The Studio Curtain Call

Alliance Theatre and Atlanta Symphony to kick off fall arts season live and virtually

ASO Executive Director Jennifer Barlament, “At this time, the safest way to perform and engage with our community is through virtual performances. These programs are just the first phase of reimagining the fall season; stay tuned for announcements of smaller outdoor performances with live socially distanced audiences.”

The switch to streaming performances means the annual Symphony Gala set for September has been cancelled, along with Christmas with the ASO and Handel’s “Messiah” in December. The ASO said it is working on “reimagined” holiday programming for the virtual platform.

By Collin Kelley

Live theatre and music venues remain shuttered around INtown due to the ongoing pandemic, but The Alliance Theater and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra have announced they will try and kickstart the 20202021 arts season later this fall with social distancing in mind.

The Alliance plans to reopen in November to kick off its 52nd season with drive-in movie style productions, sociallydistanced shows on the Coca-Cola Stage at the Woodruff Arts Center, and a brandnew streaming platform.

“Theatre continues to be a necessary town square for essential conversations and a balm for our souls” said Susan V. Booth, Jennings Hertz Artistic Director, in a media statement. “Even in a pandemic and in deep and necessary civic unrest, still we are human. Still we love, we grieve, we rage, and we commune with friends and family – okay, maybe via Zoom, but still. We navigate forward, equally informed by truth and hope, and always in need of joy, dialogue, and heroes.”

The season will begin in November with the world premiere of A Very Terry Christmas – a one-woman holiday show featuring Broadway star Terry Burrell. The Alliance will then present a reimagined drive-in version of its annual production A Christmas Carol, staged for the first time as a live radio play. A cast of eight actors will play all the roles accompanied by a foley sound effects artist giving audiences a peek into the play-making magic. Projections and interactive moments will allow audience members the chance to connect with the story, performers, and each other in this innovative new staging.

In February 2021 the Alliance will produce “The New Black Play Fest’s Hands Up: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments.” Produced in collaboration with Spelman College, “Hands Up” depicts the realities of Black America from the perspective of varying genders, sexual orientations, skin tones, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Later in the season, the Alliance will stage the world premiere of the 17th Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition winner, “Data” by Matthew Libby, in March 2021. In April, there will be a world premiere musical “Accidental Heroes – The Real Life Adventures of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans,” followed by “Toni Stone” in June 2021 about the first female athlete to play professional baseball in the Negro Leagues.

The Alliance will launch a new streaming platform – Alliance Theatre Anywhere – to bring shows to homes and will feature theatre for youth, including “Sit-In” by Atlanta author and playwright Pearl Cleage inspired by the award-winning picture book by Andrea Davis Pinkney with illustrations by Brian Pinkney.

For more information, memberships, and details visit alliancetheatre.org.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is taking a different approach: while musicians will be playing on the stage, the audience will be watching from home on the ASO Virtual Stage platform through Dec. 31.

The programs will be comprised of smaller orchestral ensembles and will feature Music Director Robert Spano, Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, selected guest conductors and artists, and ASO members as soloists.

“Our patrons, donors and subscribers have shared with us how much they need the music of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, now more than ever, just as our musicians have expressed how important it is to bring comfort and connection to people during these uncertain times,” said

“As musicians, our greatest joy is to share our love of music with our audiences, and we have missed them terribly,” said Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Music Director. “We’ve also missed gathering on stage to make music together. We can’t wait to connect with all of you again this fall, even if it’s done virtually. We’re thrilled to feature several of our principal musicians as well as an incredible Talent Development Program alumnus. We look forward to welcoming music lovers not only from Atlanta, but from around the world, to our Virtual Stage this fall.”

The ASO is investing in and installing a new robotic camera system at Atlanta Symphony Hall, which will allow for a steady stream of content with enhanced audio and video quality.

The ASO said it will continue to monitor COVID-19 numbers and make an announcement by year-end regarding concerts scheduled for January through June 2021.

Visit aso.org to view the reimagined virtual season.