Audience Magazine | Louisville Arts & Entertainment | July-August 2023

Robert L. Douglas (1934-2023), Professor Emeritus at the University of Louisville, was a visual artist, community organizer, teacher, and mentor to generations of artists and thinkers. Featuring paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures, this exhibition presents rarely seen work from throughout the artist’s career, demonstrating the breadth of his artistic practice and depth of his impact locally and regionally.

Through a generous donation from Eleanor Bingham Miller, general admission to the Museum will be free Wednesdays through Saturdays for the duration of Louisville’s Black Avant-Garde: Robert L. Douglas. Admission is free every Sunday throughout the year for Owsley Sundays – thanks in part to a generous gift from Brown-Forman.

EXHIBITION PRESENTED BY: Eleanor Bingham Miller

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THIS EXHIBITION PROVIDED BY:

PLEASE RESERVE TICKETS ONLINE IN ADVANCE OR BY CALLING 502.634.2700 bit.ly/3Csc4Th

speedmuseum.org

Image: Robert Douglas  (American, 1934-2023)

Detail of Universal Me, 1988  oil on canvas   12 5/8 x 12 5/8 inches

A 'WICKED' GOOD SEASON AHEAD

Amy Higgs Managing Editor

We’re getting excited for the brand-new performing arts season to launch! This issue of Audience Magazine is the “season” issue, where we recap the season announcements we made earlier this year so you’re primed and ready for the phenomenal shows on the schedule this fall and beyond.

We encourage you to use these pages to refresh your memory about all that PNC Broadway in Louisville, Louisville Orchestra, and Kentucky Opera have to offer, starting next month. Also, the Ballet has made some modifications to its season you don’t want to miss, and CenterStage starts its season mid-August with Carousel. It’s a Wicked good lineup all around, if we do say so ourselves!

One of the great things about Louisville is that, while the performing arts season technically runs from September to May, there are plenty of theater and musical performances to enjoy during the summer months as well. One could argue the crown jewel of summer theater is Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park. If you missed the Bard this year, not to worry. You can live vicariously through some great pics from the summer mainstage performances on page 26

Another great thing about our fair city is the community’s investment in the arts, and our active role in cultivating the arts patrons of the future. Case in point, on page 30, you can read about Fund for the Arts’ most recent NeXt! Ambassador program graduates, and how they are making an impact.

Last but not least, art festival season also kicks off in September. Flip to page 28 to find out what visitors have in store at the Big Four Bridge Arts Festival the weekend after Labor Day.

As always, we want to acknowledge our generous advertisers for their steadfast support. Thanks to them, we look forward to bringing you in-depth stories about the 2023-24 season in future issues.

As the curtain rises,

Amy & Doug

G. Douglas Dreisbach Publisher

The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.

– author Josiyah Martin

MANAGING

CREATIVE

SALES

Leanne

THE STAGE IS SET

PNC BROADWAY IN LOUISVILLE

ANNOUNCES 2023-24 SEASON

by G. Douglas Dreisbach

SEASON PREVIEW

2023 - 2024

We’re in for another thrilling run of Broadway hits!

PNC Broadway in Louisville’s 2023-24 season is loaded with five premieres and the longawaited return of worldwide sensation, Wicked, which kicks off the series in the fall.

It’s followed by TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, which tells the inspiring story of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of Turner’s most beloved hits, this electrifying tribute will send you soaring to the rafters.

In winter 2024, an unforgettable theatrical experience filled with spectacular special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Disney’s Frozen will play for two weeks at The Kentucky Center. Next up is a truly hilarious whodunnit, Clue, based on the cult 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game. Then, the six wives of Henry VIII will take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power when SIX rules the stage next spring. The incredible season will conclude with the smash hit Beetlejuice, a musical comedy about making the most of every “Day-O.”

“We are so thrilled to bring five hot, new Broadway shows to Louisville and welcome Wicked back after eight years,” said Leslie Broecker, President of PNC Broadway in Louisville. “We have been carefully curating this season for many months and expect to welcome new Broadway fans with such a dynamic season. There really is a show for everyone and plenty of family-friendly options.”

We have been carefully curating this season for many months and expect to welcome new Broadway fans with such a dynamic season. There really is a show for everyone and plenty of family-friendly options.

− Leslie Broecker

For the 30th year, founding sponsor PNC Bank returns as the title sponsor for the series, which has generated more than $500 million in local economic impact during the past three decades.

“As a national main street bank, PNC recognizes the importance of the arts in driving economic growth and contributing to the vibrancy of our region,” said Kristen Byrd, PNC Regional President for Louisville. “In addition to helping bring worldclass productions to Louisville, this sponsorship has made it possible for students in our community to see touring Broadway productions, while providing additional engagement and educational opportunities.”

