Audience Magazine | Louisville Arts & Entertainment | January 2023

A behind-the-scenes look into Louisville’s performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation.

PNC BROADWAY IN LOUISVILLE Bet Your Bottom Dollar You'll Love This Show Page 6 | LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA LO Celebrates Hollywood's Golden Age Page 10

PERFORMING ARTS

World-Class Comedians in

Amy Higgs Managing Editor

A CHANCE TO START AGAIN

− Author Toni Sorenson

Out with the old, in with the new! We don’t know about you, but we always get excited when January rolls around. The first month of the year gives us a reason to start fresh, set some goals, maybe make a resolution or two, and generally wipe the proverbial slate clean. Oh, and start planning for Derby (obviously).

Now that we’re past the holidays, we’re ready to start making new memories in 2023. And we won’t have to wait long. There are lots of exciting things on the horizon this month and next, not the least of which are the world-class theater and musical performances you’ll read about in this issue of Audience Magazine.

The Louisville Orchestra will take us on a magical musical tour of Hollywood’s Golden Age during its Pops concert at the end of this month. Kentucky Performing Arts isn’t wasting any time when it comes to bringing outstanding, national comics to the stage in January as well.

Hope for a better tomorrow is the name of the game when the iconic Broadway musical Annie returns to Whitney Hall in February. And if you’re looking for a conversation starter with the young adults in your life, don’t miss StageOne’s production of The Giver starting January 23.

This is just a taste of the exceptional entertainment you can expect from Louisville’s performing arts organizations this year. Check back with us each month for the latest in theater-related news, plus some sneak previews of what’s yet to come.

Thank you to our generous advertisers for their renewed commitment to the performing arts in 2023, so that we may continue to bring you the great stories in these pages, free of charge.

Cheers to a whole new book in the making,

— Amy & Doug

G. Douglas Dreisbach Publisher

That last page turned is a perfect excuse to write a whole new book.

TO READ CURRENT AND PREVIOUS AUDIENCE PLAYBILLS AND PERFORMANCE GUIDES, GO TO ISSUU.COM/AUDIENCE502. On the Cover: Krista Curry, Nick Bernardi and Stefanie Londino in the National Tour of ANNIE Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade. Read more on page 6.

GOT AN ARTICLE IDEA?

A behind-the-scenes look into Louisville’s performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation. © Copyright 2023. The Audience Group, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Audience® Magazine is published by The Audience Group, Inc. 136 St. Matthews Avenue #300 Louisville, KY 40207 502.212.5177 | Audience502.com

PERFORMANCE PREVIEW

HOPE FOR TOMORROW

THE ICONIC, TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL ANNIE RETURNS TO LOUISVILLE IN FEBRUARY

by Daniel Chioco

We could all use a little more hope and joy in our lives right now, and that's exactly what the iconic musical Annie brings to the stage. It tells the story of a young girl who dreams of a life outside the miserable orphanage where she lives. When she's chosen to spend the holidays with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, she finds herself caught up in the excitement and joy of the season.

But it's not all fun and games — Annie also has to confront the scheming Miss Hannigan, who runs the orphanage. Along the way, she befriends a lovable mutt named Sandy and learns that holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination. Luckily, Annie is full of determination in that small, scrappy package of hers.

For generations, Little Orphan Annie has reminded theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is back — just when we need it most.

That's why PNC Broadway in Louisville is bringing the Tony Award-winning musical back to The Kentucky Center from February 14 to 19, 2023. The all-new tour, produced by TROIKA Entertainment LLC, is sure to be the perfect pick-me-up.

"We're thrilled to be bringing such a fresh, new, and heartfelt production to audiences across North America starting this fall," says Kori Prior, COO and Executive Producer of TROIKA Entertainment.

Director Jenn Thompson adds, "For decades, Annie has continued to shine brightly, not only as an appeal to our better angels, but also as an example of the thrill of hope, hard-won: promising a better 'Tomorrow' not only for Annie herself, but for all who need her message now more than ever."

 Ellie Pulsifer and Christopher Swan in the 2022 company of ANNIE. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

Ellie Pulsifer as Annie and Addison as Sandy.

PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY AND EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHYMADE

MEET THE CAST

In the title role of Annie is Ellie Pulsifer, a 12-year-old actress from South Florida making her tour debut.

