FOUR LIVE SHOWS TO WATCH
Madama Butterfly May 14, 16, 18
One of the highlights of this year’s opera season, Madama Butterfly is a reprise of the gorgeous version directed by award-winning filmmaker Anthony Minghella (The English Patient, Cold Mountain) that premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in 2006. Mounted again in April, this time with Minghella’s widow, Carolyn Choa, at the helm, Puccini’s lyrical opera stars Kristine Opolais in the title role and Roberto Alagna as Pinkerton, the American naval officer responsible for her heartbreak.
The story is set in the early days of the 20th century in the Japanese port city of Nagasaki, where Ciocio-san (“butterfly”), a young Japanese geisha, is to marry Pinkerton — a marriage of convenience with tragic repercussions.
Hangmen May 21
Another big production coming to theatres soon is Hangmen, recorded live at London’s National Theatre. It’s been called “dropdead hilarious” (Independent) and “the best new play of the year” (Daily Telegraph). Set during the 1960s in the northern English town of Oldham, the play follows Harry Wade (David Morrissey of The Walking Dead), one of the last hangmen — and something of a local celebrity — as Britain abolishes capital punishment.
Written by playwright and Academy Award-winner Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths) and directed by Matthew Dunster, Hangmen is a black comedy as only the Brits can do.
The Shakespeare Show May 26 and June 5
Stage and screen actor David Tennant (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) hosts a massive, starstudded party to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. Over two hours, actors, dancers and musicians pay tribute to the bard in this production, recorded live from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Among the guests: actors Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Judi Dench, Joseph Fiennes and Sir Ian McKellen, along with musicians (including Rufus Wainwright) and dancers.
André Rieu Aug. 25, 27 and Sept. 11
One of the regulars on the Event Cinema calendar, André Rieu is known as “the king of waltz.” His annual concert in his Dutch hometown of Maastricht features Rieu with his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra, as well as sopranos, tenors and other special guests. Last year, his Maastricht concert broke single-night and lifetime box-office records for a music concert in the United Kingdom. An exclusive treat for film audiences is the post-concert interview with Rieu. Find show times and participating theatres at cineplex.com.