OCTOBER 2011
BRILLIANT ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

As promised, I am going to give you a thumbnail review of the Tony Award-Winning musical THE BOOK OF MORMON on Broadway. Now here’s a recommendation that you can bank on. “Charlie Sheen was at Book of Mormon last night and he loved the show!” If that doesn’t give you a clue as to how outrageous it was, then I don’t know what does. Sitting right near me were actor Jeff Goldblum ( Jurrassic Park) and Nigel Lythgoe(judge on So You Think You Can Dance). Enough about celeb sightings.
I knew that the musical was written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. They are the first time Broadway writers who are entering their 15th season as the creators of the no holds-barred TV series South Park. That said, I was not surprised at the total irreverence and fun. Cast members Andrew Rannells, Josh Gad, Nikki M. James and Rory O’Malley were perfect. Their comedic timing was flawless and they embodied the caricatures (I did not make a typo) perfectly. However, what the authors wanted was a subject that no one had made fun of yet. What I came away with, after I stopped laughing, was a serious thought. No matter how preposterous a religion is, it can unite people and give them the support and power that they otherwise would not have. Who would have guessed?
I was lucky enough to get tickets before Mormon swept the Tonys so I paid the normal seat price. Now premium orchestra tickets can go for $350 but if you are willing to wait, you can still get the eats at face value. Mitt, stay home.

WHAT: BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA WHERE: BOSTON OPERA HOUSE
WHEN; SEE BELOW
TICKETS: 866 523-7469
SOUTH PACIFIC runs through Oct 2 then in December look for Jerry Herman’s fabulous LA CAGE AUX FOLLES with George Hamilton. There season continues with American Idiot, Les Miz, The Adams Family, Riverdance, Beauty and the Beast, Mama Mia and much more

WHAT: NEXT FALL
WHERE: SPEAKEASY STAGE COMPANY
WHEN: though OCT 15
TICKETS:617 933 8600
“The funniest heartbreaker in town” – NY Times
A 2010 Tony nominee for Best Play, Next Fall takes a witty and provocative look at faith, commitment and unconditional love. Luke, a devout Christian, and Adam, a non-believer, have been together for four years; yet spiritual differences continue to spark trouble in their relationship. A sudden twist of fate, however, changes everything in this compelling new play that looks at what it means to ‘believe’ and what it might cost us not to.
The Speakeasy has been giving us one top-notch play after another. Here are some future listings to put on your calendar.
The Divine Sister 
SpeakEasy Stage Company 
Roberts Studio Theatre
10/21/2011 – 11/19/2011
Sorry, Wrong Number 2011! 
SpeakEasy Stage Company 
Roberts Studio Theatre
11/7/2011 – 11/8/2011
Red 
SpeakEasy Stage Company 
Wimberly Theatre
1/6/2012 – 2/4/2012
Next to Normal 
SpeakEasy Stage Company 
Roberts Studio Theatre
3/9/2012 – 4/7/2012

WHAT: The Boston Symphony Orchestra offers various affordable ticket options for patrons in every age group for the 2011-12 season. Patrons of all ages can take advantage of BSO Rush Tickets, $9, and the BSO open rehearsal tickets, $20.
WHERE: SYMPHONY HALL
WHEN: SEE BELOW
TICKETS: Tickets may be purchased one through the BSO’s website (www.bso.org), by phone through SymphonyCharge (617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200), or in person at the Symphony Hall Box Office (301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston). are not
BSO Rush Tickets
BSO Rush Tickets enable concert-goers of all ages to enjoy a performance at Symphony Hall by the BSO for only $9 per ticket. A limited number of Rush Tickets for Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings and Friday afternoons are set aside to be sold on the day of the performance. Rush Tickets are limited to one per customer, and must be paid for with cash only. Rush tickets are available at the BSO Box Office on Massachusetts Avenue beginning at 5 p.m. for Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evening concerts, and 10 a.m. for Friday afternoon concerts.
Open Rehearsal Tickets
Tickets to Open Rehearsals are priced at $20 for general admittance with open seating. Open rehearsals give patrons a unique, behind-the-scenes performance experience. Because these are working rehearsals, patrons may experience interactions between the conductor, soloist, and orchestra throughout the performance, as well as more in-depth rehearsal of particular passages of the music that the conductor considers requiring more refinement.
All programs and artists are subject to change. For more information or to purchase a College Card, Young
Patrons with disabilities can access Symphony Hall through the Massachusetts Avenue lobby or the Cohen Wing on Huntington Avenue. An access service center, accessible restrooms, and elevators are available inside the Cohen Wing entrance. For ticket information, call the Access Services Administrator at 617-638-9431 or TDD/TTY 617-638-9289.

