-$25. Information: 8339400 or eppm.org.
P l e as e t ur n t o P a ge 5
Con t’ d from P a g e 4
Fiamma Fumana – 8 p.m. Oct. 9, NMSU’s
Music Center Recital Hall. The energetic northern Italy group fuses folk with bagpipe, accordion and flute with electronica for a modern
sound with traditional feel. Part of the ASNMSU Cultural Series. Tickets: $10-$12.50. Ticket
information: 544-8444 or (575) 646-1420.
‘You Can’t Take It With You’ – El Paso
Playhouse, 2501 Montana, presents the Pulitzer
Prize-winning comic play by Moss Hart and
George S. Kaufman Oct. 10-Nov. 1. Directed
by Mario Rodriguez. Ticket information: 5321317, elpasoplayhouse.com.
‘Anybody for Murder?’ – Oct. 10-26, at
the Las Cruces Community Theatre, 313
Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. The Brian
Clemens and Dennis Spooner’s thriller comedy
is directed by larrychandler. Performances are 8
p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Gala opening night is Oct. 10. Tickets: $7-$8.
Information: (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.
Baja California Orchestra – 8 p.m. Oct.
11, at Centro Cultural Paso del Norte in
Juarez. Tickets: 200 pesos. Information: 5334020 in El Paso.
C
Buddy and Tina Wright Group – 7:30
p.m. Oct. 17 at the Flickinger Center,
Alamogordo, N.M. Tickets: $12. Information:
(575) 437-2202.
El Paso Symphony Orchestra ‘Spanish
and Latin Favorites’ – 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1718, Plaza Theatre. Conducted by Maestra
Sarah Ioannides. Guest artist Chloe Hanslip,
violin, will accompany the symphony in performing De Falla’s La Vida Breve: Interlude &
Dance, Korngold’s Violin Concerto, op. 35, D
major, Revueltas Sensemaya, Ginastera Estancia
and De Falla’s Three Cornered Hat Suite No.
2. Tickets: $11-$37. Information: 532-3776.
‘The Threepenny Opera’ — Oct. 17-26,
UTEP’s Wise Family Theatre. Charles Gorden
directs the Berthold Brecht’s revolutionary
masterpiece with music by Kurt Weill. This love
story between Polly Peachum and “Mack the
Knife” Macheath satirizes a society at the height
of decadence and on the verge of chaos.
Presented by the UTEP Department of Theatre
and Dance. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday
through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets: $8-$12. Information: 747-5118 or 7475146.
Allison Brown and Joe Craven – 8 p.m.
Oct. 18, Rio Grande Theatre in the Las Cruces
Downtown Mall. Banjo player and vocalist
Allison Brown with her one-of-a-kind acoustic
performance is joined by the talents of multiinstrumentalist Joe Craven. Part of the ASNMSU Cultural Series. Tickets: $10-$12.50. Ticket
information: 544-8444 or (575) 646-1420.
Thüringer Salonquintett – 7:30 p.m. Oct.
20, at WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater, Silver
City. Presented by Grant County Community
Concert Association. Tickets: $17. Information:
(575) 538-5862.
The Thüringer Salonquintet – 7 p.m.
Oct. 21, at Oñate High School Performing Arts
Center, presented by Las Cruces Civic Concert
Association. Information: (575) 521-4051.
Work o’ The Weavers – 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23
at the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo, N.M. A
tribute to America’s pioneering folk quartet
with four performers who pick up where the
original Weavers left off. Tickets: $12.
Information: (575) 437-2202.
Kate McLeod – 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, at the
Pinos Alto Opera House in Pinos Altos. Part of
the Mimbres Region Arts Council’s Folk Series.
Tickets: $15-$20. Information: (575) 538-2505
or 1-888-758-7289.
1 and Respighi’s “Church Windows.”
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3
p.m. Sunday. Information: (575) 646-3709.
Spencer Theater, Alto, N.M. The legendary
four-part harmony group’s roster of hits
includes “The Great Pretender,” “(You’ve Got)
The Magic Touch,” “Only You (And You
Alone),” “Twilight Time,” “I’ll Never Smile
Again,” “Let’s Start Over Again” and
“Strangers.” Tickets: $56-$59. Information:
(575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
Opera a la Carte — 7:30 p.m. Saturday,
The Platters — 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at the
November 2008
‘A Journey of the Senses’ – 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1, at a private residence, hosted by El
Paso Pro-Musica. Renowned cellist Zuill Bailey
will perform the complete suites of Johan
Sebastian Bach in a special gala soiree. Each distinctive Suite will be paired with a matched
food and fine wine and presented in a classic
soiree type setting where one can move about,
socialize and be surrounded by the greatness of
Bach. Tickets: $300. Information/location: 8339400 or eppm.org.
‘The Organ at Its Best’ — Nov. 1-2 at
The Chapel at Loretto. Bruce Nehring Consort
presents organ classics and improvisations with
MIchael Burkhardt. Performances are 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Ticket information: 534-7664.
Las Cruces Symphony – Nov. 1-2 at the
NMSU Recital Hall. The symphony performs
with guest artist Norman Kreiger, piano.
Selections include Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No.
HOPIN
Howard Na
Saturday,
Sept. 6
2005
Special
Prize Winner
National
Chopin
Competition
Flickinger Center, Alamogordo, N.M. Tickets:
$10-$25. Information: (575) 437-2202.
Nov. 8, First Baptist Church, 805 Montana. El
Paso Opera will host a 15th anniversary benefit
concert featuring Patricia Johnson, Kyungmook
Yum and Gregory Schmidt. Ticket information:
581-5534.
Otero Dance Company – 8 p.m. Nov. 13,
Rio Grande Theatre in the Las Cruces
Downtown Mall. The group performs sensual
Tango, wildly intense gaucho and sexy salsa in a
journey of color, music and movement. Part of
the ASNMSU Cultural Series. Tickets: $10$12.50. Ticket information: 544-8444 or (575)
646-1420.
Irving Berlin’s ‘I Love A Piano’ — 8
p.m. Nov. 14, Plaza Theatre. Take a nostalgic
musical journey spanning seven decades of
American history as seen through the eyes of
Irving Berlin as part of the Broadway in El Paso
Series. The show tracks the life of a piano with
one sour key through four generations of
singers and dancers who have performed with
and around it. (Ticketmaster) Information: 2311111.
Otero Dance Company — 7:30 p.m. Nov.
14, at WNMU Fine Arts Theater in Silver City,
N.M. The company performs romantic Tango,
vibrant Salsa and exciting gaucho. Presented by
Mimbres Regional Arts Council. Tickets: $5$15. Information: 1-888-758-7289.
P l e as e t ur n t o P a ge 6
PIANO
CONCERTS
IN EL PASO
THE 2008 EL PASO
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Roslyn Kind – 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the
All concerts are at 8 p.m. at the Chamizal National
Memorial Theatre, 800 S. San Marcial
Admission is FREE and open to the public
Misha Dacic
Lucy Scarbrough
Saturday,
Sept. 20
International
touring artist
and repeat
performer at
Miami International
Piano Festival
For information, call 584-1595, email [email protected] or visit www.elpaso-chopin.com
Sponsored by El Paso Community College and The El Paso Chopin Music Festival Society
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 5
Saturday,
Oct. 4
Founder and
Artistic Director
El Paso
Chopin Festival;
Judge, 2005 National
Chopin Competition
Perlman concert caps Pro-Musica season
El Paso Pro-Musica keeps setting the
bar higher on bringing the classical and
chamber music performances to the area.
Pro-Musica Artistic director Zuill Bailey
said the 2008-2009 is going to be one to
remember.
“I think this year has turned out to be a
rather historic year in terms of the performances we are getting,” Bailey said.
The most historic of these performances
will be the season finale concert with violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman April 6 at the
Plaza Theatre.
Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the
violin, Itzhak Perlman enjoys superstar
status. Perlman’s recordings regularly sell
on best-seller charts, and he has won 15
Grammys, four Emmys and was nominated for an Academy Award for his collaboration with John Williams on the score for
“Schindler’s List.”
Perlman last sperformed in El Paso was
about 25 years ago, Bailey said, so his
return to the Sun City has been long
anticipated. As of late August, 30 percent
of the tickets for Perlman had already
been sold, 75 percent being premium
seats. This is overwhelming response, he
feels, as publicity for the April event isn’t
even in full swing.
“This is a chance to hear a man who
has achieved the highest level of performance of the violin on the face of the
earth,” he said.
Con t’ d from P a g e 5
Holiday Choir Concert — Nov. 14-15,
NMSU Music Center Recital Hall. The NMSU
Combined Choirs present their 21st annual holiday concert. Performances are 7:30 p.m.
Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $10, $12
and $15 ($3 students). Children age 8 and older
welcome. Information: (575) 646-1420 or
choirs.nmsu.edu/.
Linda Gentille ‘The American Piano
Show’ — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15,
Abraham Chavez Theatre. Showtime El Paso
presents the world-renowned pianist and former protégé of Liberace in a tribute to
American composers. The show also features
Jim Yester, former lead singer of the ‘60s group
The Association. Tickets: $20. Information:
544-2022 or showtimeelpaso.com.
‘In The Boom Boom Room’ — Nov. 19-
23 in UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Studio Theatre.
UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance presents the department’s entry in the Kennedy
Center’s American College Theatre Festival,
directed by Austin Savage. This play by David
Rabe depicts the brutalizing, maddening, noasylum night world of 1960s Philadelphia, as illfated go-go dancer Crissy jerks, ponies and
stumbles her way through a bizarre mélange of
family, suitors and bar bums. Showtimes are 8
p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m.
Sunday. Tickets: $6-$8. Information: 747-5118
or 747-5146.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ — 8 p.m. Nov
20-21 at the Spencer Theater, Alto, N.M.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s groundbreaking musical about the political and interpersonal struggles between Judas and Jesus, and gospel
accounts of the last weeks of Jesus’ life.
Features hits like “I Don’t Know How To Love
Bailey said one of the things Pro-Musica
has also been fortunate to host over the
past years are several “final season” performances by chamber music masters,
including one of cellist Janos Starker’s
final shows in recent seasons, and a concert this season by the renowned Guarneri
String Quartet.
The quartet will perform for the 2009 El
Paso Chamber Music Festival, which also
features performances by pianist
Awadagin Pratt and a distinctive “Mozart
to Metallica” concert with violinist
Rachel Barton Pine. Pine has long been
an advocate of breaking down the barriers
between classical and popular music, and
has performed not only her own original
classical works, but in collaborations with
such artists as Metallica and Ozzy
Osbourne.
Pro-Musica Executive Director Kathryn
Berg-Petit said the Barton-Pine performance, to be held at a non-traditional location to be announced, is going to be the
“grooviest concert.”
In addition to regular concerts, the festival include free Bach’s lunch performances at the museum again, a collaborative
performance between Pro-Musica and El
Paso Symphony, and the return of the
popular music-related film series.
Petit said January’s chamber festival is
still growing, particularly with the added
film series.
“This is the third year of including a
film series in the festival,” she said. “Our
core mission is to education the public of
chamber music, and this is another way
of doing that.”
She said many of this year’s films are
documentaries about the lives of this season’s performers, including Perlman and
celebrated Cuban guitarist Manuel
Barrueco, who opens the Pro-Musica season. The free film screenings will be
offered at Trinity First United Methodist
Church, on the eve of the actual concert
performances.
“El Paso Pro-Musica prides itself on
being very intimate,” Petit said. “These
films are just another way to involve the
audience in the lives of the musicians.”
Performances by Bailey himself will
mark the season, including the entire set
of Sebastian Bach’s Suites for solo cello
in two performances, and in one gala
evening.
“Written at the evolution of cello music,
this is one of the first attempts to write
for cello solo,” he said.
He said the Suites have been referred to
as the “Bible of Cello Playing,” as nothing of this caliber had been written
before, nor has been written since.
The gala will feature a performance of
all six suites over the course of a six-part
meal with premium wine accompaniment
for each course. Petit said this is the true
nature of chamber music, an intimate setting that surrounds the listener with beautiful music that captivates all the senses.
“This is chamber music of the classic
style, and an evening in of itself,” Petit
said. “It will be an evening that encompasses the entire well-being.”
Bailey will also perform the Suites in
two concerts, each featuring three suites,
Nov. 20 at the Rio Grande Theater in Las
Cruces and Nov. 29 at St. Clement
Church in El Paso.
Bailey noted that El Paso Pro-Musica is
having a nationwide impact. One example
is a performance he will do in a Napa
Valley vineyard a few days before his
gala event in El Paso. The Napa
Symphony liked the idea of the total
emergence of the senses into an event,
and they planned a similar one as well.
Single performance tickets are $25 for
adults, $20 for seniors 62 and older/military, $5 for students. Season tickets $300
($225 without Las Cruces show), $240
for seniors/military ($180 without Las
Cruces show), and $60 for students ($45
without Las Cruces show). Bach’s Lunch
concerts at museum are free. For more
information, call 833-9400.
Itzhak Perlman tickets (not included in
season package) are $45, $65, $80. $95,
$110 and $125. Available through
Ticketmaster: 544-8444 or
ticketmaster.com.
Him,” “Superstar,” “Hosanna” and “Heaven On
Their Mind.” Tickets: $49-$59. Information:
(575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
Alex Richardson – 3 p.m. Nov. 23, at
Oñate High School Performing Arts Center. Las
Cruces Civic Concert Association presents the
former Las Cruces tenor. Ticket information:
(575) 521-4051.
new and classical western/cowboy Christmas
songs, instrumentals and homespun comedy.
Tickets: $28. Information: (575) 336-4800,
(888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s
‘Birthday Celebrations’ – 7:30 p.m. Nov.
21-22, Plaza Theatre, conducted by Maestra
Sarah Ioannides. Guest artist Roberto Diaz,
viola, will accompany the symphony in performing Haydn’s La Fedelta Premiata Overture
(Fidelity’s Reward), Walton’s Viola Concerto,
Mendelssohn’s Symphony No.4, op. 90, A
major (“Italian”). Tickets: $11-$37. Information:
532-3776.
‘Cinderella’ – Nov. 21-Dec. 7, Hershel
Zohn Theatre, NMSU, Las Cruces. American
Southwest Theatre Company presents the fairy
tale classic by Sue Hollenbeck. Showtime is 7
p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and
2 p.m. Sunday. Preview night is 7 p.m. Nov. 20.
Tickets: $15 ($10 preview night). Information:
1-800-525-ASTC (2782).
‘Copenhagen’ — Nov. 21-Dec. 7, Black
Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall, Las
Cruces. Presented by No Strings Theatre
Company and directed by Zac Bannister. In
Michael Frayn’s winner of 3 Tonys (including
Best Play), physicists Heisenberg and Bohr
meet and exchange ideas. Performances are 8
p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday,
Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, and 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec.
4. Tickets: $7-$10. Information/reservations:
(575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.
‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ – El
Paso Playhouse, 2501 Montana, presents the
Edward Albee classic drama of two couples in a
night of verbal and sometimes physical abuse
Nov. 22-Dec. 13. Directed by Lynne DuMond.
Ticket information: 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.
Zuill Bailey: ‘Complete Bach Suites’ –
The renowned cellist performs the complete
suites of Johan Sebastian Bach in a series of
special performances in November for El Paso
Pro-Musica’s 31st season. Tickets: $5-$25 per
show. Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.
• “2-4-6 Bach Suites” — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20,
Rio Grande Theater in the Las Cruces.
• “1-3-5 Bach Suites — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29,
Saint Clement’s Episcopal Church.