Christopher Swan stars as billionaire Oliver Warbucks, and Stefanie Londino plays the scheming Miss Hannigan. Julia Nicole Hunter plays Grace, Nick Bernardi plays Rooster, Krista Curry plays Lily, and Mark Woodard plays FDR. And of course, the lovable mutt Sandy is played by Addison, a stray rescued and trained by Tony Award honoree William Berloni.

The Orphans are played by Riglee Ruth Bryson, Bronte Harrison, Vivianne Neely, Izzy Pike, Kenzie Rees, and Valeria Velasco. The featured ensemble includes Bradley Ford Betros, Luther Brooks IV, Harrison Drake, Laura Elizabeth Flanagan, Jataria Heyward, Carly Ann Moore, Kevin Ivey Morrison, Cheyenne Omani, Leeanna Rubin, Andrew Scoggin, Kaley Were, and Aidan Ziegler-Hansen.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Jenn Thompson, who at the age of 10 stepped into the role of Pepper in the original Broadway production, is directing the new production. The show is choreographed by Patricia Wilcox (Motown, A Night with Janis Joplin), with orchestration by Dan DeLange. Talitha Fehr is the Music Coordinator, and Elaine Davidson is the Music Director.

The design team for Annie includes scenic design by Wilson Chin (Pass Over), costume design by Alejo Vietti (Jersey Boys), lighting design by Philip Rosenberg, sound design by Ken Travis (Disney's Aladdin), hair and wig design by Ashley Rae Callahan, and casting by Paul Hardt of Hardt Casting LLC.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "one of the best family musicals ever penned," Annie features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. All three authors received 1977 Tony Awards for their work.

By permission of Tribune Content Agency LLC, Annie is based on Harold Gray's popular comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," which premiered in the 1920s in the New York Daily News and became one of the most widely read strips in the ’30s and ‘40s.

Lyricist Martin Charnin bought a coffee table book called, "The Life and Hard Times of Little Orphan Annie," as a Christmas gift for a friend in 1970. The clerk at the bookstore was too busy to wrap the book, so Charnin took it home to wrap it. Instead, he read the book and was inspired to turn it into a musical.

Annie first premiered on Broadway in 1977, and it has since been performed all over the world.

It features a memorable score that includes such iconic songs as "Tomorrow," "It's the Hard Knock Life," and "I Don't Need Anything But You." The musical has been adapted into several film and television versions, and it continues to be a popular choice for school and community theater groups.

Annie is a celebration of family, optimism, and the American spirit — and it’s the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws our way. Don't miss your chance to see Annie live in Louisville! Get your tickets now at kentuckyperformingarts.org or by calling 502-584-7777.

Sophie Stromberg, Vivianne Neely, Valeria Velasco, Kenzie Rees, Riglee Ruth Bryson and Bronte Harrison in the National Tour of ANNIE

PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY AND EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHYMADE

A MAGICAL MUSICAL TOUR

BOB BERNHARDT AND THE LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA EXPLORE HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN AGE

by Bill Doolittle

PERFORMANCE PREVIEW

January 28, 2023

March 18, 2023

April 7, 2023

Conductor Bob Bernhardt says the best way to begin a salute to the music of Hollywood’s Golden Age is with the movies’ most famous curtain raiser — the “20th Century Fox Fanfare.”

“It’s more than just a tip that it’s a movie concert coming,” says Bernhardt, who leads the Louisville Orchestra in a tour of the music of Hollywood in a January 28 Pops concert in Whitney Hall. “Everybody knows it, and when we hear that theme it takes us right into the movie theater.”

Just 21 seconds in length, the familiar Fox fanfare rivets an audience’s attention. Searchlights play across a golden Greek column topped with the words “20th Century Fox”, as snare drums, trumpets, and strings promise the magic of the movies is about to begin.

And we’re ready for it.

As is the orchestra, with Bernhardt sweeping his baton back to the 1930s, when the big studios snapped up premier European composers (many of them Jewish refugees escaping Nazi terror) to add big orchestral sound to increasingly complex cinematic productions.

It was those composers — Alfred Newman, Max Steiner, Erich Korngold, Dimitri Tiomkin, and others — who gave American cinema its “Hollywood Sound.”

“Oh, the movies had music,” explains Bernhardt, “starting with ‘The Jazz Singer,’ (the first ‘talkie’ in 1927). But it wasn’t until 1933 or so that composers began writing specifically for film, rather than using existing music.”

Bernhardt follows the famous Fox fanfare with Warner Bros.’ “Captain Blood,” an Erich Korngold scored film from 1935, starring the previously unknown Australian actor Errol Flynn and 19-year-old English ingenue Olivia de Havilland in a swashbuckling tale set full sail over the bounding main.

