BEST BETS: MAY 5th – MAY 11th

Before we get to Best Bets: May 5^th – May 11^th, a quick note.

Cultural Attaché has been off-line for a few weeks as we relocated from Los Angeles to Chicago. We’re still getting settled, but our regular content of interviews, best bets and new in music are returning this week. Thanks for your patience and we can’t wait to share our next discoveries in Chicago and around the world with you.

Here are Best Bets: May 5^th – May 11^th:

AWAKEN – Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre at Live Arts Theater – New York, NY – May 8^th – May 10^th

To celebrate their 25^th anniversary performance season, Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre presents the world premiere of Awaken. The press releases indicates that “Awaken will unpack Selwyn’s 25 years of choreographic work” and “will weave original material with resonant choreography from Selwyn’s 25 years of rich repertory.”

Awaken features live original music by JoJo Soul and performed by company dancers Kevin Avila, Emanuele Fiore, Alexa Garzon, Gianna Guzzo, Manon Hallay, Torrey Harada, Ashley McQueen, Misaki Hayama, Minseon Kim Jeun, Isaac Kerr, Madeline Kuhlke, Jack Randel, Ralphie Rivera De Jesús and Oscar Rodriguez.

The May 10^th performances will be followed by a 25^th Anniversary Gala.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

MAHLER 6 WITH JAAP van ZWEDEN – Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Chicago, IL – May 8^th – May 9^th

I’ve been spoiled over the years of living in Los Angeles with hearing some of the finest performances of Gustav Mahler’s symphonies – particularly with Gustavo Dudamel. So it’s only natural that I include CSO’s performance of Mahler’s 6^th symphony on this week’s list of Best Bets.

This four-movement symphony had its world premiere in 1906 with Mahler on the podium in Essen, Germany. It is a challenging work with mood shifts throughout. Though often referred to as the Tragic symphony, that would be to facile a name for a work that is a s complex as this symphony is.

The CSO website indicates that the performance length is 90 minutes, which might indicate a slower pace than the standard 80-minute length. Given the symphony’s length, this is the only thing on the program. 

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

Photo: Jaap van Zweden (Photo ©Brad Trent/courtesy Arsis Artists)

ESA-PEKKA SALONEN LEADS DEBUSSY & BOULEZ – Los Angeles Philharmonic – Los Angeles, CA – May 8^th – May 11^th

From the first time I saw Salonen conduct, I knew he was good with all periods of music, by 20^th century music seemed to have a special place in his heart. As I’m sure it will for this concert that celebrates composer Pierre Boulez of whom Salonen has long been a fierce advocate.

The first half of the program features selections from the composer’s Notations. The selections being performed come from Notations IV and Notations VII. Each features solo piano for part of the Notations and orchestra. The solo piano Notations, which are brief, lead into the orchestra taking over those musical ideas.

Also on the first half of the program is Bartók’s Piano Concert for Orchestra No. 3 with soloist Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Debussy’s La Mer.

The second half of the program offers Boulez’s Rituel in memoriam Bruno Maderna featuring choreography by L.A. Dance Project and choreographer Benjamin Millepied.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

NEXT TO NORMAL – Great Performances – PBS – May 9^th (Check Local Listings)

The Donmar Warehouse production of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical was as highly acclaimed as the original Broadway production from 2009.  

The musical depicts the struggle Diana Goodman has with bi-polar disorder. As her battle gets more intense and her conditions worsens, the stress on the family gets that much more intense.

Directed by Michael Longhurst, this production starred Caisie Levy (Leopoldstadt) as Diana; Jamie Parker (Olivier Award winner for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as her husband, Dan; Jack Wolfe as their son, Gabe; Eleanor Worthington-Cox as their daughter, Natalie; Trevor Dion Nicholas as her doctors Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine; Jack Ofrecio as Natalie’s classmate Henry.

This is definitely adult material. But the book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, makes Next to Normal a wholly unique and utterly compelling musical.

In addition to airing on local PBS channels, you can stream it on the PBS website.

BROADWAY RECOMMENDATIONS:

I recently had a quick business trip to NY and was able to catch three different shows and each has something wonderful to recommend:

GYPSY – Majestic Theatre – New York, NY – Now – October 5^th

Go see this production. It has a completely unique vision for this Jule Styne/Stephen Sondheim show, but it pays off. And it pays of brilliantly with the performance by Audra McDonald (one of the show’s 5 Tony nominations). For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

If you can’t get to NY anytime soon, the cast album was released on April 25^th on Arts Music and Octoverse Media. It’s a great recording and captures all the things that make this particular production so utterly compelling.

OH MARY! – Lyceum Theater – New York, NY – Now – September 28th

It is safe to say that Cole Escola is this season’s toast of Broadway. Not only did they write one of the funniest plays I’ve ever seen, Escola’s performance as Mary Todd Lincoln is a masterclass in timing. The show has 5 Tony Award nominations and must be considered the frontrunner for Bets Play and Best Actor. If you want to risk laughing so hard you soil yourself, go see Oh Mary! For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES – James Earl Jones Theatre – New York, NY – Now – October 5th

I’ve followed Josefina López’s play turned movie for so many years. As a native to Los Angeles, this depicted a part of the city that was very near where I lived. I have known about the musical for quite some time and I’m happy to report that it is a true celebration of women of all shapes and sizes and of their community – both within the dress factory where they work and in the city in which they live.

There are quite a few memorable moments in this musical by Tony nominees Joy Huertz & Benajmin Velez (Music & Lyrics) and book writers Lisa Loomer with Nell Benjamin.) But there is a second act sequence that will have your jaw on the floor and you standing on your feet by the time it concludes. Kudos to all including director/choreographer Sergio Trujillo.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

Those are my Best Bets: May 5^th – May 11^th. Go see a show! Enjoy your week!

Main Photo: Amanda Selwyn Dance Theater’s Habit Formed (Photo by Danica Paulos/Courtesy ASDT)