‘Alice in Wonderland’ — Nov. 28-Dec.18
at Kids-N-Co., 1301 Texas. Kids-N-Co. presents Lewis Carroll’s “couriouser and couriouser” tale. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays
and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
Additional performances are 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Chamizal
National Memorial. Tickets: $5-$7. Information:
351-1455 or kidsnco.org.
December 2008
‘Idols In Concert for the Holidays’ —
7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, at The Plaza Theatre. Four
favorite “American Idol” finalists are featured in
this holiday music event as part of the
Broadway in El Paso series. A surprising combination of four of the top ten finalists from
Seasons one through six will take to the stage
for a night of solo, duet and ensemble performances. Tickets: $25.80, $34.80 and $43.80
Ticket information: 544-8444.
Flying J Wranglers’ Christmas — 8 p.m.
Dec. 4 at the Spencer Theater, Alto, N.M.
Lincoln County’s favorite ensemble performs
Page 6 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
Celia – 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Flickinger
Center, Alamogordo, N.M. The singer, songwriter, actress and storyteller presents a concoction of the silly and the sacred. Tickets: $14.
Information: (575) 437-2202.
Navidad de las Luminarias – Dec. 5-7 at
the Chapel at Loretto. The Bruce Nehring
Consort presents its annual Christmas concert,
featuring vocal and instrumental arrangements
of favorite holiday classics. The program of
sacred Christmas music ranges from
Renaissance to contemporary, including international carol and melodies with the Consort
Singers, organist Lester Ackerman and the
Quintessential Brass. Nehring conducts.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2, 5 and 8
p.m. Saturday and 2, 5 and 8 p.m. and 2:30 and
5 p.m. Sunday. Ticket information: 534-7664.
‘A Dickens’ Christmas Carol’ – Dec. 5-
21, Las Cruces Community Theatre, 313
Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. A holiday comedy directed by Les Boise, about a repertory
company determined to carry on with the
Dickens holiday classic despite a series of disasters. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Gala opening
night Dec. 5. Tickets: $7-$8. Information: (575)
523-1200 or lcctnm.org.
Flying J Wranglers Christmas Show —
2:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Abraham Chavez Theatre.
Showtime El Paso presents the return of the
Ruidoso, N.M. group. Known for the popular
summertime dinner shows with original western harmonies, instrumentals and homespun
P l e as e t ur n t o P a ge 7
Con t’ d from P a g e 6
comedy, the Flying J Wranglers bring their popular Cowboy Christmas Show to El Paso with
Western twist on season favorites as well as
original and contemporary Christmas music.
Tickets: $20. Information: 544-2022 or showtimeelpaso.com.
Flying J Wranglers – 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at
the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo. Tickets:
$10-$25. Information: (575) 437-2202.
January 2009
‘Man of La Mancha’ – El Paso Playhouse,
2501 Montana, presents Dale Wasserman’s
adaptation of Cervantes’s Don Quixote Jan. 224. Directed by Kate Keyser. Ticket information: 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.
19th annual El Paso Chamber Music
Festival – Jan. 7-Feb. 1. El Paso Pro-Musica
— 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Spencer Theater,
Alto, N.M. The former star tenor of Riverdance
shares his vocal talent with the young Irish band
An Dochas (armed with pipes, whistles, fiddle,
Bodhrán, guitar, bass and drums) in traditional
and contemporary Celtic Christmas songs.
Tickets: $46-$49. Information: (575) 336-4800,
(888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
presents world-class musicians in concerts,
recitals and other special events at various venues. Artists in residence include Rachael Barton
Pine, Guarneri String Quartet, Awadagin Pratt,
Navah Perlman, Zuill Bailey and Giora Schmidt.
Free Museum of Art “Bach’s Lunch” concerts
are noon Thursdays, and free music-related
films are 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Trinity FirstUnited Methodist Church. Tickets: $25 per
concert. Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.
• Festival opener with Guarneri String Quartet
— 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9, Western Hills United
Methodist Church.
• “Mozart to Metallica” with Rachel Barton
Pine — 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Location to be
announced.
• Awadagin Pratt — 2 p.m. Jan. 25, UTEP Fox
Fine Arts Recital Hall.
• Perlman/Bailey/Schmidt Piano Trio Ten Year
Celebration — 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30, Rio Grande
Theatre in Las Cruces, and Jan. 31, UTEP’s
Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall.
• Festival Finale — 2 p.m. Feb. 1, at Fox Fine
Arts Recital Hall.
Dec. 14, Plaza Theatre. El Paso Symphony
Orchestra performs a family concert of traditional holiday music. Ticket information: 5323776 or 566-4066.
8 Flickinger Center, Alamogordo. The life story
of Mary Aguirre is presented as part of the
New Mexico Chautauqua Program. Admission
is free. Information: (575) 437-2202.
UTEP’s Wise Family Theatre. Charles Gorden’s
adaptation of Charles Dickens’s Christmas classic is directed by Carlos Saldana. Presented by
the UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday through
Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $8$12. Information: 747-5118 or 747-5146.
Theatre. Presented by Showtime El Paso.
Composer, guitarist, singer and songwriter
Pavlo’s “Mediterranean” style of music combines influences of Flamenco, Latin, classical
and Mediterranean guitar with the Greek
Bousouki. He was named “World Artist of the
Year” in 2004 by the Canadian Independent
Music Awards. Tickets: $20. Information: 5442022 or showtimeelpaso.com.
Las Cruces Symphony – Dec. 6-7, NMSU
Recital Hall. Guest artist is Augustine Havelock,
violin, and gold medalist of the 2006
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3
p.m. Sunday. Ticket information: (575) 6463709 or lascrucessymphony.com.
‘The Woodwinds’ – 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12
UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. El Paso
Wind Symphony presents traditional holiday
music. Tickets: $12.50 ($7.50 students).
Information: 760-5599.
A Celtic Yuletide with Michael Londra
‘A Holiday Afternoon Concert’ — 2 p.m.
‘A Christmas Carol’ — Dec. 14-20, in
‘The Nutcracker’ – 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-20
at the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo. The
Academy of Ballet in Alamogordo presents
Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic. Tickets: $10.
Information: (575) 437-2202.
‘The UTEP Holiday Spectacular’ –
Dec. 19-21 at Magoffin Auditorium. UTEP
Dinner Theatre presents “Version 2.0” of its
new El Paso holiday family tradition, featuring
music from the 1940s to today. Includes colorful costumes, beautiful sets and live music,
singing and dancing to favorite tunes like
“White Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock,”
“Christmas, Baby Please Come Home,” and
many more. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday
and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets
$10-25. Information: 747-6060.
‘The Nutcracker’ — 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20
at the Spencer Theater, Alto, N.M. Ruidoso
Dance Ensemble’s original adaptation of
Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic featuring gorgeous sets and costumes and outstanding student and professional dancers. Tickets: $25.
Information: (575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872
or spencertheater.com.
‘A Child’s Christmas In Wales’ — Date
to be announced. No Strings Theatre Company
presents its annual production of Dylan
Thomas’ beloved classic, Black Box Theatre,
430 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.
Information/reservations: (575) 523-1223 or
no-strings.org.
‘A Journey of the Heart’ – 7:30 p.m. Jan.
THE BRUCE NEHRING
CONSORT
The 17
The Consort Singers, directed
by Bruce Nehring, with Lester
Ackerman, Concert Organist,
and the Quintessential Brass
Bruce Nehring
Lester Ackerman
7:30 p.m. Friday, St. Christopher’s Episcopal ,300 Riverside
7:30 p.m. Saturday ,2:30 p.m. Sunday
The Chapel at Loretto, 1400 Hardaway
NOVEMBER 1 & 2
THE ORGAN AT ITS BEST
Michael Burkhardt
Organ Classics & Improvisations
7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday
The Chapel at Loretto, 1400 Hardaway
Pavlo – 3 p.m. Jan 11, Oñate High School
Performing Arts Center. Las Cruces Civic
Concert Association presents the dynamic
composer, guitarist and singer. Ticket information: (575) 521-4051.
‘Nunsense’ with Sally Struthers — 8
p.m. Jan. 12 at the Spencer Theater, Alto,
N.M. Side-splitting comedy starring the twotime winning actress Sally Struthers in a tale
about a variety show fundraiser featuring a
Hoboken convent full of kooky nuns who need
to raise money for the burial of folks their cook
accidentally poisoned. Tickets: $66-$69.
Information: (575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872
or spencertheater.com.
P l ea se t u r n t o Pa g e 8
Michael Burkhardt
DECEMBER 5, 6 & 7
NAVIDAD DE LAS
LUMINARIAS
7:30 p.m. Friday
2, 5, 8 p.m. Saturday
2:30, 5 p.m. Sunday
The Chapel at Loretto
Santa Cruz River Band – 7:30 p.m. Jan.
‘Simply Sinatra’ – Jan. 10-11, NMSU
Recital Hall. Las Cruces Symphony presents its
4th annual pops performance with guest Steve
Lippia in his tribute to Frank Sinatra.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3
p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $35-$50. Information:
(575) 646-3709.
Season
OCTOBER 3, 4 & 5
MUSIC OF THE HEART
Pavlo — 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9, Abraham Chavez
9, Pinos Alto Opera House in Pinos Altos. Part
of the Mimbres Region Arts Council’s Folk
Series. Tickets: $15-$20. Information: (575)
538-2505 or 1-888-758-7289.
th
FEBRUARY
MYSTERY PIANIST
Artist and date to be announced
First Baptist Church
805 Montana
MARCH 28 & 29
THE MAKING OF GREAT MUSIC
Charles Gray, Violin and Guest Conductor
Charles Gray
Consort Singers, directed by Bruce Nehring
7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday
The Chapel at Loretto, 1400 Hardaway
INFORMATION: (915) 534-SONG (-7664)
Season Ticket Packages
Adult — $60 Senior (62+) / Military — $40 Student — $20
Individual tickets
Adult — $15
Senior/Military — $10
Student — $5
Bruce Nehring Consort P.O. Box 3708, El Paso TX 79923
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 7
Spencer offers Broadway
shows in mountain setting
Experience “Broadway in the
Mountains” during the 2008-2009 winter
season at the Spencer Theater in Alto,
N.M.
Conceived by the late Jackie Spencer,
the Spencer Theater has hosted a diverse
selection of performing arts from “classical to contemporary and country to
comedy.”
“The nine-month long season of entertainment features 13 nationally touring
shows, eight of which are major musical
productions,” theater publicity
announced. “Adding sparking variety to
the mix … are four evenings with stellar
singers/musicians.” Ruidoso-based
“companies with home-grown character
and plenty of pizzazz” are also featured
this season.
Musicals include “Sweeney Todd,”
“Oliver!,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,”
“Annie,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “The
Drowsy Chaperone,” “Nunsense,”
“Pajama Game” and “Footloose.”
The demon barber of Fleet Street
“Sweeney Todd” slices up tasty meat
pies Sept. 18-19 in the celebrated 2006
Tony Winning musical thriller. The
bizarre, spine-tingling tale features a
“brilliant” cast of actors and musicians.
“Oliver!,” the nationally touring
Broadway musical about orphans in a
workhouse, is Oct. 6, and features some
of Charles Dickens’s most unforgettable
characters and a hit score with
“Consider Yourself At Home,” “Food,
Glorious Food” and “Where Is Love.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s
groundbreaking musical “Jesus Christ
Superstar” is Nov. 20-21. The story
focuses on the struggles between Judas
and Jesus, and the last weeks of Jesus’
life, with hits like “I Don’t Know How
To Love Him,” “Superstar,” “Hosanna”
and “Heaven On Their Mind.”
Two-time Emmy-winner Sally
Struthers stars in “Nunsense” Jan. 12.
The side-splitting comedy is about a
variety show fundraiser featuring a
Hoboken convent full of kooky nuns
who need to raise money for the burial
of folks their cook accidentally poisoned.
On Jan. 26 is the “Pajama Game,” a
fast-paced, Tony-winning tale about a
feisty employee and her bossy boss who
get caught up in a heated affair, and featuring a high-energy score with hits like
“Hey There,” “Steam Heat” and
“Hernando’s Hideaway.”
The timeless tale of Little Orphan
Annie is back, in “Annie,” Feb. 7 giving
a whole new generation the chance to
experience this classic musical about
never giving up hope. Annie boasts one
of Broadway’s most memorable scores
with “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy
Street,” “N.Y.C.” and “Tomorrow.”
March 3 is “Bye Bye Birdie.” Winner
of eight Tony Awards. This fun-loving
musical is about a quiet Midwestern
town which suddenly gets inundated by
early ’60s rock star obsessed fans, and
the riotous lament of parents with
teenagers in love.
The new musical comedy “The
Drowsy Chaperone,” winner of the most
2006 Tony Awards, is April 25. This
hilarious, nostalgic tale of a celebrity
bride and her uproarious wedding day
comes complete with saucy old-time
characters , such as gangsters, show people, millionaires, dubious servants and
glitzy fantasy sets.
The final show of the season is
‘Footloose’ on May 16. Based on the
1980’s movie sensation, this dazzling
dance and song sensation is about a restless city boy who moves to a small town
where dancing is banned and turns the
whole town upside-down. It features a
host of ‘80s hits such as “Almost
Paradise,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,”
“Holding out for a Hero” and
“Footloose.”
This season’s musical highlights are
Crystal Gayle, Michael Londra and The
Platters.
The legendary four-part harmony group
The Platters perform Oct. 25. Their roster of hits includes “The Great
Pretender,” “(You’ve Got) The Magic
Touch,” “Only You (And You Alone),”
“Twilight Time,” “I’ll Never Smile
Again,” “Let’s Start Over Again” and
“Strangers.”
A Celtic Yuletide with Michael Londra
is Dec. 7. The former star tenor of
“Riverdance’ shares his vocal beauty
with the young Irish band An Dochas
(armed with pipes, whistles, fiddle,
Bodhrán, guitar, bass and drums) in traditional and contemporary Celtic
Christmas songs.
Crystal Gayle brings her crystalline
vocal styling to The Spencer March 27.
The Grammy and CMA award winner’s
classic hits include “Don’t It Make My
Brown Eyes Blue,” “Cry Me A River,”
“You,” “I Still Miss Someone,” “Don’t
Come Home a Drinking (With Lovin’ on
Your Mind)” and other country, folk,
pop and jazz favorites.
Finally, two local favorites will anchor
the Christmas season: The Flying J
Wranglers and Ruidoso Dance
Ensemble.
On Dec. 4, Lincoln County’s favorite
ensemble performs, the Flying J
Wranglers, perform new and classical
western/cowboy Christmas songs,
instrumentals and homespun comedy.
Also in time for the holidays, the
Ruidoso Dance Ensemble presents its
own original adaptation of
Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic “The
Nutcracker” featuring gorgeous sets and
costumes and outstanding student and
professional dancers.
The Spencer Theater is a destination in
itself, a $22 million structure designed
by architect Antoine Predock. Its interior
is enhanced by works of renowned glass
artist Dale Chiluly.
The Spencer is located on Airport
Highway 220. Tickets for the winter season productions range from $25 to $69.
Tickets are available on-line at
spencertheater.com or by phone at (575)
336-4800 or 1-888-818-7872.
C o n t ’d fr o m P ag e 7
‘Pajama Game’ — 8 p.m. Jan 26 at the
‘The Brass’ – 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at UTEP’s
Magoffin Auditorium. Presented by El Paso
Wind Symphony. Tickets: $12.50 ($7.50 students). Information: 760-5599.
EPSO Young People’s Concert – Jan.
Jan. 16-18, Las Cruces Community Theatre,
313 Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. The New
Mexico state chapter of the American
Association of Community Theatres has selected Las Cruces Community Theatre to host the
annual one-act competition. Information: (575)
523-1200 or lcctnm.org.
