2021–2022 Season AILEY II CIRQUE MECHANICS COLIN MOCHRIE AND BRAD SHERWOOD DALA THE FOUR FRESHMEN MARC COHN ON BROADWAY THE QUEEN’S CARTOONISTS THE ROBERT CRAY BAND ROGER MCGUINN STACEY KENT TAIKOPROJECT TAKE 6 CHRISTMAS THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR AND MORE!
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DEAR PATRONS, At the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine, we present an innovative, unique, entertaining, and diverse program of exceptional performances and museum exhibitions. I am so proud of the selection of artists we have in store for you in 2021–2022; these are performances and museum exhibitions designed to make you laugh, cry, think, wonder, and dream. And this year, the laughter will sound sweeter. The harmonies will feel richer. The colors will appear more vibrant. After a long, strange year, I am filled with gratitude as I think how lucky we are to be able to gather together in community again and resume live performances. We have missed connecting with you, our loyal and enthusiastic audience. I have missed our chats in the lobby about what shows you loved and what you have learned. Our artists have missed your presence, your feedback, and the home you provide to them every time they walk on stage. Rebecca Carson and Lisa Smith Wengler at Smothers Theatre Photo by Keith Berson Pictured below: TAIKOPROJECT Photo by Knocking Bird Creative Pictured on cover: Ailey II Photo by Nir Arieli
We missed you. We can’t wait to welcome you back. Sincerely, Rebecca Carson Managing Director
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CONTENTS FAN FAVORITES
DANCE AND SPECTACLE
2 2 6 9 9 10 12
3 BalletX 3 Catapult 5 Cirque Mechanics: Birdhouse
Jake Shimabukuro Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood TAIKOPROJECT “Benzaiten” On Broadway Ailey II Stacey Kent Roger McGuinn
VIRTUOSI
2 5 8 10 11 12
Jake Shimabukuro Geneva Lewis, violin* Gabriel Martins, cello* Tony Yun, piano* Benjamin Baker, violin* Satan’s Fall—An Oratorio by Stewart Copeland
STARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN
2 Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood 3 Catapult 6 Jenny Scheinman in Kannapolis: A Moving Portrait
8 8 9
The Queen’s Cartoonists Collision of Rhythm On Broadway
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* Recital Series performance; save 20% when you book all four performances
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art 13
9
Factory
6 8 9
TAIKOPROJECT “Benzaiten” Collision of Rhythm Ailey II
FAMILY FUN
3 Catapult 5 Cirque Mechanics: Birdhouse
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Factory
6 8 8 10
TAIKOPROJECT “Benzaiten” The Queen’s Cartoonists Collision of Rhythm The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Classics
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SOUL/BLUES/JAZZ
4 6 7 10 11
The Robert Cray Band Take 6 Christmas The Four Freshmen Stacey Kent Bessie, Billie, and Nina: Pioneering Women in Jazz
FOLK/ROCK/INDIE
2 JD Souther 3 The Wailin’ Jennys 4 Chris Thile 4 Croce Plays Croce 7 Joan Osborne/The Weepies 9 Dala 12 Roger McGuinn
Student Productions 14
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Get to Know Us 16
TICKETS
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JAKE SHIMABUKURO Sponsored by the Flamminio Family In little more than a decade of recording music and playing sold-out shows worldwide, Jake Shimabukuro has already redefined the ukulele. In his hands this diminutive Hawaiian instrument becomes a complex and bold new musical force. jakeshimabukuro.com
Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 8 pm Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 8 pm $25–$55 Smothers Theatre Photo by Van Fletcher
COLIN MOCHRIE AND BRAD SHERWOOD THE SCARED SCRIPTLESS TOUR
Whose Line Is It Anyway? stars Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood have teamed up to present an extraordinary evening of live improvisational comedy. Get ready for a night of nonstop laughter that’s “consistently funny and occasionally breathtaking” (Dallas Morning News) as the two make up original scenes, songs, and more based on audience participation. colinandbradshow.com
Friday, September 24, 2021, 7 pm and 9:30 pm $40–$70 Smothers Theatre
AN EVENING WITH JD SOUTHER Sponsored by Ellen and Doug Weitman GRAMMY-nominated JD Souther has penned countless hits for the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Roy Orbison, James Taylor, Don Henley, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, and Brooks & Dunn, and found success as a solo artist. This led to his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013 as one of the most celebrated songwriters of his generation. jdsouther.net
