Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

The Paramount Theater Announces the 2010 Fall Season

Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival ▪ September 9 ▪ 8pm ▪ $22.00/$16.00/$6 student
Passionate performances, outstanding international musicians, and superb programs account for the popularity of this annual series.  Israeli-American pianist Benjamin Hochman, much praised for his “luminous touch,” joins the acclaimed Orpheus String Quartet and artistic directors Raphael Bell and Tim Summers for the first of the Festival’s five concerts.
Vienna is the focus of the evening’s rich program -from Beethoven’s sunny Piano Trio No. 1 and Franz Schubert’s sublime Cello Quintet to Anton Webern’s little pieces for piano and cello and
Alban Berg’s lush Piano Sonata No. 1.   For more information about the series, which will take place at several venues around Charlottesville go to www.cvillechambermusic.org or call 434-295-5395.

Kingston Trio ▪ September 19 ▪ 7pm ▪ $41.50/$36.50/$31.50
Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds and Dave Guard formed the original Kingston Trio in 1957, while the three were attending college in the San Francisco area. Using only acoustic guitars and banjos, and singing simple yet memorable melodies, they revolutionized popular music, reawakening America to its own rich folk music heritage.
The Kingston Trio was the number one vocal group in the world, a musical and cultural phenomenon whose record sales and concert draws were matched only by The Beatles. In a feat yet to be surpassed, BILLBOARD magazine listed four Kingston Trio albums in their Top 10 at the same time. The group has also collected two Grammy awards and numerous gold records. Some of their instantly recognizable hits include: “Tom Dooley,” “MTA,” “Scotch and Soda” and “Tijuana Jail.”
The Kingston Trio’s trademark three-part harmony and clean, crisp sound keeps them touring 30 weeks out of the year. The Kingston Trio today consists of George Grove, Bill Zorn and Rick Dougherty. The Trio’s busy touring schedule has resulted in an increasing number of new fans, both young and old.  www.kingstontrio.com

Aretha Franklin ▪ October 1 ▪ 8pm ▪ $86.50/$76.50/$51.50
She is known the world over by her first name and as the undisputed, reigning “Queen Of Soul,” Aretha Franklin is peerless. This 2005 recipient of a Presidential Medal Of Freedom honor (the U.S.A.’s highest honor), 17 Grammy Awards (and counting), a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy Living Legend Award. She has received countless international and national awards and accolades. Aretha has achieved global recognition on an unprecedented scale. She has influenced generations of singers from Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole and Mary J. Blige to “American Idol” winner Fantasia Burrino and Oscar-winning Jennifer Hudson.
Her ever-distinctive soulful, to-the-bone vocal style has graced the music charts for over four decades and while her ‘live’ performances have touched the hearts of literally millions since she began her musical journey as a gospel-singing child prodigy, it is her rich legacy of recordings that are a testament to the power, majesty and genius of this one-of-a-kind artist of the first order.

Duke Ellington Orchestra ▪ October 3 ▪ 3pm ▪ $34.50/$31.50/$26.50
Paul Mercer Ellington (grandson of Duke) was born and raised in Denmark, but often traveled to other countries with his father. Unknown to Paul, his dad was grooming him for a very serious job. Paul had many different musical interests, but he focused his talents on the piano and began to tour with his father, Mercer K. Ellington. One day, Mercer pulled him aside and said “Son, this is all yours, make sure you keep it going!” It became clear to Paul that he did want to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Paul Ellington attended the Manhattan School of Music and eventually debuted his first composition for Big Band at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, and he received a huge ovation from the crowd. Since then there have been some changes made to the Duke Ellington Orchestra: Paul Mercer Ellington is now the Conductor and Bandleader.

Charlottes Web ▪ October 8 ▪ 6pm ▪ $11.50/$6.50 (youth)
E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte comes to life in Charlotte’s Web . Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up in the slaughterhouse. Enter Charlotte, a fine writer and a true friend, who assures Wilbur she will save him. Charlotte hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman – she will create a “miracle”. Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship.