‘Doña Rosita’s Jalapeño Kitchen’ – Jan.
Pavlo – The composer, guitarist, and singer
performs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12, at WNMU Fine
Arts Center Theater, Silver City. Presented by
Grant County Community Concert
Association. Tickets: $17. Information: (575)
538-5862.
AACT State One Act Competition —
The Diamonds – 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the
Flickinger Center, Alamogordo. The original
rock ’n’ roll group performs some of their popular hits. Tickets: $14. Information: (575) 4372202.
Golden Gates from Moscow — 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23, at WNMU Fine Arts Theater in Silver
City, N.M. An amazing spectacle of “flying”
dancers in authentic costume and Russian
music. Presented by Mimbres Regional Arts
Council. Tickets: $5-$15. Information: 1-888758-7289.
Film Festival Celebration — 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23-24, Plaza Theatre. El Paso Symphony
Orchestra and El Paso Pro-Musica present a
collaborative concert in celebration of the 2009
Chamber Music Festival film series. Conductor
Sarah Ioannides and the symphony are joined
by guests Ben Hong, cello and Awadagin Pratt,
piano in performing Dvorak’s In Nature’s
Realm, op. 91, Dario Marianelli’s Atonement
Suite for Cello, Piano and Orchestra (Oscar
Winning Composer, Music from the Film) and
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Tickets: $11$37. Information: 532-3776.
‘Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks’ —
Jan. 23-Feb. 8, in the Black Box Theatre, 430
N. Downtown Mall, Las Cruces. Presented by
No Strings Theatre Company and directed by
Ceil Herman. In this two-person Richard Alfieri
comedy, antagonism between a gay dance
instructor and the widow of a Baptist minister
gives way to profound compatibility.
Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday,
2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 and 8, and 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 5. Tickets: $7-$10.
Information/reservations: (575) 523-1223 or
no-strings.org.
Jaramar – 8 p.m. Jan. 24, at Centro Cultural
Paso del Norte in Juarez. Amigos de la
Fundacion Mascareñas opens its 2009 Matices
Culturales series with the world music singer.
Jaramar’s sound is a mix of Jewish and Christian
with elements of New World. Tickets: 200
pesos. Information: 533-4020 in El Paso; (01152-16) 12-3175 or 12-4075 in Juarez.
Micky Cruz – 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at the
Flickinger Center, Alamogordo. The Latin
music performer mixes reggae, pop, swing and
more with Latin rhythms. Tickets: $14.
Information: (575) 437-2202.
‘Little Rid Riding Hood’ — Jan. 24-Feb.
15, at Kids-N-Co., 1301 Texas. Kids-N-Co.
presents the musical adaptation of the popular
fairy tale. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays
and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets:
$5-$7. Information: 351-1455 or kidsnco.org.
Page 8 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
Spencer Theater in Alto, N.M. A fast paced,
Tony -winning frisky tale about a feisty employee and her bossy boss who get caught up in a
heated affair. Featuring a high-energy score
with hits like “Hey There,” “Steam Heat” and
“Hernando’s Hideaway.” Tickets: $66-$69.
Information: (575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872
or spencertheater.com.
28-30, Abraham Chavez Theatre. The
Symphony’s annual free concerts for area 5th
graders are 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. each
day. Admission is free, but those not attending
with a school group should call ahead for seating availability. Information: 532-3776.
30-Feb. 1, Hershel Zohn Theatre, NMSU, Las
Cruces. American Southwest Theatre
Company presents a special touring engagement of Rodrigo Duarte Clark’s poignant comedy, starring Ruby Nelda Perez. Doña Rosita
contemplates selling her restaurant/home of 23
years. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
and 2 p.m. Sunday. Preview night is 7 p.m. Jan.
29. Tickets: $15. Tickets: $15 ($10 preview
night). Information: 1-800-525-ASTC (2782).
February 2009
Matt Dusk – 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3, Flickinger
Center, Alamogordo. Tickets: $10-$25.
Information: (575) 437-2202.
Sourdough Slim – 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the
Flickinger Center, Alamogordo. The cowboy
comic, singer and yodeler offers swingin’ tunes,
award-winning yodeling and plenty of laughs.
Tickets: $12. Information: (575) 437-2202.
‘8-Track: The Sound of the 70s’ – Feb.
6-22 at UTEP Dinner Theatre. Re-discover the
heart-and-soul of the 70s’ different music styles
in this wonderfully diverse review of more than
50 hits such as “American Pie,” “Best of My
Love,” “Close to You,” “I Am Woman,”
“What’s Going On,” “Brick House,” “Afternoon
Delight,” “The Hustle,” “Staying Alive” and “I
Will Survive.” Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday
through Saturday; dinner matinee performance
is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8; non-dinner matinees are 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15-22. Tickets
$26-$38 dinner shows; $12-22 non-dinner
matinee. Information: 747-6060.
‘Annie’ — 8 p.m. Feb 7 at the Spencer
Theater, Alto, N.M. The timeless tale of Little
Orphan Annie boasts one of Broadway’s most
memorable scores with “It’s the Hard-Knock
Life,” “Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.” and “Tomorrow.”
Tickets: $76-$79. Information: (575) 336-4800,
(888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
Las Cruces Symphony – Feb. 7-8 at the
NMSU Recital Hall. Guest artist Ludmil
Angelov, piano. Selections include RimskyKorsakoff’s Russian Easter Overture, Liszt’s
Concerto No. 1 and Brahms’s Symphony No.
2. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3
p.m. Sunday. Ticket information: (575) 6463709 or lascrucessymphony.com.
‘Annie’ — 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at The Plaza
Theatre. Broadway in El Paso presents the
timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie. This
revival gives a whole new generation the
chance to experience this classic musical about
never giving up hope. (Ticketmaster)
Information: 231-1111.
P l e as e t ur n t o P a ge 9
Con t’ d from P a g e 8
‘Phaedra’ – Feb. 20-March 8 at Las Cruces
Alto Opera House in Pinos Altos, N.M. The
singer/songwriter with her road band perform
as part of the Mimbres Region Arts Council’s
Folk Series. Tickets: $20-$25. Information: (505)
538-2505 or 1-888-758-7289.
Community Theatre, 313 Downtown Mall in
Las Cruces. Jean Racine’s tragedy of love, lust
and intrigue in ancient Greece translated to
English by Richard Wilbur is directed by Josh
Telles. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Gala opening
night is Feb. 20. Tickets: $7-$8. Information:
(575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.
Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall, Las Cruces.
No Strings Theatre Company presents its 9th
annual Valentine’s Day production of A.R.
Gurney’s story of friendship and love.
Information: (575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.
Feb. 24 at the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo.
The dance troupe from Brigham Young
University presents various dance styles and
cultures. Tickets: $10-$25. Information: (575)
437-2202.
Centro Cultural Paso del Norte in Juarez. The
Latin American ensemble presents traditional
sounds from the Americas. Part of Amigos de la
Fundacion Mascareñas 2009 Matices Culturales
Series. Tickets: 200 pesos. Information: 5334020 in El Paso; (011-52-16) 12-3175 or 124075 in Juarez.
at Oñate High School Performing Arts Center.
Las Cruces Civic Concert Association presents
the acoustic group performing fiery Celtic
tunes, bluegrass, sea shanties and American folk
songs. Ticket information: (575) 521-4051.
Eliza Gilkyson – 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Pinos
‘Love Letters’ — Feb. 14 in the Black Box
Apras de America – 8 p.m. Feb. 14,
BYU’s Young Ambassadors – 7:30 p.m.
Woods Tea Company – 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26,
Carolina Chocolate Drops – 8 p.m. Feb.
Alamogordo, as part of the annual Valentine’s
Day cabaret and dance. The band has been
making music for more than 50 years. Tickets:
$20. Information: (575) 437-2202.
26, Rio Grande Theatre in the Las Cruces
Downtown Mall. The North Carolina string
band uses fiddle and banjo to convey the traditional piedmont sound of the Carolinas. Part of
the ASNMSU Cultural Series. Tickets: $10$12.50. Ticket information: 544-8444 or (575)
646-1420.
WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater, Silver City,
N.M. Presented by Grant County Community
Concert Association. Twin sisters, Emily
Bruskin and Julia Bruskin formed the Trio with
Donna Kwong in 1999 at The Juilliard School.
Tickets: $17. Information: (575) 538-5862.
— Feb. 27-28, at the NMSU Music Center
Recital Hall. The annual festival includes guest
performers and choirs from around the area.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m.
Saturday. Tickets: $10-$15. Children ages 7 and
older welcome. Information: (575) 646-1240.
Al Hurricane and Al Hurricane, Jr.
Band –. Feb. 14 at the Flickinger Center,
Claremont Trio – 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19, at
‘Carmen: The Ballet’ — Feb. 19-22,
UTEP’s Wise Family Theatre. The classic story
of love and betrayal will be presented through
dance, as well as the new contemporary ballet
“Rhapsody in Blue” choreographed by UTEP
Dance Faculty. Presented by UTEP’s
Department of Theatre and Dance. Showtimes
are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30
p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $8-$12. Information: 7475118 or 747-5146.
The Tweaksters — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20,
Abraham Chavez Theatre. Showtime El Paso
presents the quirky, lively twosome of Regan
Patno and Julia Snyder who blend feats of ballet, precision juggling, acrobatics and creative
choreography with odd objects. Whether
launching a ping-pong air raid, manipulating
flower pots or making percussive music with
plumbing pipes, The Tweaksters love to play.
Tickets: $20. Information: 544-2022 or showtimeelpaso.com.
‘The Conductor’ – 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at
UTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. Presented by El
Paso Wind Symphony. Tickets: $12.50 ($7.50
students). Information: 760-5599.
El Paso Symphony Orchestra – 7:30
p.m. Feb. 20-21, Plaza Theatre. Guest conductor Andrew Grams and guest artist Eric
Ruske, horn, join the symphony in performing
Borodin’s Prince Igor Overture, Strauss’s Horn
Concerto No. 1 and Dvorak’s Symphony No.
8. Tickets: $11-$37. Information: 532-3776.
High Desert New Play – Feb. 20-March
8, Hershel Zohn Theatre, NMSU, Las Cruces.
American Southwest Theatre Company presents the regional premiere of a new work to
be announced. Showtime is 7 p.m. Thursday, 8
p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Preview night is 7 p.m. Feb. 19. Tickets: $15
($10 preview night). Information: 1-800-525ASTC (2782).
Jack Ward Invitational Choral Festival
Mystery pianist — Bruce Nehring Consort
presents a piano concert at First Baptist
Church in February with a special mystery performer to be announced. Ticket information:
534-7664.
March 2009
‘Bye Bye Birdie’ — 8 p.m. March 3 at the
Spencer Theater, Alto, N.M. Winner of 8 Tony
Awards, this fun-loving musical is about a quiet
Midwestern town which suddenly gets inundated by obsessed fans of an early ‘60s rock star,
and the riotous lament of parents with
teenagers in love. Tickets: $56-$59.
Information: (575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872
or spencertheater.com.
Carolina Chocolate Drops – 7:30 p.m.
March 3 at the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo.
This group of young African-American string
band musicians present traditional music in
Carolina’s piedmont tradition. Tickets: $10$25. Information: (575) 437-2202.
Siglo de Oro Drama Festival — March
4-8, Chamizal National Memorial. The 34th
annual celebration of the Spanish language dramatic arts from Spain’s Golden Age includes
professional and collegiate theater groups come
from Europe and North and South America in
performances of classic works. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Ticket information: 5327273, ext. 102.
Corrine West & The Posse – 7:30 p.m.
March 6, at the Pinos Alto Opera House in
Pinos Altos. Part of the Mimbres Region Arts
Council’s Folk Series. Tickets: $15-$20.
Information: (575) 538-2505 or 1-888-7587289.
P l e ase t ur n t o P a ge 1 6
Buddy Holly lives again
in Showtime! opener
Showtime El Paso! celebrates its 75th
anniversary this season with a six-concert line-up that includes early rock,
classical ballet, piano favorites, yodeling
cowboys, world music and playful gymnastics.
Despite having the largest season membership of any performing arts organization, with about 1,300 subscribers,
Showtime still is a “best-kept secret”
among El Paso’s major presenting organization. The all-volunteer, non-profit
organization, for years known as El Paso
Community Concerts, is also unique
because it is based almost entirely on
season subscription sales.
All shows this season are scheduled at
the Abraham Chavez Theatre, with each
evening show starting at 7:30 p.m. Doors
open at 6:30 p.m. The Flying J
Wranglers show is a 2:30 p.m. matinee.
The 2008-2009 season concerts are:
• Winter Dance Party. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008
When John Mueller first performed as
Buddy Holly in 1996, fans quickly realized that never before had the rock and
roll legend been so faithfully portrayed.
Aside from winning a Drama Desk
award, John’s performance is perhaps
best summed up by original Crickets
member Niki Sullivan. “John is a reincarnation of Buddy Holly. He is that
good. “
This tribute concert has re-created the
original tour of 1959 that was tragically
to be the last ever for Buddy Holly,
Ritchie Valens (performed by Ray
Anthony) and the Big Bopper (played by
his son, Jay Richardson). For more information, go to www.yourbuddyjohn.com.
• Linda Gentille, 7:30 p.m. Saturday,
Nov. 15, 2008
Gentille’s American Piano Show is an
exciting musical concert starring world
renowned pianist and entertainer Linda
Gentille. The show features the music of
the great American composers from
Gershwin and Berlin to Rodgers &
Hammerstein and Neil Diamond. One
of the show’s main draws is her fabulous
rendition of Rhapsody in Blue.
Linda is a former child protégé of the
great Liberace, and her piano style and
stage comedy are very reminiscent of
Mr. Showmanship himself. Special
guest is Jim Yester, original lead singer
of the famed 60’s vocal group, The
Association. Jim sold over 40 million
records with the recording group with
such hits as “Windy”, “Cherish” and
“Along Comes Mary.” For more information, go to www.lindagentile.com
• Flying J Wranglers Christmas Show,
2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008
Based near Ruidoso, N.M. and host of
popular summertime dinner shows, the
Flying J Wranglers are famed for their
original western harmonies, instrumentals and homespun comedy. Their
Cowboy Christmas Special has been a
favorite winter show at the Spencer
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 9
Theater, and combines season favorites
with a Western twist along with contemporary and original holiday songs. The
six-member group includes vocalist
Cindy Hobbs, a Western Style Female
National Yodeling Champion, and her
husband, rhythm guitarist James Hobbs,
an award-winning singer/songwriter who
founded the Wranglers 25 years ago.
They were a hit with the Showtime
crowd two years ago and are coming
back by popular demand. For more
information: www.flyingjranch.com
• Pavlo, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009
Composer, guitarist, singer and recording artist, Pavlo performs a style of
music described as “Mediterranean,”
combining influences of Flamenco,
Latin, Classical and Mediterranean guitar mixed with the Greek Bouzouki. In
2004, the Greek-Canadian
guitarist/singer won the category for
“World Artist of the Year” at the
Canadian Independent Music Awards.
He and his band perform more than 150
concerts a year. Information:
www.pavlo.net
• The Tweaksters, 7:30 p.m. Friday,
Feb. 20, 2009
The Tweaksters are Regan Patno and
Julia Snyder, two talented performing
artists whose quirky take on the world
blends balletic feats, precision juggling,
acrobatics, and creative choreography
with odd objects. Their zany sense of
humor is designed to tweak and delight
audiences of all ages. It’s fresh, funny,
and all without words. Whether launching a ping-pong air raid, deftly manipulating flower pots, or making percussive
music with plumbing pipes, the
Tweaksters love to play. Information:
www.tweaksters.com
• New York Theatre Ballet, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 20, 2009
The most widely seen chamber ballet
company in the United States, New York
Theatre Ballet has earned acclaim for its
restoration and revival of small masterworks by great choreographers and for
its innovative ballets based on children’s
literature. Jennifer Dunning of The New
York Times praised NYTB as “a discreet
little pearl in the oyster of New York
dance.” The Showtime program will
include its famed version of Cinderella.
