What to do in Oklahoma on Feb. 12, 2012: Watch Oklahoma City Ballet’s production of “The Firebird”
Miki Kawamura in "The Firebird"
Today’s featured events:
Watch Oklahoma City Ballet’s production of Stravinsky’s stunning “The Firebird” at 2 p.m. today at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 848-8637 or www.okcballet.com.
Read The Oklahoman Fine Arts Editor Rick Rogers’ feature on the production by clicking here.
For more information, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Video: Reduxion Theatre Company offering a special Valentine’s Day package for tonight’s performance of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Reduxion Theatre Company’s is offering a romantic “Couple’s Package” for its performance tonight of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” at its Broadway Theater, 1613 N Broadway Ave.
The package includes preshow champagne and couple’s cupcakes at intermission.
Check out these NewsOK videos of the company talking about and performing selections from the play.
“We want to offer couples a fun and romantic alternative or addition to their Valentine’s plans on this romantic weekend,” said Managing Director Erin Woods in a news release. “An entertaining evening of live theatre provides a memorable, romantic experience.”
Reduxion opened its new staging of “Much Ado About Nothing” Thursday night, and performances continue at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Feb. 25. A special Sunday matinee will be staged at 2 p.m. Feb. 19.
Billed as Oklahoma City’s fastest-growing theater company, Reduxion received much attention and positive reviews in 2011 with the opening of their intimate new venue, the Broadway Theater. Critically acclaimed productions of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Hamlet” and the American classic “Hair, the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical,” drew more than 2,000 fans to the Broadway Theater, near Automobile Alley and downtown.
“We love romantic stories and audiences love seeing them,” said Tyler Woods, Reduxion Artistic Director and “Much Ado About Nothing” director, in the release. “We push boundaries and challenge people on an emotional level, and we hope to make a name for ourselves as producers of plays that people enjoy sharing with a loved one.”
This season, Reduxion gets back to its roots by revisiting some of their first productions as a company. The company continues its successful, “Original Sins” season with the romantic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” by Shakespeare, which was the first show independently produced by Woods in 2000. Woods directs this hilarious, touching and fast-paced romance with the same love and care he gave the first time around, on the show that started it all!
“Although we are considered a young company, this journey has taken many years,” said Woods. “From that first independent production in 2000, to this season, our fourth residential season in Oklahoma City, and the second year in our own performance venue – we must honor our growth and the support of the Oklahoma City community in fostering our development for over a decade.”
His version of “Much Ado About Nothing” is set in the swinging 1960s in Sicily.
For more information, go to www.reduxiontheatre.com.
-BAM
Best Bets for Feb. 10-12, 2012: Chris Young, Alabama, “The Firebird,” Children’s Miracle Network benefit show
Chris Young
Here are my Best Bets for entertainment happening around the state this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more options, go to www.wimgo.com.
1. Listen to up-and-coming country star Chris Young, with special guests the Lost Trailers, at 7 p.m. Friday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern. Information: 677-9169 or www.diamondballroom.net. (Look for my review of the show in the wee hours of Saturday here on BAM’s Blog.)
2. Watch Oklahoma City Ballet’s production of Stravinsky’s stunning “The Firebird” at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 848-8637 or www.okcballet.com.
3. NORMAN — Hear Pretty Black Chains, Burning Hotels, Crown Imperial and BradChad Porter perform at a Benefit for Children’s Miracle Network at 9 p.m. Friday at the Opolis, 113 N Crawford. Information: www.starlightmints.com/opolis.html.
4. WINSTAR — Catch reunited Country Music Hall of Famers Alabama at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino, Interstate 35, Exit 1. Information: (800) 622-6317 or www.winstarworldcasino.com.
-BAM
Blu-ray review: “The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
“The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall”
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash spectacle gets an appropriately lavish 25th anniversary celebration with “The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.”
Widely considered the most successful entertainment project in history, the silver anniversary production was staged in grand fashion in October and beamed to movie theaters worldwide. Even fans who have seen “The Phantom” performed live and in person will be impressed at the royal treatment the musical receives in the special staging, augmented by rich high-definition Blu-ray picture and crisp Dolby Digital sound.
Featuring a cast and orchestra of more than 200, the commemorative performance was inspired by the original 1986 staging by Hal Prince and Gillian Lynne on London’s West End. Lynne returned to oversee the musical staging and choreography, which was cannily adapted for the famed London concert hall.
