House Lights Lexington Opera HouseLexington Center Corporation430 W. Vine StreetLexington, KY 40507

The Newsletter of the Lexington Opera House Fall 2012

In this Issue A New Approach p1 Two Legends, Two Nights p2 Broadway Buddies Takes Flight Dear Lexington Opera House

Broadway Live INSIDER p3 Welcome & Congrats Dont Forget...

A New ApproachWhy has WEST SIDE STORY become a landmark musical since its creation over fifty years ago? Is it the classic plot of star-crossed lovers pitched against the background of prejudice? Or is it the pulsating rhythm of the Bernstein score and the timeless Sondheim lyrics we’ve all come to know? For me, it is the iconic choreography of Jerome Robbins, an artist who could be considered the patriarch of Broadway musical dance. So when this new version of WEST SIDE STORY opened on Broadway, I was anxious to see how the revival would treat the original masterpiece… its story, its music, and especially its dance.

In 2009, Arthur Laurents purposefully examined every fact of the show, including the choreography when he directed this recent revival. Joey McKneely was tapped to reproduce the choreography.

“I met with Arthur, and he said he wanted to look at the show with a brand new set of eyes. What happened with the choreography, and with West Side in general, is that it had become a museum piece. It became stuck in a time warp, and it started to feel dated. The subject matter is not dated. The social content speaks so vibrantly to today’s audiences. But the choreography was missing a youthful zest, it was missing passion. Arthur wanted to break free of the museum quality.

And he felt, as did many people that the show needed to be updated in terms of its appeal to an audience. That included making the choreography look edgier, harder. He wanted to get rid of the musical comedy aspects of the choreography, and take it to a more reality-based place. It was difficult, because it’s not my work , and I wanted to be true to the integrity of the choreography. But if my director wants something changed, I have to try to acquiesce to his needs. I kind of walked a tightrope. But in the end, I think the adjustments that were made to the choreography really were the right things to do for Arthur’s vision.” Joey McKneely

Laurents wrote the book for the 1957 musical, and since that time, his vision for the material has changed. The updated version is set without reference to a specific time period, perhaps because the director notes that since the original production – a lot of things have changed in this country, but a lot of things remain the same. “Maria and Tony still fall in love and are still doomed, unable to escape the warring factions that circumscribe their lives. Maria is the sister of Bernardo, leader of the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang fighting a turf war with the Jets. And Tony, a former Jet who has left the gang but cannot break free of its hold, is propelled into the battle in spite of himself. Bernstein’s gorgeous music still soars; Robbins’ dynamic choreography, reproduced by Joey McKneely, remains invigorating. But Laurents has added more grit to an already gritty

show, and heightened the romance. He also has the Puerto Rican characters sometimes sing and speak in Spanish, which not only gives them a bit more authenticity, but reflects the sounds of New York City today.”

When you come to see WEST SIDE STORY, presented by Saint Joseph Hospital and Kentucky One Health, prepare for an innovative approach to the Broadway classic. This production reminds us that “hatred and prejudice and suspicion of other cultures has always been, and continues to be, one of the main reasons wars are fought – not just gang wars.” WEST SIDE STORY forces the audience to peer into a mirror of our world and evaluate what has changed, what has not. And like Joey McKneely, that reflection determines how we choreograph the scenes of our lives.

Quarterly Newsletter from the Lexington Opera House Fall 2012

House Lights

October

Kentucky Ballet Theatre presents "Dracula" Friday, October 19 at 8:00 Saturday, October 20 at 8:00 Call (859) 252-5245 for tickets

Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra presents "Voices of America" Sunday, October 28 at 3:00 Call (859) 233-4226 for tickets

November

Bluegrass Youth Ballet presents "Dia de los Muertos" Friday, November 3 at 7:30 Saturday, November 4 at 3:00 Call (859) 233-3535 for tickets

SCAPA and FOAS present "Disney's Little Mermaid, School Ed." Thursday, November 8 at 7:00 Friday, November 9 at 8:00 Saturday, November 10 at 2:00 and 8:00 Call (859) 233-3535 for tickets