Information: www.nytb.org.
Regular season subscriptions are just
$75 per adults for all six shows, and
$175 per family (two adults and all children 6-18). Student subscriptions are
only $25 (ages 19-25, full-time student
with ID). Individual tickets are $30 for
Winter Dance Party and the New York
Theatre Ballet, and $20 for other shows.
Individual youth/student tickets are $5.
Information: 544-2022 or visit
www.showtimeelpaso.com.
Showtime El Paso! was founded in
1934 as El Paso Community Concerts.
In 74 years, more than 565,000 people
have attended Showtime performances.
Page 10 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 11
John Mueller’s
Winter Dance Party
Pavlo
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008
When John Mueller first performed as Buddy Holly in
1996, fans quickly realized that never before had the rock
and roll legend been so faithfully portrayed. Aside from
winning a Drama Desk award, John’s performance is perhaps best summed up by original Crickets member Niki
Sullivan. “John is a reincarnation of Buddy Holly. He is
that good. He has the same determination in his eyes that
Buddy did and when John is on stage, he is a totally
dynamic performer, just like Buddy. John is awesome.”
www.yourbuddyjohn.com
Linda Gentille
www.pavlo.net
The Tweaksters
7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 2009
The Tweaksters are Regan Patno and Julia Snyder, two talented performing artists whose quirky take on the world
blends balletic feats, precision juggling, acrobatics, and
creative choreography with odd objects. Their zany sense
of humor is designed to tweak and delight audiences of all
ages. It’s fresh, funny, and all without words. Whether
launching a ping-pong air raid, deftly manipulating flower
pots, or making percussive music with plumbing pipes, the
Tweaksters love to play.
The American Piano Show
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008
World-renowned pianist and entertainer Linda Gentille
(former protégé of Liberace) presents the great American
composers. The show includes Jim Yester, original lead
singer of the ’60s group, The Association. Gentille holds
the world record for having performed over 100 concerts
in China. www.AmericanPianoShow.com
www.tweaksters.com
New York Theatre Ballet
Flying J Wranglers
Christmas Show
7:30 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2009
2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008
Based near Ruidoso, N.M. and host of popular summertime dinner shows, the Flying J Wranglers are famed for
their original western harmonies, instrumentals and homespun comedy. Their Cowboy Christmas Special has been a
favorite winter show at the Spencer Theater, and combines
season favorites with a Western twist along with contemporary and original holiday songs. They were a hit with the
Showtime crowd two years ago and are coming back by
popular demand!
www.flyingjranch.com
Composer, guitarist, singer and recording artist, Pavlo
performs a style of music described as “Mediterranean,”
combining influences of Flamenco, Latin, Classical and
Mediterranean guitar mixed with the Greek Bouzouki.
In 2004, Pavlo won the category for “World Artist of
the Year” at the Canadian Independent Music Awards.
He and his band perform more than 150 concerts a year.
The most widely seen chamber ballet company in the
United States, New York Theatre Ballet has earned acclaim
for its restoration and revival of small masterworks by
great choreographers and for its innovative ballets based
on children’s literature. The Showtime program will
include its famed version of Cinderella.
www.nytb.org
All shows are at the Abraham Chavez Theatre
Tickets are interchangeable and may be used
for any of the season’s six shows.
Page 12 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
Showtime! El Paso
2008-2009 Season Subscription
(please indicate quantity)
______ Regular Season Adult $75
______ Regular Family $175
For family memberships, please indicate how
many children age 6-18 in your family: _____
______ Youth / Student $25
age 6-18 / full-time student 19-25 with ID
______ Parking Pass $24 (all six concerts)
Convention Center underground garage
Additional Contribution
(please indicate amount)
______
______
______
______
We welcome children
age 6 and older
at our concerts.
Benefactor ($500 or more)
Patron ($100-$499)
Friend ($25-$99)
Memorial Fund Please specify:
______ Showtime El Paso Scholarship Fund
TOTAL ENCLOSED: $ _________
Checks only. No credit cards.
Name: ______________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
City, State, Zip: ______________________________
Phone: ______________________________________
Referred by: _________________________________
Showtime! El Paso representative, if any
send form and payment to:
Showtime El Paso!
P.O. Box 3797
El Paso TX 79923
For more
information, call
(915) 544-2022
www.ShowtimeElPaso.com
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 13
Page 14 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 15
Con t’d from P a g e 10
‘Quilters’ — March 6-29, Black Box
Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall, Las Cruces.
Presented by No Strings Theatre Company.
The musical is a celebration of American womanhood. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22 and 19
and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26. Tickets: $7$10. Information: (575) 523-1223.
‘The Magic Flute’— 7:30 p.m. March 12
and 14, Abraham Chavez Theatre, starring El
Paso native Barbara Divis. El Paso Opera presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s classic fantasy
tale of sorcery, deceit and a never-ending quest
for love. Conducted by Raymond Harvey. Youth
Night at the Opera is 7 p.m. Tuesday, March
10. Tickets: $15-$90. Information: 581-5534 or
epopera.org.
Antatres – 8 p.m. March 14, at Centro
Cultural Paso del Norte in Juarez. Amigos de la
Fundacion Mascareñas presents the celebrated
contemporary dance group. Tickets: 200 pesos.
Information: 533-4020 in El Paso; (011-52-16)
12-3175 or 12-4075 in Juarez.
‘A Shot in the Dark’ – El Paso Playhouse,
2501 Montana, presents Harry Kurnitz’s adaptation of the French story “L’Idiote,” March
14-April 4. Directed by Fred Keyser. Ticket
information: 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.
‘Bye Bye Birdie’ — 7:30 p.m. March 17,
Plaza Theatre. Broadway in El Paso presents
one of the most memorable musicals of all time
and winner of eight Tony Awards. The comic
musical includes hits “Put On A Happy Face,”
“A Lot of Livin’ To Do,” “One Last Kiss,” “One
Boy,” the riotous lament of parents with
teenagers “What’s The Matter With Kids
Today?” (Ticketmaster). Information: 231-1111.
Beoga/Grada – 8 p.m. March 19, NMSU
Music Center Recital Hall. The Celtic band
Beoga, Irish for “lively,” features dueling accordions, bodhran and piano. The band will combine forces with the traditional band Grada for
an innovative show. Part of the ASNMSU
Cultural Series. Tickets: $10-$12.50. Ticket
information: 544-8444 or (575) 646-1420.
New York Theatre Ballet’s ‘Cinderella’
— 7:30 p.m. March 20, Abraham Chavez
Theatre. Showtime El Paso presents the most
widely seen chamber ballet company in the
United States. The ballet has earned acclaim for
its restoration and revival of small masterworks
by great choreographers and for its innovative
ballets based on children’s literature. Tickets:
$30. Information: 544-2022.
Beoga/Grada — 7:30 p.m. March 21,
WNMU Fine Arts Theater in Silver City, N.M.
Mimbres Regional Arts Council present two
Celtic music bands from Ireland. Tickets: $515. Information: 1-888-758-7289.
‘The Hobbit’ — March 21-April 12, at
Kids-N-Co., 1301 Texas. Kids-N-Co. presents
the epic adventure by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $5$7. Information: 351-1455 or kidsnco.org.
‘One Flea Spare’ — March 25-29 in
UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Studio Theatre. UTEP
Department of Theatre and Dance presents
Naomi Wallace’s world of plague-ravaged 17th
century London, where an affluent husband and
wifem an orphan and a sailor find themselves
trapped in one home as a result of the deadly
pandemic. Directed by Carlos Saldana.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday through
Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $6-$8.
Information: 747-5118 or 747-5146.
Boega/Grada – 7:30 p.m. March 26 at the
Flickinger Center, Alamogordo. The traditional
Irish music band Grada is joined by the fivepiece traditional band Boega. Tickets: $10-$25.
Information: (575) 437-2202.
‘The Guest Artists’ – 7:30 p.m. March 27
at UTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. El Paso Wind
Symphony is joined by Mariachi Los Arrieros.
Tickets: $12.50 ($7.50 students). Information:
760-5599.
Crystal Gayle — 8 p.m. March 27 at the
Spencer Theater, Alto, N.M. The Grammy and
CMA award winner brings her crystalline vocal
styling to the Spencer with her classic hits
“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” “Cry Me
A River,” “You,” “I Still Miss Someone,” “Don’t
Come Home a Drinking (With Lovin’ on Your
Mind)” and other country, folk, pop and jazz
favorites. Tickets: $56-$59. Information: (575)
336-4800, (888) 818-7872 or
spencertheater.com.
Pedro Kominik – 8 p.m. March 28, Centro
Cultural Paso del Norte in Juarez. The jazz and
europop musician performs as part of Amigos
de la Fundacion Mascareñas Matices Culturales
Series. Tickets: 200 pesos. Information: 5334020 in El Paso; (011-52-16) 12-3175 or 124075 in Juarez.
‘Celebrating Great Music’ – March 28-
29 at The Chapel at Loretto. The Bruce
Nehring Consort welcomes back guest conductor/violinist/violist Charles Gray in a performance with the Chamber Players and the
Consort Singers, under the direction of Bruce
Nehring. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Saturday and
2:30 p.m. Sunday. Ticket information: 5347664.
EPSYO and EPSO “Side-by-Side”
Concert — March 29 at the Plaza Theatre.
Performers from El Paso Symphony Youth
Orchestra and El Paso Symphony Orchestra
combine forces for a family concert. Ticket
information: 532-3776.
The all-day family KidsPalooza event March
28, in downtown El Paso
April 2009
‘Footloose’ — 7:30 p.m. April 1, Plaza
Theatre. Broadway in El Paso presents the hit
Broadway show based on the 1984 movie.
With youthful spirit, dazzling dance and electrifying music, Footloose launched a craze that
spread across the nation. The show’s classic
hits include “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Almost
Paradise,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and, of
course, “Footloose.” (Ticketmaster)
Information: 231-1111.
Nnenna Freelon – The influential jazz vocalist performs 8 p.m. April 1, at the Rio Grande
Theater in the Las Cruces Downtown Mall.
Part of the ASNMSU Cultural Series. Tickets:
$10-$12.50. Ticket information: 544-8444 or
(575) 646-1420.
Las Cruces Symphony – April 4-5 at the
NMSU Recital Hall. Guest artist Jennifer
Frautschi, violin. Performances are 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Ticket information:
(575) 646-3709 or lascrucessymphony.com.
Itzhak Perlman — 7:30 p.m. Monday, April
6, Plaza Theatre. The virtuoso violinist performs in the finale of El Paso Pro-Musica’s 31st
season. Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the
violin, Perlman enjoys superstar status rarely
afforded a classical musician. Tickets: $45-$125.
Information: 833-9400 or eppm.org.
In conjunction with the performance, a
screening of Perlman’s documentary is 7 p.m.
April 4, at Trinity First United Methodist
Church.
Trio Solisti – The chamber ensemble performs 7:30 p.m. April 10 at the Flickinger
Center, Alamogordo. Tickets: $10-$25.
Information: (575) 437-2202.
‘Leading Ladies’ – April 10-26, Las Cruces
Community Theatre, 313 Downtown Mall in
Las Cruces. Two English Shakespearean male
actors, try to pass themselves off as nieces and
heirs of a just-deceased woman. Performances
are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m.
Sundays. Tickets: $8 ($7 students and seniors).
Information: (575) 523-1200 or lcctnm.org.
Dale Gonyea – 7:30 p.m. April 14, WNMU
Fine Arts Center Theater, Silver City, N.M.
Presented by Grant County Community
Concert Association. Tickets: $17. Information:
(575) 538-5862.
Santa Fe Opera Apprentices – 7:30 p.m.
April 16 at the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo.
Admission is free. Information: (575) 437-2202.
El Paso Symphony ‘Americana’ – 7:30
p.m. April 17-18, Plaza Theatre, conducted by
Maestra Sarah Ioannides. Guest artist Douglas
Major, organ, joins the orchestra in performing
Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man,
Barber’s Toccata Festiva, op. 36, Gershwin’s
Rhapsody in Blue (transcribed for Organ and
Orchestra), Copland’s Appalachian Spring and
Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Tickets: $11$37. Information: 532-3776.
‘Doubt’ — April 17-26, in UTEP’s Wise
Family Theatre. UTEP’s Department of
Theatre and Dance closes its season with a
provocative and gripping play by John Patrick
Shanley, directed by Dr. Joel Murray. The story
of suspicion cast on a priest’s behavior will
leave the audience debating long after the play
ends. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday through
Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $8$12. Information: 747-5118 or 747-5146.
‘She Stoops to Conquer’ – April 17-May
3, at Hershel Zohn Theatre, NMSU, Las
Cruces. American Southwest Theatre
Company presents Oliver Goldsmith’s sparking
period romantic comedy. Showtime is 7 p.m.
Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2
p.m. Sunday. Preview night is 7 p.m. April 16.
Tickets: $15. Information: 1-800-525-ASTC.
‘Enchanted April’ — April 17-May 3,
Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall,
Las Cruces. Presented by No Strings Theatre
Co. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 26 and May 3
and 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Tickets: $7-$10.
Information: (575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.
‘The Wizard of Oz’ – April 17-May 17,
UTEP Dinner Theatre. The MGM motion picture, based on the L. Frank Baum story, comes
to the stage, including favorite songs such as
“Over The Rainbow,” “Ding Dong! The Witch
is Dead,” “If I Only Had a Brain,” “Follow The
Yellow Brick Road” and more. Showtime is 7
p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; dinner matinee performance is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19;
non-dinner matinees are 2:30 p.m. Sunday,
April 26 and May 3, 10 and 17. Tickets $26-$38
dinner shows; $12-22 non-dinner matinee.
Information: 747-6060.
Dale Gonyea – 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18,
Oñate High School Performing Arts Center.
The comedic pianist concludes the Las Cruces
Civic Concert Association’s 64th season. Ticket
information: (575) 521-4051.
Page 16 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
Nomhadas – 8 p.m. April 18, at Centro
Cultural Paso del Norte in Juarez. The Spanish
performer’s influence comes from various cultures including Mediterranean and Asian. Part
of Amigos de la Fundacion Mascareñas 2009
Matices Culturales Series. Tickets: 200 pesos.
Information: 533-4020 in El Paso; (011-52-16)
12-3175 or 12-4075 in Juarez.
The Klezmatics – 8 p.m. April 23, Rio
Grande Theater, Las Cruces Downtown Mall.
The klesmer band, known for mesmerizing the
audience with fantastic playing of their Eastern
European sound, will close out the 2008-2009
ASNMSU Cultural Series. Tickets: $10-$12.50.
Ticket information: 544-8444 or (575) 6461420.
‘The Percussion’ – 7:30 p.m. April 24 at
Coronado High School. El Paso Wind
Symphony presents its season finale. Tickets:
$12.50 ($7.50 students). Information: 7605599.
Po’ Girl – 7:30 p.m. April 24, Pinos Alto
Opera House in Pinos Altos. Part of the
Mimbres Region Arts Council’s Folk Series.
Tickets: $15-$20. Information: (575) 538-2505
or 1-888-758-7289.