Mad Science:Star Trek ▪ October 12 ▪ 6pm ▪ $11.50/$6.50 (youth)
This show takes audiences of all ages on an exhilarating journey with cutting-edge special effects, unmatched audience interaction and an exploration of real space-age technology.  STAR TREK LIVE is based on the legendary Star Trek franchise and the thrilling new movie.  With a shocking invasion of Romulan forces from the future, the newly formed Starfleet Academy of audience cadets must work together to save planet Earth!  With the help of a time-travelling Vulcan, the Starfleet Commander and his team of rookie cadets must bravely draw on 21st century science and technology to try to defeat the alien forces.  With cutting-edge special effects, unmatched audience interaction, and on-screen appearances from Captain Kirk and Spock themselves, STAR TREK LIVE is an exhilarating and unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.

Craig Ferguson ▪ October 17 ▪ 7pm ▪ $69.00/$59.00/$49.00
Craig Ferguson entered the world of late night comedy following a diverse and eclectic career that encompasses film, television and the stage. Since taking the helm of the Late, Late Show on January 3, 2005, the show has set all-time viewer records in the five years that it has been on the air.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Ferguson got his start in the entertainment industry as a drummer for some of the worst punk bands in the U.K., a profession he held for several years. Following his musical stint, he began bartending in a local pub in Glasgow where he was introduced to Michael Boyd, the artistic director of The Tron Theatre in Glasgow, who persuaded Ferguson to give acting a go. After several low paying acting gigs, Ferguson discovered he had a knack for comedy and was soon the star of his own BBC television show, The Ferguson Theory.
The Drew Carey Show, playing Drew Carey’s boss, Nigel Wick, from 1996-2003.  Since coming into his own on the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” and winning his first Emmy nomination in 2006, Craig has seem to become the topic of conversation within the media and a growing trend of success in 2010.

Shawn Colvin ▪ October 21 ▪ 8pm ▪ $36.50/$31.50
In an era when female singer-songwriters are ever more ubiquitous, Shawn Colvin stands out as a singular and enduring talent. Her songs are slow-release works of craft and catharsis that become treasured, lifetime companions for their listeners. As a storyteller, Colvin is both keen and warm-hearted, leavening even the toughest tales with tenderness, empathy, and a searing sense of humor. In the 19 years since the release of her debut album, Colvin has won three Grammy Awards, released eight albums, maintained a non-stop national and international touring schedule, appeared on countless television and radio programs, had her songs featured in major motion pictures, and created a remarkable cannon of work.

Warren Miller Entertainment’s Wintervention ▪ October 24 ▪ 7pm▪ $12.00/$10.00 (student)/$8.00(youth)
Warren Miller Entertainment’s 61st annual ski and snowboard film understands the challenges of the snow-dicted. Wintervention gets you the help you need from the people who know. Our cast of boards-certified riders includes the most trusted names in ripping — people like Chris Davenport, JJ Thomas, Lindsey Vonn, and Hugo Harrison. We’re also joined by the top young talent in the field — innovators like Andy Mahre, Jossi Wells, and Zach Black.
Wintervention features acute cases of classic snow-diction from across the globe. There are the skiers who sail from Argentina to Antarctica searching for some of the last untouched descents on Earth; there are confessions from a man whose six ski passes simply aren’t enough. There are the skiers and riders who venture deep into the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia, chasing rumors they overheard in a language they don’t speak. And there are the skiers who tour far into the northern reaches of the Arctic Circle… where they won’t just climb peaks — they’ll reach the top of the planet.
From everyday terrain parks and lift-accessed powder to the most exotic settings imaginable, Wintervention is the definitive solution for the snow obsessed.  www.skinet.com/warrenmiller

Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra ▪ October 29 ▪ 7:30 ▪ $75.00/$45.00