Thursday, October 7, 2021, 8 pm $20–$45 Smothers Theatre
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THE WAILIN’ JENNYS Juno Award winners and frequent guests on the iconic radio program A Prairie Home Companion, the Wailin’ Jennys are “the darlings of the North American roots music arena” (Toronto Star), with three distinct voices that combine to make an achingly perfect vocal sound. thewailinjennys.com
Friday, October 8, 2021, 8 pm $30–$60 Smothers Theatre Photo by Morten Fog
BALLETX As Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet, whose dancers are “among America’s best” (New York Times), BalletX expands the vocabulary of classical dance. Committed to producing works that cultivate audiences’ collective appetite for bold, new dance, BalletX has been hailed as a “place of choreographic innovation” (The New Yorker). balletx.org
Thursday, October 14, 2021, 8 pm $20–$50 Smothers Theatre
CATAPULT An America’s Got Talent finalist, Catapult features incredible dancers who work behind a screen to create shadow silhouettes of shapes from the world around us. Catapult’s dancers stretch their bodies and audience’s imaginations, telling stories with humor and pathos through their incredible artistry. catapultentertainment.com
Saturday, October 16, 2021, 7:30 pm $22–$50 $22 for youth 17 and under Smothers Theatre
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CHRIS THILE A mandolin virtuoso, composer, and vocalist, Chris Thile is a multiple GRAMMY Award winner and MacArthur Fellow, and a member of Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek. With his broad outlook, Thile is a “genre-defying musical genius” (NPR), creating a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike. christhile.com
Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 8 pm $37.50–$75 Smothers Theatre Photo by Josh Goleman
CROCE PLAYS CROCE A.J. Croce performs Croce Plays Croce, an homage to the legacy of his late father, singer-songwriter Jim Croce. A.J. sings his father’s timeless songs such as “Operator,” “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” and “Time in a Bottle” (a song written for A.J.). A.J. speaks on his musical connection to his father, painting a picture for the audience of family, artistry, and memory. ajcrocemusic.com
Friday, October 22, 2021, 8 pm $25–$50 Smothers Theatre Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND In his more than 45-year career, Robert Cray has been bridging the lines between blues, soul, and R&B, and his music arrives today both fresh and familiar. His unique sound has garnered him five GRAMMYs, a spot in the Blues Hall of Fame, and a suitcase full of Blues Music Awards. robertcray.com
Saturday, October 23, 2021, 8 pm $35–$75 Smothers Theatre Photo by Jeff Katz
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CIRQUE MECHANICS: BIRDHOUSE FACTORY Cirque Mechanics’ Birdhouse Factory is a place where acrobatics and 20th-century machines come together. Set in a 1930s Depression-era widget factory transformed by the resourcefulness and creativity of the American worker, Birdhouse Factory is an artful story of laughter, love, and flight that’s “exceptional, evocative . . . and engrossingly entertaining” (New York Times). cirquemechanics.com
Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 7:30 pm $22.50–$50 $22.50 for youth 17 and under Smothers Theatre Photo by Larry Rosenberg
GENEVA LEWIS, VIOLIN New Zealand-born violinist Geneva Lewis has forged a reputation as a musician of consummate artistry whose performances speak from and to the heart. Hailed by conductor Nic McGegan as “a name to watch,” Lewis is the recipient of a 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant and winner of the Grand Prize at the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition. genevalewisviolinist.com
Sunday, December 5, 2021, 2 pm $28 Raitt Recital Hall Photo by Motti Fang-Bentov
Save 20% on the Recital Series: $88 for all four performances
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TAKE 6 CHRISTMAS One of the most pioneering and influential contemporary Christian a cappella groups of all time, Take 6 mixes elements of R&B, jazz, gospel, and doo-wop. Over the course of its 40-year career, the group has won 10 GRAMMYs, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award, and recognition in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. take6.com
Wednesday, December 15, 2021, 8 pm $25–$50 Smothers Theatre
TAIKOPROJECT “BENZAITEN” A dynamic contemporary blend of taiko, music, storytelling, and choreography, TAIKOPROJECT unites ancient Japanese tradition with 21st-century American innovation in pure “drum nirvana” (Fresno Bee). Inspired by Benzaiten, the Japanese goddess of everything that flows, their new concert combines percussive power and strength with consummate grace and movement. taikoproject.org