The international cast features the perfectly picked Sierra Boggess as lovely young soprano Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious masked magician and musical genius known as “The Phantom of the Opera.” Ramin Karimloo gives a commanding star turn as the terrifying but sympathetic Phantom, while the supporting cast — particularly Hadley Fraser as Christine’s fiancé Raoul, Wendy Ferguson as the Paris Opera’s proud prima donna Carlotta and Liz Roberston as stern choreographer Madame Giry — contribute uniformly stellar performances.
The Blu-ray features a grand finale with special appearances by Lloyd Webber and the original London company, including Michael Crawford, who first played the role of the Phantom on the West End and Broadway. In addition, the finale includes performances by Sarah Brightman, who originated the role of Christine, and former Phantoms Peter Joback, John Owen-Jones, Anthony Warlow and Colm Wilkinson as well as Karimloo.
Bonus features include a behind-the-scenes featurette and a trailer for Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom” follow-up, “Love Never Dies.” A fully staged pre-recorded Australian performance of the sequel will be screened in several Oklahoma movie theaters at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 7. For more information, go to Ö www.fathomevents.com.
— BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Feb. 10, 2012: See Reduxion Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”
Today’s featured event:
See Reduxion Theatre Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” at 8 p.m. today and Saturday at its Broadway Theater, 1613 N Broadway Ave.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, a romantic “Couple’s Package” is offered for tonight and Saturday performance. The package includes preshow champagne and couple’s cupcakes at intermission.
“We want to offer couples a fun and romantic alternative or addition to their Valentine’s plans on this romantic weekend,” said Managing Director Erin Woods in a news release. “An entertaining evening of live theatre provides a memorable, romantic experience.”
Reduxion opened its new staging of “Much Ado About Nothing” Thursday night, and performances continue at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Feb. 25. A special Sunday matinee will be staged at 2 p.m. Feb. 19.
Billed as Oklahoma City’s fastest-growing theater company, Reduxion received much attention and positive reviews in 2011 with the opening of their intimate new venue, the Broadway Theater. Critically acclaimed productions of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Hamlet” and the American classic “Hair, the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical,” drew more than 2,000 fans to the Broadway Theater, near Automobile Alley and downtown.
“We love romantic stories and audiences love seeing them,” said Tyler Woods, Reduxion Artistic Director and “Much Ado About Nothing” director, in the release. “We push boundaries and challenge people on an emotional level, and we hope to make a name for ourselves as producers of plays that people enjoy sharing with a loved one.”
This season, Reduxion gets back to its roots by revisiting some of their first productions as a company. The company continues its successful, “Original Sins” season with the romantic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” by Shakespeare, which was the first show independently produced by Woods in 2000. Woods directs this hilarious, touching and fast-paced romance with the same love and care he gave the first time around, on the show that started it all!
“Although we are considered a young company, this journey has taken many years,” said Woods. “From that first independent production in 2000, to this season, our fourth residential season in Oklahoma City, and the second year in our own performance venue – we must honor our growth and the support of the Oklahoma City community in fostering our development for over a decade.”
His version of “Much Ado About Nothing” is set in the swinging 1960s in Sicily.
For more information, go to www.reduxiontheatre.com. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Oklahoma City Museum of Art partnering in Doodle 4 Google contest
Four-year-old Evelyn Stirling concentrates on her painting as children and their parents create miniature Chihuly chandeliers during the weekly Drop-In Art event Saturday, March 12, 2011, at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. On Feb. 25, the museum will host a special Doodle 4 Google Drop-In Art. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman Archives
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma City Museum of Art partnering in Doodle 4 Google contest
The fifth annual competition invites kindergarten through 12th-grade students nationwide to draw their rendition of the Google logo for a chance to see it displayed on the online search engine’s homepage.
The museum has been chosen as a local partner for the fifth annual Doodle 4 Google contest, which invites kindergarten through 12th-grade students nationwide to draw their rendition of the Google logo for a chance to see it displayed on the online search engine’s homepage.
“We are excited to be the local partner for Oklahoma,” said Glen Gentele, the museum’s president and CEO, in a statement. “This is an amazing opportunity for students to attempt a redesign of the Google logo.”
March 23 is the final deadline for students to submit their drawings for the contest. The museum is hosting a special Drop-In Art event in which youngsters can work on their Google doodles from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.