What: Boston Lyric Opera presents the Signature Series in partnership with the
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA).
WHERE:Remis Auditorium MFA
WHEN: See below
These provocative overtures take place at
the MFA and employ a variety of art forms including film, visual arts, theater and music
to highlight a theme in the operas of the season. All presentations begin at 2pm in Remis
Auditorium at the MFA and are followed by the Signature Reception*
in the MFA’s Bravo Restaurant. Mingle with the performers and enjoy cocktails and
hors d’oeuvres at these lively afternoon affairs.

WHAT: CELTIC MUSIC
WHERE; BLUE OCEAN MUSIC HALL, SALISBURY
WHEN. THURSDAY OCT 6 @ 8 PM
If you enjoy Celtic music from the Canadian Maritimes fused with contemporary rock and folk sensibilities, you’ll want to make plans to see Séan McCann & the Committed

WHAT: BOSTON BALLET LAUNCHES DESIGN IN MOTION

IN COLLABORATION WITH
SCHOOL OF FASHION DESIGN

STUDENT DESIGNERS CREATE BALLET-INSPIRED COUTURE
WINNER RECEIVES INTERNSHIP WITH BOSTON BALLET COSTUME SHOP
Boston Ballet announced today Design in Motion, a project in collaboration with the School of Fashion Design in Boston, to foster young talent and bring together art and style opportunities for Boston’s fashion students. Design in Motion will be a forum for students of the School of Fashion Design to create ballet-inspired couture with the hopes of winning a coveted internship with Boston Ballet’s Costume Shop. The project will run from Boston Fashion Week 2011 through January of 2012.

“Part of Boston Ballet’s mission is to create space to foster young artists,” said Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. “I’m so pleased to begin this project with the School of Fashion Design, and provide young designers with a chance to be inspired by the art form of ballet and showcase their individual talents to new audiences.”

“This project is an ideal example of ‘Boston Fashion is Smart,’ a message we’ve been promoting through our efforts to build strong creative relationships between fashion and the arts. I’m so glad to see it being introduced during Boston Fashion Week,” said Jay Calderin, Founder & Executive Director of Boston Fashion Week.

For more information about Boston Ballet’s Design in Motion project and how to participate please visit: www.bostonballet.org/designinmotion

2011-2012 Season Tickets
Subscriptions, Group Sales tickets, and individual tickets for The Nutcracker are on sale now.
Subscriptions and individual tickets are available online 24 hours a day at www.bostonballet.org, by phone at 617.695.6955, and in person at the box office at 19 Clarendon Street, Boston, Mon–Fri, 9:30am-5pm. Tickets start at $25 for season ballets and $35 for Night of Stars and The Nutcracker. Group Sales tickets for parties of 10 or more are available through the box office at 617.695.6955. 


WHAT: BUDDY COP 2
WHERE: STONEHAM THEATRE
WHEN; OCT 20-NOV 6
TICKETS: 781-279-2200

Buddy Cop 2 was written by The Debate Society, in association with the Ontological Theater; directed by Weylin Symes. Performances run October 20-November 6: Thurs. (7:30 pm), Fri. (8 pm), Sat. (3 pm & 8 pm), Sun. (2 pm). Senior discounts. Special pay-what-you-can performances every Thursday of the run.] Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main Street, Stoneham. Wheelchair accessible. For advance tickets and information, visit or call the Box Office at 781-279-2200 (hours Tues.–Sat., 1–6pm) or log onto www.stonehamtheatre.org.

Brooklyn-based The Debate Society – otherwise known as Hannah Bos, Paul Thureen, and Oliver Butler – had their hands full when in the Spring of 2010, their new Buddy Cop 2 production, developed in collaboration with the Ontological Theater, opened to rave reviews. With lines waiting to get in, one can only wonder: why would New York City slickers crave to catch a play about some small town police officers making do in Shandon, Indiana? 