Friday, January 14, 2022, 7:30 pm $20–$40 $20 for youth 17 and under Smothers Theatre Photo by Knocking Bird Creative
JENNY SCHEINMAN IN KANNAPOLIS: A MOVING PORTRAIT Acclaimed composer and violinist Jenny Scheinman invites audiences to experience the sights and sounds of the Great Depression in the multimedia performance Kannapolis: A Moving Portrait. Filmmaker H. Lee Waters documented more than 118 small towns in the southeastern United States between 1936 and 1942. Scheinman’s original live soundtrack helps bring Waters’ footage to life in a beautiful melding of music and film. jennyscheinman.com
Friday, January 21, 2022, 8 pm $20–$40 Smothers Theatre Photo by Laura Rechnagel
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THE FOUR FRESHMEN Sponsored by Anne Marie and Mitch Bredefeld Since their inception in 1948, the Four Freshmen have continued to tour worldwide with their unique blend of harmonic jazz arrangements and big band vocal group sounds. The ensemble has “endured for the simple reason that they are top in their class” (CBS). fourfreshmen.com
Sunday, January 23, 2022, 2 pm $25–$55 Smothers Theatre
JOAN OSBORNE/THE WEEPIES As both a passionate performer and an emotionally evocative songwriter, Joan Osborne has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the great voices of her generation. A seven-time GRAMMY nominee, Osborne is a highly soughtafter collaborator who has performed alongside many notable artists, including Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, and Mavis Staples. On the strength of the Weepies’ simple yet insightful songwriting and distinctive harmonies, this American indie band has sold more than 1.5 million records and has amassed over 54 million streams on Spotify. Together, these artists join forces for an intimate evening of music. joanosborne.com theweepies.com
Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 8 pm $22.50–$50 Smothers Theatre
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THE QUEEN’S CARTOONISTS The Queen’s Cartoonists play live music from various cartoons, which are synchronized to video projections of the original films, as the band leads the audience through a world of multi-instrumental comedy and mayhem. Expect the unexpected from a repertoire that includes the golden age of animation, cult cartoon classics, modern animation, and elements of a musical circus! thequeenscartoonists.com
Friday, January 28, 2022, 7:30 pm $20–$40 $20 for youth 17 and under Smothers Theatre Photo by Lindsey Thoeng
GABRIEL MARTINS, CELLO Gabriel Martins is the winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild/Young Classical Artists Trust Grand Prize and the 2020 Sphinx Competition. Martins has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in venues around the world, and he exhibits “heart, passion, and a finely nuanced palette of colors in a compelling manner worthy of a seasoned artist” (Ralph Kirshbaum). gabrielmartinscello.com
Sunday, January 30, 2022, 2 pm $28 Raitt Recital Hall Photo by Kaupo Kikkas
Save 20% on the Recital Series: $88 for all four performances
COLLISION OF RHYTHM Collision of Rhythm is a duo composed of tap-dancing classical virtuoso Aaron Williams and beatbox-juggling keynote speaker Bronkar Lee. With drumming, rhythmic juggling, marimba, and so much more, Collision of Rhythm has been described as Stomp meets Blue Man Group meets Cirque du Soleil in a show that’s captivating, inspiring, and flat-out extraordinary. collisionofrhythm.com
Sunday, January 30, 2022, 3 pm $20–$40 $20 for youth 17 and under Smothers Theatre Photo by Moshe Levis
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DALA Juno nominees and winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala have released five albums and toured extensively across North America. Drawing upon influences like the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young, Dala’s catchy songs and lush harmonies have made them darlings of the indie music scene. dalagirls.com
Tuesday, February 1, 2022, 8 pm $15–$35 Smothers Theatre
ON BROADWAY Featuring the best songs from the current New York City theatre season and sung by Broadway stars with a live band, On Broadway is an unforgettable night of music! The show includes hits from long-running favorites like The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, and The Book of Mormon, as well as the newest sensations Wicked, Dear Evan Hansen, and even the sold-out smash, Hamilton! Cast to be announced later in the season.
