|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Centennial season to focus on worldly performances
|
|
JON HELGASON
|
|
By "Phantom of the Opera" crew member Jack Anderson supervises the moving and placement of a winch July 30 at Centennial Hall. The winch will be used to hold the large chandelier for the "Phantom of the Opera" production.
|
Monday August 20, 2001 |
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Globalization is the word of the day. But with protests at G8 summits from Genoa to Seattle, Ken Foster, executive director of UApresents, thinks too much of the focus has been on the economics of this borderless world.
So, with Centennial Hall's 2001-02 season, titled "Cultural Crossroads" and considered by many to be the venue's most impressive lineup to date, Foster brings to light the cultural globalization that has come hand-in-hand with the New Economy.
"We decided that we would cluster an array of events from all over the world," Foster said at the unveiling of the new season in April.
Foster also said that he wanted to highlight not only global diversity but diversity right here at home, in Tucson and at UApresents.
"The audience we attract is really diverse, and UApresents is really a cultural crossroads, as well," he said. "UApresents serves a unique function in the community - this amazing function of bringing so many people together from so many walks of life."
And Centennial plans to bring together more people this season than any other year in its history. A look at a five-year snapshot of Centennial Hall's ticket sales over its previous seasons reveals a near 300% increase in the number of tickets sold, and a 350% increase in revenue from ticket sales (see graphic box).
No figures were available for the current season, but Centennial publicist Tara Kirkpatrick said she expects to see another increase, due in part to the number of performances scheduled for this year.
"Last year's season included 43 events and 91 performances," she said. "Although this season will only have 41 events, there will be 124 performances."
Kirkpatrick also credits the quality of the upcoming season with the potential growth in sales - represented best by Centennial's successful bids for the Broadway shows "Phantom of the Opera" and Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida," on tour for less than a year.
Bringing "Phantom" to Centennial was an achievement seven years in the making for Ken Foster.
"It was said Tucson will never have 'Phantom,'" Foster said. "The last three years that Tucson has supported this Broadway series has convinced us and convinced (Phantom's) producers."
Playing host to the hugely successful Broadway musical involves more than just proving Tucson has a strong enough theater-going public. Centennial Hall will have to undergo major renovations before the venue can logistically support the sets and special effects of its biggest Broadway production yet.
Kirkpatrick said the majority of those renovations were made last month, when the show's management - headed by its director of steel construction, Jack Anderson - installed a winch in the venue's ceiling.
"(The winch) is basically a motor that is going to power the chandelier (a major prop of 'Phantom') up and down," Kirkpatrick said. "What they did was cut a hole in the ceiling and made a place in there where the winch was being lifted to."
The construction took two weeks to complete, Kirkpatrick said, and other minor changes were made backstage in order to ready Centennial for the show.
"Phantom" is not the only attraction that Centennial has planned for its upcoming season. Here is a brief look at some of the other notable performances scheduled for this year.
DANCE
Combining the street culture of hip hop with high culture of ballet, Philadelphia-based Rennie Harris Puremovement updates Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" using rap-poetry arias to tell the tale of the star-crossed lovers. One of America's premier dance companies, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater offers three unique programs for each of its three March performances. Inspired by stunt legends like Evil Knievel, Streb presents "Action Heroes," a multi-media dance performance with circuslike moves and filmlike effects.
MUSIC
For one performance only, oft-praised soprano Renee Fleming will demonstrate her operatic talent on Centennial's stage. In a return of the Buena Vista Social Club, vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer and special-guest piano-legend Ruben Gonzalez, perform their brand of Cuban jazz that has kept audiences fascinated worldwide. In a tribute to Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove will perform in October as part of Centennial's strong jazz program this season.
THEATER
If you thought "The Iron Chef" was good entertainment, wait until you see "Cookin,'" an energetic percussion show that combines dance, martial arts, drumming and send-ups of favorite B-movies. Moving from its regular Valentine's Day date, Centennial presents the woman-centered, Eve Ensler play "The Vagina Monologues" in October. "Charlie Victor Romeo" explores the boundaries of documentary theater as it re-enacts the last moments of six major real-life airline emergencies.
Tickets for these shows and more go on sale Sept. 9. For more information, contact the Centennial Hall Box Office at 621-3341.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Webmaster - webmaster@wildcat.arizona.edu
© Copyright 2001 - The Arizona Daily Wildcat - Arizona Student Media
|
