Monmouth University Center for the Arts 2023 Fall Season Brochure

PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

WILLIE NILE with James Maddock

Sat. September 23 ● 8 PM

POLLAK THEATRE | Tickets starting at $50

The New York Times called WILLIE NILE “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the N.Y. scene in years.” Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend and Lou Reed are among those who have sung his praises. JAMES MADDOCK has been carving his unique path since the 80’s, when the British singer/songwriter kicked-off his career with a raw, soulful voice; a storyteller’s sense of narrative; and the ability to blur lines between folk, classic pop & rock.

STEP AFRIKA!

Mon. October 2 ● 6 PM

POLLAK THEATRE | Tickets $40

STEP AFRIKA! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation.

BALLET HISPÁNICO

Sat. October 14 ● 8 PM

POLLAK THEATRE | Tickets starting at $45

Ballet Hispánico is the nation’s renowned Latino dance organization and one of America’s Cultural Treasures. For 50 years, they have been bringing communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures through innovative dance performances, transformative dance training, and enduring community engagement experiences.

GOLD CIRCLE SEATS SELLING FAST!

PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

THE MIND AND MUSIC OF GEORGE GERSHWIN

Sat. November 4 ● 8 PM

POLLAK THEATRE | Tickets starting at $35

DR. RICHARD KOGAN joins us to discuss the life, psyche and music of one of America’s greatest composers during an evening that integrates masterful piano playing, humor and insight into the close links between music, healing and genius. Trained in piano at Julliard and in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Kogan is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Co-Director of the Human Sexuality Program at Weill Cornell Medical Center and Artistic Director of the Music and Medicine program.

Paul Mecurio’s PERMISSION TO SPEAK

Sat. November 11 ● 8 PM

POLLAK THEATRE | Tickets starting at $30

In this exciting “one-man comedy show with a twist,” PAUL MECURIO improvises with audience members by bringing them on stage and talking with them about who they are, their lives, interests, personal experiences and what they honestly think. Paul is an award-winning comedian for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

ORCHESTRA OF ST. PETER BY THE SEA

Fri. December 1 ● 8 PM

POLLAK THEATRE | Tickets starting at $55

Join us for a magical evening of music and celebration at the 31st annual holiday concert with FATHER ALPHONSE STEVENSON and the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea! Experience the joy and spirit of the holiday season as Father Alphonse Stevenson, his 42-piece Orchestra and talented soloists fill the theater with carols and seasonal favorites.

PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

ON A WINTER’S NIGHT Reunion Tour 2024

Sat. February 10 ● 8 PM

POLLAK THEATRE | Tickets starting at $45

Presenting the reunion tour of On A Winter’s Night from veteran singer-songwriters PATTY LARKIN, CLIFF EBERHARDT, JOHN GORKA and LUCY KAPLANSKY, that remain among the brightest stars of the singer/songwriter movement for the past three decades. In 1994, Christine Lavin gathered them together to showcase music of the winter season on the now-classic On A Winter’s Night CD, followed by several years of touring. The winter season is celebrated again by these immensely talented performers, back together by popular demand!

L.A. THEATRE WORKS’ A WEEKEND WITH PABLO PICASSO

Sat. March 2 ● 8 PM

POLLAK THEATRE | Tickets starting at $45

The genius of Picasso comes to life in this live theatrical piece starring HERBERT SIGUENZA in the role of the legendary artist. Journey through Picasso’s mind & creative process during a revealing weekend in his studio as he prepares to deliver 6 new works to a buyer that coming Monday. Video projections of the art being created along with historic images, combined with Siguenza’s captivating performance immerse audiences in Picasso’s life and art. This is a must-see event for art lovers & theater enthusiasts!

Introducing our NEW Member Program!!

BE THE FIRST TO JOIN! By becoming a Member of the Center for the Arts for just $150 per year, you’ll gain access to a range of exceptional benefits that will elevate your cultural experiences to new heights:

u Early access to seats before anyone else

u Members only lounges/special receptions

u Exclusive access to members only contests/offers

u Last-minute house seat upgrades and MORE!

Alumni, Employees and MU Parents get $50 off membership! ® SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO!

We will be announcing additional shows for the new season soon - including a HOLIDAY DOO WOP show. Become a member NOW for first access to these tickets!