Korngold’s “Captain Blood Overture” isn’t heavy or ominous — though later scenes might include plenty of cannon fire and danger. It’s light and airy, introducing a jaunty hero, an anything-but-helpless damsel in distress, and “Land ho!” on the horizon, just spotted from the crow’s nest.

Korngold, Flynn, and de Havilland came right back in 1938 with “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (not on this program), with Korngold following Robin Hood up and down castle stairways in sword-clattering duels — the music working in concert with the choreography. Then softer for a dangerous love scene with Robin and Maid Marian — Flynn and de Havilland.

 Bob Bernhardt is the Principal POPS Conductor for the Louisville Orchestra.

 VIDEO: "Just 21 seconds in length, the familiar Fox fanfare rivets an audience’s attention." Click the image to hear it now.

"Music is such an integral part of our appreciation and love for movies. I hear a theme and I’m thrown right back into my seat in the movie theater where I first heard it. And with the people I was with. Or to a certain event in my life. There’s just something that’s direct about film music."

- Bob Bernhardt

MAKING MOVIES MEMORABLE

The concert skips through the years, from “King Kong” to “Elvira Madigan” to “Spellbound.” Liberally laced, as usual, with Bernhardt’s lively commentary.

“Elvira Madigan” features a famous existing piece of music. Swedish director Bo Widerberg reaches back nearly two centuries to grab the beautiful Andante second movement of Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 21” — and give it to tragic heroine Pia Degermark. The picture became known as one of the most beautiful of all-time — and Mozart only helped.

Pianist Michael Chertock, a frequent collaborator with Bernhardt, performs the Mozart Andante movement. Chertock also plays “Spellbound” and the lushly dramatic theme from the movie “Exodus.”

Bernhardt says music and the movies have become inexorably entwined, making the cinematic art form fuller, and often more memorable.

He notes director Steven Spielberg credits composer John Williams with making every one of his movies “better by more than half.” The two have collaborated on more than 20 pictures, including “Star Wars,” “Jaws”, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” and “Schindler’s List.” All of which won Oscars.

Bernhardt says Williams has a way of demonstrating how music works with a movie.

“Something John Williams has done in several concerts is show a scene without music — I think the motorcycle chase scene from ‘Indiana Jones’ is one. He plays the film clip first, without music. And it’s pretty good. But then he shows that same clip again with the music playing alongside it.”

And suddenly it’s really something.

“Music is such an integral part of our appreciation and love for movies,” Bernhardt continues. “I hear a theme and I’m thrown right back into my seat in the movie theater where I first heard it. And with the people I was with. Or to a certain event in my life. There’s just something that’s direct about film music.”

STRAIGHT OUT OF A JAZZ CHART, THEN CROSSING ‘MOON RIVER’ IN STYLE

Shifting gears, the orchestra lays down a cool jazz beat from the hit TV series “Peter Gunn,” composed by Henry Mancini. In black

and white, the elegant detective Peter Gunn is tuxedo-clad, and dangerous.

“I love that thing,” says Bernhardt. “And it never changes key. It’s that whole thing — dun-dun-dun-dun. That ostinato bass, straight out of a jazz chart.”

Mancini then takes an entirely different direction in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Off jazz and into love — with Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard and the song “Moon River.”

Wait a minute. How in the world did a corny country ballad like “Moon River” wind up on Fifth Avenue with Audrey Hepburn?

Who knows? It’s just one of those songs that somehow fits with the romance of the movie.

Winding up the show, Bernhardt and the orchestra plan to flow through a four- minute medley of 23 Hollywood hits, arranged by Williams. No spoiler alert. One of those just has to be “As Time Goes By.”

Do you know what movie that’s from?

Bernhardt plans to project all the titles of the closing medley, as they, well, go by.

COMING SOON TO A THEATER NEAR YOU: WHITNEY HALL

After the January 28 Hollywood show, the Louisville Orchestra Pops will return February 25 for Aretha: A Tribute. The show stars Capathia Jones and Ryan Shaw.

On March 18, the orchestra performs hit songs of the 1980s, including chartbusters “Time After Time,” “Material Girl,” and “Footloose.”

The Pops season concludes April 7 with the Texas Tenors. “They’re just a hoot,” says Bernhardt. “Like the Three Tenors, except they sing everything from opera to country — and audiences love them.”

