Experience the excitement — Buy season tickets now!
Where else can you find the best of opera, drama, dance, and musical theatre in one convenient package? Our 2009-2010 Power Series has it all - The Marriage of Figaro (opera), Macbeth (Drama), (Re)Visionary Dances (Dance), and Ragtime (Musical Theatre). Four great works of art which look at classic stories in new and intriguing ways. Four original productions that are full of dazzling effects, sumptuous music, family fun, and spellbinding drama. We hope to share this year of thrilling creativity with you.
Series Information
Series A: Thursday Evenings, 7:30 pm on Nov 12, Dec 10, Feb 4, and Apr 15
Series B: Friday Evenings, 8 pm on Nov 13, Dec 11, Feb 5, and Apr 16
Series C: Saturday Evenings, 8 pm on Nov 14, Dec 12, Feb 6, and Apr 17
Series D: Sunday Afternoons, 2 pm on Nov 15, Dec 13, Feb 7, and Apr 18
Prices
All performaces are in the Power Center for the Performing Arts at 121 N Fletcher - Seating Chart
Center Orchestra & Balcony (Sections 2-4, 7-9) $80.00
Side Orchestra & Balcony (Sections 1, 5, 6, & 10) $60.00
Subscriber Benefits
Subscribing to the 2009-2010 Power Series brings you four spectacular dance, musical theatre, opera, and theatre productions featuring the stars of tomorrow on our stages today. Only Subscribers Receive:
• Priority Seating: When you are a subscriber, we will give you exclusive seating preference and reserve your seats for the entire season.
• Ticket Insurance: Lost your tickets? Not to worry—we shall replace them.
• Flexibility: Has your schedule changed? We shall exchange your tickets for a different performance of the same production at no charge up to 48 hours before the performance.
• Don’t pay full price: You receive a 15% discount for your series tickets along with any single tickets you purchase for the remaining six School of Music, Theatre & Dance mainstage productions.
• Get ‘Em First: You receive priority ordering privileges for all School of Music, Theatre & Dance productions including the annual Halloween and Collage Concerts, Musical Theatre Studios, and the Musical Theatre Senior Showcase.
• Be in the know! You will be notified of exciting upcoming UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance events in advance of the general public.
Some Helpful Information
• Shortly after receipt of your order, we shall mail you a confirmation.
• Subscribers may exchange tickets at no cost for the same production up to 48 hours before curtain, subject to availability. No refunds.
• As a Power Series subscriber, you are entitled to a discount of over 15% off single ticket prices and priority seating for the remaining six School of Music, Theatre & Dance performing arts productions in the Mendelssohn and Arthur Miller Theatres. An order form will be sent to you in mid-July.
• Plays, casts and schedules are subject to change.
Order now! - It's easy to buy season tickets
By Phone: Call (734) 764-2538. There is a $2.50 handling fee per order for ordering by phone. Please have your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number and expiration date ready.
In Person: The League Ticket Office is located in the Michigan League Building at 911 N. University at Fletcher Street.
Hours: Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 5 PM and Saturday from 10 AM - 1 PM
Summer Hours (May - August): 10 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Friday
The Shows:
The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro)
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte
Based on the comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
University Opera Theatre
Directed by Robert Swedberg
University Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kenneth Kiesler
November 12 -15, 2009
The Story: Count Almaviva’s valet Figaro is looking forward to his imminent wedding with the beautiful Susanna. Unfortunately, his lascivious employer is also intent on bedding the young chambermaid. Aware of the Count’s intentions, the Countess, with Susanna’s help, intends to teach her husband a lesson on the dangers of infidelity. Add in a love-sick teenager who causes unexpected confusion and hilarity abounds as multiple love interests vie for the perfect pairing. Through subtle intrigue, scintillating sexual games, and mistaken identities, Figaro and Susanna must outmaneuver and outwit the entire household to end up finally in each other’s arms.
Artistic Significance: Called “the world’s most perfect opera,” The Marriage of Figaro has delighted audiences since its premiere in 1786. The first collaboration between Mozart and librettist da Ponte, Figaro is one the successful sequel to The Barber of Seville. Da Ponte’s witty libretto melds humor with humanity and is paired with Mozart’s groundbreaking score in a true marriage of music and drama. From the instantly recognizable overture to the rousing ensemble finale, the opera is filled with one brilliant melody after another. A celebrated operatic tour de force, The Marriage of Figaro sparkles with genius.
Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
Department of Theatre & Drama
Directed by Philip Kerr
December 10 - 13, 2009
The Story: How far would an ambitious person go to manipulate their future? Told a prophecy that he will someday rule, Scottish general Macbeth briefly contemplates regicide, but his errant thoughts cannot overcome his nobility until he is emboldened by his equally ambitious and manipulative wife. The aftermath of their scheming takes them onto a ruthless, spiraling path as one atrocity leads to another in order to preserve their rule. As corrosive guilt and fear invades their minds, the pair is driven further into a nightmare of their own making. Loosely based on historical events, Macbeth powerfully explores one man’s descent into evil in pursuit of absolute power.
Artistic Significance: The shortest and bloodiest of the Shakespearean tragedies, “the Scottish play” has fascinated audiences since it was written in 1606. Noted biographer Park Honan declared Macbeth “the quintessence of Shakespeare’s career.” Philip Kerr, who directed the department’s presentations of Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet and The Tempest, sets the production in a military hospital during the early 20th century. Filled with damaged minds and bodies, Macbeth is a chilling look at the corruption of the soul.
(Re)Visionary Dances
Choreography by Paul Taylor with premieres by Amy Chavasse, Jessica Fogel, and Sandra Torijano
University Dance Company 2010
February 4 -7, 2010
Highlighting the University Dance Company’s concert, (Re)Visionary Dances, is a 30th anniversary staging of the irreverent and brilliant Le sacre du printemps (The Rehearsal) by foremost American modern choreographer Paul Taylor (who celebrates his 80th birthday next season). According to The Washington Post, “One of the most astute social observers in any art form, [Taylor] has a knack for taking the dominant dance form of an era and... twisting it into a commentary on the people and their lives.” Premiered in 1980, Sacre is a Runyonesque detective story melded with a dance company rehearsal. Reflecting elements of choreography by Nijinsky, Taylor layers highly stylized movement with a melancholy wit to create what The New York Times declared “some of the most exciting movement in modern choreography… propulsive and original.” Set to Stravinsky’s eminent score of the same name in the 1947 version for four-hand piano, which will be played live, Le sacred du printemps (The Rehearsal) is a delicious, double-narrative tragedy. Amy Chavasse creates a new dance in collaboration with composer/musicians Stephen Rush and Chris Peck. Exploring unusual physical and emotional intersections, Chavasse’s work features close proximity that results in unexpected and unconventional partnering through complex rhythms and structures. Premieres by Sandra Torijano and Jessica Fogel will round out the evening.
Ragtime
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynne Ahrens
Book by Terrence McNally
Based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow
Department of Musical Theatre
Directed by Mark Madama
Musical Direction by Cynthia Kortman Westphal
April 15 - 18, 2010
The Story: It is 1906 in America, the land of opportunity. Three diverse groups in New York City – a protestant, white, middle-class family, a Jewish immigrant and his daughter, and an African American musician and his girlfriend – are experiencing dizzying changes in American society. Industrial expansion with the burgeoning labor movement, waves of immigration, newfound freedom for blacks, and woman’s rights are affecting them in dramatic ways. As their lives unexpectedly intertwine with each other and with historical personalities of the era such as J.P. Morgan, Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, and Booker T. Washington, some embrace the changes with new hope while others bear the bitter realization that promised opportunities may still be out of their reach.
Artistic Significance: Written by the musical team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Seussical) with a book by Terrence McNally (Kiss of the Spider Woman), Ragtime is based on the 1975 award-winning novel by E. L. Doctorow. The diverse score incorporates Jewish folk songs, vaudeville, jazz, and, of course, ragtime, featuring such songs as “Wheels of a Dream,” “Your Daddy’s Son,” “Make Them Hear You,” and the rousing opening title number. The show garnered 13 Tony nominations in 1998, winning for Best Score, Book, and Orchestrations (losing the top honor to The Lion King). The New Yorker declared the show “a powerful musical experience.” Filled with heartbreak and hope, Ragtime is a dazzling panorama depicting the strength of America.
Call today! - League Ticket Office 734-764-2538
