House LightsLexington Opera HouseLexington Center Corporation430 W. Vine StreetLexington, KY 40507

Summer 2013 Newsletter of the Lexington Opera HouseIN THIS ISSUE:

...And the Hits Keep Coming! p1

Variety Live Tribute to Benny Goodman p2

Don't Miss A Key Opportunity! p3 Thank You Sharon!

Opera House Calendar back

Former Broadway performer Lyndy Franklin performed the iconic “All That Jazz” to introduce CHICAGO, the title that opens the season on the weekend of November 8-10. Sponsored by Powell, Walton, Milward Insurance, CHICAGO is a true New York City institution! The show begins with the following promise:

“Ladies & Gentlemen, you are about to see a story about murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery – all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts.”

The creators, John Kander, Frank Ebb and Bob Fosse make good on that promise. According to Director,

Walter Bobbie, it is a promise they fulfi ll with “wit, danger, dazzle, style and a whole lot of humor! The prickly delight of CHICAGO is that the musical is both showbiz savvy and thematically rich, so that while it sets toes tapping, it entertains the mind.” With one show-stopping song after another it’s no wonder that CHICAGO has been honored with 6 Tony awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations.

From the University of Kentucky School of Music, Tedrin Blair Lindsay offered his keyboard talents and showmanship in a tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis, to introduce a brand new Broadway title and Tony Award winner, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. On December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins gathered at Sun Records Studio in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time! Clark Distributing and Coors Light proudly sponsor this thrilling musical on the weekend of January 10-12.

Much more than a concert, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET offers insights into the lives of these four “legends to be” and a treasure trove of the greatest rock, rockabilly, gospel, R&B and country standards of the 1950s, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” and “Whole Lotta’ Shakin’ Goin’ On.” The session retains its historical signifi cance, not only as a landmark event in the age of rock ‘n’ roll genesis, but as a signifi cant milestone in the ever-changing world of 20th Century popular culture and mass media.

Sylvia Howard along with members of the Agape Theatre Troupe and Uniqueness Unlimited Modeling and Dance Troupe staged a performance of “Someday”

Quarterly Newsletter from the Lexington Opera House Summer 2013

House Lights

AUGUST

Troubadour Concerts &Highbridge Spring Water:Randy NewmanFriday, August 9, 7:30pm(859) 233-3535 for tickets

Bluegrass Opera:Lady Windermere's FanFriday, August 23, 7:30pmSaturday, August 24, 7:30pm(859) 233-3535 for tickets

SEPTEMBER

Blackjacket Symphony performingAC/DC's "Back in Black"Friday, September 13, 8:00pm(859) 233-3535 for tickets

Troubadour Concerts &Highbridge Spring Water:The RidesMonday, September 16, 7:30pm(859) 233-3535 for tickets

Lexington Ballet Company:Tribute to Ballets RussesSaturday, September 21, 7:30pm(859) 233-3535 for tickets

Variety LiveThe 75th Anniversary Tributeto Benny GoodmanWednesday, September 25, 7:00pm(859) 233-3535 for tickets

OCTOBER

UK Opera Theatre:Les MisérablesThursday, October 10, 7:30pmFriday, October 11, 7:30pmSaturday, October 12, 2:00pm & 7:30pmSunday, October 13, 2:00pm & 7:30pmWednesday, October 16, 7:30pmThursday, October 17, 7:30pmFriday, October 18, 7:30pmSaturday, October 19, 2:00pm & 7:30pmSunday, October 20, 2:00pm & 7:30pm(859) 233-3535 for tickets

Kentucky Ballet TheatreCarmenFriday, October 25, 7:30pmSaturday, October 26, 7:30pm(859) 252-5245 for tickets

NOVEMBER

Broadway Live,Powell - Walton - Milward:CHICAGOFriday, November 8, 8:00pmSaturday, November 9, 2:00 & 8:00pmSunday, November 10, 1:00pm & 6:00pm(859) 233-3535 for tickets

• LEXINGTON OPERA HOUSE EVENT CALENDAR •

For latest additions to our calendar, please visit us on the web at lexingtonoperahouse.com.

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...AND THE HITS KEEP COMING!

IT STARTS WITH A HIT – AND THE HITS KEEP COMING …ALL SEASON LONG FOR BROADWAY LIVE AT THE OPERA HOUSE! THE 2013-2014 LINE

UP OF BROADWAY SHOWS WAS ANNOUNCED IN MAY, AT OUR ANNUAL GALA EVENT TO A RECORD-BREAKING CROWD. LOCAL PERSONALITY

DEANN STEPHENS, FROM WKYT-TV AND WBUL HOSTED THE EVENING, AS LOCAL ARTS GROUPS GAVE THE AUDIENCE A TASTE OF WHAT IS TO

COME - OFFERING SAMPLINGS FROM EACH EXCITING BROADWAY TITLE ON THE UPCOMING SEASON. ENJOY THIS RECAP OF THOSE TALENTED

PERFORMANCES AND THE UPCOMING SEASON OF BROADWAY LIVE.

Lexington Center CorporationChief Executive Officer - William OwenDirector of Performing Arts - Luanne FranklinOperations Manager - Tom HabermannMarketing Director - Sheila KennyMarketing Coordinator - Paul HooperWebmaster / Graphic Designer - Terri McAllisterMarketing Interns - Megan EdlinBox Office Manager - Jeff BojanowskiGroup Sales Manager - Jana HattonTechnical Services - Bob Stoops, Mike Lavin, John Ferguson, and Chris MusinskiHouse Manager - Paul Thomas

Hailed by the New York Times as “Goodman straight up with a twist of Lightning!”, NYC jazz clarinetist and Benny Goodman alumnus Ken Peplowski is featured with the highly acclaimed Capitol Center Jazz Orchestra to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Benny Goodman’s historical 1938 Jazz concert at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall. This revolutionary performance claimed a new place for jazz on the American cultural scene and has come to be seen as the most important jazz concert in history.