To join visit www.monmouth.edu/MCA or call the box office 732.263.6889

in surround sound with easy-to-read subtitles on our 30’ screen

JAKE HEGGIE’S DEAD MAN WALKING

Sat. October 21 ● 1 PM

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 3:14

Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir about her fight for the soul of a condemned murderer, Dead Man Walking matches the high drama of its subject with Heggie’s beautiful music, a brilliant libretto by Terrence McNally and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato starring as Sister Helen.

ANTHONY DAVIS’ THE LIFE & TIMES OF MALCOLM X

Sat. November 18 ● 1 PM

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 3:42

Anthony Davis’s groundbreaking opera, which premiered in 1986, arrives at the Met at long last. A cast of breakout artists take part in the operatic retelling of Malcom X’s life. Baritone Will Liverman, who triumphed in the Met premiere of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones, sings Malcolm.

DANIEL CATÁN’S FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS

Sat. December 9 ● 1 PM

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 2:35

Inspired by the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez, Mexican composer Daniel Catán’s 1996 opera tells the enchanting story of a Brazilian opera diva who returns to her homeland to perform at the legendary opera house of Manaus—and to search for her lost lover, who has vanished into the jungle.

VERDI’S NABUCCO

Sat. January 6 ● 1 PM

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 3:06

Ancient Babylon comes to life in this classic Met staging of biblical proportions. Baritone George Gagnidze stars as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska, reprising her thrilling turn as his vengeful daughter Abigaille.

BIZET’S CARMEN

Sat. January 27 ● 1 PM

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 3:44

Acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell makes her Met debut, reinvigorating the classic story with a present day staging, amid a band of human

traffickers. Mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina leads in the touchstone role of the irresistible femme fatale, alongside tenor Piotr Beczała as Carmen’s lover Don José.

VERDI’S LA FORZA DEL DESTINO

Sat. March 9 ● 12 PM

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 4:22

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, with stellar soprano Lise Davidsen in her role debut as the noble Leonora. Director Mariusz Treliński delivers the company’s first new Forza in nearly 30 years, setting the scene in a contemporary world.

GOUNOD’S ROMÉO ET JULIETTE

Sat. March 23 ● 1 PM

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 3:31

Two singers at the height of their powers—soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Benjamin Bernheim—come together as the star-crossed lovers in Gounod’s Shakespeare adaptation, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium.

PUCCINI’S LA RONDINE

Sat. April 20 ● 1 PM

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 2:47

Puccini’s bittersweet love story makes a rare Met appearance, with soprano Angel Blue starring as the sophisticated French courtesan Magda, opposite tenor Jonathan Tetelman in his company debut as Ruggero, an idealistic young man who offers her an alternative to her life of excess.

PUCCINI’S MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Sat. May 11 ● 1 PM

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 3:15

In her Met debut, Asmik Grigorian tackles the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the trusting geisha at the heart of Puccini’s tragedy. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang makes her Met debut conducting Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.

ALL BROADCASTS AT THE POLLAK THEATRE

Large print programs are available at each performance

Presentations of the Met: Live in HD series at Monmouth University are made possible by a generous gift from University Trustee Robert Sculthorpe, as well as gifts from the Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Jr. Foundation Inc. and the Nicola Musso Charitable Foundation.

Great Art On Screen

Experience a global revolution of world class art, history and biography through the works of the greatest masters of our time.

TITIAN: THE EMPIRE OF COLOR

Mon. October 23 ● 7:30 PM

POLLAK THEATRE

Tickets: $23 | Run Time 88 minutes

Winning over popes and emperors with his iconic works Titian succeeded in becoming one of the artists that symbolized the entire Renaissance. Perfect interpreter of religion and mythology, portrayer of immediate expressive strength, he dominated his time outshining his contemporaries, always abiding by his motto: ‘Art is more powerful than Nature’.

BORROMINI AND BERNINI: THE CHALLENGE FOR PERFECTION

Mon. November 13 ● 7:30 PM

POLLAK THEATRE

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 102 minutes

A journey into the great beauty of Baroque Rome, when the city was the centre of western art and where every ambitious painter, sculptor and architect had to be. This is the story of the most famous artistic rivalry of all time, the one between Borromini and Bernini, but also the story of Borromini’s rivalry with himself, depriving him of everything to pursue a dream and knowing he would pay the price in the end.

