Event Descriptions
2009-2010 Arts Alive at the Rogers Center for the Arts
The Rogers Center for the Arts 2009-2010 Season Brochure is now available. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to receive a brochure, please forward your mailing address to RogersCenter@merrimack.edu or call the Box Office at 978-837-5355.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!!
* Please note the date changes for the Onstagers Dramatic Society's presentation of RENT*
Saturday, February 6, 2010
National Marionette Theatre presents
“Hansel and Gretel”
2:00 p.m.
The National Marionette Theatre returns to the Rogers Center for a new production of a classic fairy tale. The National Marionette Theater has established a 30-year reputation based on its excellent craftsmanship, superb story telling ability and we are pleased to welcome them back for their tenth performance here at the Rogers Center. Join us for an afternoon of great family entertainment.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Eighth Annual A Cappella Night
7:30 p.m.
The fabulous acoustics of the Rogers Center complement the excellent vocals that will entertain us once again with classic a cappella arrangements featuring two of the Boston areas greatest a cappella groups. This year we are pleased to welcome back Boston Jazz Voices as the host of the evening. Boston Jazz Voices will be joined by Syncopation.
Boston Jazz Voices is a mixed a cappella chorus of 18 singers. It was founded in the mid 1980's (as The New England Close Harmony Ensemble) for the pleasure of singing harmonically complex arrangements made famous by the Singers Unlimited. The arrangements were written by Gene Puerling, who sang with the Hi-Lo's, an all-male, close-harmony group popular in the 1950's and 60's.
Boston Jazz Voices has since extended its repertoire to include other published and original arrangements. Most songs are from the American songbook, with jazz harmonies and swing rhythm. Boston Jazz Voices performs throughout New England, and took its sound to Paris in the mid 1990's. Boston Jazz Voices has also performed live on 88.9 WERS Boston.
Syncopation is a hot and spunky jazzy vocal group that just won 2008's 24th Annual Boston Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival! The Boston Globe calls “Syncopation” the "Manhattan Transfer of the 21st Century," and it is easy to see why. Like that legendary vocal group, “Syncopation” performs jazz and pop music that is both timeless and up-to-the-minute. They feature four excellent vocalists: soprano Aubrey Logan (who also double on trombone), alto Christine Fawson (who doubles on trumpet), tenor David Thorne Scott and bass Tsunenori "Lee" Abe (who also is the group's arranger/composer).
Friday, February 26, 2010
“Come Together” a Tribute to the Beatles
7:30 p.m.
The Beatles at the Rogers Center? Come and see!
"Come Together" presents a Tribute to the Beatles that you won't want to miss. This energetic group, consisting of James Willaman as George Harrison, Russ Saylor as Paul McCartney, Stephen Marks as Ringo and Bill Kropinak as John Lennon, portrays the Beatles from 1964-1966 and has recreated the early Beatles concerts with incredible detail to the costumes and equipment.
You will relive those years with songs such as Please Please Me, She Loves You, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Help, Come Together, Can't Buy Me Love.....just to name a few.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The Makem Brothers with Mickey and Liam Spain
7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at the Rogers Center.
Every generation has a few acts that define where a musical genre is going, performers so confident in their chosen field that they are able to completely embrace the genre and yet introduce something new to it. In Irish folk music today, that act is the Makem and Spain Brothers.
Not in the past 30 years has a group taken the international stage with such vocal power and stage presence, capturing the essence of their genre, while standing out as something unique. A host of various instruments and five male vocalists, using precise three-part harmonies, blend perfectly for what many have described as “a wall of sound.” The Makem and Spain Brothers are at their best on stage where their talent and enthusiasm draw in fans who have never experienced the joy of folk music.
The Makem Brothers, Shane, Conor, and Rory, were born in Drogheda, County Louth, about an hour north of Dublin. They continue the lineage of one of Irish music’s dynasties, begun by their grandmother Sarah Makem, who was sought after by song collectors for her store of traditional Irish songs. Their father is Tommy Makem, the modern-day “Bard of Armagh.” Now considered an icon, he helped to bring Irish music out of the corner and into the international spotlight, where it has remained ever since.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Wings of Night Sky, Wings of Morning Light
7:00 p.m.