Prices for five-show season packages (which include TINA - The Tina Turner Musical, Frozen, Clue, SIX, and Beetlejuice) range between $209 and $737. Add Wicked for a six-show package, with prices ranging from $260 to $860. Prices vary depending on seat location.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 502-561-1003 or visit louisville.broadway.com.

 The Company in the National Tour of WICKED. Photo by Joan Marcus.

WICKED

September 20 – October 8, 2023

So much happened before Dorothy dropped in. Wicked, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz, but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emeraldgreen skin — smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships — until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, Wicked — the untold true story of the Witches of Oz — transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story that USA Today cheers is “a complete triumph! An original musical that will make you laugh, cry, and think.”

TINA THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

November 28 – December 3, 2023

There is only one Tina, Her voice is undeniable. Her fire, unstoppable. And her triumph is like no other.

An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. With 12 Grammy Awards, Turner’s live shows have been seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history.

Featuring her much-loved songs, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall and directed by the internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd.

DISNEY’S FROZEN

January 24 – February 4, 2024

From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, the Tonynominated Best Musical, Frozen is now on tour across North America.

The critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (L.A. Daily News). Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez.

Oscar winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer) round out the creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony Awards.

Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.

Disney's Frozen

PHOTO BY EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHYMADE PHOTO BY DEEN VANMEER.

CLUE

March 5 – 10, 2024

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench?

Based on the movie and board game of the same name, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

SIX

April 9 – 14, 2024

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the six wives of Henry VIII take the stage in this new, original musical that’s the global sensation everyone is losing their head over!

SIX won 23 awards in the 2021-22 Broadway season, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

The New York Times says SIX “totally rules!” (Critic's Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!"

The SIX: Live on Opening Night Broadway album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed 6 million streams in its first month.

BEETLEJUICE

May 14 – 19, 2024

It’s showtime! He earned his stripes on Broadway, and now the ghost-with-the-most is coming to Louisville!

Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes.

With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, Beetlejuice is “screamingly good fun!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every “Day-O!”

Beetlejuice

10 YEARS OF TEDDY

LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES 2023-24 SEASON

by Louisville Orchestra

SEASON PREVIEW

2023 - 2024

The Louisville Orchestra (LO) is excited to announce details of its 2023-24 season, which marks Teddy Abrams’s 10th season as Music Director.

In true LO style, this landmark season with Musical America’s 2022 Conductor of the Year will feature programming encompassing favorites of the orchestral repertoire and explore innovative new works, including a festival of original compositions by the 2023-24 members of the Creators Corps, the LO’s groundbreaking residency program.

CELEBRATING TEDDY’S 10TH

At 35, Abrams is the youngest Music Director of a major American orchestra, a position he assumed at the tender age of 26. Abrams’s concept of a modern orchestra and its conductor is fueled by talent, energy, vision, drive, and an extraordinary commitment to community engagement.

Since launching his tenure at LO, Abrams’s innovative, outsidethe-box initiatives have succeeded in reconnecting the orchestra with its remarkable history, integrating it into the fabric of Louisville life, and re-establishing it as the cornerstone of the city’s vibrant music scene.

“It is so hard to believe that this is my 10th season with the LO!” says Abrams. “It invites reflection and consideration for the history and the story we’ve been trying to tell for all of you these last 10 years. We’ve been asking, ‘What does it mean to be a public service – to serve you all and take the power of our music and the talents of our musicians to make life better for all of us here in Louisville?’ The power of music is so broad and always reinventing itself. There are always new ways for music to connect with people and new people for music to connect with.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2023-24 SEASON

Film Series subscription package added to the roster

New to the 2023-24 season, LO is offering a Film Series subscription package. Consistently a hit with audiences, the package will contain familiar Star Wars and Harry Potter selections and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Classics Series and a superstar guest conductor

The 2023-24 Classic Series features classical music favorites performed as only the LO can, including Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 6, nicknamed “Tragic.” The annual collaboration with the Louisville Chamber Choir will be J.S. Bach’s masterful setting of the Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat. Also on the series’ programming are intriguing contemporary works by Caroline Shaw, Gabriel Kahane, and John Adams.

 Louisville Orchestra continues its longstanding partnership with The Kentucky Center during the 2023-24 season, bringing old favorites and new works to the Whitney Hall stage.

LO Music Director Teddy Abrams

PHOTO BY FRANKIE STEELE

In addition, this coming season the LO will welcome one of the most celebrated conductors in the world, the Grammy Award-winning JoAnn Falletta. As Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Falletta became the first woman to lead a major American ensemble and has been credited with bringing the Philharmonic to an unprecedented level of national and international prominence. Recently named as one of the 50 great conductors of all time by Gramophone magazine, she is hailed for her work as a conductor, recording artist, audience builder, and champion of American composers. Falletta will lead the LO in an exciting program concluding with Ravel’s Bolero.