Thursday, February 3, 2022, 8 pm $22–$50 Smothers Theatre On Broadway in Smothers Theatre, January 29, 2019
AILEY II As a part of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Ailey II continues the legacy of its founder Alvin Ailey by celebrating the American modern dance heritage and preserving the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience. Universally renowned for their “dynamic movement and dazzling technique” (Broadway Dance World), the members of Ailey II are “spectacular human beings” (New York Times). alvinailey.org/about/ailey-ii
Thursday, March 3, 2022, 8 pm $22.50–$50 Smothers Theatre Photo by Kyle Froman
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MERMAID THEATRE OF NOVA SCOTIA PRESENTS
THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR AND OTHER ERIC CARLE CLASSICS Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia captures the magic of author Eric Carle’s timeless book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, along with two of his other children’s stories, The Mixed-Up Chameleon and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Did You See?, in this special triple-bill production. With enchanting puppetry, striking scenic effects, and evocative original music, this magical program will ignite young audiences’ excitement for reading.
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 11 am and 1 pm $10–$18 $10 for youth 17 and under Smothers Theatre Photo by Margo Ellen Gesser & Wayne Walker
STACEY KENT Stacey Kent is a jazz singer in the mold of the greats, with a legion of fans worldwide, a host of honors and awards including a GRAMMY nomination, album sales in excess of 2 million, and gold, double-gold and platinum-selling albums that have reached a series of number one chart positions during the span of her career. staceykent.com
Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 8 pm $27.50–$60 Smothers Theatre Photo Credit: Diane Sagnier
TONY YUN, PIANO Pianist Tony Yun is the first-prize winner and gold medalist at the First China International Music Competition and a recipient of the Jerome L. Greene Fellowship at the Juilliard School. With playing that combines poetry and elegance, Yun has given recitals throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Juilliard School, New York’s Steinway Hall, and at the Heidelberger Frühling Music Festival.
Sunday, March 13, 2022, 2 pm $28 Raitt Recital Hall Photo Credit: Jennifer Taylor
Save 20% on the Recital Series: $88 for all four performances
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BESSIE, BILLIE, AND NINA: PIONEERING WOMEN IN JAZZ The musical and social legacies of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone remain as relevant as ever. Featuring three dynamic vocalists (Charenée Wade, Camille Thurman, and Tahira Clayton) backed by an all-female band, Bessie, Billie, and Nina celebrates the enduring legacy of these three iconic artists with performances of their classic songs, including Bessie Smith’s “Downhearted Blues,” Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit,” and more. chareneewade.com camillethurmanmusic.com tahiraclayton.com
Thursday, March 24, 2022, 8 pm $20–$45 Smothers Theatre
BENJAMIN BAKER, VIOLIN Violinist Benjamin Baker won first prize at the 2016 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and third prize at the Michael Hill Competition in New Zealand in 2017. He demonstrates “virtuosity, refinement, and youthful exuberance” (New York Times) in his music and has performed as a soloist with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the National Children’s Orchestra in Manchester, and more. benbakerviolin.co.uk
Sunday, April 3, 2022, 2 pm $28 Raitt Recital Hall Photo by Kaupo Kikkas
Save 20% on the Recital Series: $88 for all four performances
MARC COHN After winning a GRAMMY for his soulful ballad “Walking in Memphis,” Marc Cohn solidified his place as one of this generation’s most compelling singer-songwriters, combining the precision of a brilliant tunesmith with the passion of a great soul man. A natural storyteller, he is regarded as “one of the honest, emotional voices [of] this decade” (Time). marccohnmusic.com
Tuesday, April 19, 2022, 8 pm $22.50–$50 Smothers Theatre Photo by Drew Gurian
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SATAN’S FALL An Oratorio by Stewart Copeland West Coast Premiere Performed by the Pepperdine Chamber Choir and the Pepperdine Pickford Ensemble under the direction of Ryan Board and N. Lincoln Hanks Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Pepperdine Cross-School Collaborative Research Program Stewart Copeland, GRAMMY Award–winning founder of the rock band The Police, presents the West Coast premiere of his first oratorio, Satan’s Fall. Inspired by John Milton’s 17th-century epic poem Paradise Lost, Copeland turns the literary struggle between God and Satan into a large-scale work featuring a chorus, seven vocal soloists, and chamber orchestra. stewartcopeland.net
Saturday, April 23, 2022, 7:30 pm $20–$40 Smothers Theatre Photo by Kai B Joachim
ROGER MCGUINN As the founder of the Byrds, Roger McGuinn is an indisputable music icon who delivers a mesmerizing evening of story and song. From his signature 12-string Rickenbacker sound, to his instantly recognizable vocals on hits like “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “Eight Miles High,” and “Mr. Tambourine Man,” McGuinn didn’t just make music—he made history.