The WSO was founded in 1996 as the Waynesboro Community Orchestra. In its debut concert, 23 musicians performed works by Lully, Bach and Haydn. Over the past decade the ensemble has grown significantly, having over doubled its core size and often tripling the original personnel for some repertoire, which now includes works by Beethoven, Copland, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Schubert, and Wagner.  The ensemble has consistently programmed more challenging literature with each season, growing a repertoire that includes works from all centuries of the classical tradition.  Highlights from recent seasons include performances of Beethoven’s 5th and 6th Symphonies as well as Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait.” The WSO has welcomed members from many communities outside Waynesboro, including Staunton, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and Richmond, while also performing concerts in Staunton in partnership with Mary Baldwin College as well as fundraising events in Charlottesville. In addition, the orchestra regularly collaborates with professional soloists while remaining deeply committed to the WSO String School, which provides after school lessons to young string players.

Diary of Anne Frank ▪ November 3 ▪ 7:30 ▪ $31.50/$26.50/$21.50/$11.50(student)
Her words have kept her spirit alive in the minds and hearts of readers all over the world. Relive the remarkable life of Anne Frank as she shares with you her hopes, dreams and observations on family, love and life in this Barter Theatre production. Caught in a world of hate, this young Jewish girl has become an icon of light for all who dare to dream.

Academy of St Martin in the Fields ▪ November 5 ▪ 8pm ▪ $56.50/$46.50/$41.50
Sir Neville Marriner says that the small ensemble he founded in 1958 ‘had no intention of giving any concerts or continuing forever’. Happily, whatever the initial intention, 50 years on the Academy is firmly established as one of the world’s leading chamber orchestras and, according to The Times journalist Richard Morrison, ‘As you travel round the globe, the Academy’s name has an aura possessed by no other British orchestra’.
Formed from a group of leading London musicians and working without a conductor, the Academy gave its first performance in its namesake church on 13th November 1959.  Demand for the Academy, particularly in the recording studio, soon began to grow as did the size of the orchestra and the repertoire it performed. Today the Academy performs in combinations ranging from a chamber group to a symphony orchestra.

Emmylou Harris presented by WNRN ▪ November 20 ▪ 8pm ▪ on sale to public July 9^th at 10am ▪ $74.00/$61.00/$51.00/$41.00

Emmylou Harris is truly one of the most loved and respected recording artists in America.  Her career has never waned in its near 40-year span of top selling and critically acclaimed releases.  Her solo career would be impressive on its own, but it grows legendary when you see the list of contemporaries who have been drawn to her sweet voice and intimate lyrics for collaborations.  www.emmylouharris.com

Straight No Chaser ▪ November 22 ▪ 7:30 ▪ $39.50/$29.50
If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses… think again. Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch.  As original member Randy Stine comments, “We take the music very seriously; we just don’t take ourselves too seriously.”  In the process, they are reinventing the idea of a cappella on the modern pop landscape.
Originally formed over a dozen years ago while students together at Indiana University, the group has reassembled and reemerged as a phenomenon – with a massive fanbase, over 20 million views on YouTube, numerous national TV appearances, and proven success with two holiday releases, 2008’s HOLIDAY SPIRITS and 2009’s CHRISTMAS CHEERS. In an era when so much pop music is the product of digital processing and vocal pro-tooling, Straight No Chaser is the real deal – the captivating sound of ten unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense… and with a sense of humor.