Pops Series highlights

In his 40-plus years as the Principal Pops Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra, Bob Bernhardt has consistently enchanted audiences with his unique combination of easy style, infectious enthusiasm, entertaining programming, and consummate musicianship.

In addition to Louisville’s beloved seasonal tradition Holiday Pops, Bernhardt will conduct a variety of audience-pleasing concerts ranging from “frightening” Halloween fare to sportsthemed musical favorites to an evening of hits by the Queens of Soul to a rousing season finale of the thrilling sounds of Mexican Mariachi.

Family Series

The inspiring evolution of the LO Family programming continues with more interactive fun for the whole family. Once again, Old Forester’s Paristown Hall will become the setting for exploring composition, storytelling through musical means, and the structure of the orchestra itself. And, of course, the LO will be celebrating the holidays with a family program featuring Santa himself!

Celebrating Kentucky

This season runs concurrently with the historic “In Harmony: the Commonwealth Tour of the Louisville Orchestra,” a two-year musical journey beginning in May 2023 that will bring orchestra musicians to dozens of communities across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The tour is made possible through a partnership with the Kentucky General Assembly in conjunction with the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet. In the spirit of this musical outreach, the 2023-24 season will contain native Kentucky composers and performers in new and traditional works. Most notably, the opening concert in September at the Iroquois Park Amphitheater will feature Murray, Kentucky’s own mandolinist extraordinaire, Chris Thile. Thile, will give the Kentucky debut of his new piece for singing mandolinist and orchestra.

More information and the full schedule can be found at LouisvilleOrchestra.org

Eats

The restaurants below are certified and recommended by Audience as premium places for pre-show dinner, drinks or mingling. Let them know we sent you!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

JUST GETTING STARTED

COUNTRY GIRL LEANNE MORGAN BRINGS HER

EVERYDAY BRAND OF HUMOR TO LOUISVILLE

Article and Photos Courtesy of Leanne Morgan

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

August 12-13, 2023

The Kentucky Center

After discovering her passion for standup comedy later in life and finding the time and confidence to pursue her dream, Leanne Morgan has cemented herself as a must-watch comedian.

Morgan was feeling the lure of Hollywood after graduating high school, yet the idea of moving there was unheard of and too daunting for a country girl who had never been away from home. She enrolled in college at the University of Tennessee, where she graduated (by the skin of her teeth) with a degree in child and family studies.

Shortly after, she married her husband, Chuck, and they moved to Bean Station, Tennessee, located in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

To stay busy after having her first baby, Morgan started selling jewelry at home parties. She was supposed to talk about the jewelry but instead conversed about breastfeeding, hemorrhoids, and being a mama. The party guests thought that she was hilarious, and before she knew it, she was booked a year in advance.

The jewelry company saw what was happening and asked her to speak at their sales rallies. It was there that women started saying, “You need to do standup!” That gave Morgan the courage to really go for it. She finally had access to comedy clubs when her family moved to San Antonio in 2001, and her career in comedy quickly officially got underway.

Morgan’s comedy has landed her at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and has brought her development deals for her own sitcom with ABC and Warner Brothers, writer/ producer Matt Williams (Roseanne and Home Improvement), TV Land and with Sony Television.

Morgan has garnered over 2.5 million followers across social media, and her popular online standup special, So Yummy, has reached over 50 million views on YouTube. Her fan base continues to grow with her relatability as she discusses everything from being a housewife, sharing Jell-O recipes to

having a new grandbaby. Morgan has appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, The View, and Nick at Nite’s Funniest Mom

Now that her children are grown, Morgan is moving full steam ahead with a career rooted in her everyday comedy. In December 2022, she concluded The Big Panty Tour with Outback Presents, which spanned 100+ shows in theaters across the United States. She also taped her first Netflix standup special, which premiered on April 11, 2023.

Morgan is back on the road with her next 100+ show Just Getting Started theater and arena tour with Outback Presents. Her first book, “What in the World?” is set to be published by Random House/Convergent in August 2024.

When not on the road, Morgan cherishes spending time in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her husband, three children, grandbaby, and two beagles.

For more information, visit: www.leannemorgan.com

ON POINTE

A SPECIAL UPDATE ON THE 2023-24 LOUISVILLE BALLET SEASON

by Leslie Smart

ike so many nonprofit organizations, Louisville Ballet has continued to navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic and subsequent economic difficulty in an effort to continue to bring moving art to our beloved community.

These impacts were compounded by the difficult cancellations of three sold-out performances of The Brown-Forman Nutcracker last season due to Winter Storm Elliot on December 22, 2022.

