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Forbidden Love at the Heart of 'Elton John's Aida'

Theater/Dance

What do you get when you take a timeless love story, blend it seamlessly into an electrifying score by multi-Grammy-winners Elton John and Tim Rice, and add a dash of Disney magic? One memorable night of theater.

�Elton John�s Aida,� Broadway�s pop powerhouse, comes to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina April 28-May 30 in a stunning production to rival last year�s much-acclaimed �Les Miserables.� cover-aida-beaufort

��Aida� is the love story to end all love stories,� said director Casey Colgan, who is directing his 20^th musical for the Arts Center. �It�s a very emotional, passionate show, but there�s a lot of happy in it, too.�

Colgan also directed �Les Mis� and will team up once again with scenic designer Bob Phillips, lighting designer Terry Cermack and musical director Frederick Willard to stage the epic tale of forbidden love.

Winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Score, the mythical tale follows Radames, captain of the Egyptian army, who has returned home from war with Aida, a woman from Nubia captured by his soldiers near the Nile River. Captivated by her courage and dignity, he saves her from a life of slavery and offers her as a handmaiden to his betrothed, Princess Amneris.

Unbeknownst to Radames, Aida is a Nubian princess. The two fall in love even as a friendship develops between Aida and Radames� fianc�e. The love triangle becomes even more complicated when Aida is forced to choose between true love and saving her father, the king of Nubia.

�She is so conflicted,� said New York actress Adrienne Muller, who is playing Aida. �She knows she has a duty to her country, but her heart is taking her in another direction.�

aida-dancers-beaufort The musical originated from a children's storybook version of Giuseppe Verdi's �Aida,� one of the grandest of all operas. Disney studios acquired the rights for a proposed animated feature film but decided instead to turn it into a musical. The New York production, which was produced by Disney, ran for 1,800-plus performances, making it one of the longest running shows in Broadway history.

�It�s got everything you could want in a musical � an amazing love story, powerful music and dazzling theatrics,� said Muller, who starred in the national tour of another Disney blockbuster, �The Lion King.� �People can relate to her plight and the difficult decision she has to make.�

�Aida� also features Seth Golay as Radames and Broadway veteran Timothy Warmen as the villainous Zoser. Warmen starred in the original Broadway cast of �The Who�s Tommy.�

Elton John, who composed the music for �The Lion King� and �Billy Elliott,� wrote the �Aida� score combining eclectic musical styles from reggae to Motown to gospel to pop.

The music�s African, Indian and Middle Eastern influences create the perfect platform for exuberant dancing, staging and singing.

�It�s a very big dance show,� Colgan said. �You�re going to see hip-hop, African dance, belly dancing and modern dance numbers performed in the style of Alvin Ailey.�

The set design, like the choreography, is contemporary with an Old-World flavor. As large and elaborate as the sets for �Les Mis,� �Aida�s� scenery will be constantly coming and going as the action moves from the Nile River to the Pharaoh�s palace to the slave camp.

�It was quite a challenge,� Phillips said. �There are lots of bells and whistles and things that light up and move around. You�re always traveling to different places, sometimes within the same song.�

Along with the playful numbers are some touching ballads, including �I Know the Truth,� sung by Amneris when she discovers Radames and Aida have fallen in love.

�It�s a huge moment for her,� said Tara Bruno, the New York actress playing Amneris. �It�s the first time she reveals her vulnerability. We see the fashionista is not who she really is.�

Tickets for �Aida� are $50 for adults and $35 for children on preview nights (April 28 and 29), and $54 for adults and $37 for kids during the show�s run. For tickets, visit www.artshhi.com or call 888-860-2787.

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A Homecoming Concert

Music

On the heels of their Carnegie Hall concert, the LowCountry Children�s Chorus will perform here at home.

LowCountry Children�s Chorus just returned from New York City, where they participated in the National Children�s Choir Festival at Carnegie Hall.� Our young local singers joined 300 others, working under clinician, Henry Leck, to perfect choral literature from the baroque to the contemporary, featuring music from Central and South America and Savannah�s own Johnny Mercer. While their, the kids had a chance to see some Broadway shows and tour prominent sites throughout the Big Apple!

The LCCC Carnegie Hall Homecoming Concert will take place at The Baptist Church of Beaufort on Sunday evening, May 2, at 7 pm.�� The chorus will perform the literature prepared in New York City, along with some vocal and instrumental solo works. There is no admission coast, but donations are encouraged for this event.

LCCC will also be concertizing at Bluffton United Methodist Church on Sunday, May 16, at 4:00 PM.

LowCountry Children�s Chorus is an auditioned community chorus for young� treble singers in the surrounding Beaufort area in grades 4 and upwards.� Auditions for Fall Semester 2010, will take place in mid-May.� Please contact Dr. Melanie Williams at (843)252-4104 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.� Website:� www.bcob.org/lccc

From Russia (and Hollywood) With Love

Music

The Beaufort Symphony Orchestra will end its 2009-2010 season on May 6th and 9th with a program which includes the works of several Russian composers as well as movie themes familiar to screen buffs and music lovers.

