The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
SPRINGTIME SHOWS
Live music, dance, opera and theater coming up TORRINGTON >> There’s plenty of choices for live entertainment at the Warner Theatre in the coming months, and tickets are available for all shows. To purchase tickets, call the Warner Box Office at 860-48971
Back in the day, Temps and Tops were rivals at Motown Records, and each did their utmost to create the bigger hits and the hottest stage shows. Today, albeit with some understudies taking on various vocal assignments, the groups are still making the most of essential songs from the Baby Boom soundtrack. As reported in the New York Times earlier this year, “Some of the members’ gold-lamé jackets (are) a few sizes larger than they were decades ago, but their voices are strong and their choreography taut and precise, with bits of stage business in every song and moves that some fans first saw on black-and-white TV.”
The combined repertoire from which these acts can choose is nothing short of staggering. Fans of this music can expect to be treated to some of the best of Motown soul, and to be delighted by its performance. The Temptations hits include “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “Treat Her Like a Lady,” “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” and “For Your Love,” among others. The Four Tops can choose from “Walk Away Renee,” “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” “Bernadette,” “I Can’t Help Myself,” “Baby I Need Your Lovin’,” “It’s The Same Old Song,” and “Shake Me, Wake Me,” but both lists can go on and on.
Met Opera: Live in HD: Dvořák’s Rusalka
The Warner Theatre’s 2016-17 Met Opera: Live in HD Season continues with an encore presentation of Dvo ák’s Rusalka, held in the Main Theatre on Saturday, March 4 at 12:55 p.m. A complimentary 45-minute pre-opera lecture by Jeffrey Engel will be offered to all ticket holders in the Main Theatre at 11 a.m.
Kristine Opolais stars in the role that helped launch her international career, the mythical Rusalka, who sings the haunting “Song to the Moon.” Mary Zimmerman brings her wondrous theatrical imagination to Dvo ák’s fairytale of love and longing, rejection and redemption. Brandon Jovanovich, Jamie Barton, Katarina Dalayman, and Eric Owens complete the all-star cast, and Mark Elder conducts.
Warner Theatre Center For Arts Education
Spring into the arts at the Warner Theatre Center For Arts Education. Courses at the Center begin on March 6. Courses are for ages 5 to adult and include Acting I & II, The Actors’ Workshop, Technical Theatre, Creative Drama, Center Stage, Tap Dance and for our youngest students, Sing & Move. Students ages 6-16 enrolled in the spring term are eligible to audition for the April Young Actor Series production of The Sound of Music.
The WTCAE also offers students of all ages and abilities one-on-one instruction. Private lessons focus on individualized development of the specified artistic discipline. Lessons may begin at any time during the month.
Scholarships are available. To register for courses or for more information, call the WTCAE at 860-4897180 x 148 or visit warnertheatre.org.
Student Reporting Initiative
The Warner Theatre, in collaboration with the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network, is excited to launch the second class of an exciting digital media program beginning March 7th at the Warner Theatre Center For Arts Education.
This 10-week intensive, interactive, student-driven course taught by CPBN and WNPR journalists, will lead students through all aspects of responsible journalism: from identifying a compelling story to developing vital skills in digital storytelling. Students will take their newly-acquired skills out to the field to conduct journalistic research and face-to-face interviews in order to produce a professional caliber news story. Students will have the opportunity to vet their project ideas to be formally pitched to WNPR professionals for media distribution.
Space is limited to ten students, ages 15 and up. For more information or to register, call the WTCAE at 860-489-7180 x 148 or visit warnertheatre.org.
Met Opera: Live in HD Season: Verdi’s La Traviata
The Warner Theatre’s 2016-17 Met Opera: Live in HD Season continues with Verdi’s LA Traviata in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre on Saturday, March 11 at 12:55 p.m. A complimentary 45-minute pre-opera lecture by Dr. Marguerite Mullee will be offered to all ticket holders in the Studio Lobby at 11 a.m.
Sonya Yoncheva sings one of opera’s most beloved heroines, the tragic courtesan Violetta, a role in which she triumphed on the Met stage in 2015, opposite Michael Fabiano as her lover, Alfredo, and Thomas Hampson as his father, Germont. Carmen Giannattasio sings later performances of the title role opposite Atalla Ayan, with the great Plácido Domingo as Germont. Nicola Luisotti conducts.
Calendar Girls
The Warner Stage Company will present the hilarious yet beautifully touching play, Calendar Girls in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre March 11-19. It is based on the true story of eleven Women’s Institute members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Research.
When Annie’s husband John dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow WI members to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their newfound fame.
Contains mild adult themes and partial nudity. The Warner Stage Company production is directed by Lea Dmytryck. Performances are March 11, 17 and 18 at 8 p.m. and March 12 and 19 at 2 p.m.
The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory: IMPACT 2017
The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory will present IMPACT 2017, March 25 and 26 in the Warner’s Nancy Marine Studio Theatre.
Watch in wonder as the dancers of The Nutmeg Ballet enthrall you with a mixed repertoire of classical ballet and original contemporary works. Excerpts from two full length ballets, “Giselle” and “Coppelia,” alongside new creations by guest choreographers Kinsun Chan, Brian Reeder and Kate St. Amand, will be featured.
Experience the beautiful costumes, exquisite lighting design, exciting choreography, and a cast of aspiring young artists from the Nutmeg Ballet with cameo appearances by the children of TSOB at The Nutmeg. Presented in the intimate Nancy Marine Studio Theatre, you will embrace the story, feel the music, and cherish this unique and memorable dance experience. Come be a part of the magic!
Performances of IMPACT are Saturday, March 25 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 26 at 2:00 pm. To purchase tickets, call the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or visit warnertheatre.org.
Warner Theatre Gala
The Warner Theatre will host its 19th Annual Gala on Saturday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center. The event will benefit the nonprofit theatre with funds supporting the Warner Stage Company, one of the most active community theatre companies in Connecticut, the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education, an on-site performing arts school where students are free to explore their individuality and creativity and the preservation of the historic Warner Theatre.
The evening begins with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvre reception where guests will have a chance to mingle and bid in the silent auction. The cocktail reception will be followed by an open bar, dinner, entertainment and a live auction conducted by Eric Hummel.
Tickets are $150 per person and are available by calling 860-489-7180 or at warnertheatre.org. Tables of 6, 8 and 10 are available. For more information on reserving a table or to sponsor the event, call 860-489-7180 x 189. Sponsors include Torrington Savings Bank, Barron Financial Group, Thomaston Savings Bank, Northwest Community Bank, Litchfield Bancorp and Karpas Strategies.