Contact: Lindsay Gambini (973) 655-7689
UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- From Russia’s Red Army Chorus to tenor Anthony Kearns, from legendary musical group ABBA to Rockapella, from classical ballet to tango, from Franklin the Turtle to “The Mouse and the Motorcycle,” there’s something for everyone at the 2002-2003 Great Events Season at Montclair State University.
All performances are in the University’s Memorial Auditorium. Ticket prices are listed for the individual shows. Series and group rates are also available.
Great Events also presents the SchoolTime Series -- performances for school groups. Tickets for SchoolTime events are $15.
For further information, to order tickets, or request a brochure, call the MSU Box Office at (973) 655-5112 or visit MSU’s website at www.montclair.edu/Pages/GreatEvents/home.html.
The Great Events Schedule:
DANCE AND MUSIC
Sunday, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25, 20. The Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble. Direct from Russia, this spectacular 60-member ensemble dazzles with beautiful music and tremendous dancing.
Friday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25, 20. ABBA Mania -- The Concert. It’s back to the disco era with one of the best pop bands in history. The concert features 21 of ABBA’s hits, with the costume changes, choreography, back-up singers and big studio sound that made the group famous. “It’s the closest thing to ABBA that anyone will ever see,” said the Ottawa Citizen.
Saturday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25, 20. Teatro Si’s “Tango Mundo” is a theatrical spectacle featuring Maestro Raul Jaurena and his orchestra and singer-actress Marga Mitchell and her troupe of dancers. Concertgoers will travel to cabarets in France, Japan, Italy, Buenos Aires and New York while experiencing the traditional tango of long ago and the modern vanguard of the art form.
Saturday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35, 30, $25. Anthony Kearns in Concert. Known for his silky, poetic vocals, this original member of the Three Irish Tenors presents a solo performance accompanied by pianist Patrick Healey. From New York to Dublin, Kearns has delivered passionate performances of music that taps into the very soul of Ireland.
Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25, 20. Rockapella and Harmonytryx. Double your pleasure with these twin dynamos. Rockapella is a five-man vocal powerhouse that performs an infectious blend of soul, rock, r&b and jazz. Six local women compose the “entertaining and utterly brilliant” Harmonytryx, which dazzle audiences with its mix of pop, folk and world music that ranges from sexy and provocative to soulful and spiritual.
Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday Dec. 15, at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets $35, 30, $25. American Repertory Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” Enjoy a lavish new production of the classic holiday favorite. With a cast of more than 100 performers, gorgeous costumes, sets and exceptionally polished dancing, this is the perfect holiday treat .
Sunday, Jan. 19, 7 p.m. Tickets $20, 15. Harry Partch Concert. Newband performs Partch classics on its amazing collection of innovative instruments: “Daphne of the Dunes,” “Castor and Pollux” and “Two Studies on Ancient Greek Scales,” as well as works by Dean Drummond and Donald Steven.
Friday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25, 20. “Spirit of Ireland.” Champion dancers and world-class musicians playing traditional Celtic instruments create a spectacular evening.
Sunday, March 9, 3:30 p.m. Tickets $25, 20. “Night in Ukraine.” More than 40 Ukrainian and Slavonic performers -- featuring the Syzokryli Dance Ensemble -- plus gypsy violinists, pianists, opera singers, folk singers, balalaikas and bayans will enliven Memorial Auditorium.
Sunday, March 30, 3 p.m. Tickets $30, $25, 20. American Repertory Ballet, “Dancing Through the Ceiling.” Enjoy newly commissioned ballets by women choreographers. The evening features two dynamic pieces: Amy Seiwert’s “Monopoly,” a brash look at the changing dynamics of traditional male/female relationships in both dance and society as a whole, and Dominique Dumais’ “A Part Between Parts,” a collaborative piece choreographed by dancer improvisation.
Saturday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25, 20. Yass Hakoshima Movement Theatre, “Yoakemai -- Before Dawn.” This premiere is a stimulating program blending physical expression, sculpture and music, featuring Yass Hakoshima; Taikoza drummers led by Marco Lienhard; China’s master pipa player Min Xiao Fen; and Japanese koto player Masayo Ishigure.
FAMILY EVENTS (All Family Events tickets are $15)
Friday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. The Omaha Theatre Company for Young People’s “GO DOG, GO!” Adapted from P.D. Eastman’s lovable classic, a Dr. Seuss Beginner Book. Blue dogs, yellow dogs and red dogs travel by boat, car, scooter and unicycle to get to the best dog party ever. For ages 3 to 9.
Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. Franklin live on stage in “Franklin’s Class Concert.” Join Franklin and his pals onstage at the Annual School Concert as the lovable turtle discovers his own special talent. The show is based on the Nickelodeon animated series and the best-selling Scholastic book series. For ages 3 to 9.
Sunday, Jan. 26, 3 p.m. The Omaha Theater Company for Young People’s “The Mouse and the Motorcycle.” Adapted from Beverly Cleary’s classic novel about Ralph the Mouse and his dream come true. Once a mouse can ride a motorcycle, anything can happen! For ages 7 to 12.
Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. “The Giving Tree.” The Tony Award-winning National Theatre of the Deaf performs Shel Silverstein’s classic story of unconditional love in sign language and spoken word. For all ages.
Sunday, March 16, 7:30 p.m. Greg Popovich’s “Comedy Pet Theatre.” You will be amazed to see cats and dogs performing circus tricks together in this Vegas-style indoor circus act featuring 16 trained housecats and eight dogs (all rescued from animal shelters). International circus star Gregory Popovich displays his astounding juggling skills and plays second banana to his hilarious cavalcade of talented house pets. For all ages.
MSU is New Jersey's second largest university. It offers the advantages of a large university -- a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with a global focus, a broad variety of superior graduate programs, and a diverse faculty and student body -- combined with a small college's attention to students.
More information on the University is available on its website: www.montclair.edu.
MSU is located at the intersection of Valley Road and Normal Avenue in Upper Montclair. The campus is one mile south of the junction of routes 3 and 46, 14 miles west of New York City.
August 20, 2002