Since that stormy night, we have worked diligently to recover from the financial hardship it caused. Consequently, we have some changes to our 2023-24 Season of the Commonwealth as follows:

Giselle will be presented November 10-12, 2023 at The Brown Theatre. This world-renowned classical masterpiece features traditional sets and costumes — including set design by Peter Cazalet, whose work you’ve seen in The BrownForman Nutcracker.

Our artists will now perform Distilled, a collection of three ballets, in the Louisville Ballet Studios at 315 E. Main St., from October 13-15, 2023. The intimate setting of the studio invites patrons

into the inner sanctum of the dancers' art while providing a view of ballet that few get to experience. Performances will include a pre-performance bourbon experience reception for current subscribers, sponsored by Heaven Hill Brands and featuring their master artisans.

The three ballets in Distilled include:

Copland’s Appalachian Spring, choreographed by Louisville Ballet Resident Choreographer Andrea Schermoly. This work was commissioned by the Louisville Orchestra and Music Director Teddy Abrams and had its world-premiere performances in April 2019, with the Louisville Orchestra and Louisville Ballet at Whitney Hall.

Cold Virtues, choreographed by Resident Choreographer Adam Hougland, was commissioned by Bruce Simpson as a world premiere in 2003 and became a Louisville audience favorite. Hougland creates a deeply atmospheric and dramatically intense work set to Philip Glass’ intoxicating Violin Concerto No 1.

The evening culminates with Raymonda, another Louisville Ballet favorite and one of the most beautiful of classical divertissements choreographed by Marius Petipa.

LOUISVILLE BALLET'S SEASON OF THE COMMONWEALTH:

DISTILLED

October 13-15, 2023

Louisville Ballet Studios

GISELLE

November 10-12, 2023

The Brown Theatre

THE BROWN-FORMAN NUTCRACKER

December 8-24, 2023

Whitney Hall, Kentucky Center

#CHORSHOW

January 24-28 &

February 2-4, 2024

Louisville Ballet Studios

ROMEO & JULIET

March 1-2, 2024

Whitney Hall, Kentucky Center

 Louisville Ballet Dancers in the "Snow Scene" from The Brown-Forman Nutcracker. Photo by Sam English.

The rest of our season, including The Brown-Forman Nutcracker, Choreographer’s Showcase, and Romeo & Juliet, will be presented as originally planned. However, due to financial difficulties, we will be unable to invite the Louisville Orchestra to play for The Nutcracker this season.

Continuing to create ballet experiences that the community is eager to support with their presence and gifts is critical to our recovery, and is the genesis of our programmatic modifications. Our patrons have enabled Louisville Ballet to make moving art for 72 years as the fifth oldest professional ballet company in the United States, and serve as a critical part of the arts ecosystem in Kentucky.

We were fortunate to have had a decade of former Artist Director Robert Curran's artistry. With Robert’s resignation, we are now blessed by the artistic support of Bruce Simpson and Helen Starr, who will be serving as Artistic Advisors during the ballet’s global search for its next Artistic Director.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding. We are immensely grateful that you continue to be a part of our Louisville Ballet family.

Leslie Smart is Chief Executive of the Louisville Ballet. This content of this article was originally sent in a letter to patrons.

DISCOVERY, JOY, AND CONNECTION

by Kentucky Opera

Kentucky Opera’s exciting 2023-24 performance calendar will feature all four operas sung in English at The Brown Theatre and the Opera Center. From classic to contemporary performances, this season is the most accessible yet.

“This season has something for everyone,” says General Director/ CEO Barbara Lynne Jamison. “Kentucky Opera has a history of blending new works with the classical canon. Producing an allEnglish season allows us to invite even more audiences, in as we continue the work to break down the historical barriers of this artform. The stories we produce feature some of the finest emerging voices in the world. This will be a season that truly sparks discovery, joy, and connection among our community.”

BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW

Appearing on the Kentucky Opera stage for the first time since 2010 is Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. An opera filled with curiosity and adventure follows two young children in their quest to save themselves and the gingerbread children from the wicked witch. Kentucky Opera’s Youth Chorus will be featured in this vivid, larger than life production.

The opera will also continue its holiday tradition following last season’s The Gift of the Magi, with another performance in the Opera Center of All is Calm, The Christmas Truce of 1914 A lone soldier’s brave action of stepping out of the trenches singing Stille Nacht, provides relief and a spontaneous truce on Christmas Eve amid World War I. This haunting and memorable story uses the diaries and letters from soldiers on the Western Front woven together with traditional carols, historical songs, and new music to tell this story of bravery. and peace.

When your birthday only comes around every four years, it must be a celebration! 2024 is a leap year and the perfect time to set sail for Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. Audiences

SEASON PREVIEW

2023 - 2024

will have five opportunities to see this swashbuckling adventure full of witty word play and memorable music.

