By Graig Uhlin
Arizona Summer Wildcat
Wednesday June 5, 2002
ÎMamma Mia,â Philadelphia Orchestra highlight calendar of events for the 2002-2003 school year
Following UApresentsâ successful season this year, which saw ãThe Phantom of the Operaä grace the Centennial Hall stage, many asked: How could next yearâs season possibly improve on the last?
UApresents executive director Ken Foster thinks it will.
To a packed crowd in early May, Foster unveiled the new season, which, although the number of performances has decreased, boasts a greater number of shows over this year, 53 different events compared to this seasonâs 49.
ãThis season is more diverse, broader in its appeal ÷ it certainly reaches into all corners of the globe.ä
- Ken Foster
UApresents executive director
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Foster has designed the coming season ÷ titled ãNow More Than Everä ÷ with the goal of bringing a more international flavor to Tucson, citing the attacks of Sept. 11 as a reminder not only of the difference that art can make in peopleâs lives but also of the need to foster a local community with global ties.
More than half of the events for the 2002-2003 season are of a non-American origin, and those that are, Foster said, are recognized internationally.
ãThis season is more diverse, broader in its appeal ÷ it certainly reaches into all corners of the globe,ä Foster said.
The popular Broadway series kicks off next year with ãThe Full Monty,ä to be followed by the Tony award-winning musical ãContactä and a return engagement of ãLes Miserables.ä
Then, for a two-week run in May, ãMamma Mia,ä the popular Broadway show that features more than 20 classic ABBA songs, will take the Centennial stage.
Fosterâs excitement came through when he boasted, ãWeâre getting it before Phoenix.ä
Returning to Tucson from previous UApresentsâ seasons are Neil Goldbergâs ãCirque,ä the traditional Irish band The Chieftains, the dance troupe Urban Bush Women and, for the fourth consecutive year, the Buena Vista Social Club featuring Ibrahim Ferrer.
Regarding Buena Vistaâs continuing popularity, Foster said, ãTucson keeps buying it so we keep brining it, and heâs (Ferrer) still alive, so what can I say?ä
Foster specifically highlighted two events making their debut performances next season.
The first is an African female dance troupe Tchetche that ãblends the rich traditions of West Africa with sensual, sly movement to create a challenging, captivating dance aesthetic that is by turns kinetic, tender and spectacular,ä according to the UApresents 2002-2003 season brochure.
Foster discovered the troupe on the last day of a German dance festival.
ãBy the time the piece was over, I was literally in tears,ä Foster said.
ãThis will be an experience you will never forget.ä
The second event is a May performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the top five American orchestras.
ãThat was as hard to get as ÎPhantom,âä Foster said.
For a complete calendar of UApresentsâ upcoming season, log on to www.uapresents.arizona.edu.
The Centennial Hall box office can be reached at 621-3341.