Monday, April 25, 2022, 8 pm $25–$55 Smothers Theatre
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FREDERICK R. WEISMAN MUSEUM OF ART 2021–2022 Exhibition Schedule
Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11 AM–5 PM, and one hour prior to most performances through intermission
ENVIRONMENTAL REFLECTIONS: CONTEMPORARY ART FROM THE FREDERICK R. WEISMAN ART FOUNDATION August 31–December 5, 2021 Nature and space are incredibly vast, and our relationship to them is unique and complex. Environmental Reflections: Contemporary Art from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, exemplifies how we continually explore the natural world, from the depths of the oceans to the farthest reaches of space, calling to mind how early humans would trek through the landscape yearning for knowledge of the unknown. Nature has the ability to reflect our humanity—there is beauty, destruction, depth, and vast expanses yet to be discovered.
TREASURES FROM THE KINSEY AFRICAN AMERICAN ART & HISTORY COLLECTION
GWYNN MURRILL: ANIMAL NATURE May 21–July 31, 2022
Organized by the Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Arts & Education and KBK Enterprises, Incorporated January 15–March 27, 2022 Representing one of the most comprehensive surveys of African American history and culture, the Kinsey Collection includes masterful paintings and sculpture, photographs, rare books, letters, manuscripts, and more. Celebrating the accomplishments and artistry of African Americans from the 16th century through the years of slavery and emancipation, to the civil rights movement and modern day, it has been viewed by more than 15 million people, toured 30 US cities, and has received three national awards.
Gwynn Murrill’s elegant animal sculptures strike a balance between abstraction and realism. This exhibition features early works from the 1970s sculpted from wood, combined with more recent work made in bronze. Her smooth, streamlined forms convey a timeless serenity that captures the inner essence of each creature.
SENIOR THESIS EXHIBITION April 14–30, 2022 This exhibition showcases art by the seniors graduating from the Seaver College Studio Art program.
Major exhibitions are held in the Gregg G. Juarez Gallery and Ron Wilson-Designer Gallery in the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. Funding for all exhibitions is provided by the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation and additional donors. No admission charge. Exhibitions and dates subject to change. Please call 310.506.4851 or visit arts.pepperdine.edu/museum for the most up-to-date details regarding museum hours, reservations, and health and safety protocols. Left: Kelly Berg, Ring of Fire, 2016, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 80 in. (152.4 x 203.2 cm) Middle: Hughie Lee-Smith, The Walls, 1951, oil on masonite Right: Gwynn Murrill, Coyote III, Wood, 1983, Koa wood, 30 1/2” H x 38” L x 13” W, (77.5 x 96.5 x 33 cm) @weismanmuseumofart
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STUDENT PRODUCTIONS T HE PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY FINE ARTS DIVISION PRESENTS THE MARY PICKFORD-STOTSENBERG PERFORMANCES OPERA
DANCE
The Flora L. Thornton Opera Program presents
Pepperdine Student Activities presents
Le Nozze di Figaro
Dance in Flight
By W. A. Mozart Keith Colclough, Director With the Pepperdine University Orchestra Long-Tao Tang, Conductor
Dance in Flight embodies the diversity and essence of Seaver College and the liberal arts tradition. For more than 25 years, Dance in Flight has provided a safe environment for emerging student dancers and choreographers to cultivate creativity, physical expression, and teamwork in a professional performing atmosphere. The company members come from a variety of dance backgrounds, interests, and fields of study. United by their passion for the art of movement, they are dedicated to presenting an impressive showcase of student artistry.