The opera extends its season at the Opera Center with As One. Currently the most-produced contemporary opera in the world, empathy and humor are at the forefront of this story of self-discovery. A baritone and a mezzo-soprano portray the sole transgender protagonist, Hannah, as she forges a path for herself while facing societal expectations.

ENGAGING NEW AUDIENCES

The Youth Opera Project returns with Dean Burry’s The Hobbit Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, this opera — performed by local artists from ages 8 to 18 — will be the focal point of Youth Opera Project’s 10-month training program where students will learn the foundations of singing, acting, and stagecraft. The Hobbit will have two performances in June.

Kentucky Opera has commissioned civil rights songs from composer Jorell Williams, with lyrics by Paula McCraney. These pieces along with other civil rights songs, will be premiered in concert with local community, college, and church choirs. Amplify Songs of Justice on June 10, 2023. Additional pre-performance activities by community partners will be announced closer to this free admission event.

Additional events and performances will be announced throughout the season as Kentucky Opera works with community partners to produce meaningful and collaborative work for the varied and diverse communities of the Commonwealth.

Season subscriptions are on sale now, with single show tickets going on sale in August. Subscribers can get a four-show subscription to save up to 20% off single ticket prices. Seating for performances at The Brown Theatre are reserved, while performances at the Opera Center are general admission.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit KYOpera.org

 The theme of Kentucky Opera's 2023-24 season, to be performed exclusively in English, is "Charting Courses."

KENTUCKY OPERA 2023-24 SEASON AT A GLANCE

AMPLIFY SONGS OF JUSTICE

Saturday, June 10, 7PM (past)

Official Kick Off Event of Louisville’s Juneteenth Jubilee

Kentucky Opera Center for Cultural Health

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Friday, September 29, 8PM

Sunday, October 1, 2PM

Music by Engelbert Humperdinck

Libretto by Adelheid Wette

Sung in English, The W.L. Lyons Brown Theatre

ALL IS CALM, THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914

Friday, December 15, 8PM

Sunday, December 17, 2PM

Written by Peter Rothstein

Vocal arrangements by Erick Licthe & Timothy C. Takach

Sung in English, Kentucky Opera Center

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE OR, THE SLAVE OF DUTY

Friday, February 16, 8PM

Sunday, February 18, 2PM

Music by Arthur Sullivan

Libretto by W.S. Gilbert

Sung in English, The W.L. Lyons Brown Theatre

AS ONE

Friday, April 12, 8PM

Sunday, April 14, 2PM

Music & Concept by Laura Kaminksy

Libretto by Mark Campbell & Kimberly Reed

Film by Kimberly Reed

Sung in English, Kentucky Opera Center

Youth Opera Project presents THE HOBBIT

Friday, June 7, 7PM

Saturday, June 8, 2PM

Music & Libretto by Dean Burry

Based on “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien

Sung in English, Kentucky Opera Center

Written

BLUE LICKS BATTLEFIELD STATE RESORT PARK

Walk the steps of Daniel Boone and examine Native American artifacts

a guide for $20 per person. For more information, call 859-289-5507 or email matthew.dollar@ky.gov.

The lodge offers 32 rooms, including two suites, one of which can be used as a hospitality center for meetings and events. Inside the lodge, Hidden Waters Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays and breakfast and lunch on Sundays.

The park has two cottages on the Licking River that are pet-friendly. The campground contains 51 sites and is open from mid-March through midNovember. Each site has standard electric and water hookups for tent or RV campers, and there is a central service building with showers and restrooms.

Did you know that the last battle of the Revolutionary War occurred in Kentucky? The Battle of Blue Licks took place along the Licking River, with the British attacking a Kentucky militia group led by Daniel Boone. While the battle was not victorious for the Kentuckians, the war officially ended 11 months later with the Treaty of Paris.

Walk in the footsteps of Daniel Boone by visiting the battle monument and other attractions at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park. The Pioneer Museum sits on the site of the battlefield and tells the story of frontier life with artifacts from pioneers and Native Americans.

Additionally, you can examine the bones of mastodons, who were drawn to the area due to the salt content of nearby springs. Buffalo also roamed the vicinity, as evidenced by the Buffalo Trace trail, which contains the trampled remains of an ancient path created by the animals. While on the trail, look for Short’s Goldenrod, a federally endangered plant.

The plant is protected in the 15-acre nature preserve at Blue Licks.

Hike the 1-mile Licking River Trail for a loop that ventures near the site where Daniel Boone and others were captured by Shawnee tribesmen on a salt-making expedition. For a shorter hike, check out the half-mile Savannah Loop. To stretch your legs a bit longer, take the 2 1/2-mile Heritage Trail, where you may glimpse red-headed woodpeckers.

While you’re hiking, be on the lookout for several species of hawks such as sharp-shinned, broad-winged, red-tailed, and the American Kestrel. Along the Licking River, watch for wood ducks, Cerulean Warblers, and wood thrushes. There is also free boat access to the river.