‘Carmina Burana’ — April 24-25, at
NMSU’s Music Recital Hall in Las Cruces. The
New Mexico State University Choirs perform
the operatic classic. Performances are 7:30
p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $10$15. Information: (575) 646-1420.
The Drowsy Chaperone — 2 and 8 p.m.
April 25 at the Spencer Theater, Alto, N.M.
This new musical comedy and winner of the
most 2006 Tony Awards is the hilarious, nostalgic tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious
wedding day, complete with gangsters, show
people, millionaires, dubious servants and glitzy
fantasy sets. Tickets: $56-$69. Information:
(575) 336-4800, (888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
‘Hairspray’ — 7:30 p.m. April 28, Plaza
Theatre, Broadway in El Paso presents the John
Waters musical-comedy phenomenon. It’s
1962, and pleasantly plump Baltimore teen
Tracy Turnblad has only one desire: to dance on
the popular Corny Collins Show. When her
dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from
social outcast to sudden star, but she must use
her newfound power to vanquish the reigning
Teen Queen, win the affections of heart-throb
Link Larkin and integrate a TV network-all
without denting her ‘do. Winner of eight Tony
Awards including Best Musical. (Ticketmaster)
Information: 231-1111.
Trout Fishing in America – 7:30 p.m.
April 30 at the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo.
The two-time Grammy-nominated duo celebrate 30 years of music for children and adults
alike. Tickets: $16. Information: (575) 4372202.
May 2009
Las Cruces Symphony – May 2-3 at the
NMSU Recital Hall. The symphony closes its
season with guest artists Rosaline Simpson,
harp, and Carol Redman, flute. Redman is a
Grammy-nominated Las Cruces High School
graduate. Selections include Mozart’s Concerto
for Flute and Harp, Grieg’s Peer Gynt: Suite
No. 1 and Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3
p.m. Sunday. Ticket information: (575) 6463709 or lascrucessymphony.com.
P l ea se t u r n t o Pa g e 17
Con t’d from P a g e 16
‘I Never Saw Another Butterfly’ – El
Paso Playhouse, 2501 Montana, presents the
play by Celeste Raspanti based on the true
story of concentration camp survivor Raja
Englanderova May 2-24. Directed by David
Villanueva. Ticket information: 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.
John Jorgenson Quintet – 7:30 p.m. May
8 at the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo.
Tickets: $10-$25. Information: (575) 437-2202.
‘POPS 4 Kids’ — 3 p.m. May 9, NMSU
Music Recital Hall. The Las Cruces Symphony’s
annual family concert also features an instrument “petting zoo” at 2 p.m. in the lobby.
Tickets: $5. Information: (575) 646-3709.
Jeune Ballet du Québec – 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, at Centro Cultural Paso del
Norte in Juarez. Part of Amigos de la Fundacion
Mascareñas 2009 Matices Culturales Series.
Tickets: 200 pesos. Information: 533-4020 in El
Paso; (011-52-16) 12-3175 or 12-4075 in
Juarez.
‘Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles’ — 7
p.m. May 10, Plaza Theatre. The 2008-2009
Broadway in El Paso series closes with the
“next best thing to seeing The Beatles.” This
multi-media, multi-dimensional experience with
live performances of Beatles hits covers the
Fab Four from the earliest beginnings through
the psychedelic late-60’s and their long-haired
hippie, hard-rocking rooftop day with a fusion
of historical footage and hilarious television
commercials from the 1960’s lights-up video
screens and live cameras zoom in for close-ups.
(Ticketmaster). Information: 231-1111.
‘Billy The Kid Ballet’ – 7:30 p.m. May 15-
16 at the Flickinger Center, Alamogordo. The
Academy of Ballet in Alamogordo presents the
western-themed ballet. Tickets: $10.
Information: (575) 437-2202.
Footloose — 8 p.m. May 16 at the Spencer
Theater, Alto, N.M. Based on the 1980’s movie
sensation, this dazzling dance and song sensation is about a restless city boy who moves to
rural America where dancing is banned and
turns the whole town upside-down by going
footloose. It features a host of ‘80’s hits such as
“Almost Paradise,” “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,”
“Holding Out For A Hero” and “Footloose.”
Tickets: $66-$69. Information: (575) 336-4800,
(888) 818-7872 or spencertheater.com.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ — May 16-June 7, at
Kids-N-Co., 1301 Texas. Kids-N-Co. presents
Shakespeare’s tragic love story in partnership
with Outrageous Fortune Theatre Company.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Additional
performances at Chamizal National Memorial
to be announced. Tickets: $5-$7. Information:
351-1455 or kidsnco.org.
Silver City Blues Festival — May 22-24,
Gough Park in Silver City, N.M. Mimbres
Regional Arts Council presents its 14th annual
Memorial Day weekend celebration of blues
music. Most performances are free. Ticket
information: 1-888-758-7289.
June 2009
‘Our Lady of The Tortilla’ – El Paso
Playhouse, 2501 Montana, presents the comedy by Luis Santeiro June 6-27. Directed by
Chet Frame. Ticket information: 532-1317,
elpasoplayhouse.com.
‘Crazy For You’ – June 12-18, Las Cruces
Community Theatre, 313 Downtown Mall in
Las Cruces. The theatre closes its season with
George and Ira Gershwin’s “new” musical with
book by Ken Ludwig. Directed by Dale Pawley.
Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
and 2 p.m. Sundays. Gala opening night is June
12. Tickets: $8-$9. Information: (575) 5231200 or lcctnm.org.
Music Under the Stars — Selected
Sundays June 14-Aug. 16 (except July 5) at
the Chamizal National Memorial Amphitheatre.
The 26th annual summer concert Music Under
the Stars World Festival, presented by the City
of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs
Department, features local and international
performers. Acts to be announced. Showtime
is 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
‘Viva El Paso!’ — The summertime pageant
runs June through July at McKelligon Canyon
Amphitheatre, offering an array of multicolored
costumes, electrifying musical production numbers, and legendary characters. The outdoor
musical extravaganza highlights the four major
cultures of the region, through drama, song and
dance. Information: 588-7054 or viva-ep.org.
Tailgate XXI — Flickinger Center presents
its annual outdoor concert series on selected
Saturdays throughout the summer at the New
Mexico Museum of Space History in
Alamogordo. Concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Information: (575) 437-2202.
July 2009
EPSO July 4th Celebration — 7:30 p.m.
July 4, at the Chamizal National Memorial
Theatre. The El Paso Symphony Orchestra,
conducted by Maestra Sarah Ioannides, perform patriotic music followed by a fireworks
show. Presented by the Museum and Cultural
Affairs Department of the City of El Paso.
Admission is free. Information: 541-4481.
‘Altar Boyz’ – July 10-26 at UTEP Dinner
Theatre. The hilarious account of a struggling
Christian boy-band (with one nice Jewish boy)
from Ohio looking for their big break in the Big
Apple. Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and
Abraham take their hits like “Girl You Make Me
Want to Wait” and “Jesus Called Me On My
Cell Phone” to New York to take a bite out of
the forbidden apple. Showtime is 7 p.m.
Wednesday through Saturday; dinner matinee
performance is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12; nondinner matinees are 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19
and 26. Tickets $26-$38 dinner shows; $12-22
non-dinner matinee. Information: 747-6060.
‘Pirates of Penzance’ — The Gilbert and
Sullivan Company of El Paso celebrates its 40th
anniversary at the Scottish Rite Theatre, 301 W.
Missouri. Showtimes to be announced. Ticket
information: 591-6210, 584-9319, 532-7703, or
gandselpaso.com.
August 2009
Ruidoso Chamber Music Festival 2009
— The 5th annual event is the first weekend in
August at the Ruidoso High School Performing
Arts Auditorium. Show times and performers
to be announced. Information: (575) 257-7272,
1-866-375-7370 or ruidoso.net/chambermusic.
Shakespeare in the Park — The
Outrageous Fortune Theatre Company presents its adaptations of The Bard’s work in
August at the Chamizal National Memorial.
Dates and times to be announced. Admission is
free. Information: 760-8630 or
outfortheatre.org.
Don’t let ‘myths’ keep you from
enjoying a Symphony concert
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra has
been the cultural cornerstone of our
community for 78 years. Yet many El
Pasoans have never experienced the
beauty, magic and excitement of a live
classical performance. There are many
reasons for this … most of which are
based on misconceptions. We want to
debunk the six most common misconception and encourage you to experience
the magic of a live concert performed by
El Paso’s finest musicians under the
baton of our dynamic leader, Sarah
Ioannides!
Myth No. 1: Classical music is boring.
Classical music can be romantic, passionate, powerful, full of life, love and
tragedy. This season the El Paso
Symphony is performing works that are
inspiring, thought provoking and transforming. Our opening concerts Sept. 19
and 20, for example, feature guest
pianist Lukas Vondracek performing
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5
“Emperor.” This bold and dynamic
piece will certainly speak to you. The
program also includes Sibelius’
Symphony No. 2 and Shostakovich’s
Festive Overture.
Myth No. 2: The El Paso Symphony is
exclusive. Our audience is as diverse our
community and you do not have to know
any thing about classical music to attend
a concert. However, if you wish, there
are several ways you can enhance your
enjoyment of the concert and learn about
the program before attending. Program
notes are on our website at
www.epso.org. Sign up on our website to
receive Sarah’s personal notes before
each concert. Dr. Dena Kay Jones presents Opening Notes one hour before
each classical concert in the
Philanthropy Theatre. Get your
Backstage Pass and join Sarah Ioannides
and the Orchestra for Thursday’s Dress
Rehearsals. Your backstage experience
begins with a “behind the scenes” tour at
6:15 p.m. followed by a casual dinner
with the conductor and musicians at
6:30. Stay for rehearsal at 7:30 and
observe the interaction between musicians and conductor. Tour and rehearsal
is free. Dinner is $8 for adults and $6 for
children 5 to 12 years of age.
Myth No. 3: Tickets to the El Paso
Symphony are expensive. Tickets start
as low as $11. The top price is $37.
Season tickets for the Classical Series
range from $63 to $201. I
Myth No. 4: I have to dress up to go
the El Paso Symphony. At our performances you will see a wide variety of
clothing, including suits, khakis, slacks
and skirts. If you want to dress up, that
is fine. However, generally, business
casual is a good way to go!
Myth No. 5: Classical music is irrelevant today and is written by composers no longer living. You will definitely find traditional symphonic classics
written by masters like Beethoven,
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 17
Haydn, Dvorak, Mendelssohn and
Sibelius on our program. You will also
find equally fantastic pieces written by
equally talented composers of today. The
October program will feature an EPSO
commission by Osvaldo Mendoza. Born
and raised in Juarez, Osvaldo has served
as an Apprentice Conductor of EPSO for
the past two years and will further his
composition studies at the prestigious
Peabody School this fall. In January, the
El Paso Symphony in collaboration with
El Paso Pro-Musica will present the U.S.
premiere of Dario Marianelli’s Academy
Award winning suite from the film
Atonement. April’s program celebrates
America’s finest composers: Copland,
Barber and Gershwin.
Myth No. 6: The Symphony is only for
my parents and grandparents. The El
Paso Symphony is introducing a new
group, CATS (Cocktails After the
Symphony), which will host three postconcert parties at El Paso’s hottest downtown venues and historic landmarks.
CATS membership includes the Sept. 19,
Feb. 20 and April 17 classical concerts
and parties.
Here are the highlights of the 2008-2009
season:
• The season opens Sept. 19 and 20, with
Spectacular Beginnings, featuring pianist
Lukas Vondracek as mentioned above..
• Young British violinist Chloe Hanslip
will perform with the Symphony Oct. 17
and 18. The program includes De Falla’s
La Vida Breve and Three Cornered Hat
Suite No. 2, Revueltas’ Sensemaya,
Korngold’s Violin Concerto and the
EPSO commission written by Mendoza.
• The Nov. 21 and 22 classical concerts
will feature Roberto Diaz, former principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra,
who will perform William Walton’s
Viola Concerto.
• The Jan. 23 and 24 collaboration with
the Chamber Festival mentioned above,
will be led by Sarah Ioannides and feature pianist Awadagin Pratt and cellist
Ben Hong.
• On Feb. 20 and 21, Guest conductor
Andrew Grams will lead the Symphony
and special guest Eric Ruske, Horn, in
Strauss’ Concerto No. 1 for Horn and
Orchestra. The Symphony will also perform Borodin’s Prince Igor Overture
and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.
• The popular Downtown KidsPalooza
Family Art and Music Festival returns to
downtown El Paso March 28.
• The classical series will culminate
April 17 and 18 with a celebration of
American music, highlighting the Plaza
Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ in
Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with guest
Douglas Major. This phenomenal program also includes Copland’s Fanfare of
the Common Man and Appalachian
Spring, Barber’s Toccata Festiva and
Gershwin’s American in Paris.
For tickets and information about the
El Paso Symphony Orchestra, call the
Symphony office at (915) 532-3776 or
visit www.epso.org.
‘Tuna’ is 1st course Guide to Performing
of Broadway series Arts Organizations
The 2008-2009 Broadway in El Paso
season, presented by SMG and Jam
Theatricals at the historic Plaza Theatre,
features a little Texas-style humor, a classic story for young and old, a tribute to a
legendary rock music foursome, some
trips back in time celebrating music of
the ’80s and the dancing of the ’50s and
’60s, and more
The series begins Sept. 26-27 with the
latest “Tuna” adventure, “Tuna Does
Vegas,” starring “Greater Tuna” creators
Joe Sears and Jaston Williams. Oddball
conservative radio host Arles Struvie
announces on air that he and his wife are
heading to Vegas to renew their wedding
vows, and everyone in Tuna goes along
for the ride.
Take a nostalgic musical journey Nov.
14 with “Irving Berlin’s I Love a Piano,”
spanning seven decades of American history. The show tracks the life of a piano
with one sour key through four generations of singers and dancers.
“American Idol” favorites are featured
in the Dec. 1 “Idols in Concert for the
Holidays.” Four of the top ten finalists
from seasons one through six take the
stage for an exciting night of solo, duet
and ensemble performances.
On Feb. 8 is the timeless tale of the
beloved orphan in “Annie.” Boasting one
of Broadway’s most memorable scores,
including “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,”
“Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.” and the everoptimistic “Tomorrow,” Annie is a
delightful family theatrical experience.
Eight-time Tony Award winner “Bye
Bye Birdie” is March 8. A quiet
Midwestern town suddenly gets inundated by early ’60’s rock star-obsessed fans,
and the riotous lament of parents with
teenagers in love.
The Broadway hit “Footloose,” based
on the 1984 movie, comes to The Plaza
April 1. The show’s classic hits include
“Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and, of
course, “Footloose.”
A definite season highlight April 28 will
be John Waters’ musical-comedy phenomenon “Hairspray.” In 1962
Baltimore, pleasantly plump teen Tracy
Turnblad has only one desire: to dance
on the popular Corny Collins Show.
Rounding out the season May 10 is
“Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles,” amultimedia experience with live performances
of Beatles hits.
Season tickets start as low as $175, and
are available by calling 231-1111. “Tuna
Does Vegas” and “Idols in Concert” are
separate. Individual tickets are available
through Ticketmaster at 544-8444 or
ticketmaster.com.
Kids-N-Co. offers literary favorites
in its 2008-2008 season line-up
Kids-N-Co. Performance Center’s home
at 1301 Texas Ave. is proof of the company’s stalwart efforts to bring quality
theater to youth, as the company spent
the early part of this decade trying to stabilize a permanent home.
In 2000, the company had to move from
its home of ten years in Sunland Park
Mall and found a space in what is now
the Plaza Theatre’s annex. The company
moved again when renovations of the
historic theater began, and for two years,
used the auditorium at Radford Schoo.