“We’ll have the entry forms available, and we’ll have artists on hand to help the children create their doodles. We’re inviting everyone from the community to come to the museum that day and do their doodle submissions,” said Chandra Boyd, the museum’s curator of education.
The doodles should reflect this year’s contest theme: “If I could travel in time, I’d visit ….”
“Google, they have their team of doodlers that create all those fantastic drawings for special holidays and birthdays and occasions throughout the year, and then what they are asking now is that students K-12 create a doodle,” Boyd said.
“The idea is time travel, so they’re using that theme to kind of guide the designs. It’s a two-dimensional design, so they (children) can paint it, they can draw it, print, whatever media they want to use that creates a two-dimensional image.”
After March 23, a team of Google artists and guest judges — including pop star Katy Perry, “Phineas & Ferb” cartoon creator Jeff “Swampy” Marsh and “American Idol” Jordin Sparks — will help choose the top doodles from each of the 50 states.
On May 2, Google will open up online balloting for the contest, and one winner from each of the five grade groupings will be chosen by a public vote. First prize will be awarded on May 17, and the overall winner’s doodle will be showcased May 18 on Google.com.
In addition, the winning doodler will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for his or her school. Crayola has partnered with Google this year, and the winner’s artwork will appear on a special edition of the 64-crayon box, too.
Google also has teamed up with art, science and children’s museums across the country to display the artwork of each state’s finalists. The Oklahoma museum joins prestigious institutions — including The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in Texas; the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in California; and the National Museum of Play — participating in the contest.
Google representatives reached out to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and invited the institution to become its local partner and venue for exhibiting the works of the contest’s 10 Oklahoma finalists. The finalists will be shown this summer in the museum’s first-floor Founders’ Hall.
“They discovered we had a great community outreach program,” said communications manager Leslie Spears. “That made us very proud.”
Last year, the Doodle 4 Google contest received 107,000 student submissions from all over the country. Matteo Lopez, a second grader at Monte Verde Elementary School in South San Francisco, Calif., was picked as the victor.
The Oklahoma City museum is spreading the word about the contest through the state’s public school districts, private schools, homeschool organizations, parents groups and more so that as many state children as possible have the opportunity to participate.
“It really is such a benefit to them, the fact that they’re exploring their creativity, and they’re using this fun time-travel theme,” Boyd said. “Kids just have the best imaginations … and their brains get started and they have these great ideas.”
At the Feb. 25 event, the museum will help students submit their entries. Parents and teachers who want to submit a doodle on behalf of their children can get entry forms and submission information at www.google.com/doodle4google. Only one contest entry is allowed per student.
GOING ON
Doodle 4 Google Drop-In Art
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.
Where: Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive.
Cost: Free with museum admission.
Information: www.okcmoa.com or 236-3100, ext. 231.
Doodle 4 Google timeline
Feb. 25: Oklahoma City Museum of Art will host a Doodle from 1 to 4 p.m.
March 23: Deadline for all doodles to be submitted to Google
May 2: The best doodle from each of the 50 states will be displayed at the Google 4 Doodle website. Public voting will begin at 8 a.m. May and close at 7 p.m. May 10.
May 17: First prize will be awarded to the winning doodler in a ceremony in New York City.
May 18: The winner’s doodle will be showcased on Google.com.
Summer: The top 10 Oklahoma finalists will have their doodles exhibited at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (Exact dates to be determined).
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Feb. 5, 2012: Watch Oklahoma City Theatre Company’s “Same Time, Next Year” at the Civic Center
Jodi Nestander and Ian Clarke in "Same Time, Next Year"
Today’s featured event:
Watch Oklahoma City Theatre Company’s production of “Same Time, Next Year” at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker.
Performances continue Thursday-Feb. 12 and Feb. 16-19.
“Same Time, Next Year” ran four years on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for lead actress Ellen Burstyn, who later recreated her role in the successful motion picture. It remains one of the world’s most widely produced plays. The plot follows a love affair between two people, Doris and George, married to others, who rendezvous once a year. Twenty-five years of manners and morals are hilariously and touchingly played out by the lovers.
In a special arrangement, one of OKC Improv’s most popular groups “The Ones Your Mother Warned You About” will be performing at 7:30 to open each Saturday performance.