Troubadour Concerts present Glen Campbell Tuesday, November 13 at 7:30 Call (859) 233-3535 for tickets

Troubadour Concerts present Lindsey Buckingham Wednesday, November 14 at 7:30 Call (859) 233-3535 for tickets

The Hope Center's "Night of Hope" with Jeff Henderson Thursday, November 15 at 7:30 Call (859) 252-7881 for tickets

Broadway Live presents West Side Story Friday, November 16 at 8:00 Saturday, November 17 at 2:00 and 8:00 Sunday, November 18 at 2:00 and 7:00 Call (859) 233-3535 for tickets

Lexington Children's Theatre presents "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" Saturday, November 24 at 2:00 Saturday, December 1 at 2:00 and 7:00 Sunday, December 2 at 2:00

December

Lexington Ballet Company presents "The Nutcracker" Friday, December 7 at 7:30 Saturday, December 8 at 2:00 and 7:30 Sunday, December 9 at 2:00 Friday, December 14 at 7:30 Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 and 7:30 Sunday, December 16 at 2:00 Call (859) 233-3535 for tickets

Institute 193 presents Ben Sollee’s Half Made Man Album Release Wednesday, December 19 Call (859) 233-3535 for tickets

Kentucky Ballet Theatre presents "The Night Before Christmas" Saturday, December 22 at 2:00 and 8:00 Sunday, December 23 at 2:00 Call (859) 252-5245 for tickets

Opera HOuse Calendar

For latest additions to our calendar, please visit us on the web at lexingtonoperahouse.com.

Lexington Center Corporation 430 West Vine Street Lexington, Kentucky 40507 (859) 233-4567

Chief Executive Officer - William Owen

Opera House Program Director - Luanne Franklin

Operations Manager - Tom Habermann

Marketing Director - Sheila Kenny

Marketing Coordinator - Paul Hooper

Webmaster / Graphic Designer - Terri McAllister

Marketing Intern - Mary Mac Joiner

Box Office Manager - Jeff Bojanowski

Group Sales - Jana Hatton

Technical Services - Bob Stoops, Mike Lavin,

John Ferguson, and Chris Musinski

House Manager - Paul Thomas

www.lexingtonoperahouse.com

Two legendary musicians are hitting the stage at The Lexington Opera House for special back-to-back concerts this November... take a break from all the Fall happenings, gather with friends and put on your dancin’ boots for country classics or let your inner rock ‘n’ roll soar.

First, on Tuesday, November 13th at 7:30pm, the Troubadour Concert Series and Highbridge Spring Water present a full band performance by Country Music Hall of Fame, Glen Campbell.

The legendary Glen Campbell is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called ‘The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour’ on CBS television. During his 50 years in show business, Campbell has released more than 70 albums, sold over 45 million records and has be awarded Male Vocalist of the Year from both Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). He was even handpicked by actor John Wayne to play alongside him in the film ‘True Grit,’ where he sang the title song which was nominated for an Academy Award.

With hits such as John Hartford's "Gentle on My Mind", Jimmy Webb's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "Galveston," plus "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Southern Nights" listening to the soulful country melodies of Glen Campbell will be the perfect way to enjoy an autumn night.

On Wednesday, November 14th at 7:30pm, supergroup icon--Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac will be performing in a special solo concert playing all of his famous hits.

Lindsey Buckingham is a notable guitarist and lead singer who has accomplished almost everything that can be done in rock ‘n’ roll, earning a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame with Fleetwood Mac, winning

countless awards, selling out venues around the world, and helping define the sound of rock for the last 3 decades. He’s the predominant musical force behind such Mac albums as Rumours and the innovative Tusk, and has created a critically acclaimed body of solo work that yielded the hits, “Trouble,” “Go Insane,” and “Holiday Road.”You will not want to miss the finger picking guitar style and wide vocal range from this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist.

Tickets to both concerts are on sale now and can be purchased at the Lexington Center Ticket Office (859) 233-3535 or Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.lexingtonoperahouse.com

Introducing... Broadway Live INSIDERThe touring casts and creative teams that pull into Lexington for their time at the Opera House must have stories to tell! What are their disparate journeys from countless auditions to finally landing plum roles in national Broadway tours?

