2009-10 Cultural Season

Opera, Ballet, Classical, and Live Theater
to Present Audience Favorites

Yo-Yo Ma

Cats
Photo by G Creative

The Color Purple
Photo by Paul Kolnik

Wicked
Photo by Joan Marcus

Avenue Q

Another fall, another cultural season opens in New Orleans. As in years past, one “big name” stands out above the rest and this year is no exception. Internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma headlines the upcoming cultural season with a performance with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday, October 18 at a 3 p.m. matinee.

Widely considered to be the world’s greatest cellist since Pablo Casals and an astounding 16-time Grammy Award winner, Ma will be performing Schumann’s “Cello Concerto.”

Ma has performed in some of the world’s leading concert halls and in front of presidents and kings, but much of his acclaim can be attributed to his versatility as well. Whether soloing in Lincoln Center or the Grand Ole Opry or in the bush country of Africa’s Kalahari Desert, the genial Ma embodies the dictionary definition of “crossover artist.”

The rest of the cultural season is looking good, too, with three operas and a semi-opera, five major ballet performances (including returns of the world-renowned Houston Ballet and the Alvin Ailey company), two dozen classical performances ranging from Brahms to Pink Floyd and a stellar lineup of stage productions at Le Petit and Southery Repertory theatres. Plus, Broadway Across America is bringing five Tony Award-winning shows to the city with original casts.

Here is the lineup as it stands so far:

Broadway Across America

October 27-November 1, 2009
Cats
December 1-6, 2009
The Color Purple
February 2-7, 2010
Mamma Mia
March 24-April 11, 2010
Wicked
June 8-13, 2010
Avenue Q

All shows will be at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts in Louis Armstrong Park. Performances will be held in the evening from Tuesday through Saturday with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are already on sale at various levels and prices.

For details on the Broadway Across America-New Orleans series and for ticket and season subscription information, call 1-800-218-SHOW (7469) Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Or you can log on to www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

New Orleans Opera Association

October 9 and 11, 2009
Puccini’s Tosca. Puccini’s classic musical tale of love, art, betrayal and death during the Napoleonic Era. In Italian with English supertitles (translations) projected above the stage. Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
November 20 and 22, 2009
Charles Gounod’s Romeo et Juliett. Charles Gounod’s musical interpretation of the Shakespeare classic about the doomed couple from opposite feuding families in medieval Verona, Italy. In French with English supertitles. Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
January 22 and 24, 2010
Verdi’s Requiem Mass. In Latin with English supertitles. Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
March 19 and 21, 2010
Wagner’s Der Fliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman). In German with English supertitles. Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

All productions take place on the Placido Domingo Stage of the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in Louis Armstrong Park. For tickets and information call 504-529-3000 or log on to www.NewOrleansOpera.org.

New Orleans Ballet Association

October 24, 2009
Houston Ballet. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. 8 p.m.
November 20 and 21, 2009
“Thank You, Gregory!” A Tribute to the Legends of Tap: Freda Lupin Memorial Hall, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, 2800 Chartres Street. 8 p.m.
January 29, 2010
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m.
February 26 and 27, 2010
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts. 8 p.m.
March 5 and 6, 2010
Lyon Opera Ballet. Freda Lupin Memorial Hall, NOCCA. 8 p.m.
April 17, 2010
Gala des Etoiles! 40th Anniversary Gala of Stars. Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts.

For tickets and information about the ballet call 522-0996 or log on to www.NOBADance.com.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
(through December 2009)

September 17, 2009
“Romeo Meets Rachmaninov”. Tchaikovsky: “Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy”; Rachmaninov: “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”; Prokofiev: “Romeo and Juliet Suite”. Mahalia Jackson Theater. 7:30 p.m.
September 18, 2009
Schumann Symphony No. 2. Brahms: “Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn”; Stock: “Percussion Concerto”; Schumann: “Symphony No. 2” First Baptist Church of New Orleans, 5290 Canal Blvd. 7:30 p.m.
September 24, 2009
“Something Old”. Handel: “Water Music - Suite No. 2”; CPE Bach: “Sinfonia in E-flat Major”; Haydn: “Trumpet Concerto”; Schumann: “Symphony No. 2”. First Baptist Church, Kenner. 7:30 p.m.
October 18, 2009
Yo-Yo Ma Plays Schumann. Bernstein: “Chichester Psalms” with the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans; Kodály: “Háry János Suite”; Schumann: “Cello Concerto” with Yo-Yo Ma. Mahalia Jackson Theater. 3 p.m.
October 21, 2009
“Something New”. Daugherty: “Desi”; Copland: “Appalachian Spring”; Dvorak: “Symphony No. 9, From the New World”. First Baptist Church, Kenner. 7:30 p.m.
October 29, 2009
Mendelssohn “Scottish”. Auerbach: “Symphony No. 1”; Mendelssohn: “Symphony No. 3, Scottish”. First Baptist Church of New Orleans.
7:30 p.m.
November 7, 2009
Tchaikovsky Pathètique. Debussy: “Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun”; Schumann: “Violin Concerto”; Tchaikovsky: “Symphony No. 6 Pathètique”. Philippe Quint, violin soloist. Mahalia Jackson Theater. 8 p.m.
December 2, 2009
Yuletide Celebration. A spectacular night of popular holiday favorites, food and fun! Pontchartrain Center, Kenner. 7:30 p.m.
December 12, 2009
Mendelssohn and Mozart. Respighi: “Trittico Botticelliano”; Mozart: “Piano Concerto No. 20”; Mendelssohn: “Symphony No. 4 Italian”. Mahalia Jackson Theater. 8 p.m.
December 17, 2009
Handel’s “Messiah” (with the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans). First Baptist Church of New Orleans. 7:30 p.m.

For tickets and information call 523-6530 or log on to www.lpomusic.com.

Le Petit Theatre

September 10-27, 2009
Aida - Elton John and Tim Rice’s modern-day adaptation of the classic Verdi opera of ancient Egypt.
October 15-November 1, 2009
Damn Yankees - A latter-day retelling of the old Faust legend about a man selling his soul so his favorite baseball team can triumph over the hated New York Yankees.
December 3-20, 2009
White Christmas - The musical version that centers around the timeless Irving Berlin classic song.
March 4-21, 2010
13
May 6-23, 2010
Grey Gardens
July 6-25, 2010
The Wedding Singer

For tickets and information call 522-2081 or log on to www.LePetitTheatre.com.

Southern Repertory Theater

September 16-October 11, 2009
Opus - Violinist turned playwright, Michael Hollinger, creates a witty and telling portrait of a high-caliber yet high-strung string quartet.
November 4-December 6, 2009
I Am My Own Wife - The hauntingly complex true tale of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a German transvestite who successfully outwitted not only the Nazis and Communists, but could also spot a priceless antique at 100 yards.
February 24-March 7, 2010
Ameriville
March 24-April 18, 2010
With a Bang
May 12-June 6, 2010
Grey Gardens
May 19-June 13, 2010
The Piano Teacher

For tickets and information call 522-6545 or log on to info@southernrep.com.