Le Nozze di Figaro has stood the test of time thanks to its gorgeous melodies and vibrant, three-dimensional characters. Da Ponte’s adaptation of the Beaumarchais play breaks with the conventions of its time and portrays servants outwitting the entitled nobility through a series of plots and counterplots. Mozart masterfully brings the characters’ inner thoughts and feelings to life while spinning out seamless melodies. At times hilarious, at times poignant, Le Nozze di Figaro is a must-see for new and returning opera fans.
Thursday, February 10, 2022, 8 pm Friday, February 11, 2022, 8 pm Saturday, February 12, 2022, 2 pm and 8 pm
Presented in Italian with English subtitles
$20
Thursday, February 24, 2022, 7:30 pm Saturday, February 26, 2022, 7:30 pm
$10 for Pepperdine students Smothers Theatre
$20 $10 for Pepperdine students $16 for Pepperdine faculty and staff Smothers Theatre
MUSIC
Free tickets to choir and orchestra concerts are available for Pepperdine students, faculty, and staff with ID.
Parkening Master Class Christopher Parkening, Director
Pepperdine Choir and Orchestra Christmas Concert
Pepperdine Orchestra and Wind Ensemble
Saturday, September 25, 2021, 2 pm
Ryan Board and Long-Tao Tang, Directors
Long-Tao Tang, Director
Free | Raitt Recital Hall
Tuesday, December 2, 2021, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 7:30 pm
$10 | Smothers Theatre
Free | Smothers Theatre
Long-Tao Tang, Director
Pepperdine Jazz and Wind Ensembles
Thursday, September 30, 2021, 7:30 pm
Vincent Trombetta and Long-Tao Tang, Directors
Pepperdine Choir and Orchestra Masterworks Concert
Free | Smothers Theatre
Monday, December 6, 2021, 7:30 pm
Ryan Board and Long-Tao Tang, Directors
Free | Smothers Theatre
Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 7:30 pm
Pepperdine Orchestra
Pepperdine Orchestra
$10 | Smothers Theatre
Long-Tao Tang, Director
Parkening Master Class
Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 7:30 pm
Christopher Parkening, Director
Pepperdine Jazz and Wind Ensembles
Free | Smothers Theatre
Saturday, February 19, 2022, 2 pm
Long-Tao Tang and Vincent Trombetta, Directors
Free | Raitt Recital Hall
Thursday, April 21, 2022, 7:30 pm Free | Smothers Theatre
Please visit us online for more great student productions.
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@pepperdinemusic
THEATRE DEPARTMENT SERIES: $48 FOR FOUR EVENTS We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915 By Jackie Sibblies Drury Nic Few, Director In We Are Proud to Present..., a woman discovers her African ancestry and attempts to tell the story of this long-lost culture with a company of actors. Three Black and three white Americans struggle to retain polite political correctness while fighting to humanize both the Herero people and their German colonizers in our current racial/political climate… What could go wrong?
The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde Bradley Griffin, Director This classic English comedy from the late 19th century involves mistaken identity, dramatic revelations, and high anxiety hijinks in the idyllic English countryside. Playwright Oscar Wilde described his masterpiece as “a trivial comedy for serious people.” If cucumber sandwiches and misplaced handbags get your heart racing, then this is the play for you! Tuesday, January 25–Friday, January 28, 2022, 7:30 PM Saturday, January 29, 2022, 2 pm and 7:30 pm
$15 $10 for Pepperdine students $12 for Pepperdine faculty and staff
This play contains profanity; recommended for ages 16+.
Lindhurst Theatre
Tuesday, September 28–Friday, October 1, 2021, 7:30 PM Saturday, October 2, 2021, 2 pm and 7:30 pm
No late seating allowed. Join a talk back with the actors and director after the Wednesday, January 26 performance.