The opportunity for a permanent home
came in 2004 when Aardvark Theatre
moved from its Texas Avenue location.
Kids-N-Co. says its mission’s success
is evident through its students.
“We have had students who went on to
become professional actors in ‘New York
or Los Angeles,” the company boasts.
“We have had many more students who
have won scholarships to arts colleges
and universities. And, at the very least,
all our students have become theatergoers
for life.”
Several favorite stories jump off the
page and onto the stage at Kids-N-Co.
for the 2008-2009 season.
Opening the 2008-2009 run is the stage
adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s “The
Wizard of Oz,” followed by another literary classic brought to stage, Lewis
Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” Nov. 29-
Dec. 21. A musical presentation of the
Grimm Fairy Tale “Little Red Riding
Hood” is Jan. 24-Feb. 15, and J.R.R.
Tolkien’s novel “The Hobbit” comes to
life March 21-April 12.
The season will close May 16-June 7
with a special performance of Williams
Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” presented in partnership with Outrageous
fortune Theatre Company.
Another popular offering is Kids-NCo.’s sought-after camps and classes held
year-round for budding talented local
youth ages 5 to 15. This season’s
Saturday acting classes run Sept. 13-Nov.
13 and Jan. 3-March 7. The Spring Break
Camp is March 23-27, with the nearly
always sold-out Summer Camps June 15July 12 and July 20-Aug. 16.
Kids-N-Co. also hosts its annual awards
and Masquerade Party in August, with
traveling outreach programs and guest
lecturers offered throughout the year.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the
Kids-N-Co. Performance Center, with
additional performances for “Alice and
Wonderland” and “Romeo and Juliet”
planned at Chamizal National Memorial.
Tickets are $7 ($5 for children, students,
seniors and military families). All tickets
sold at the door, no reservations accepted. For more information, call 351-1455
or visit kidsnco.org.
Amigos de la Fundacion
Mascareñas, A.C.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 414
El Paso, TX 79943
Phone: In Juarez 612-3175 or 612-4075
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: mascarenas.org
Venue: Centro Cultural Paso del Norte, Juarez.
History: Friends of the Mascareñas
Foundation supports one of the leading charitable and artistic foundations in Juarez. They
present a schedule of cultural events, plus the
annual Rene Mascareñas Excellence Award and
the “Expoarte” visual, performing and culinary
arts event.
2008 Cultural Series finale:
• Sept. 6 — Paco Padilla
• Oct. 11 — Baja California Orchestra
2009 Cultural Series:
• Jan. 24 — Jaramar
• Feb. 14 — Arpas de America
• March 14 — Antares
• March 28 — Pedro Kominik
• April 18 — Nomhadas
• May 9 — Ballet Juvenil de Quebec
• Sept. 19 — Bacanora
• Oct. 10 — Ballet de Monterrey
Season tickets: 1,000 pesos (for 8 events).
Individual tickets: 200 pesos.
Bruce Nehring Consort
P.O. Box 3708, El Paso, TX 79923
Phone: 534-7664
Artistic Director: Bruce Nehring
Venues: The Chapel at Loretto Academy,
1400 Hardaway at Trowbridge; St.
Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 300 Riverside;
First Baptist Church, 805 Montana.
History: Now in its 17th season. The Bruce
Nehring Consort, consisting of professional
singers and chamber players, was founded by
El Paso Pro-Musica founder Bruce Nehring.
The consort presents to El Paso the masterworks of the centuries and pursues the marriage
of sound and setting by holding concerts in
some of the community’s most beautiful
churches and chapels.
Season Schedule:
• Oct. 3-5 — Music of the Heart
• Nov. 1-2 — The Organ at Its Best
• Dec. 5-7 — Navidad de las Luminarias
• February — Mystery pianist to be announced
• March 28-29 — The Making of Great Music
with Charles Grey
Season Tickets: $60, $40 seniors/military,
$20 students. Includes one free bonus tickets.
Individual tickets: $15, $10 seniors, military, $5
students (with ID).
Navidad de las Luminarias tickets: $15 at the
door, must be pre-ordered to receive discounts.
Eden Enterprises
2500 Scenic Crest Circle, #1, El Paso 79930
Phone: 474-4275 or 227-2397
Artistic Director: Hector Serrano
Producer: David Mills
Venues: YISD Fine Arts Amphitheater, El
Paso Playhouse
Background: Eden Enterprises produces theater and dance for various local events and in
partnership with other organizations.
Season Schedule:
• Sept. 4-28 — Shakespeare on the Rocks
Theater Festival
Page 18 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
• April 25— The First Thanksgiving
Reenactment
• July 31-Aug. 2 — Viva Los Niños
Tickets: Some performances free. Shakespeare
admission: $6-$10.
El Paso Chopin Music
Festival
260 Puesta del Sol, El Paso, TX 79912
Phone: 584-1595
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: elpaso-chopin.com
Artistic Director: Lucy Scarbrough, founder
Venue: Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S.
San Marcial.
History: The El Paso Chopin Music Festival
was founded in 1995 by Dr. Lucy Scarbrough,
Musician in Residence at El Paso Community
College. The Chopin Music Festival is sponsored by El Paso Community College and the
El Paso Chopin Music Festival Society.
Season Schedule:
• Sept. 6 — Howard Na
• Sept. 20 — Misha Dacic
• Oct. 4 — Dr. Lucy Scarbrough
Tickets: Admission is free, early arrival
strongly recommended.
El Paso Choral Society
801 N. Mesa, El Paso TX 79902
Phone: 833-0263
Music Director: J. Prentice Loftin
Background: The society features six singing
organizations, including the El Paso Chorale, El
Paso Chamber Choir, men’s and women’s
choirs, and El Paso Choral Society Youth
Choirs. Annual events include several choral
concerts at city churches and other venues, and
a holiday concert at the Union Depot.
El Paso Community
College Theatre Dept.
P.O. Box 20500, El Paso, TX 79998
Phone: 831-1312
Department Head: Hector Serrano
Venues: Transmountain Forum Theatre,
Patriot Freeway at Diana
Season Schedule:
• Oct. 10-18 – “Tartuffe”
• Nov. 14-22 – “The Bad Seed”
• Feb. 21-28 – “The Birds”
• April 16-25 – “The Roar of the Greasepaint,
the Smell of the Crowd”
Tickets: $10 ($5 students, seniors 55 and
older, military). No children under 6.
El Paso Convention and
Performing Arts Centers
One Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901
Phone: 534-0609
Website: elpasocvb.com
Venues: Plaza Theatre Center for the
Performing Arts, Abraham Chavez Theatre,
Judson Williams Convention Center and
McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre
Background: Broadway in El Paso, now in
its 6th season, is presented at the Plaza Theatre
in conjunction with Jam Productions of
Chicago.
P l ea se t u r n t o Pa g e 19
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Broadway in El Paso:
• Sept. 26-27 — “Tuna Does Vegas”
• Nov. 14 — “Irving Berlin’s I Love A Piano”
• Dec. 1 — “Idols in Concert for the Holidays:
Featuring former American Idol Finalists”
• Feb. 8 — “Annie”
• March 17 — “Bye Bye Birdie”
• April 1 — “Footloose”
• April 28 — “Hairspray”
• May 10 — “Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles”
Season tickets: $175, $235 and $295 for six
shows (Add-on shows include “Idols in Concert
for the Holidays” and “Tuna Does Vegas”).
Season tickets: 231-1111. Individual tickets
available through Ticketmaster: 544-8444 or
ticketmaster.com.
“Tuna Does Vegas” tickets: $19.50, $33 and
$42. “Idols in Concert for the Holidays” tickets: $25.80, $34.80 and $43.80.
El Paso Opera
310 N. Mesa, Suite 601, El Paso, TX 79901
Phone: 581-5534 Fax: 581-2243
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: epopera.org
General Director: William E. Dickinson
Venue: Abraham Chavez Theater, One Civic
Center Plaza
History: Audiences have seen more than 22
lavish operatic performances since the curtain
first rose on El Paso Opera. The company has
showcased works by many of history’s finest
composers including Mozart, Puccini and
Verdi. Principal roles are performed by some of
the nation’s best professional singers. Special
Youth Night performances are offered the
Tuesday before each performance. El Paso
Opera will celebrate its 15th season with a
commemorative benefit concert in honor of its
beginnings as Opera a la Carte that was formed
in 1992 presenting opera highlights.
Season Schedule:
• Sept. 9 and 11 — Verdi’s “Il Travatore”
• Nov. 8 — Opera a la Carte (at First Baptist
Church)
• March 12 and 14 — Mozart’s “Magic Flute”
Tickets: $15-$90 for individual performances;
$25 to $160 season subscriptions. Discounts for
seniors (55 and older), military and students.
El Paso Playhouse
2501 Montana Ave. El Paso, TX 79903
Phone: 532-1317
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: elpasoplayhouse.org
History: El Paso Playhouse is El Paso’s
longest-running community theater. Its mission
is to bring area residents outstanding comedy,
mystery and light drama productions at affordable prices. Some of their special offerings
have included family theater, musicals, Spanish
language productions by Los Actores, and guest
performers.
Season Schedule:
• Sept. 5-27 — “Jake’s Women”
• Oct. 10-Nov. 1 — “You Can’t Take It With
You”
• Nov. 22-Dec. 13 — “Who’s Afraid of Virginia
Woolf”
• Jan. 2-24 — “Man of La Mancha”
• March 14-April 4 — “A Shot in The Dark”
• May 2-24 — “I Never Saw A Butterfly”
• June 6-27 — “Our Lady of The Tortilla”
El Paso Pro-Musica
6557 N Mesa, El Paso, TX 79912
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 13328, El Paso, TX 79913
Phone: 833-9400 Fax: 833-9425
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: eppm.org
Executive Director: Kathrin Berg Pettit
Artistic Director: Zuill Bailey
Venues: Trinity First United Methodist
Church, El Paso Museum of Art, UTEP Fox
Fine Arts Recital Hall, Rio Grande Theatre in
Las Cruces, The Plaza Theatre and other venues to be announced.
History: Founded in 1977 to present quality
choral and instrumental chamber compositions,
Pro-Musica has established itself as one of the
city’s most respected musical organizations.
The annual Chamber Music Festival includes
live musical performances and a recently-added
music film series. Pro-Musica will close its
31st season with a special concert by violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman.
Season Schedule:
• Oct. 7— Manuel Barrueco
• Nov. 1— Zuill Bailey: Six Courses of Bach
(private location)
• Nov. 27-28 — Zuill Bailey: Bach Suites
• Jan. 3-Feb. 1 — 2009 Chamber Music
Festival
• April 6 — Itzhak Perlman
Tickets: Single performance tickets are $25
for adults, $20 for seniors 62 and older/military,
$5 for students year round. . Season tickets
$300 ($225 without Las Cruces shows), $240
for seniors/military ($180 without Las Cruces
shows), and $60 for students ($45 without Las
Cruces show). Bach’s Lunch concerts at museum are free. Early bird season ticket packages
offered prior to each season through July.
Tickets available at the door, at the EPPM
Office, by phone or on-line eppm.org.
Itzhak Perlman tickets (not included in season
package): $45, $65, $80. $95, $110 and $125.
Available through Ticketmaster: 544-8444 or
ticketmaster.com
El Paso Symphony
Orchestra
P.O. Box 180, El Paso, TX 79942
Phone: 532-3776 Fax: 533-8126
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: epso.org
Music Director: Maestra Sarah Ioannides
Venues: Plaza Theatre Center for the
Performing Arts, Abraham Chavez Theater
History: Now in its 78th season, the symphony’s music director is Maestra Sarah Ioannides.
The symphony’s pre-concert events include the
Backstage Pass dress rehearsal and casual dinner, “Opening Notes,” pre-concert discussions
one hour before the classical concerts, and the
free Music Sandwiched In interactive informal
music forum at UTEP focusing on the symphony’s classical concerts. New this year is the
CATS (Cocktails After the Symphony) program
offering special social events for the young and
young-at-heart after selected performances.
The symphony also works closely with El
Paso Youth Symphony Orchestra, under the
direction of Benjamin Loeb.
Season Schedule:
• Sept. 19-20 — Guest artist Lukas Vondracek,
piano
• Oct. 17-18 — Chloe Hanslip, violin
• Nov. 21-22 — Roberto Diaz, viola
• Jan. 23-24 — Ben Hong, cello and Awadagin
Pratt, piano
• Feb. 20-21 — Eric Rusk, horn
• April 17-18 — Douglas Major, organ
Season extras:
• Dec. 14 — Holiday Afternoon with the EPSO
• Jan. 28-30 — Young People’s Concert
• March 29 — EPSO/EPSYO Family concert
Tickets: $11, $17, $28, $32 and $37 for individual shows; $63, $87, $150, $171 and $201
for season tickets. Discounts for military, senior
citizens, students and children and educators.
Tickets can be purchased from the symphony or
through TicketMaster at 544-8444.
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UTEP Theatre Department
balances academics, training
The University of Texas at El Paso
Department of Theatre and Dance’s
upcoming season presents two performing arts disciplines on two stages in a
variety of genres, from musical comedy
to gritty drama.
The mission of the department to
“help prepare its students for careers in
both professional and academic theatre,
television, and film,” and provides training in several areas, both on stage or
behind-the scenes.”
The department is directed by the versatile Dr. Joel Murray, who has extensive
experience in acting, directing and writing. Among his writing credits are the
plays “Dependence,” “Lost in the
Funhouse” and “Idol,” among others.
Murray describes the faculty and staff
as recognized educators and award-winning professionals who put students first.
“We focus on developing complete
artists, balancing professional training
and academics,” he says of the department. “The department has a very active
and high quality production program
where students have garnered many significant awards and honors.”
Murray will direct this year’s holiday
production, “A Christmas Carol,” and the
season-closer, “Doubt,” while fellow faculty member Chuck Gorden, visiting professor Carlos Saldana and student Austin
Savage will also take the helm as directors this season.
Performances are on the Wise Family
Theatre stage and in the Studio Theatre at
UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Center.
Wise Family Theatre performances
open and close the season with plays
“The Threepenny Opera,” “A Christmas
Carol” and “Doubt” as well as “Carmen:
The Ballet.”
Berthold Brecht’s revolutionary masterpiece “The Threepenny Opera” will lead
off the season Oct. 17-26. Now a landmark of modern drama often described as
“brutal, “scandalous” and “perverted,”
this humorous love story between Polly
Peachum and Mack “The Knife”
Macheath satirizes a society at the height
of decadence and on the verge of chaos.
Kurt Weill’s musical contribution to the
play was one of the earliest and most
successful attempts to introduce jazz into
the theater. As a result, the song “Mack
The Knife” became one of the most
widely recorded and recognizable songs
of the 20th century.
Audiences of all ages can enjoy Chuck
Gorden’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’s
“A Christmas Carol” Dec. 14-20, featuring Dickens, his family and “an able
company of players” presenting the timeless story of heartless miser Ebenezer
Scrooge’s Christmas Eve redemption. In
this familiar tale, Scrooge is visited by
three spirits who reveal the “innocence of
his youth,” “the inception of his greed”
and the “dire consequences of his
uncharitable selfishness” while receiving
a second chance to better himself and
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 19
those around him.
John Patrick Stanley’s provocative and
gripping drama “Doubt” rounds out the
season April 17-26. This “parable” of
suspicion of a priest’s behavior intended
to provoke discussion long after audiences have left the theater. “Doubt” won
the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Obie
and Tony Awards and was voted Best
Play by the New York Drama Critics’
Circle.
Its first performances on Broadway
gained much attention, including being
named the top show of the year by Time
Magazine.