JEFF KOONS: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT

Mon. January 29 ● 7:30 PM

POLLAK THEATRE

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 80 minutes

This is not just a documentary but an amazing journey inside the mind of the most controversial artist of our time. Jeff Koons is widely regarded as one of the most influential, popular and disputed artists of the last 30 years. This film is an intimate exploration of Jeff Koon’s consciousness aiming to discover what motivates him and shapes his incomparable vision.

THE IMMORTALS: THE WONDER OF THE MUSEO EGIZIO

Mon. March 25 ● 7:30 PM

POLLAK THEATRE

Tickets: $23 | Run Time: 86 minutes

Narrated by JEREMY IRONS, the documentary tells the tale of Kha, architect and builder of pharaoh’s tombs, who must undertake a journey to the Underworld. Taking us inside the world of Egyptian mythology, religion & funerary culture, the film interweaves the story with the history of the Museo Egizio, the oldest museum in the world that will soon be celebrating its 200 th anniversary.

ADULT EDUCATION SERIES

COURSES ARE JUST $50 FOR TWO VIRTUAL SESSIONS!*

Join Monmouth University faculty and friends as they host virtual courses exploring topics that blend leisure and learning.

BRITISH INVASION PART I: BEGINNINGS AND INFLUENCES

Class Schedule: Tuesdays - September 19 & 26 | 7:30 - 9 PM

This two-session virtual course taught by KIT O’TOOLE examines the influences of these genres on what would become the British Invasion, which would ultimately transform music worldwide. The class will survey the artists that would predate the Beatles: Billy Fury, Cliff Richard, the Shadows, Tommy Steele, The Vipers Skiffle Group, and much more.

WRITING MEMOIR

Class Schedule: Tues. Oct. 17 & Thurs. Oct. 19 | 7:30 - 9 PM

This two-session virtual course taught by MIKE FARRAGHER provides attendees with an introduction to basic modes for telling the stories of their lives. Working in a supportive workshop setting, students will enjoy engaging, wide-ranging discussion about the joys and challenges of bringing their memories to life. Instructor: Mike Farragher, Monmouth University alumnus and author of numerous works of fiction and memoir.

BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA: WAS HE ACTUALLY IRISH?

Class Schedule: Tues. Oct. 31 & Thurs. Nov. 2 | 7:30 - 9 PM

The novel Dracula has never been out of print since its publication in 1897; yet, the book’s Dublin-born author, Bram Stoker, is virtually unknown. This two-session virtual course taught by MAUREEN D. BRADY is a unique investigation of the novel focused on the Irish influences that inspired the classic tale and shaped its enduring legacy. Note: Reading the novel is NOT a prerequisite for the course.

LIVING THE BEATLES LEGEND WITH MAL EVANS

Class Schedule: Tues. Nov. 28 at 7:30 - 9 PM * One virtual class for $20 Join KENNETH WOMACK for an in-depth look at the life and times of Beatles roadie Mal Evans. For nearly 50 years, his story has been shrouded in mystery, especially his death at the hands of the LA police in January 1976. Professor Womack will reveal the truth about Mal’s remarkable life and untimely loss, while also sharing previously unpublished photos and other anecdotes from his forthcoming book Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans.

BRITISH INVASION PART II: FIRST WAVE, 1963-1967

Class Schedule: Thursdays - December 7 & 14 | 7:30 - 9 PM

This two-session virtual course taught by KIT O’TOOLE will survey some of the major artists of the First Wave period, from 1963-1967. It will cover genres from pop to the beginnings of psychedelia, and will examine other acts such as the Who, Dusty Springfield, the Animals, the Hollies, and many more. In addition, the class will study the impact of the First Wave on the charts and on American pop and rock music.

All shows at POLLAK THEATRE

Where you can always enjoy FREE PARKING!

Introducing our NEW Member Program! BE THE FIRST TO JOIN! By becoming a Member of the Center for the Arts for just $150 per year , you’ll gain EARLY ACCESS to seats before anyone else and more! SEE INSIDE FOR DETAILS...

$50 off membership!