If you don’t have your own canoe, look into one of the Licking River Paddling Trips available through the park. With spots available on September 2, 16, and other dates, the paddling trip offers canoes, paddles, life vests, and

In addition to the other attractions, Blue Licks plays host to an 18-hole miniature golf course and children’s playgrounds. There are also two picnic shelters available for rental. The lodge gift shop sells a selection of locally handcrafted products, such as baskets, pottery, soaps, jams, and more.

If you are looking for a place to host a conference, family reunion, wedding or other event, Blue Licks holds ample space with picturesque views. The park can accommodate groups of up to 250 and offers full-service catering and bar options. Located in northeastern Kentucky, the park is less than an hour’s drive from Lexington.

Make plans to create memories at the historic Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park by reserving your stay at Parks.ky.gov. While you’re there, check out Kentucky’s other 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks with restaurants, 30 campgrounds, and 13 golf courses.

Blue Licks Revolutionary War Fort

SUMMER SEASON SCENES

photos by Bill Brymer

May 24-July 21

June 15-July 22

June 29-July 23

Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park has had a great mainstage season of performances for passionate audiences, week in and out. While the season officially wraps up with a final performance of Shakespeare in Dance: Lady M presented by Louisville Ballet August 2 through 6, there are still plenty of opportunities to take in other touring performances, including The Woman in Black October 4 to 29, and an extended lineup well into 2024.

For a full schedule of performances, show times and more, visit KYShakepeare.com

Audience Magazine is excited to present photos from this summer’s performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth and Love’s Labor’s Lost.

Love's Labors Lost

A Midsummer Night's Dream

KENTUCKY SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL UPCOMING EVENTS

October 4-29, 2023

The Woman in Black by Stephen Mallatratt, adapted from the novel by Susan Hill at the Kentucky Shakespeare Headquarters

Tickets: kyshakespeare.com

January 6-14, 2024

Sense and Sensibility by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen at the Kentucky Center for the Arts Bomhard Theatre

Tickets: kyshakespeare.com and kentuckyperformingarts.org

February 2024

Kentucky Shakespeare’s Shakespeare in Love Gala at 21c Museum Hotel

February – March 2024

Shakespeare in the Libraries

Two-Actor Tour

April – May 2024

Shakespeare in the Parks

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Tour

May 29 – August 11, 2024

64th Season of Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Love's Labors Lost Macbeth

Macbeth

EVENTS WE LOVE

GET READY FOR ART FESTIVAL SEASON

Visit the Big Four Bridge Arts Festival Sept. 9-10

throughout the weekend. Local bands and musicians perform on a stage set up near the scenic Ohio River, providing a lively soundtrack for visitors as they explore the art and enjoy the festivities. The festival also features a variety of food vendors, offering everything from traditional festival fare, from gourmet kettle corn in every flavor and fresh lemonade to more eclectic options like vegan tacos, seafood, and adult beverages full of Southern charm.

artists, live bluegrass music, gourmet food vendors, and hands-on fun and art activities for all ages.

The Big Four Bridge Art Festival is an annual event held in Louisville that celebrates the arts and music, the city’s scenic waterfront, and local food and culture. The festival is named for the Big Four Bridge, the historic pedestrian bridge that connects Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and has become a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike.

The festival takes place over the course of the two-day weekend after Labor Day, September 9 and 10 at Waterfront Park on the Big Four Bridge Lawn. The event features over 150 national and local

Presented by B4B & Design Web Louisville, the festival's mission is to promote the arts and unite the community in support of local health services provider Bridgehaven Mental Health Services. The artists who participate in the festival come from all over the country and represent a diverse range of styles and mediums, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, and photography.

Visitors can browse the art booths and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces directly from the artists themselves. A portion of the festival proceeds also go toward the festival’s Emerging Artist program, which provides a platform for new and young artists to showcase their work for the first time and connect with potential buyers and fans.

MORE THAN AN ART FAIR

In addition to the art, the Big Four Bridge Art Festival features live music

For children, the festival offers a range of activities and entertainment. There is a designated creative area where kids can participate in hands-on art projects, play games, and enjoy live performances. The Pink Llama Petting Zoo features local farm animal ambassadors and provides Kentucky-centric entertainment and educational experiences for the whole family.

The Big Four Bridge provides a stunning backdrop for the event. Visitors can take in panoramic views of the city and the Ohio River as they stroll across the historic structure.

The Big Four Bridge Art Festival is a wonderful example of how art and music can bring a community together to support a great cause. The event is open to the public, and the reasonable $5 entrance fee to benefit Bridgehaven and the Emerging Artist program makes it accessible to everyone in the Louisville area.

By bringing together art, music, food, and entertainment for a good cause, the festival creates a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere that is truly unique.