For more information about upcoming performances or to purchase tickets, visit louisvilleorchestra.org.

by Kentucky Performing Arts

Theo Von Brian Regan

Kentucky Performing Arts is pleased to bring two of the funniest comedians around to Louisville this January. Louisiana native Theo Von brings “The Return of the Rat Tour” to The Kentucky Center January 25 and 26. Celebrated for his 30-year standup career, Brian Regan takes the stage at the Brown Theatre on January 28.

They may have different styles, but Von and Regan are both sure to bring big laughs. Get your tickets at kentuckyperformingarts.org

THEO VON

Theo Von grew up in the stray animal belt of southern Louisiana. He was a child there and became an adult slowly there.

He can be seen and heard weekly on his widely popular podcasts that garner millions of listens / views a month, “This Past Weekend,” and “King and the Sting.”

Theo’s new comedy special, “Regular People,” was filmed at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and is now streaming on Netflix. In the spring of 2020, Theo completed his two-year Dark Arts Tour, which took him across America, Australia, and Europe, and another country.

He’s currently on the road with his “Return of the Rat Tour.”

Theo Von: “The Return of the Rat Tour”

Wednesday, January 25, 8PM Thursday, January 26, 8PM

The Kentucky Center – Whitney Hall

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

January 25-26, 2023 January 28, 2023

If you want to know how Theo is doing, he is probably doing the best he can; which varies.

He currently resides in Nashville and Los Angeles.

BRIAN REGAN

Critics, fans and fellow comedians agree: Brian Regan is one of the most respected comedians in the country with Vanity Fair calling him, “The funniest standup alive,” and Entertainment Weekly dubbing him, “Your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian.”

Having built his 30-plus year career on the strength of his material alone, Brian’s non-stop theater tour continuously fills the most beautiful venues across North America, visiting close to 100 cities each year.

On February 23, 2021, Brian premiered his second Netflix stand-up special, “Brian Regan: On The Rocks,” which was shot at Tuachan Center for the Arts, an outdoor amphitheater in Utah. Brian’s first Netflix special, “Brian Regan: Nunchucks and Flamethrowers,” premiered to rave reviews on November 21, 2017, and is also available as a vinyl album.

Brian returned for his third season in Peter Farrelly’s TV series, “Loudermilk,” which premiered on April 27, 2021, streaming on Amazon Prime. Farrelly personally cast Brian in the series alongside Ron Livingston, Anja Savcic, Will Sasso and Mat Fraser.

Brian Regan

Saturday, January 28, 2023, 7PM Brown Theatre

Tickets: kentuckyperformingarts.org

Brian received praise for his portrayal of Mugsy, a recovering addict who is estranged from his family. The first two seasons of “Loudermilk” originally aired on AT&T’s Audience Network and moved to Amazon Prime on March 12, 2021.

Brian stars in his own Netflix series, “Stand Up And Away! With Brian Regan,” which premiered on Christmas Eve 2018. Brian and Jerry Seinfeld executive produce the four-episode original half-hour series that combines sketch comedy and standup.

Brian made his London debut on February 2, 2019 at The Leicester Square Theatre and he made his Kennedy Center debut with two sold-out shows on March 21 and 22, 2019. He appeared at Carnegie Hall on November 11, 2017, following years of performances in New York City’s finest theaters, including Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, The Beacon Theater and Radio City Music Hall. Brian’s tour has included visits to Denver’s legendary 8600-seat Red Rocks Amphitheater and the 12,500-seat EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City.

In 2015, Brian made history with his stand-up special, “Brian Regan: Live From Radio City Music Hall,” as the first live broadcast of a standup special in Comedy Central’s history.

A regular on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Brian is the rare guest who the show invites on for two segments: a performance segment and a segment on the couch to chat with Jimmy. Previously, Brian was a regular guest on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” making 28 appearances on the CBS show.

Brian made a scene-stealing cameo in Chris Rock’s film, “Top Five,” and he is a guest on two episodes of Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” which is now streaming on Netflix.

Brian has a total of eight, hour-long comedy releases.

Bios courtesy of the artists.

Eats

WINTER COTTAGES

Picture this: Through frosted window panes, you gaze out into the snowy mountains, hearing nuthatches chirp their greetings, and feeling the warm glow of the fireplace. You are tucked underneath a blanket within your winter cottage at Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Wisps of mountain mist fill the morning with an atmosphere that goes well with the mystery novel you’ve brought.