Midwest cops work up a big sweat playing on-the-job racquetball while coordinating special Christmas arrangements for a local dying girl’s final wish. What would prompt citified “devised theatre” practitioners to zero in on such a hokey premise?

For one thing, Shandon, Indiana is definitely not Mayberry. Set in a recreation center turned police station (it’s been like that for a few years!), Buddy Cop 2 keeps the audience bouncing around a plot that is in a perpetual state of unease, with quirky twists and turns that end up leaving everyone hanging. There’s mystery, flirtation, guffaws, compassion, Christmas spilling over into the new year, and a dark cloud looming overhead, that very much sounds like a helicopter. And sweat, lots of sweat.

In true collaborative fashion, The Debate Society will be on hand in Stoneham during the first week of production. When asked how Buddy Cop 2 came to be born and to fascinate audiences, Paul Thureen replies that “Oliver [Butler] had wanted to do an athletic racquetball play, Hannah [Bos] had wanted to do an 80’s cop play and I had wanted to do a super sad Christmas play. For a long time we thought those would be three different plays.” Oliver Butler then chimes in: “With us, it’s not like everything has to be equal parts or that this was some kind of democratic compromise . . . it just hit us all that THIS was the way these ideas needed to come together.” “…and make a baby,” Hannah Bos adds.

Stoneham Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes directs the New England premiere of this madcap piece, which features Melissa Baroni (as Officer Darlene Novak) and Paul Richard Yarborough (as Officer Terry Olsen) who occupy this racquetball court-ish police station over 90% of the time. Jerry Bisantz (as Officer Don McMurchie) and Emily Sheeran (who doubles as the dying Skylar and Brandi, the Governor’s daughter) round out the cast. The Debate Society is excited about making the trek to spend a week in Massachusetts, since Stoneham Theatre is only the second professional U.S. company outside of New York City to dare tackle their off-kilter play.

WHAT: Scullers fall events
WHERE: SCULLERS
WHEN: See Below
TICKETS: 617.562.4111
info@scullersjazz.com

October:
– FriSat. 31/1, Eliane Elias, Grammy award nominee, Brazilian pianist/singer/composer/arranger, www.elianeelias.com , (Show $30, Dinner & Show $72)
– Sun. 2, Take 6, A cappella jazz group, Multiple GRAMMY winners from Alabama, www.take6.com, (Show $40, Dinner & Show $82)
– Tue. 4, Melissa Morgan, Jazz/Latin, www.myspace.com/melissamorganjazz , (Show $20, Dinner & Show $62), 8pm only
– Wed. 5, Bill Banfield’s Jazz Urbane, Jazz composer, educator, musical director, Featuring Grace Kelly, www.billbanfield.com, www.gracekellymusic.com , (Show $20 , Dinner & Show $62), 8pm only
– Thu. 6, Sammy Figueroa & the Latin Jazz Explosion, new CD for this master percussionist, www.sammyfigueroa.com , (Show $25, Dinner & Show $67)
– FriSat. 7/8, Marlena Shaw & the David Hazeltine Trio (Guest: Elan Trotman), Jazz, www.berkeleyagency.com/blues/marlena,shaw.htm , www.davidhazeltine.com , (Show $30, Dinner & Show $72)
– Tue. 11, Neha, NEC student/Jazz vocalist www.nehamusic.com , (Show $15, Dinner & Show $57) , 8pm only
– Wed. 12, Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet www.jasonmarsalis.com , (Show $22, Dinner & Show $64) , 8pm only
– Thu. 13, Jesse Harris , Producer and solo artist www.jesseharrismusic.com , (Show $20, Dinner & Show $62) , 8pm only
– FriSat.14/15, Hiromi: The Trio Project, Jazz/improvisation pianist, composer www.hiromimusic.com , (Show $35, Dinner & Show $77)
– TueWed.18/19, Average White Band, soul and funk www.averagewhiteband.com , (Show $25, Dinner & Show $67)
– Thu. 20, Amanda Carr & Le Crème De Les Femme www.amandacarr.com , (Show $22, Dinner & Show $64) , 8pm only
– FriSat. 21/22, Sax Pack (Featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters & Steve Cole) www.thesaxpack.com , (Show $38, Dinner & Show $80)