For more about the festival, visit bigfourbridgeartsfestival.com.

LOUISVILLE'S LATEST LEADERS

Fund for the Arts Celebrates NeXt! Ambassador Leadership Development Program, Class of 2022-23

but our journey becomes more joyful when we visit different art organizations together. As we are working side by side to make our community more inclusive, the NeXt! program sets the stage for us.”

Fund for the Arts is proud to congratulate the 17 graduates of the NeXt! Ambassador Leadership Development Program for the 2022-23 session. NeXt! Ambassadors who completed program are prepared to serve as effective, transformative board members and volunteer leaders for arts organizations. The program began in September 2022 and culminated in a graduation ceremony on May 25, 2023.

Sponsored by Stock Yards Bank, the NeXt! Ambassador program is dedicated to preparing a new generation of emerging professionals for volunteer leadership roles within the Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana arts community. The program leads ambassadors through an immersive experience in which they develop necessary skills, build diverse relationships, apply lessons learned, and volunteer with local arts organizations. The program concluded with a board matching event to support arts organizations and new leaders making immediate connections, as well as alumni of the NeXt! program.

“Nine months sounds like a big-time commitment, but it flew by so quickly, especially with this group of fun, enthusiastic and diverse people,” said graduate Xinyi Yan. “Not every one of us can paint, but our lives become more colorful when we exchange experiences with each other. Not everyone of us can play a musical instrument or sing,

The 2022-23 NeXt! Ambassadors represent a variety of professional industries and experiences and their inclusion as volunteer and board leaders will significantly benefit Greater Louisville’s arts and culture sector.

“NeXt! has been an invaluable 10-month journey that prepared me holistically for my upcoming role in the Louisville Ballet Marketing Committee,” said graduate Breana Owens. “Through its immersive 9-month program, I gained essential skills, fostered diverse relationships, and learned firsthand from esteemed leaders in the arts community. NeXt! inspired me to go after my passion for the arts to the forefront, equipping me with the confidence and knowledge to make a meaningful impact within the Louisville Ballet and the wider arts landscape.”

Andre Kimo Stone Guess, President and CEO of Fund for the Arts adds, “The NeXt! Ambassador Leadership Development program builds a clear path for interested young adults to learn about the arts ecosystem, understand what organizations look to from board leadership, and see themselves directly in the arts. Fund for the Arts is proud to invest in future volunteer arts leaders and we can’t wait to see the impact that these ambassadors will have on the arts community moving forward.”

As part of the graduation ceremony, Kiana Del (NeXt class of 2019-20) formally stepped into her position as President of the NeXtGen Board. NeXtGen is made up of former NeXt! Ambassadors who work to cultivate

resources and opportunities that inspire the next generation of arts leaders. They play an integral role in planning for and facilitating the NeXt! program each year and support the broader arts community through volunteer and networking events.

“I’m excited to serve as the NeXtGen board president this upcoming year to continue pushing for change and supporting our community through the arts,” said Del. “I cannot wait to see what the incoming NeXt class has in store for us!”

To learn more about the NeXt! Ambassador program, click here.

THE 2022-23 NEXT! AMBASSADORS:

• Maggie Carnes; The Trevor Project

• Nicholas Dunigan; Fifth Third Bank

• Melissa Francisco; Brown-Forman

• Michael Maloff; Frost Brown Todd

• Ben Nohalty; Stock Yard Bank & Trust

• Breana Owens; KY Select Properties

• Joanna Peyron; Humana Inc.

• Emily Rombach; Humana Inc.

• Jane Rudnick; Spalding University

• Brittany Ruehling; KFC US / Yum! Brands

• Erin Shaughnessy; Dressman Benzinger LaVelle

• Kaitlin Smith; Beam Suntory

• Natalie Smith; University of Louisville College of Business

• Trent Taylor; Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

• Krista Wilhite; Brown-Forman

• Whitney Wood; Louisville MSD

• Xinyi Yan; Brown-Forman

Don't miss this arts extravaganza!

Enjoy an evening with nonprofit arts organizations from across the city at Old Forester's Paristown Hall.

Dance, theatre, visual art, music, storytelling, guest artists, and more. Celebration of the Arts has it all, and you're invited!

Learn more at fundforthearts.org

FRONT & CENTER

Don’t miss CenterStage’s 2023-24 season at the Trager Family JCC

by G. Douglas Dreisbach

CAROUSEL

AUGUST 17, 19, 20, 24, 26 & 27, 2023

In a coastal village in Maine toward the end of the 19th century, the swaggering, carefree carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, captivates and marries the naive millworker, Julie Jordan. Their complicated love affair explores themes of love, heartache, redemption, and forgiveness.