Once you’ve finished your morning cup of coffee, you’ll lace up your shoes for a bracing hike in the crisp air. Winter means smaller crowds on the trails, and less foliage allows you far-reaching views. Later in the day, you stop by the park’s restaurant for a warming supper of a Hot Brown and glass of wine. It’s a satisfying start to your winter getaway. This is the experience you can have at a Kentucky State Parks winter cottage. In addition to Pine Mountain, you can book stays this winter at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, and John James Audubon State Park. The cottages feature kitchens, fireplaces, and other amenities, and are nestled within the thick of nature.

At Pine Mountain, choose from a one- or two-bedroom cottage or onebedroom log cabin, all of which are furnished with grills. The cottages feature porches or decks and are placed among woodland settings, while the cabins feature stone fireplaces and private

decks. The Mountain View Restaurant offers hot meals to warm you up, while the Mountain Top Tavern offers a more spirited form of warmth. Golfing is available at the resort park year-round, along with hiking on trails such as Chained Rock, Hemlock Garden, and Honeymoon Falls.

Cottages at Cumberland Falls contain kitchens with full-sized appliances and coffee pots, flatware, cookware, and dishware, perfect for those planning on cooking hearty meals during the getaway. Or stop by the Riverview Restaurant, which lives up to its name by providing a scenic view. While visiting, hike the 17 miles of trails at the park. To view the famous moonbow, make your reservations surrounding the full moon; specific dates are posted on the park’s website.

Secure a one-bedroom cottage or an ADA-accessible two-bedroom cottage at John James Audubon State Park, all of which have a fireplace, cooking utensils, tableware, and linens. Step into the museum, which chronicles the

Audubon family story and displays over 200 objects, including a set of Audubon’s stunning masterwork, “The Birds of America,” and many original artworks. The Nature Center sits on the edge of the park’s nature preserve and affords access to a wildlife observation room, the Audubon Theater, and the Discovery & Learning Center. A boardwalk provides ample opportunity for viewing wildlife such as beavers, otters, turtles, frogs, and woodland birds, among other creatures. You can be inspired like Audubon by observing seven woodpecker species, sparrows, waterfowl, and owls. Natural Bridge offers one- and twobedroom cottages set among the forest that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale. The cottages provide tableware, cooking utensils, and linens, allowing you to ease into your visit. Sandstone Arches Restaurant prepares scrumptious meals with Kentucky Proud meats and produce for you to dine on while you enjoy the spectacular view. Of course, be sure to visit the namesake Natural Bridge and surrounding Red River Gorge area during your stay.

Whether you choose to venture out or cozy up inside, there is a Kentucky State Parks cottage for everyone’s preferences this winter season. Reserve a quiet, bucolic getaway to observe the sights, sounds, and natural attractions of the season. Visit Parks.ky.gov to book your stay.

Pine Mountain, Cumberland Falls, Natural Bridge, and John James Audubon

Since 2011, the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage has been a member of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet. As a quasi-state agency, the Heritage Center is dedicated to a statewide mission to preserve, promote, and advance the culture and heritage of African Americans in Kentucky and the legacy shared throughout the African Diaspora.

For over a decade, the Heritage Center’s operation has been located in the heart of Louisville’s historic Russell neighborhood on the former Louisville Street Railway Complex known as the “Trolley Barn,” built in 1876. The imposing 68,000 sq. ft. campus provides multiple venues where education, enrichment, and entertainment happens.

Permanent exhibitions in the Brown-Forman Great Hall and other galleries across the Heritage Center campus include “A Salute to Muhammad Ali: A Life of Inspiration,” “Black Freedom Struggle in Kentucky,” “Brigadier General Charles Young: Soldier, Educator, Diplomat & Civil Rights Advocate,” “The Legends of Great African American Jockeys,” “Two Centuries of Black Louisville and “A Self-Guided Tour of Louisville’s Civil Rights History.” In addition to rotating and permanent exhibitions throughout the year, the Heritage Center produces, curates, and hosts educational, enrichment, and entertainment programs with performances of all types for children and adults alike.

PERFORMANCE PREVIEW

AN ‘EYE OPENING’ PERFORMANCE

COMING SOON

PERFORMANCE PREVIEW

Kids in grades four and up are in for a real “eye opener” in StageOne’s play, The Giver, by Lois Lowry. Performances will be held at The Kentucky Center’s Bomhard Theater from January 23 through February 11.