Read Michael Miller’s Broadway Live Insider blog online all season as he seeks out those stories and digs for as much information as he can about each national touring production before it opens on the Opera House stage.

Join him at www.broadwayliveinsider.wordpress.com or find the link online at www.lexingtonoperahouse.com. It's going to be an exciting insider's journal inside the best of Broadway coming to Lexington.

Not "just a Rhinestone Cowboy" country music legend Glen Campbell will shine .

Legendary singer/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac will pack the house

Paul Hooper - Marketing Coordinator Terri McAllister - Webmaster / Graphic Designer

Two Legends, Two Nights!Glen Campbell & Lindsey Buckingham

Welcome & Congrats!The Lexington Opera House is very happy to welcome Terri McAllister to our marketing team. She comes to us with ten years of web and graphic design experience. Terri is a talented designer, never misplaces a pixel, and has a passion for art and music. We are extremely happy to have her join us and can't wait to see her designs all around town promoting this season's shows!

We would also like to give a warm congratulations to Paul Hooper who has been promoted to Marketing Coordinator. Paul will continue to provide the Lexington Opera House and Lexington Center with photography, design and social media services while diving into the depths of marketing. When asked about his new position Paul said with a smile, "I'm honored with the opportunity I've been given and about the new structure of our department moving forward. With many big things on the horizon for the Lexington Opera House as well as our other Lexington Center venues, it's an exciting time to not only work for the company, but to be able to market and familiarize the public with what is coming to Lexington".

Want to go paperless? Would you rather receive House Lights by email instead of US Postal Service? Contact Courtney at the Lexington Center by email cbrown@lexingtoncenter.com or call (859) 233-4567 ext. 3701.

Broadway Buddies Takes Flight for the 2012-13 Season with: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!Broadway Buddies, a new program launched last season, provides an opportunity for underserved youth in our community to be introduced to professional Broadway theater at the Opera House. The program offers kids the opportunity to see the Sunday evening performance of a Broadway Live show as well as a backstage tour and a class in theater etiquette. We are pleased to announce that this program will continue this season! Last year’s campaign awarded 66 tickets to SHREK THE MUSICAL to community youth groups who serve disadvantaged young people in our area. This season, we are seeking donations to Broadway Live’s CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, scheduled at the Opera House Jan.30 – Feb. 2. Supporters may purchase tickets or donate their season tickets back to Broadway Live to be used by a Broadway Buddy. We will start accepting applications for youth groups serving 13 – 18 year olds starting December 1.

Those who donate their season tickets or cash towards ticket purchase will be offered a letter of contribution for tax reporting purposes. Simply contact the Lexington Center Ticket Office (859) 233-4567 ext.3701 to donate to this cause.

To the right there is a letter that we received from one of last year’s group leaders, Carol Gullette…..clearly this new initiative is having an impact!

Dear Lexington Opera House,Opportunity and love makes the difference in a students life. When you gave our kids both through Broadway Buddies a path towards transformation began! Thank you so much! And thanks to all your generous supporters!

Light and life lives in the eyes of several new kids because of the Shrek experience. Not only was the message of the play important, it was the whole experience of being in the theatre with the sneak peek backstage and dressing room tour. They became someone special even if just for a few nights! Just yesterday, I received a hug from one of the girls whose life was changed. Her smile said it all and its been almost nine months since we were with you!

Wow! Keep up what your doing. There is a city’s worth of kids needing love, hope and encouragement. A better day dawns when we bring it to light!

Many Blessings, Carol Gullett

Don't Forget...Get a sneak peek behind the curtain and meet cast members of each Broadway Live production at Arts Appetizer!

Join us at The Horse & Barrel (located right across the street from the Opera House) between shows on Sundays. Present your show ticket to greet members of each Broadway cast as they share insights about their production and answer questions from the audience. An elaborate array of tasty appetizers and desserts, inspired by each show, is available for patrons to enjoy along with a cash bar. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

APPETIZER