$15 $10 for Pepperdine students $12 for Pepperdine faculty and staff Lindhurst Theatre No late seating allowed. Join a talk back with the actors and director after the Wednesday, September 29 performance.
The Luciana and Daniel Forge Fall Musical
Mamma Mia!
The Winter’s Tale By William Shakespeare Hollace Starr, Director It is winter in Sicilia, but King Leontes is overcome by a searing hot rage when he accuses his beloved queen Hermione of infidelity. Unwilling to be reasoned with, Leontes sets out on a course of retribution that erases all traces of everyone he holds dear. Only the passage of time and the flowering of spring can restore the promises of hope and forgiveness.
Music and Lyrics: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus Book: Catherine Johnson Kelly Todd, Director David Fraley, Conductor Ryan Board, Vocal Director
Warning: Though this play may be appropriate for young audience members, it does contain mature themes and strong (albeit Shakespearean) language.
On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her birth father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the Greek island they last visited 20 years before.
$15
The magic of ABBA’s timeless songs combined with explosive dance numbers propel this enchanting tale of love, laughter, and friendship to create a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Friday, November 12–Saturday, November 13, 2021, 7:30 PM Matinee: Sunday, November 14, 2021, 2 pm Thursday, November 18–Friday, November 19, 2021, 7:30 PM Saturday, November 20, 2021, 2 pm
$20 $10 for Pepperdine students $16 for Pepperdine faculty and staff
Wednesday, April 6–Friday, April 8, 2022, 7:30 PM Saturday, April 9, 2022, 2 pm $10 for Pepperdine students $12 for Pepperdine faculty and staff Smothers Theatre Join a talk back with the actors and director after the Wednesday, April 6 performance. @pepperdinetheatre
The cast of Pepperdine’s production of the musical Ragtime.
Smothers Theatre Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members of the Center for the Arts Guild are invited to a special backstage tour before the Thursday, November 18 performance.
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SUPPORT AND Members of professional circus troupe Cirque FLIP Fabrique meet with young fans following the group’s performance in Smothers Theatre
BECOME A GUILD MEMBER WITH AN ANNUAL GIFT OF $100 OR MORE TO PROVIDE CRITICAL PROGRAM SUPPORT. You'll also receive: Advance notification of new performances and exclusive presales No ticket order or exchange fees Invitations to special events and receptions
Cast and crew members rehearse for the Theatre Department’s production of Futureproof in Lindhurst Theatre
Recognition on theatre programs Season parking pass ($150 membership level and above), plus additional benefits depending on membership level
AT THE PEPPERDINE LISA SMITH WENGLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS, members make the difference. The Center
Donors support the Center for the Arts Guild at the annual Holiday Boutique and Luncheon at Sherwood Country Club
for the Arts Guild and Chancellor’s Circle supply critical funding for all of our programming, including the popular ARTSReach program for schools, which provides free performances to schoolchildren, as well as master classes and workshops for Pepperdine students. Ticket prices cover only a fraction of the costs of operating the Center for the Arts—your membership helps us to continue to bring you performances and exhibitions from around the country and around the world. Members enjoy a variety of unique benefits, including parking passes, behind-the-scenes tours, and meet and greets with guest artists.
Call 310.506.4594 or visit our website at arts.pepperdine.edu/support for more information. Schoolchildren attend the ARTSReach presentation of The Rainbow Fish in Smothers Theatre
WITH GRATITUDE TO THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS CHANCELLOR’S CIRCLE Chancellor’s Circle members help us achieve our mission of presenting an innovative, unique, entertaining, and diverse program of exceptional performances and museum exhibitions.
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Performance Sponsors The Office of the Chancellor of Pepperdine University Anne Marie and Mitch Bredefeld Crest Associates Melanie and Richard Flamminio
arts.pepperdine.edu
Lisa Freer David Huenergardt* Billie Milam Weisman Lisa Smith Wengler
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SUBSCRIBE BUY TICKETS TO FOUR SHOWS OR MORE AND SAVE 10% ON THE BEST SEATS IN THE THEATRE.