Based on the novel of the same name, the play is about an 11-year-old boy named Jonas who lives in a futuristic society that has tried to relieve its citizens of choices to ensure conformity, fairness, and equality. Jonas embarks on a journey where he learns the truth about life — and the hypocrisy of his “utopian” world.

Jonas lives in a community where there is no suffering, sadness, hunger, war, and, as young theatergoers will soon see, no color, sex, music, or love. Everything is controlled by "the Elders," right down your partner, your children, and your job.

Individual identity has gone the way of cassette tapes, and everyone is essentially just like everyone else. It seems that no one has really left the area, except to visit other neighboring communities. In short — this world is a terrible place to live.

THE POWER OF MEMORY

Because Jonas is almost 12, it's time for him to be assigned a profession. There's a big ceremony where the decisions are announced. While Jonas watches all of his friends get their jobs (Recreation Director, Caretaker for the Old), he is passed over.

After the Chief Elder finishes the ceremony, he explains that Jonas has been selected as the next “Receiver of Memory,” which is a very important position. Jonas notices the current Receiver is an old man who, like Jonas, has light-colored eyes. (Light eyes are very uncommon in this community.)

As the new Receiver, Jonas gets a list of rules. He isn't allowed to discuss his training with anyone but he is allowed to lie, and he can ask anyone any questions he wants, even if they are considered to be rude.

His training consists of receiving a series of memories from the previous Receiver, who is now referred to as The Giver. These aren't just any old personal memories. Rather, the old man is passing on to Jonas all the memories of humanity — from before the community was established, back when there was color and sex and love and music and emotions and hills and snow and sunshine, all of which are notably absent from Jonas' world.

The very first memory he receives is that of sledding down a hill in the snow. While Jonas gets to experience lots of fun things like this, as well as Christmas and birthday parties, he also has to deal with bad memories like pain, loss, and war.

Needless to say, this completely changes the way Jonas looks at his world. He realizes that no one around him has ever felt any real emotions at all. A year into his training, Jonas is shocked to discover that the process of "release” from this society — which is performed on people who break the rules, babies who are sick, and folks who are very old — is essentially a lethal injection.

As you can see, StageOne’s performance addresses some difficult — but important — themes. Author Lowry alludes to the dangers of choosing security and conformity over individuality and freedom. Parents and teachers are encouraged to talk about the play with their children after the show.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit kentuckyperformingarts.org.

GIVER

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!

JANUARY

4-8

Kentucky Shakespeare Presents Pride and Prejudice The Kentucky Center

January 4-February 12 Grumpy Old Men the Musical Derby Dinner Playhouse derbydinner.com 13-14 Louisville Orchestra Fifths of Beethoven 11AM & 7:30PM The Kentucky Center louisvilleorchestra.org 13-28

DOT by Coleman Domingo Pandora Productions Henry Clay Theatre pandoraprods.org

15

Comedian Louis C.K. 7:30PM, Louisville Palace louisvillepalace.com

25-26

Comedian Theo Von: Return of the Rat Tour 8PM, The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall kentuckyperformingarts.org 27 Deathcab for Cutie 8PM Old Forester's Paristown Hall kentuckyperformingarts.org 28 Louisville Orchestra Hollywood's Golden Age 7:30PM, The Kentucky Center louisvilleorchestra.org 28 Lucero 8PM, Headliners Music Hall productionsimple.com

January 28- February 11 StageOne Family Theatre The Giver The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater kentuckyperformingarts.org

FEBRUARY

3-4

Louisville Orchestra Gilded Age in Paris & Vienna 11:30AM & 7:30PM The Kentucky Center louisvilleorchestra.org 14-19

Annie - A Broadway in Louisville Performance The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall kentuckyperformingarts.org 25

Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. 7:30PM, Louisville Palace LouisvillePalace.com 25 Louisville Orchestra Aretha: A Tribute 7:30PM, The Kentucky Center louisvilleorchestra.org

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

oct. 21, 2022 – jan. 22, 2023

Czech-born Alphonse Mucha (1860 – 1939) was one of the most celebrated artists in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. As an influential force behind the Art Nouveau movement, he created sumptuous posters and advertising—promoting such everyday products as cigarette papers and tea biscuits—that transformed the streets of Paris into open-air art exhibitions. Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary celebrates the Mucha Trust Collection’s first major U.S. tour in 20 years, featuring a vast array of posters, illustrations, ornamental objects, and rarely seen sculpture, photographs, and self-portraits.

Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary is organized by the Mucha Foundation, Prague. The exhibition is curated by Tomoko Sato.