FIRST DATE

NOVEMBER 2, 4, 5, 9, 11 & 12, 2023

CenterStage at The Trager Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) is Kentucky’s oldest community theater company that delivers quality, community theater performances and spectacular musicals. Their mission is to transform lives, empowering individuals through the exploration of character, the amplification of voices, and the sharing of stories.

Audience is excited to partner with CenterStage this season for four exciting productions that will take place in the Shapira Foundation Auditorium at the new Trager Family JCC located on Dutchmans Lane. Tickets are $25 per performance and well worth the price.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit JewishLouisville.org

When tightly wound Aaron is set up with cool girl Casey, a quick drink turns into a hilarious dinner served with sides of Google background checks, fake emergency phone calls, a slew of bad boy and uptown girl exes, and some seriously saucy chemistry. Can this mismatched pair turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the check arrives, or end up at another table for one?

THE PROM

FEBRUARY 22, 24, 25 & 29, 2024;

MARCH 2 & 3, 2024

When four fading Broadway stars hear trouble is brewing around a small-town Indiana prom — and the press is involved — it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue, and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the dance on the straight and narrow — but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. Now, Broadway’s brassiest are coming to join the fight and they are ready to kick-ball-change the world.

SHE LOVES ME

MAY 9, 11, 12, 16, 18 & 19, 2024

Set in a 1930s European perfumery, we meet shop clerks Amalia and Georg, who, more often than not, don’t see eye to eye. After both respond to a “lonely hearts advertisement” in the newspaper, they now live for the love letters that they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Join Amalia and Georg to discover the identity of their true love, and all the twists and turns along the way!

"Older titles such as Carousel aren’t often produced, so it’s an exciting opportunity to provide them to our community once again."

- Director, Erin Silliman

THEN & NOW

Frankfort & Story Avenues, 1945 vs. 2022

The intersection of the bricked road joining Frankfort and Story Avenues forms a gateway to Butchertown, one of Louisville's largest German settlements. In the late 1900s, the area around this view of Seitz Drugs became popular as creative local residents rehabilitated houses and business venues.

In the historic photograph, the man at the left is looking at the demolition of the Bray-Robinson Clothing Co., which operated, alongside the Semple Manufacturing Co. (makers of girths, blankets, and twine), into the 20th century.

Several decades back, two buildings on Story Avenue, including the one that housed Seitz Drugs, were removed to create direct access to the river down Ohio Street. Old Ohio Street, which connected to River Road, was renamed Frankfort Avenue to give the corridor a continuous identity from River Road to St. Matthews.

 The corner of Frankfort and Story avenues in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. Photos courtesy of University of Louisville’s Archives and Special Collections

EVENTS CALENDAR

Audience is your connection to the performing arts and entertainment in Louisville. Below are some of the events we are looking forward to in the coming months and we hope you enjoy them all!

AUGUST

1 America

7:30PM Iroquois Amphitheater IroquoisAmphitheater.com

12 & 13 (Three Shows)

Leanne Morgan: Just Getting Started (Comedian)

Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center KentuckyPerformingArts.org

12

Eddie B's Teachers Only

Comedy Tour

8PM

Brown Theatre KentuckyPerformingArts.org

17-27 (Six Shows) CenterStage at The Trager Family JCC Carousel

The Shapira Foundation Auditorium JewishLouisville.org

20

Son Volt: 28 Years

7PM

Headliners Music Hall HeadlinersLouisville.com

SEPTEMBER

8 An Evening w. John Cusack (Lecture/Seminar)

8PM

The Louisville Palace LouisvillePalace.com

9 Fund For The Arts Celebration of The Arts

7PM

Paristown Hall FundForTheArts.org

9-10

Big Four Arts Festival

Big Four Bridge at Waterfront Park BigFourArtsFestival.org

11

Eric Johnson (Guitar-Musician)

8PM MercuryBallroom.com

16

Diana Ross (Musician)

8PM

The Louisville Palace LouisvillePalace.com

14-17

Bourbon & Beyond (Music Festival)

Highlands Festival Grounds, Kentucky Expo Center BourbonandBeyond.com

15-17 (Three Shows)

Bluey's Big Play (Children's TV Show)

Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center KentuckyPerformingArts.org

16

Steve Trevino: America's Favorite Husband Tour (Comedian)

8PM Brown Theater KentuckyPerformingArts.org

20-October 8 (24 Shows)

Broadway in Louisville Wicked Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center Louisville.Broadway.com

21-24

Louder Than Life (Music Festival)

Highlands Festival Grounds, Kentucky Expo Center LouderThanLifeFestival.com

23

Houndmouth

8PM

The Burl (Lexington) TheBurlKY.com

23

Carbonaro: Lies on Stage (Magic & Illusion)

7PM

The Louisville Palace LouisvillePalace.com

For more of our preferred arts and entertainment recommendations, visit Audience502.com/audience-events