This incredible evening with today’s premier jazz clarinetist will feature numerous classics from Goodman’s historic 1938 performance, including “Don’t Be That Way”, “Memories of You” and, of course, the iconic “Sing, Sing, Sing”.

from MEMPHIS, THE MUSICAL. Straight from the underground dance clubs of the 1950s, comes a hot new Broadway musical with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS tells the story of a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break.

Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, MEMPHIS, THE MUSICAL is sponsored by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, KY and Central Bank, and is scheduled for the weekend of February 14-16. Filled with laughter and emotion, AP calls MEMPHIS, “the very essence of what a Broadway musical should be.” The energy and exuberance of this production is contagious while the story tugs at your heart, making it the perfect Valentine for Lexington!

Our good neighbors from Lexington Children’s Theatre shared three of their talented actors, Kate Keller, Christopher Freeman and Justin Doro in a poignant opening scene from THE MIRACLE WORKER. This American theatre classic, written by William Gibson, tells the story of Helen Keller, deaf, blind and mute since infancy, who fi nds her way to the world of knowledge and understanding with the help of her gifted teacher, Anne Sullivan. The original production opened on Broadway in 1959 and accelerated the rise of its two crowning stars, Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft, who respectively played Helen Keller and her devoted governess teacher Annie Sullivan.

Reviewer Matthew Murray once wrote, “The play’s reputation may be primarily one of inspiration, but like any great play it never forgets to entertain along the path to enlightenment. Even the most vicious scenes of Helen’s teaching percolate with a brightness that keeps you just as energized as Annie and Helen are. So yes, you laugh. But in the moments where all seems lost or the action’s resolution unfurls its last surprises, don’t be surprised if you fi nd yourself crying as well. That you can experience such a range of feelings by way of so relatively little speech is perhaps the most fulfi lling

miracle of the many in THE MIRACLE WORKER. Taking the stage on March 14-16, Kentucky One Health is the proud sponsor of this inspirational, true story of victory over unbelievable odds.

Lexington’s own 5-time national championship cheerleading squad from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School demonstrated their skills to the music BRING IT ON, recently nominated for Best Musical. Inspired by the fi lm of the same name, this bright new musical takes you on a high-fl ying journey through friendship, forgiveness and determination. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler, BRING IT ON tells the story of the challenges and unexpected bonds formed through the thrill of extreme competition.

Fayette Mall proudly sponsors this high energy, fast paced new musical, fl ying onto the Opera House stage the weekend of April 11-13. Audiences will be treated to olympic level gymnastics, dance, and hilarious social commentary set to rockin' music. While it appeals to our youth, this is a totally entertaining show start to fi nish and is similar in genre to Legally Blonde and Hairspray. Look forward to leaving the theatre feeling uplifted and smiling at the world – a perfect fi nale to a season of hits!

It has been just fi ve months since we sent our 9' Steinway D grand piano to Queens, New York, for a 15-month restoration. This fi ne instrument has been an asset of the Opera House since the building's renovation in 1976 and although playable, its condition had begun to deteriorate. A full restoration is now underway and we expect the piano's return to the Opera House by next Spring. The cost of the restoring the piano is being raised through the 88 Keys Fundraising Campaign and matched by the Lexington

Center Corporation. To date, 66 individuals and groups have "claimed" a key in their name. We are in need of just 22 more donors to reach our fundraising goal of $52,000. Won't you consider sponsoring a key in your name or in the name of the music lover in your life? Besides the satisfaction of knowing that you helped to bring a beautiful musical instrument back to life, everyone who donates to the restoration will be invited to a special "welcome back" piano concert to celebrate the completion of this project.

Over a span of 37 years, this piano has been played by brilliant musicians, including Grammy Award winners Diane Schuur, Jim Brickman, George Winston, and Randy Newman. Please help ensure that more beautiful music can be performed on this state of the art instrument.

Visit LexingtonOperaHouse.com/88keys to see the interactive keyboard for the available options.

Want to go paperless?Would you rather receive House Lights by emailinstead of US Postal Service? Contact Courtney Brownat Lexington Center Corporation by email atcbrown@lexingtoncenter.com or (859) 233-4567 ext. 3701

DON'T MISS A KEYOPPORTUNITY!UPDATE ON 88 KEYS FUNDRAISER

Montana Repertory � eatre's � e Miracle Worker

Sharon Gorgas receives a big THANK YOU from the Lexington Opera House, pictured here with Luanne Franklin. Sharon relocated to Florida to enjoy a well-deserved retirement with her husband, Phil. Sharon has spent the past 21 years as a volunteer usher, and the past nine years as the Volunteer Coordinator. We appreciate her service and wish her the best!

THANK YOUSHARON GORGAS!

VARIETY LIVE TRIBUTE TO BENNY GOODMANBLUEGRASS AREA JAZZ AMBASSADORS TO OPEN!

WEDNESDAYSEPTEMBER 25, 7:00PM

DON'T FORGET!INDIVIDUAL TICKETS FOR

BROADWAY LIVE SHOWS GOON SALE AUG 29 @ 10:00AM!

OPENING OCTOBER 5TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 20

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