For more information, go to www.okctheatrecompany.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Video: United Filmmakers of Oklahoma hosting Independent Filmmakers Showcase Saturday
United Filmmakers of Oklahoma is hosting an Independent Filmmakers Showcase at 7 p.m. Saturday, and two representatives of the group sat down with NewsOK host Angi Bruss to talk about the fledgling group and its showcase.
UFO will show an eclectic mix of cross-genre short films and music videos. The price is $5 to see the shorts and enjoy some refreshments.
United Filmmakers of Oklahoma is an ever-expanding group of directors, writers, actors, artists, producers, crew people and volunteers in the Oklahoma City and surrounding areas that come together for the sole purpose of creating independent films.
UFO has only been in existence since April but we have grown exponentially due to taking part in public events such as Live on the Plaza and the deadCenter Film Festival. The group is working filmmakers here in Oklahoma and our fast paced meetings are brainstorming and planning sessions for a variety of diverse projects. All skill levels are welcome. Independent Filmmakers Showcase will feature UFO’s short films as well the work of our amazingly talented members.
The showcase will be hosted by Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western in Oklahoma City. Istvan Gallery features the work of emerging and established Oklahoma artists in an atmosphere designed to be comfortable for art collectors as well as art lovers who might otherwise be intimidated by the idea of visiting an art gallery. It is a space where the public can enjoy and understand art. The Gallery features a regular roster of artists as well as special exhibits with an artist’s reception about every four months. The Istvan Gallery is host to performance events including OKC StorySlam, poetry readings, film and video and live music.
For more information, go to http://unitedfilmmakersoklahoma.webs.com.
-BAM
Best Bets for Feb. 3-5, 2012: Sarah Coburn, Omelette Party, Bert Seabourn and Jake Owen
Sarah Coburn
Here are my picks for the Best Bets in entertainment in the Oklahoma City area for this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For entertainment options for the whole state, go to www.wimgo.com:
1. Listen to renowned Muskogee-bred singer Sarah Coburn and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic perform “Great Moments of Opera” at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 842-5387 or www.okcphilharmonic.org.
2. Sample gourmet eggs, dance to the music of JetSet Kings and bid in an art raffle at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s 28th annual Omelette Party at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center, 425 E California. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.
3. See new artwork, learn about heart health and see a painting demonstration by Bert Seabourn during a special National Wear Red Day-theme First Friday Gallery Walk, from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday in the Paseo Arts District. Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
4. NORMAN — Hear country singer Jake Owen at 8 p.m. Saturday at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: 322-6464 or www.riverwind.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Feb. 3: Celebrate Wear Red Day at a special Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts District
Jo Wise, executive director of the Paseo Arts Association, looking at artworks being collected at Paseo Art Space in Oklahoma City Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, to be judged for selection into the annual Paseo Art Association Member Juried Art Competition and Exhibition to benefit the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Heart Hospital will kickoff "The Heart of Paseo: The Art of Heart" Feb. 3, 2012. The sculpture in cedar and basswood is by Barbara Scott titled "Hope... the Thing with Feathers." Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
Today’s featured event:
Celebrate National Wear Red Day for Women and Heart Disease Awareness, which is today, during a special “The Art of the Heart” Paseo Arts District First Friday Gallery Walk from 6 to 10 p.m. in the historic arts district.
The Paseo Arts Association is partnering with the Oklahoma Heart Hospital for its 2012 Paseo Arts Association Members’ Show. They are working together to promote heart health through the arts. Selected works will be displayed at the Paseo Art Space and in the lobbies of the two Oklahoma Heart Hospitals.
Everyone is encouraged to wear red to raise awareness of womens’ risk for heart disease.
The opening reception for the Members’ Show will be from 6 to 10 tonight in the Paseo Art Space, 3022 Paseo. Various galleries will be distributing tote bags, as well as pedometers, recipe cards, and other heart-healthy items, and many of the districts artists have created artwork that incorporates the color red.
Oklahoma State University fashion merchandising students will be displaying red dress sketches and finished dresses at a.k.a. Gallery, 3001 Paseo. The public will be asked to vote for best design, and the winner will win a cash award.
The winning red dress will be on display at Ruth Meyers in the Nichols Hills Shopping Center, 6471 Avondale Dr.
To read my colleague Heather Warlick-Moore’s story about the Paseo’s Wear Red celebration, click here.
For more information, go to www.thepaseo.com. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