Natalie MacMaster ▪ December 11 ▪ 8pm ▪ $46.50/$41.50/$36.50
Meet Natalie MacMaster: wife, mother and virtuoso Cape Breton fiddler.
You know her more as the latter than the former; an electrifying performer whose passionate proficiency on the beloved four-string amplifies the traditional East Coast sound for contemporary times. Family has reinvigorated Natalie MacMaster’s commitment to the stage and her audience. “I like being on stage even more,” she enthuses. “When I appear onstage, that’s my departure from Momhood – and I transform into Natalie MacMaster: the entertainer, the fiddler, the performer. ” I relish that now more.”
As do her audiences, who are left clapping, hollering and screaming for more as MacMaster and her band wow them with stylistic diversity as reflected in such top-selling CDs as the Grammy-nominated My Roots Are Showing, Blueprint and Yours Truly. The applause only increases in excitement when MacMaster incorporates step dancing into her performance. “I was 16 when I started focusing on the step dancing, and it was kind of a joke at the time,” she recalls. “I was with a bunch of other young musicians and we all played and we all danced. It was a joke at the beginning, but then I began pulling it out of the hat so to speak when I needed to perk up the crowd, and it always did the trick.
But it’s her majesty with the bow and her intricate technique in making the fiddle sing and championing the Cape Breton tradition that floors her admirers for over 100 shows per year. “I guess culture and tradition never go out of style,” MacMaster explains.

Moscow Ballet Russian Nutcracker ▪ December 13 & 14 ▪ 7:30 ▪ $68.50/$48.50/$38.50/$28.50
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker stars principal artists Ekaterina Bortyakova as Masha and Akzhol Mussokhanov as the Nutcracker Prince. Spectacular scenic design, gorgeous costumes, and the exquisite artistry of 40 top Russian artists have made the Great Russian Nutcracker an American holiday tradition not to be missed. Critically acclaimed for its unique setting of Act II in the “Land of Peace and Harmony”, the Great Russian Nutcracker entertains with new characters and larger than life puppets set against a stunning backdrop of unicorns, exotic birds and animals. An ethereal Dove, a messenger of peace, leads Masha and the Nutcracker to the peaceful kingdom. Beloved Russian fairytale characters, Father Christmas and his granddaughter the Snow Maiden, add to the whimsical and imaginative storytelling that sets this Nutcracker apart.

Oratorio Society: Christmas at The Paramount ▪ December 18 ▪ $55.00/$25.00/$15.00
The 100-voice chorus of the Oratorio Society of Virginia presents a varied program of seasonal music accompanied by brass ensemble, handbells and percussion.  Over the years, this highly regarded family-friendly concert has become a holiday tradition in the community. The featured work, Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, uses a variety of colors and rhythms to express traditional Nativity texts and capture the many moods of Christmas.  Conductor L. Thomas Vining will also lead choral arrangements by the Canadian Brass and a variety of popular carols to put you and your entire family in a festive spirit for the holidays.

The Met Live in HD
The Metropolitan Opera’s Peabody and Emmy Award-winning series The Met: Live in HD continues for its fifth season, featuring 12 live transmissions.

Tickets On Sale
Met Members 8/27
Paramount Star Circle Supporters 9/2
All Supporters 9/7
General Public 9/10

Das Rheingold Wagner♦ Oct 9  ♦ 1p
Boris Godunov Mussorgsky ♦ Oct 23 ♦ 12p
Don Pasquale Donizetti ♦ Nov 13 ♦ 1p
Don Carlo Verdi ♦ Dec 19 ♦ 12:30p
La Fanciulla del West Puccini ♦ Jan 8 ♦ 1p
Nixon In China John Adams ♦ Feb 12 ♦ 1p
Iphigenie en Tauride Gluck ♦ Feb 26 ♦ 1p
Lucia di Lammermoor Donizetti ♦ Mar 19 ♦ 1p
Le Comte Ory Rossini ♦ Apr 9 ♦ 1p
Il Trovatore Verdi ♦ Apr 30 ♦ 1p
Capriccio Strauss ♦ May 7 ♦ 1p
Die Walkure Wagner ♦ May 14 ♦ 1p

Tickets for all Paramount shows can be purchased at:
www.theparamount.net
call/visit our Box Office:434-979-1333
215 East Main St 10am-2pm M-F

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