“(The play offers) roles that crackle
with intelligence and rhythm,” The New
Yorker magazine said, “a superbly told
yarn.”
The Dance faculty will bring their and
their student’s talents to the stage to present Georges Bizet’s classic tale of love
and betrayal through dance in “Carmen:
The Ballet” Feb. 19-22. In addition to the
main performance, UTEP dancers will
perform “Rhapsody in Blue” and a new
contemporary ballet.
The Studio Theatre will host the department’s entry in the Kennedy Center’s
American College Theatre Festival, “In
The Boom Boom Room,” Nov. 19-23
and Naomi Wallace’s “One Flea Spare”
March 25-29.
Despite its seemingly upbeat name,
David Rabe’s “In The Boom Boom
Room” depicts the brutalizing, maddening, no-asylum night world of 1960s
Philadelphia through the eyes of ill-fated
go-go dancer Chrissy, who jerks, ponies
and stumbles her way through a sea of
family, suitors and bar bums. Intended
for mature audiences, the play was one of
the first to deal openly with such issues
as incest, abortion and homosexuality. It
was nominated for a Tony Award in
1974.
“One Flea Space” takes place in the
plague-ravaged 17th Century London in
the home of affluent couple Mr. and Mrs.
Snelgrave, both under house arrest as a
result of the deadly pandemic. When an
orphan and a sailor each drift into their
home seeking food and shelter, the characters become confined in the
Snelgraves’ tight quarters. With no way
to escape confrontations, their public
exteriors are stripped away to reveal
many hidden emotional scars and vices.
“Naomi Wallace’s brilliant use of language is coupled with tragic, hilarious
and deeply wounded characters,” department information says of the play. “The
paradox between the heart’s frailty and
strength is rawly exposed and we discover that survival can take many forms.”
Tickets for Wise Family Theatre performance are $9-$12, and Studio Theatre
shows are $6 to $8. Season ticket packages are $50 for all shows; with flex plan
options at $35 and $40. For more information, call the Fox Fine Arts box office
at 747-5118 or visit utep.edu/theatre.
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El Paso Wind Symphony
P.O. Box 22038, El Paso, TX 79913
Phone: 760-5599 Fax: 747-5023
Director: Dr. Ron Hufstader
Venue: Magoffin Auditorium and Fox Fine Arts
Recital Hall at UTEP, Coronado High School.
History: The El Paso Wind Symphony is a
professional concert band composed of music
teachers and business people .
Season:
· Dec. 12 — The Woodwinds
· Jan. 16 — The Brass
· Feb. 20 — The Conductor
· March 27 — The Guest Artists
· April 24 — The Percussion
Tickets: $12.50 ($7.50 students).
Gilbert and Sullivan
Company of El Paso
1520 Upson Drive, El Paso, TX 79902
Phone: 532-7703, 591-6210 or 584-9319
Artistic Director: Joan Quarm, founder
Venues: Scottish Rite Temple, 301 Missouri;
tentative additional peformances at Black Box
Theatre in the Las Cruces Downtown Mall
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: gandselpaso.com
History: Joan Quarm founded the company in
1969 to perform the operettas of W.S. Gilbert
and Arthur Sullivan and to produce other allied
endeavors. In 2009 the Company celebrates its
40th Anniversary Season.
July 2009: “Pirates of Penzance”
Kids-N-Co.
P.O. Box 971333, El Paso, TX 79997
Phone: 351-1455
Website: kidsnco.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Executive Director: Kevin P. Mullin
Venue: Kids-N-Co. Education and
Performance Center, 1301 Texas Ave. Some
performances at Chamizal National Memorial.
History: Kids-N-Co. is a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to provide a quality
theater experience and hands-on theatrical training to area youth. Camps and classes are
offered throughout the year for 5 to 21-yearolds, and five mainstage plays designed to
appeal to the entire family are presented each
season by teenagers and adults.
Season Schedule:
• Oct. 4-26 — “The Wizard of Oz”
• Nov. 29-Dec. 21 — “Alice in Wonderland”
• Jan. 24-Feb. 15 — “Little Red Riding Hood”
• March 12-April 12 — “The Hobbit”
• May 16-June 7 — “Snow White and the
Seven Samurai”
Tickets: $7 ($5 children, students, seniors and
military). Available at the door, no reservations
accepted. Group sales accepted. Ticket information: 351-1455.
Los Actores Spanish
Language Theater Co.
2500 Scenic Crest Circle, #1, El Paso 79930
Phone: 227-2397
Artistic Director: Hector Serrano
Venue: El Paso Playhouse, 2501 Montana
History: Los Actores was created in 2000 by
Hector Serrano as the heir of the original Teatro
los Pobres. It is dedicated to Spanish language
theater, both classic and contemporary, and
includes Chicano and bilingual plays in its
repertory.
Season Schedule:
• Nov. 7-8 — Play in Spanish to be announced
• April 17-18 — Play in Spanish to be
announced
Tickets: $8 ($6 students, seniors and military;
$5 groups of 10 or more purchased 48 hours in
advance).
Music Forum of El Paso
1220 Galloway, El Paso, TX 79902
Phone: 755-0724
Web: epmusic.com
President: Stephen Pugh
Director: Barbara Hyland
Venues: El Paso Museum of Art at One Arts
Festival Plaza, and other venues.
Background: Music Forum El Paso is a non
profit organization that showcases professional
musicians from the El Paso area. Performers
include singers, pianists, string quartets; guitar
as well as brass and woodwind ensembles. The
forum encourages membership, which helps
pay for mailings and a small honorarium to the
performers.
Tickets: All performances are free.
Outrageous Fortune
Theatre Company
3153 Amarillo Street, El Paso, TX 79936
Phone: 760-8630
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: outfortheatre.org
Executive Director: Debby Gilbert
Artistic Director: Layle Chambers
Director of Development: Ron Keck
Venues: Chamizal National Monument, 800
S. San Marcial, Kids-N-Co., 1301 Texas, Union
Park Plaza and others.
History: Outrageous Fortune Theatre
Company was founded in 2004 to serve the
community through excellence in performance
and arts education inspired by the words of
William Shakespeare.
Schedule:
• Nov. 1-2 — Las Cruces Renaissance Faire
• September-May — Teaching Artist Program
• August — Shakespeare in the Park
• Texas Touring Roster year round
Showtime! El Paso
Arrive early for Chopin Fest
Familiar faces anchor the 14th season
of the El Paso Chopin Festival, as both
the opening and closing concert showcase returning talent.
Of course, the real returning favorite is
Frederic Chopin, who changed the way
piano is played during his musical reign
in the early 1800s.
The festival’s founder and artistic
director is Dr. Lucy Scarbrough, whose
inspiration for the festival was Chopin’s
musical influence worldwide. “Chopin
was one of the great world ambassadors.” Scarbrough says. “His music is
truly a universal language of beauty that
knows no barriers of nation or culture.”
The performances are often characterized by standing room only crowds.
Returning from 2007 is an encore performance from Howard Na Sept. 6
Na’s musical gift was developed as a
young child in Taiwan, earning him a
full music scholarship at age eight. He
instead came with his family to the
United States and studied at the San
Francisco Conservatory of Music. Here
he received “Honorary Distinction” and
was the youngest person, at age 13, to
finish the certified programs in the
Preparatory Division. From his first public recital at age 11, he has received top
honor in competitions worldwide,
including a special prize in the National
Chopin Competition in Miami in 2005.
On Sept. 20 is a performance by firsttime festival participant Misha Dacic of
the former Yugoslavia.
After performing at the Martha
Argerich Project Festival in 2003 in
Switzerland, Dacic made his American
debut at the Discovery Series of the
Sixth Miami International Piano
Festival. In 2007 Dacic performed at the
Tenth Anniversary of the Miami
International Piano Festival and at the
eighth prestigious International Antalya
Piano Festival.
“He is clearly an artist equipped with
an awesome technique and a taste for
keyboard barnburners” Sun-Sentinel
critic Lawrence Johnson said after
Dacic’s performance at the Miami
International Piano Festival.
As with tradition, Scarbrough will perform for the festival’s closing concert
Oct. 4. Scarbrough is known both
nationally and locally as a gifted artist,
director and teacher. In addition to
founding the El Paso Civic Orchestra,
she founded and directed the College
Arts Festival. Her impressive string of
honors include serving as a judge on the
selection committee for the 2005
National Chopin Piano Competition.
“Lucy Scarbrough is a highly respected
musician,” Evanston Symphony conductor Hans Levy Heniot said. “When she
is going to perform we know the recital
hall will be full.”
Concerts are at 8 p.m. at the Chamizal
National Memorial. Admission is free,
but early arrival is encouraged as seats
fill quickly. Information: 584-1595 or
elpaso-chopin.com.
P.O. Box 3797, El Paso TX 79923
Phone: 544-2022
Website: showtimeelpaso.com
Venue: Abraham Chavez TheatrE
President: Ray Graham
History: Formerly El Paso Community
Concerts, the organization began in 1934 as
part of the nationwide Community Concerts
network. The El Paso association renamed itself
in 2003 but remains a non-profit organization
dedicated to the founding principles of
Community Concerts, providing a variety of
top-class entertainment at a very affordable season subscription rate. Showtime El Paso is El
Paso’s largest membership performing arts
organization, with over 1,300 subscribers.
Season schedule:
• Sept. 27 — John Mueller’s Winter Dance
Party
• Nov. 15 — Linda Gentille
• Dec. 6 — Flying J Wranglers Christmas Show
• Jan. 9 — Pavlo
• Feb. 20 — The Tweaksters
• March 20 — New York Theatre Ballet
Tickets: $75 for all six concerts, $175 for family (two adults and all children age 6 and older),
$25 for youth/student. Individual concerts are
$20 ($5 for youth/student); $30 for Winter
Dance Party and New York Theatre Ballet.
Early bird rates ($20 season discount) apply for
advance sales.
UTEP Department of
Theatre and Dance
500 West University Ave., Fox D 371
El Paso, TX 79968
Phone: 747-5146 (main office)
747-5118 (box office)
Fax: 747-5438
Department Chair: Dr. Joel Murray
Website: utep.edu/theatre
Venue: Wise Family Theatre and Studio
Page 20 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
Theater in the Fox Fine Arts Building
About the Department: Each season, the
department hosts a variety of popular and original plays that highlight the many talents of the
university’s students and faculty. In addition to
its regular season, the department hosts the
American College Theatre Festival and high
school UIL One-Act Play competition. The celebrated UTEP Ballet is also part of the department.
Season Schedule:
• Oct. 17-26 — “The Threepenny Opera”
• Nov. 19-23 — “In The Boom Boom Room”
• Dec. 14-20 — “A Christmas Carol”
• Feb. 19-22 — “Carmen: The Ballet”
• March 25-29 — “One Flea Spare”
• April 17-26 — “Doubt”
Tickets: Season tickets: $50 all shows. Flex
Plan A (one studio show, three Wise shows):
$40. Flex Plan B (three Wise shows): $35.
Individual tickets for Wise Family Theatre:
$12 ($10 UTEP faculty/staff, seniors, military,
non-UTEP students, groups of 10 or more; $9
UTEP students).
Individual tickets for Studio Theatre: $8 ($7
UTEP faculty/staff, seniors, military, non-UTEP
students, groups of 10 or more; $6 UTEP students).
Available at the UTEP Ticket Center at 7475234 and TicketMaster at 544-3444 or ticketmaster.com. Ticket information: 747-5118.
UTEP Dinner Theatre
209 Union West, El Paso, TX 79968-0552
Phone: 747-6060
Fax: 747-6062
Website: utep.edu/udt
E-mail: [email protected]
Director: Gregory Louis Taylor
Venue: UTEP Ballroom at the UTEP Student
Union Building and Magoffin Auditorium.
History: The University of Texas at El Paso
Dinner Theatre, originally called the Union
Dinner Theatre, started in 1983 when current
dinner theatre director Gregory Taylor was a
graduate student at the university. Since its first
production, the theatre presented the American
Premiere of “Blondel” in 1985 and “Tycoon” in
1994, as well as the Amateur Premiere of
“Chess” in 1989, the later of which was a
national winner of the American College
Theatre Festival and was presented at the John
F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Last
year, the theatre celebrated its 25th anniversary
with a special all-star performance featuring the
music of Sir Tim Rice.
Season Schedule:
• Oct. 3-26 — “The Producers”
• Dec. 19-21 — “UTEP Holiday Spectacular
Version 2.0”
• Feb. 6-22 — “8-Track: Sounds of the 70s”
• April 17-May 17 —”The Wizard of Oz”
• July 10-26 — “Altar Boyz”
Tickets: Friday and Saturday dinner performance $38 general; $36 UTEP faculty/staff, children 4-12 and groups of 20 or more, $26 UTEP
students (one ticket per valid UTEP ID).
Discount dinner performance on Wednesdays
and Thursdays and Sunday dinner matinee $36
general, $33 UTEP faculty/staff and children,
$26 UTEP students. Matinee performances
without dinner are $22 general, $2- UTEP faculty/staff and groups of 20 or more, $20 for
children and $12 UTEP students. Children age
3 and under not allowed in theatre.
Holiday Spectacular Tickets (no meal served):
$20-$25; $15-$20 UTEP faculty/staff, groups of
20 or more, non-UTEP students and children
age 4-12; $10-$15 UTEP students (one ticket
per valid UTEP ID).
Tickets available at UTEP ticket center at 7475234 and through Ticketmaster at 544-8444 or
ticketmaster.com.
P l ea se t u r n t o Pa g e 21
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Southern New Mexico
American Southwest
Theatre Company/
NMSU Theatre Arts
Box 30001, Dept. 3072
Las Cruces, NM 88003-0001
Phone: (575) 646-4515 or 1-800-525-ASTC.
Fax: (575) 646-5767
Website: theatre.nmsu.edu/astc
Department Head: Ruth Cantrell
Venue: Hershel Zohn Theatre at New Mexico
State University
History: Formed in 1984 by Tony Award winning playwright Mark Medoff and Dr. Bruce
Street, American Southwest Theatre Company
is a company of theatre professionals and guest
artists that work alongside NMSU’s
Department of Theatre Arts.
Season Schedule:
• Sept. 26-Oct. 12 — “The Pillowman”
• Nov. 21-Dec. 7 — “Cinderella”
• Jan. 30-Feb. 1 — “Doña Rosita’s Jalapeño
Kitchen”
• Feb. 20-March 8 — High Desert New Play
• April 17-May 3 — “She Stoops to Conquer”
Tickets: Season tickets are $65 ($60 NMSU
faculty/staff; students, seniors). “Take Your
Pick” books of 8 tickets: $96 (excludes ‘Doña
Rosita’). 4-show package: $52/$48. Individual
shows are $15/$13; $10 youth/preview night).
Information: 1-800-525-ASTC (2782).
ASNMSU Cultural Series
Box 30001 Dept. 3SE, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: (575) 646-4413
Website: panam.nmsu.edu
Venues: NMSU Music Recital Hall; Rio
Grande Theatre, Las Cruces Downtown Mall
Background: The Associated Students of
New Mexico State University was established
as the student government in 1910, and provides events on various levels for all students.
2008/2009 Cultural Series:
• Sept. 18 — 17 Hippies
• Oct. 9 — Fiamma Fumana
• Oct. 18 — Alison Brown and Joe Craven
• Nov. 13 — Otero Dance Company
• Feb. 26 — Carolina Chocolate Drops
• March 19 — Beoga/Grada
• April 1 — Nnenna Freelon
• April 23 — The Klezmatics
Tickets: $12.50 ($10 NMSU students, faculty
and staff, seniors and children). Series tickets:
$72. Available at the Pan Am Center Box
Office (575) 646-1420 or through Ticketmaster
at (915) 544-8444 or ticketmaster.com.