November:
– Wed. 2, The Laszlo Gardony Quartet, New CD, Jazz pianist/composer, Featuring Stan Strickland (saxophone, vocals, kalimba, flute, bass clarinet), John Lockwood (bass), Yoron Israel (drums) www.lgjazz.com , (Show $18, student $10, Dinner & Show $60) , 8pm only
– Thu. 3, Sultans Of String, New CD, World/Jazz/Flamenco, www.sultansofstring.com, (Show $20, Dinner & Show $62), 8pm only
– FriSat. 4/5, Acoustic Alchemy, New CD , Roseland www.acoustic,alchemy.net , (Show $30, Dinner & Show $72)
– Wed. 9, Hilary Kole , New CD , Jazz vocalist www.hilarykole.com , (Show $22, Dinner & Show $64) , 8pm only
– Thu. 10, 3 Cohens Sextet ­, Jazz , Featuring siblings Yuval, Anat, and Avishai Cohen. www.3cohens.com , (Show $22, Dinner & Show $64) , 8pm only
– SatSun. 12/13, Arturo Sandoval , Latin/Jazz Trumpet Master www.arturosandoval.com , (Show $40, Dinner & Show $82)
– Wed. 16, Stanley Jordan , New CD , Composer, Jazz/Jazz Fusion (guitar and piano) www.stanleyjordan.com , (Show $25, Dinner & Show $67)
– Thu. 17, Yoko Miwa – Boston based jazz pianist www.yokomiwa.com , (Show $20, Dinner & Show $62) , 8pm only
– Sat. 18/19, Spyro Gyra, New CD , Jazz fusion www.spyrogyra.com , (Show $40, Dinner & Show $82)
– Tue. 22, Carol O’Shaughnessy – “Boston’s hottest singer, actress and all,around funny lady”www.ocarolo.com , (Show $23, Dinner & Show $65) , 8pm only
– FriSat. 25/26, Roy Hargrove , trumpeter extraordinaire www.vervemusicgroup.com/royhargrove , (Show $35, Dinner & Show $77)
– TueWed.29/30, Joe Lovano/Dave Douglas www.joelovano.com/ www.greenleafmusic.com , (Show $25, Dinner & Show $67)

December:
– Thu.1, The Juanito Pascual New Flamenco Trio , Flamenco Guitar / World featuring Haggai Cohen Milo (acoustic base) and Tupac Mantilla (percussion) www.juanitopascual.com (Show $25, $10 students, Dinner & Show $67)
– TueWed. 6/7, A Peter White Christmas , feat. Kirk Whalum & Mindi Abair, www.peterwhite.com www.kirkwhalum.com www.mindiabair.com (Show $40, Dinner & Show $82)
– Thu. 8, Bobbi Carrey & Will McMillan , New take on cabaret, www.bobbicarrey.com , (Show $22, Dinner & Show $64)
– FriSatSun. 9/10/11, Esperanza Spalding , Best new artist Grammy award winner , singer/bassist/composer , featuring Terri Lynn Carrington and Geri Allen www.esperanzaspalding.com , (Show $30, Dinner & Show $72)

Mon. 12 to Wed. 28, Scullers will be closed for our winter break

– Thu. 29, Christian McBride & Inside Straight , Bassist extraordinaire, composer, arranger, educator, www.christianmcbride.com, (Show $28. Dinner & Show $70)
– Sat. 31, New Years with Christian McBride & Inside Straight (8pm Show $100 per couple, Dinner & Show $309 per couple/ 11pm Show $120 per couple, Dinner & Show with champagne toast etc. $379 per couple)

Hopefully the previous listings will keep you busy and happy until we meet again.

It’s not too late to subscribe! Subscriptions as low as $96.
Single tickets to Macbeth, The Barber of Seville, and The Inspector are on sale now through the Citi Performing Arts Center. Tickets start at $32.


BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OFFERS A VARIETY OF 
AFFORDABLE TICKET OPTIONS FOR EVERY AGE GROUP