From musician, poet, and playwright Joy Harjo (Mvskoke Creek) comes a deeply compelling journey of struggle, displacement, self-discovery, and healing. Invoking spoken word, storytelling, and song, Harjo combines character driven narrative with tales inspired by the traditions of her people - and takes a few turns blowing a mean jazz saxophone. An allegorical work of tremendous power, Wings demonstrates how theater and art can bring life full circle. This unique and genre-bending one-woman play features Harjo's original music and a score by Grammy award-winning record producer Larry Mitchell.
Tickets: $10.00
Friday, March 26, 2010
Forbidden Broadway
7:30 p.m.
The side-splitting savagery known as Forbidden Broadway is on the road again with their newest edition! Now celebrating its record-breaking 25th year in New York, this year’s special victims include the puppets of “Avenue Q,” the witches of “Wicked”, “Billy Joel’s Movin Out”, and new looks at old favorites “La Cage aux Folles”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Les Miz”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Chicago”. Rounding out the laughs are Mel Brooks’ “The Producers”, Abba’s “Mamma Mia” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie”; with lots more Broadway past and present.
Forbidden Broadway returns to the Rogers Center with an hour and a half of non-stop musical hilarity. It will have you rolling down the aisles while you’re humming along.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
8:00 p.m.
Friday, April 9, 2010
8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
The Onstagers Dramatic Society of Merrimack College present RENT *
A modern, rock version of the opera La Boheme. Set in New Ork's East village, RENT is the emotionally stirring story of a community of young artists struggling to live and celebrate life. RENT, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, is the winner of every major "best musical" award - including the Tony Award - as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama..
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Merrimack College Jazz Band presents its Sixth Annual
“An Evening of Jazz”
7:30 p.m.
Over the past six years, the Merrimack College Jazz Ensemble has established itself as a perennial crowd pleaser. This big band comprised of Merrimack College students, faculty, and alumni, under the direction of Charlie Collins, continuously brings fun and excitement to the campus and surrounding community. With a constantly changing repertoire of classic, standard, and contemporary jazz tunes of all styles, each listener is guaranteed to find their foot tapping. Accept no substitutions, and join the Merrimack College Jazz Ensemble for an unforgettable Evening of Jazz, because 'it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.'
Saturday, May 1, 2010
“A Tribute to ol’ Blue Eyes”
7:30 p.m.
Our tenth anniversary season wraps up with the music of the legendary entertainer Frank Sinatra.
Rob Zappulla takes the Rogers Center stage to perform a show that spans the five decades of classic Sinatra, from the days with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra to the Las Vegas show rooms.
Rob’s tribute emulates a cabaret setting in the show rooms of the 50s and 60s, where Sinatra gave some of his most memorable performances.
This show moves non-stop with excitement, as Rob performs all of the popular songs made famous by Frank Sinatra.
And when Rob is not singing, his sense of humor will keep you amused throughout his performance.
Sit back and enjoy the timeless music of Frank Sinatra!
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OTHER EXCITING EVENTS COMING TO THE ROGERS CENTER:
Friday, February 12, 2010
10:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
10:00 a.m.
Friday, March 5, 2010
9:30 a.m.
Shakespeare and Company presents “Julius Caesar”
In the struggle for power and the flaunting of righteousness, friendship is torn apart by betrayal and murder. “Julius Caesar” is a play about very real men and women whose ideas and passions still permeate our lives. Shakespeare & Company’s spring tour of “Julius Caesar” is a lively, 90-minute production, which emphasizes language, pleasure in playing, and the relationship that exists between the actors and the audience. The actors create a wonderful rapport with students, and while we make Shakespeare immediate and accessible, we never dumb it down. In addition to the performance, Shakespeare and Company offer an interactive post-show forum and provide educational materials for teachers. The spring tour has been conducted annually since 1982 and receives generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tickets: $10.00
Reservations and Information:
413-637-1199 or groupsales@shakespeare.org
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Society Concert Series
2:30 p.m.