Departing slightly from the orchestra�s usual spring fare, this concert will include some works that are a bit more serious in nature.� However, the audience will have no difficulty recognizing the melodies from Tchaikovsky�s Romeo and Juliet as well as March Slav. The melody of the latter is probably quite familiar to young piano students! �The Procession of the Sardar� and �Russian Sailor�s Dance� will round out the music by Russian composers.

Maestro Devyatkin has also selected a suite of Symphonic Dances from �Fiddler On The Roof�.� These are brimming with action bringing to mind the wild excitement of the Klezmer tradition.

Over the last few years The Beaufort Symphony has been pleased to showcase quite a number of the fine orchestral arrangements of our bassoonist, William Baker.� Continuing on the Russian theme, Bill has provided us with �Lara�s Theme�, from Dr. Zhivago, and the James Bond classic, �From Russia With Love�.� The orchestra is indeed lucky to have Bill offer his talents as a musician and an arranger.

Continuing in the Hollywood vein, BSO will offer themes from the movies, Titanic, Anastasia, and �More�, from Mondo Cane.� Maestro Devyatkin is fond of saying that many of today�s best composers are at work in Hollywood and on Broadway.� This collaboration is reminiscent of royal patronage at the time of Mozart and Handel. Certainly, having one�s music in a movie provides a wonderful opportunity for exposure to a vast modern audience.

The Beaufort Youth Orchestra, also under the baton of Fred Devyatkin, will join the BSO during the Sunday Matinee.� Scholarship winners will be announced at both concerts.� Now nearly 50 in number, this talented group of young musicians nearly doubled in the past year. They offer a full symphonic ensemble - including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion and maintain a full concert schedule. Their growing skills can be measured by those who were selected to represent the group at regional and state events this year.

The Beaufort Youth Orchestra is fortunate to have Greta and Ron Maddox act as liaisons to the orchestra board, serving as strong advocates for our young musicians.� They are especially passionate about preserving a healthy string presence in Northern Beaufort County.� The Orchestra Board is very grateful for the immense amount of time and energy they give to a cause they care so much about.� If you know a young player who would be interested in auditioning for the Beaufort Youth Orchestra, please contact Greta Maddox at 843-838-8001 or Fred Devyatkin at 912-232-7250.

The Beaufort Orchestra is busily planning for next season! We think of ourselves as Beaufort�s great hometown orchestra and look forward to your continuing loyal support. Daniel Adni, world-renowned concert pianist, will return to headline our opening concert in October.� Subscriptions for 2020-2011 will be available at the May 6^th and 9^th concerts and following that, information can be found on line at www.beaufortorchestra.org.� Subscription seating will be on a first come, first served basis. We know you will want to join us for another season to Keep The Music Live!!

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THE DETAILS:

The Beaufort Symphony Orchestra

Presents

From Russia (and Hollywood) With Love

Frederick Devyatkin, Musical Director

Selections include:

Tchaikovsky - Romeo and Juliet

March Slav, Dances from �Fiddler on the Roof�

Music from �Titanic�, �Dr. Zhivago�, �Anastasia�

USCB Performing Arts Auditorium

801 Carteret Street, Beaufort

Thursday Evening, May 6th, 2010 - 8:00 P.M. - $30

Sunday Matinee � May 9th, 2010 - 3:00 P.M. - $30

Youth Through High School - $5

Tickets may be purchased on the Beaufort Orchestra�s website www.beaufortorchestra.org or

Call Ticket Fusion�s toll free number 1-877-548-3237

Remaining tickets at the door if available

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Helping Haiti

Art

helping-haiti-melanie-kathy When the gigantic earthquake struck Haiti recently, the world witnessed the devastation and suffering of this third world country and responded to their desperate need for help.� The relief effort needs to continue to help relieve the suffering that still exists there.

The Baptist Church of Beaufort has sponsored an ongoing project for many years to aid the Haitians through The Northwest Haiti Christian Mission fund.� In October of 2000, my husband Art and I joined Dr .Tony Bush�s medical mission trip to Saint-Louis du Nord.� Each year after that, I have painted several portraits showing the distinctive and endearing qualities of the beautiful Haitian people.

helping-haiti-woman-child In February of this year, Dr. Melanie Williams, Minister of Music at TBCB, visited my studio and saw the paintings I had done of Haitian people from pictures of my previous visit there.� She asked me if I would display them in The Sacred Gallery at TBCB to help raise funds for Haiti. I was excited at the prospect of helping in this endeavor.

The Haitian Fund Raiser Exhibit is open to the public on helping-haiti-girl May 2 from 2 until 8:30 p.m. at The Baptist Church of Beaufort.� The collection is located on the second floor of Building A (adjacent to the sanctuary) in The Sacred Gallery.� The works are for sale and a percentage of the proceeds will be sent to the mission in Haiti.� Donations for Haitian relief are also encouraged.