Doña Ana Lyric Opera
Box 3001, MSC 3F, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Artistic Director: Philip Christiansen
Phone: (575) 646-1986
Venue: NMSU Music Recital Hall, Las Cruces.
Season schedule and tickets TBA.
Flickinger Center for
Performing Arts
1110 New York Ave., Alamogordo, NM 88310
Phone: (575) 437-2202 Fax: (575) 434-0067
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: flickingercenter.com
Executive Director: Vicki Rogers
Venue: Flickinger Center, 1110 New York
Ave. in Alamogordo
History: The Flickinger Center brings in performers from around the world while still hosting local groups. The center’s popular tailgate
series brings live music to Alamogordo’s
Museum of Space History parking lot every
other Saturday in June, July and August.
Season Schedule:
• Sept. 25 — “John Mueller’s Winter Dance
Party”
• Sept. 30 — New Mexico Chautauqua
Program: “Me and Billy”
• Oct. 17 — Buddy and Tina Wright Group
• Oct. 23 — Work O’ The Weavers
• Nov. 7 — Roslyn Kind
• Dec. 5 — Celia
• Dec. 6 — Flying J Wranglers
• Dec. 19-20 — Academy of Ballet’s “The
Nutcracker”
• Jan. 8 — New Mexico Chautauqua Program:
“A Journey of the Heart”
• Jan. 22 — The Diamonds
• Jan. 24 — Micky Cruz
• Feb. 3 — Matt Dusk
• Feb. 6 — Sourdough Slim
• Feb. 14 — Al Hurricane and Al Hurricane Jr.
Band
• Feb. 24 — BYU Young Ambassadors
• March 3 — Carolina Chocolate Drops
• March 23 — Beoga/Grada
• April 10 — Trio Solisti
• April 16 — Santa Fe Opera
• April 30 — Trout Fishing in America
• May 8 — John Jorgenson Quintet
• May 15-16 — Academy of Ballet’s “Billy the
Kid: The Ballet”
Tickets: Season tickets are $79, $139 to $189.
Individual show prices vary.
Grant County Community
Concert Association
P.O. Box 2722, Silver City, NM 88062
Phone: (575) 538-5862
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Venues: WNMU Fine Arts Center in Silver
City, N.M.
History: The Association is a “civic, charitable/educational organization which seeks to
strengthen the cultural life of the southern New
Mexico region by offering live concerts by
nationally and internationally known artists. “
Season Schedule:
• Sept. 15 — Side Street Strutters
• Oct. 20 — Thüringer Salonquintett
• Jan. 12 — Pavlo
• Feb. 19 — Claremont Trio
• April 14 — Dale Gonyea
Tickets: Individual tickets are $17; available
at the door. Season tickets are $45; $15 students; $90 family.
Las Cruces Civic Concert
Association
P.O. Box 16112, Las Cruces, NM 88004
Phone: (505) 521-4051
President: Ken Hall
Venue: Oñate High School Performing Arts
Center, 6800 N. Main in Las Cruces
History: Established by Las Crucens in 1945,
the non-profit, all volunteer presents national
an international musical events, and has been
entertaining Las Cruces for 63 years.
Season Schedule:
• Oct. 21 — The Thüringer Salonquitett
• Nov. 23 — Alex Richardson
• Jan. 11 — Pavlo
• Feb. 26 — Woods Tea Company
• April 18 — Dale Gonyea
Tickets: Individual shows: $20. Season tickets: $60 (children free with parent/guardian).
Las Cruces Community
Theatre
P.O. Box 1281, Las Cruces, NM 88004-1281
Phone: (575) 523-1200
Website: lcctnm.org
Venue: Las Cruces Community Theatre, 313
Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.
History: Now in their 46th season, the theater
was founded in 1963 by NMSU graduate student Michael Coquat. Its first performance,
P l e ase t ur n t o P a ge 2 2
Cultural series rich in variety
“Sensual.” “Eclectic.” “Hip.”
These words have been used to
describe performers featured in the
2008-2009 ASNMSU Cultural Series in
Las Cruces.
The Associated Students of New
Mexico State University (ASNMSU)
presents the concerts at both the NMSU
Music Recital Hall and the historic Rio
Grande Theatre in Las Cruces.
Recital Hall concerts include two fall
and one spring performance; 17 Hippies
Sept. 18, Fiamma Fumana Oct. 9 and
Beoga/Grada March 19.
The Cultural Series opens with 17
Hippies’ eclectic mix of the world music
from Eastern Europe, France and
America in their own “Berlin Style.”
“17 Hippies mix the talents of their
artists with their own style who, when
combined, are sure to have a blended
folk sound that cannot be replicated,”
series organizer Bobbie Welch writes.
Fiamma Fumana, an energetic Northern
Italy group, fuses folk with bagpipe,
accordion, flute and electronica for a
modern sound with traditional feel.
Welch describes their sound as “audibly
fascinating folk music.”
In the spring, the traditional Irish music
band Grada is joined by the five-piece
traditional band Boega (Irish for “lively”). Beoga’s distinctive sound includes
dueling accordions, bodhran and piano.
Rio Grande Theater performances are
Alison Brown and Joe Craven Oct. 18,
Otero Dance Company Nov. 13,
Carolina Chocolate Drops Feb. 26,
Nnenna Frelon April 1 and The
Klezmatics April 23.
Banjo player and vocalist Allison
Brown’s one-of-a-kind acoustic performance is joined by the talents of multiinstrumentalist Joe Craven.
“Said to have a very soft nylon banjo
sound and very unique voice, Brown’s
music goes down smooth and always
leaves you satisfied,” Welch said.
The Otero Dance Company’s “Rhythm
and Passion” heats up the chilly fall
night with sensual Tango, wildly intense
gaucho and sexy salsa in a journey of
color, music and movement.
The North Carolina-based Carolina
Chocolate Drops is a string band that
uses fiddle and banjo to convey the traditional piedmont sound.
Nnenna Frelon is considered one of
today’s most influential jazz vocalists.
Even the Queen of Soul, Aretha
Franklin, has raved about her shows.
“If you’re looking for great entertainment and very hip music be sure to
check out Nnenna Frelon,” Franklin says
in promotional materials for Frelon.
The klesmer band The Klezmatics will
close the season, and are known for mesmerizing the audience with fantastic
playing of their Eastern European sound.
All performances begin at 8 p.m.
General admission is $12.50 and $10 for
NMSU students, faculty and staff.
Season tickets are $72. Tickets available
at the Pan Am Center Ticket Office or all
Ticketmaster locations. Information,
(575) 646-1420 or panam.nmsu.edu.
Opera’s quinceañera season
El Paso Opera’s 15th season is sure to
be spectacular, refreshing and on fire
with upcoming productions of Verdi’s Il
Trovatore and Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
This promises to be one of the most
thrilling seasons in the opera’s history.
Il Trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi is a
mystical, action-packed romantic tragedy
based on two enemy soldiers fighting for
the heart of the same woman. In their
struggle to come to power, they find
themselves pawns in a darker, more complex tale interlaced with gypsy curses,
broken dreams and vengeance. The opera
ultimately reveals a secret past that ties
the two rivals together forever.
“Il Trovatore has something for everyone … swordfights, gunfire, a love story
and fiery revenge,” says Bill Dickinson,
General Director of the opera company.
“This opera contains some of the greatest
music Verdi wrote. The soprano arias are
spectacular, pure vocal fireworks.”
With the production of Il Trovatore, El
Paso Opera welcomes back a star performer, mezzo soprano Jesse Raven.
“In Carmen she was stunning and she is
sure to wow the crowd again with her
role as a vengeful, mystical gypsy in this
opera,” Bill Dickinson says enthusiastically.
The Magic Flute is one of Mozart’s
greatest operatic masterpieces and is sure
to please even the toughest music critics.
Chock full of danger, adventure, impend-
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 21
ing doom, magic and love triangles, The
Magic Flute is the Indiana Jones of
opera.
Set in ancient Egypt, the plot centers on
two lovers desperately trying to be
together. A plethora of magical, colorful
characters accompany them on their
quest in this timeless classic.
Over the last 14 years El Paso Opera
has produced 23 operas with over 45,000
people in attendance.
El Paso Opera is currently celebrating
their 15th season with the introduction of
their $15 for 15 grassroots campaign.
“It’s easy and anyone can participate
by going to our new and secured website
(www.epopera.org). Our goal is to have
15,000 people to donate $15 in honor of
El Paso Opera’s 15th birthday. El Paso
has a lot to offer in the way of local arts
and talent. We want the community to be
involved in the creative process and to be
supportive every step of the way,” says
Cecilia Phillips, El Paso Opera
Marketing Director.
Performances are at the Abraham
Chavez Theatre in downtown El Paso.
They begin at 7:30 pm Thursday and
Saturday, September 11 and 13 with
Verdi’s Il Trovatore. Tickets range from
$15 to $90 and there is a 10 percent discount for students, military and seniors.
For more information or to purchase tickets call 915-581-5534, visit epopera.org.,
www.ticketmaster.com or call 915-5448444.
Con t’d from P a g e 21
“Noah’s Flood” was performed in a churchyard
in Mesilla. The theatre has performed in its current location in the Las Cruces Downtown Mall
since 1977, and is an all-volunteer non-profit
organization.
Season Schedule:
• Aug. 8-24 — “Private Lives”
• Oct. 10-26 — “Anybody for Murder?”
• Dec. 5-21 — “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol”
• Jan. 16-18 — AACT One-Act Competition
• Feb. 20-March 8 — “Phaedra”
• April 10-26 — “Leading Ladies”
• June 12-28 — “Crazy For You”
Tickets: Season tickets $40 for adults and $35
for seniors and students. Individual show tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, $6 each for groups of ten or more and $5
for children under age 6 for comedies and dramas; or $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $7 for groups of ten or more and $6 for
children 6 and under for musicals. All one-act
showcase tickets: $5 (free for season ticket
holders). Box office opens one hour prior to
each performance. Reservations may be made
one week prior to each show, and reserved seats
will be held until 15 minutes before curtain.
Individual memberships available for $10
(Membership packages start at $100).
Las Cruces Symphony
Orchestra
P.O. Box 1622, Las Cruces, NM 88004
Phone: (575) 646-3709
Fax: (575) 646-1086
Website: lascrucessymphony.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Music Director: Lonnie Klein, conductor
Venue: New Mexico State University Recital
Hall, Espina and University, Las Cruces.
History: The Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra
at New Mexico State University offers classi-
cal, pops concerts, youth/family concerts and
other performances. The symphony also provides school outreach programs for children ,
and generates performance grants for NMSU
music students.
Season Schedule:
• Oct. 4-5 —Manuel Barrueco, guitar
• Nov. 1-2 — Norman Kreiger, piano
• Dec. 6-7 — Augustin Hadelich, violin
• Jan. 10-11 — Pops 2009: “Simply Sinatra”
• Feb. 7-8 — Ludmil Angelov, piano
• April 4-5 — Jennifer Frautschi, violin
• May 2-3 — Season finale with Rosalind
Simpson, harp and Carol Redman, flute
• May 9 —Pops 4 Kids family concert
Season tickets: $165 and $200 for Classics
series; $35, $45 and $50 for Pops series. All
family concert seats $5. Individual tickets go on
sale two weeks prior to each show. Ticket information: (575) 646-3709.
Mimbres Region Arts
Council
1201 Pope Street), Silver City, N.M.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1830, Silver City, NM 88062
Phone: (575) 538-2505 or 1-888-758-7289
Website: mimbresarts.org
Venues: WNMU Fine Arts Theater. Folk
series at Pinos Altos Opera House, Gough Park
History: The Mimbres Region Arts Council is
non-profit organization dedicated to enriching
the cultural life of southwestern New Mexic.
Season Schedule:
• Sept. 13-14 — Pickamania
• Oct. 24 — Folk Series: Kate MacLeod
• Nov. 14 — Otero Dance Company
• Jan. 9 — Folk Series: Cruz River Band
•Jan. 23 — Golden Gates from Moscow
• Feb. 13 — Folk Series: Eliza Gilkyson
• March 6 — Folk Series: Corrine West & The
Posse
• March 21 — Beoga/Grada
• April 24 — Folk Series: Po’ Girl
• May 22-24 — Silver City Blues Festival
Tickets: Regular ticket prices are $15 ($5 for
students/children). Folk Series tickets: $20 ($25
for Feb. 13); $15 ($20 for Feb. 13) members.
No Strings Theatre
Company
430 Downtown Mall\, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Phone: (575) 523-1223
Website: no-strings.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Artistic Director: Ceil Herman
Venues: Black Box Theatre, 430 N.
Downtown Mall, BBToo Black Box Annex,
717A N. Mesquite, Las Cruces, N.M.
History: NSTC, a non-profit organization,
presents contemporary or little known works in
Las Cruces, provides opportunities for local
playwrights to develop new works, and for audtience to experience non-traditional stage productions, such as puppet theater, improvisation
and performance art.
Schedule:
• Aug. 29-Sept. 14 — “What I Did Last
Summer”
• Oct. 3-19 — “Delicious Nut”
• Nov. 21-Dec. 7 — “Copenhagen”
• December — “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”
• Jan. 23-Feb. 8 — “Six Dance Lessons in Six
Weeks”
• Feb. 14 — “Love Letters”
• March 6-29 — “Quilters”
• April 17-May 3 — “Enchanted April”
Tickets: $10 ($9 students, and seniors over 65,
$7 all seats Thursdays). High School student
rush tickets are $7, sold 10 minutes before performances, if seats are available. All seats for
Child’s Christmas are $7. A season ticket package includes 6 shows for the price of five: $50
($45 seniors/students). Tickets may be reserved
at (575) 523-1223 or no-strings.org.
Page 22 — El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide
Spencer Theater for the
Performing Arts
P.O. Box 140, Alto, NM 88312
Phone: (888) 818-7872 or (505) 336-4800
Web: spencertheater.com
Executive Director: Charles Centilli
Director of Marketing: Brad Cooper
Venue: Spencer Theater, Airport Highway 220
in Alto, N.M.
History: The Spencer Theater for Performing
Arts opened in 1997, creating a year round venue
for a variety of world-class performances. The
$22 million structure includes a 514-seat performance hall, and several installations of crystal glass art by famed glass artist Dale Chihuly..
Tours of the theater are given at 10 a.m. on
Tuesdays and Thursdays.
2008-2009 Winter Season:
• Sept. 18-19 — “Sweeney Todd”
• Oct. 6 — “Oliver”
• Oct. 25 — The Platters
• Nov. 20-21 — “Jesus Christ Superstar”
• Dec. 4 — Flying J Wranglers Christmas Show
• Dec. 12 — A Celtic Yuletide with Michael
Londra
• Dec. 20 — Ruidoso Dance Ensemble’s “The
Nutcracker”
• Jan. 12 — “Nunsense” with Sally Struthers
• Jan. 26 — “Pajama Game”
• Feb. 7 — “Annie”
• March 3 — “Bye Bye Birdie”
• March 27 — Crystal Gayle
• April 25 — “The Drowsy Chaperone”
• May 16 — “Footloose”
2009 summer season: Begins in late May
or early June; shows to be announced.
Tickets: $25-$76 (varies depending on show).
Series tickets (four our more shows) available
Aug. 25; single performance tickets available
beginning Aug. 28. Tickets available on-line at
spencertheater.com or by phone at (505) 3364800 or 1-888-818-7872.
El Paso Scene 2008-2009 Performing Arts Guide — Page 23