Smothers Theatre
You'll also receive: First access to tickets with exclusive presales Ticket exchanges with no fees throughout the season The best seats at the best price and first priority if new seats are added
We are committed to the health and safety of our patrons and community members. You can learn about the steps we are taking to protect you at arts.pepperdine.edu/visit.
TICKET INFORMATION
Please note The use of stairs is required to access most seats. Accessible
seats may be purchased through all sales channels. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of theatre staff. Every patron requires a ticket, regardless of age.
Raitt Recital Hall
Times, dates, performers, venues, and prices are subject to change. For select shows, discounts are available for Crest Associates, groups, and Pepperdine faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Call for more information.
Box Office Hours Tuesday–Friday, Noon–5 PM and two hours prior to most performances.
Supporting Sponsors
Contributing Sponsors
Mary and Tom Hawkins Michelle and Mark Hiepler Ellen and Doug Weitman
The Anza Hotel Shelley and Rick Bayer Debby and Andy Benton Marguerite Brown Kathy and Lou Colombano
Food Fetish Catering Marmalade Cafe Marcia and Henry Lawson Sara and Sam Jackson Paula and Rick Marrs Marnie and Tom Mitze
Lucy and Tim Perrin Nancy and Jeff Pippin Helene and Robert Schacter Paula Mae and Steve Schwartz Gail and Jim Wilburn *in memoriam
CA2105759
Order now by visiting arts.pepperdine.edu or by calling 310.506.4522.
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SMOTHERS THEATRE LINDHURST THEATRE RAITT RECITAL HALL FREDERICK R. WEISMAN MUSEUM OF ART
24255 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY MALIBU, CALIFORNIA 90263
2021–2022 Season
Call now! 310.506.4522
arts.pepperdine.edu
Anyone can be a subscriber by purchasing just four shows! SEPTEMBER 2021 21–22 Jake Shimabukuro 24 Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood 25 Parkening Master Class 28–31 Pepperdine Theatre: We Are Proud to Present 30 Pepperdine Orchestra OCTOBER 2021 1–2 Pepperdine Theatre: We Are Proud to Present 7 JD Souther 8 The Wailin’ Jennys 14 BalletX 16 Catapult 19 Pepperdine Orchestra 20 Chris Thile 22 Croce Plays Croce 23 The Robert Cray Band 27 Cirque Mechanics: Birdhouse Factory
NOVEMBER 2021 12–20 Pepperdine Musical Theatre: Mamma Mia! DECEMBER 2021 2 Pepperdine Christmas Concert 5 Geneva Lewis, violin 6 Pepperdine Jazz and Wind Ensembles 15 Take 6 Christmas JANUARY 2022 14 TAIKOPROJECT “Benzaiten” 21 Jenny Scheinman in Kannapolis: A Moving Portrait 23 The Four Freshmen 25 Joan Osborne/ The Weepies 25–29 Pepperdine Theatre: The Importance of Being Earnest 28 The Queen’s Cartoonists 30 Gabriel Martins, cello 30 Collision of Rhythm
FEBRUARY 2022 1 Dala 3 On Broadway 10–12 Dance in Flight 19 Parkening Master Class 24, 26 Pepperdine Opera: Le Nozze di Figaro MARCH 2022 3 Ailey II 5 The Very Hungry Caterpillar 9 Stacey Kent 13 Tony Yun, piano 23 Pepperdine Orchestra and Wind Ensemble 24 Bessie, Billie, and Nina: Pioneering Women in Jazz
APRIL 2022 3 Benjamin Baker, violin 6–9 Pepperdine Theatre: The Winter’s Tale 12 Pepperdine Choir and Orchestra Masterworks Concert 19 Marc Cohn 21 Pepperdine Jazz and Wind Ensembles 23 Satan’s Fall 25 Roger McGuinn WE’RE HERE TO HELP! Do you have special needs? Please let us know in advance how we might help, and we’ll provide reasonable accommodations to those needing special assistance. For accessible seating, please advise the Box Office when purchasing tickets. Assisted listening devices are available at the Box Office. Times, dates, performers, venues, and prices are subject to change.
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