Edward Elgar
Three Bavarian Dances, Opus 27
Carl Reinecke
Flute Concerto in D, Opus 283
Julie Scolnik, Flute
Antonin Dvorak
Symphony No. 6 in D major, Opus 60
Flutist Julie Scolnik’s tonal enchantment and exquisite communicative powers have captivated audiences across the United States and abroad. The Boston Globe has written that “she plays with an urgency full of fire that melts into disarming delicacy,” and critics have praised “her vast palette of sultry colors and magical phrasing.”
Tickets: $18.00
Students and Seniors: $12.00
Reservations and Information: 978-685-3505
Tuesday, March 12, 2010
The Treble Chorus of New England presents “The Italian Girl in Algieria”
10:30 a.m. – Educational Performance
7:00 p.m.
An education concert for students and teachers featuring the hilarious comic opera by Giochimo Rossini. Join us as we present you with a love story in the most unlikely of settings – in Algeria with Italian slaves, Algerian pirates, devoted Algerian wives, large Algerian hats, and one Italian girl who can handle them all. An education packet is provided for each teacher prior to the concert. A “question and answer” session follows the morning education concert.
Tickets: $6.00
Reservations and Information: 978-837-5461 or
www.treblechorus.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
2:00 p.m.
The Pentucket Players present “Man of La Mancha”
Dream the impossible dream with Pentucket Players’ dazzling new production of Mitch Leigh & Dale Wasserman’s musical classic. “Man of La Mancha” tells the story of Don Quixote's quest to bring chivalry and honor to a much beleaguered world. Includes the songs "Dulcinea," "I'm Only Thinking of Him," "Man of La Mancha" and "The Impossible Dream."
Tickets: $20.00
Group Rates Available
Tickets go on sale February 1, 2010
Reservations and Information: 978-521-9259 or
www.pentucketplayers.org
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Society Concert Series
2:30 p.m.
Hector Berlioz
Roman Carnival Overture, Opus 9
Robert Schumann
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Opus 12
Antonin Dvorak
Piano Concerto No. 2 in Bb major, Opus 83
David Gross, Piano
David Gross is elated to return to the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra for his third visit. A regular guest performer in concert halls throughout the United States and Germany, the wide expressive spectrum of his playing is reflected by the critical acclaim he has garnered. Reviewers have praised his “warm touch and sensitive, sparkling transparency” (Potsdamer Neueste Nachrichten) and “perfect control of sound” (Nordsee-Zeitung), as well as his virtuosic ability.
Tickets: $18.00
Students and Seniors: $12.00
Reservations and Information: 978-685-3505
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Andover Choral Society presents “Songs of Love and Spirit: Choral Music of Johannes Brahms”
3:00 p.m.
Allen Combs, Conductor
On Sunday, May 2, 2010, the Andover Choral Society’s 80th Anniversary celebration concludes with a gala performance featuring the choral music of Johannes Brahms. Along with such perennial favorites as the “Liebeslieder Waltes,” the concert will include the world premier of the “Four Biblical Songs” transcribed for chorus by Music Director Allen Combs, in celebration of his 20 years on the podium.
Tickets: $20.00
Reservations and Information: 978-688-6353 or
www.andoverchoral.org
Tuesday, May 7, 2010
The Treble Chorus of New England presents “Come Sing and Dance!”
7:30 p.m.
Come celebrate the arts as the Treble Chorus of New England collaborates with Dance Prism. Under the direction of Artistic Directors, Valerie J. Becker of Treble Chorus of New England and Mary Demaso of Dance Prism, these two groups will perform music of Delibes, Paranjoti and much more!
Tickets: $16.00
Students and Seniors: $10.00
Reservations and Information: 978-837-5461 or
www.treblechorus.com