A concert will also be given in conjunction with the display at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of The Baptist Church of Beaufort by The Low Country Children�s Chorus, directed by Dr. Melanie Williams. There is no charge for the concert and the public is cordially invited.

Art Around Town

Art

art-around-roe-dockhouse There�s a reason Old Town Bluffton is home some of the Lowcountry�s best art galleries.� Live oaks, blooming azaleas, historic buildings and friendly people welcome visitors to an eclectic mix of galleries and shops.� May River Road, Calhoun Street and Boundary Street house galleries filled with fine art and crafts created by some of our areas most creative artists.� On many days, artists can be found working at their craft.� Old Town galleries in conjunction with BRAVO will host a special Art Around Town event, May 10 - 15.

Art Around Town -� Monday, May 10 � Saturday, May 15 from 10 am 5pm.� Local artists will be painting or working at their craft at different galleries each day throughout the week around Old Town Bluffton. Visitors can stop in any of the Old Town Galleries to find out where artists are working each day.� Painters and three-dimensional artists will create Bluffton inspired artwork on-location.� Scheduled demonstrations include:

May 10^th

Pluff Mudd Art

27 Calhoun Street, Bluffton SC

Gallery artists will be available throughout the day. Bluffton artist, Lynda Potter, will be painting on site. For more information call 843-757-5590

May 11^th

Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA)

48 Boundary St., Bluffton, SC

Dee Johnson�Watercolor, DJ Murray�Colored Pencil,��and Pat Gardiner�Acrylic. All will be actively both indoors and out.

Call for more information - 843-757-6586, sobagalleries.com

Maye River Gallery

37 Calhoun St., Bluffton

Caroll Kay will do a weaving demonstration. Susan Knight will be showing her techniques working with silver jewelry. Painters will be working in the garden. Call 843-757-2633

Mayerivergallery.com

May 12^th

Pluff Mudd Art

27 Calhoun Street, Bluffton SC

Bob Berman, will be creating his Lowcountry birds.

For more information call 843-757-5590

The Filling Station will also have several artists demonstration outside on Calhoun Street.� For more information call 843-263-4796

May 13^th

Jacob Preston, Preston Pottery will be at work spinning not only pots but stories.

10 Church Street

For more information call 843-757-3084

May 14^th 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Four Corners Art Gallery

1263 May River Rd., Bluffton

Gallery artist Doug Corkern will be painting. He will share some of his techniques with chalk and watercolor. Doug a retired local architect continues to love the art of drawing and painting with watercolor, oil, and sanguine chalks.

For more information, call 757-8185

Gallery Without Walls � Pierce of the Gallery Without Walls will be picken the banjo and painting as he picks. For more information, cal 338-7267

Gallery Walk � Friday 3pm to 8pm.� Visitors can walk through the galleries in Old Town Bluffton.� The work of over 200 artists can be seen at the� SoBA� Gallery (Society of Bluffton Artists), Pluff Mudd Gallery, Maye River Gallery, Four Corners Framing, The Filling Station, Vintage Posters and Jacob Preston�s. Wine and refreshments will be served by each gallery.� There will be live music on Boundary and Calhoun Streets throughout the entire event.� This event has traditionally brought 1000 visitors to Old Town Bluffton.

Saturday, May 15^th from 9:30 am to 3pm

Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest � High school and college students are invited to participate in the first annual event.� Entry fee is $10 and cash prizes will be awarded.� Visitors can observe works in progress through Old Town.� For more information call 843-757-8185.

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Beckon to the Beacon

Books

Charles Street Gallery to host international poetry reading

Celebrate National Poetry Month with the Otram Slabess Group at the Charles Street Gallery�s third annual International Poetry Reading.

Readers include a poet laureate of the state, Warren Slesinger, and other Otram Slabess members. The group takes its name from a 13th-century Persian poet who believed poetry could cause �great effects in the order of the world.� Each poet will contribute a cherished poem or two from the wide world of acknowledged masters and original work.

�Poetry is not a form of entertainment, and in a certain sense not even a form of art, but our anthropological, genetic goal, our linguistic, evolutionary beacon.� Joseph Brodsky, a political refugee from the Ukraine, said that. It was an international network of poets that helped him to escape from the old USSR, where he was considered a �parasite,� to this country, where Brodsky was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1987 and became the US Poet Laureate in 1991.

So beckon to the beacon. Help Warren Slesinger, Quitman Marshall, Teresa Bruce, Karen Peluso, Jacquelyn Markham and Steve Johnson celebrate poetry and the art around us. The program will be followed by open mic for poets and aficionados in attendance.

Beckon to the Beacon happens at the Charles Street Gallery in Beaufort, 914 Charles St, Saturday, April 24, at 4 PM. Admission is free.

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