Best Bets: February 16th – February 22nd

After an unplanned hiatus, I’m back with Best Bets: February 16^th – February 22^nd.

AMADEUS – Pasadena Playhouse – Pasadena, CA – Now – March 15^th

It wasn’t that long ago that I recommended Steppenwolf Theater’s production of Amadeus. Here is another production that is equally compelling: Jefferson Mays as Salieri in a production directed by Darko Tresnjak (they worked together on A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder).

Sam Clemmett plays Mozart and Lauren Worsham (another Gentleman’s Guide veteran) plays Constanze.

As much as I love the film, I do think the play is ultimately more effective. In the hands of Mays, this Salieri is going to be stunning. The press photos make this look like one of the most opulent productions in Pasadena Playhouse history.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

THE DINOSUARS – Playwrights Horizons – New York, NY – February 16^th – March 1^st

This is one of three world premieres this week. Playwright Jacob Perkins’s play  tells the story of six women who meet weekly to discuss their recovery. For weeks, months, years and decades, they keep meeting while the world around them changes.

Kathleen Chalfant (a reason to see any play), Elizabeth Marvel, April Mathis, Kelly McQuail, Mallory Portnoy and Maria Elena Ramirez play the six women.

Perkins is a very talented playwright whose career is ascending quickly. Were I in New York, I would absolutely be seeing The Dinosaurs.

Les Waters directs.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

AMERICAN MOSAIC – National Symphony Orchestra – The Kennedy Center – Washington, D.C. – February 19^th – February 22^nd

With all the controversies swirling around this venue, it’s easy to overlook there is still some fine art being performed and this concert is certain to be one of them.

The program opens with two works by Aaron Copland: Rodeo and his Clarinet Concerto. Lin Ma is the soloist for the concerto.

The concert’s second half features the world premiere of American Mosaic by Peter Boyer and Joe Sohm. The NSO co-commissioned this work as part of the celebrations of the 250^th anniversary of the United States.

This 11-movement work is said to reflect “the land, people and spirit of the United States.” It is in the form of a symphonic suite and includes narration and imagery.

Thomas Wilkins conducts.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

GUSTAVO CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN: MISSA SOLEMNIS – Los Angeles Philharmonic – Los Angeles, CA – February 20^th – February 22^nd

Gustavo Dudamel conducts Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis for the first time in his career and as part of his last season with the LA Phil. He said at a press event announcing his final season’s programming that this was a work that has intimidated him and they he felt he was finally at the age and had the experience to conduct it.

Joining the LA Phil for these concerts are tenor SeokJong Baek; bass Nicholas Brownlee; mezzo- soprano Sarah Saturnino; soprano Pretty Yende, the Orfeó Català choir, Cor de Cambra del Palau de la Música Catalana choir and Xavier Puig choir director.

This work runs 85-90 minutes and is performed without an intermission.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

BROOKLYN RIDER: FRIDA’S DREAMS – DACAMERA – Houston, TX – February 20^th

Here is another world premiere that warrants serious attention. Gabriela Lena Frank’s Frida’s Dream receives its first performance in this concert performed by Brooklyn Rider. Frank composed the opera El último sueño de Frida y Diego. She’s exploring further thoughts she has about Frida Kahlo with this new work.

The concert opens with Colin Jacobsen’s Beloved, Do Not Let Me Be Discouraged. Jacobsen is one of Brooklyn Rider’s violinists. Osvaldo Golijov’s Ever Yours for string nonet follows Frank’s work. The concert is scheduled to close with Selected Folk Songs arranged for string octet.

To see my 2022 interview with Osvaldo Golijov, please go here.

Which means there are other musicians joining the four-person Brooklyn Rider. The other five musicians are alumni of the DACAMERA Young Artist Program: cellist David Dietz; violinist Matt Lammers; double bassist Austin Lewellen; violist Lauren Ross and violinist Jacob Schafer.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

Those are my Best Bets: February 16^th – February 22^nd.

Enjoy your week! Go see a show!

Main Photo: Jefferson Mays in Amadeus (Photo by Jeff Lorch/Courtesy Pasadena Playhouse)