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Napa Valley Opera House winter/fall lineup
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
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No winter doldrums allowed here. The Napa Valley Opera House has announced its new line-up and Artistic Director Evy Warshawski calls the upcoming winter/spring season “an artistic potpourri sure to please every member of the family.”

What’s your pleasure? Comedy? Jazz? World music? Bellydancing? Winnie the Pooh? It’s all here.
The season opens with “The Nigerian Span Scam Scam,” a comic adventure with Dean Cameron who did reply to an e-mail telling him he was the beneficiary to $30 million. Also in January the Opera House brings back Idol NV, an inspired enterprise they launched last year for young singers. This year they’ll spotlight instrumental musicians.

Popular performers like Los Lobos, Pat Metheny,  Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Arlo Guthrie and the satirical Capitol Steps will make repeat visits to the Opera House, but the line-up also includes stellar artists making a first visit to the Opera House, like the Eroica Trio and the Turtle Island Quartet.
For families, there’s fun ahead with a production of “Aesop’s Fables” “Henry and Mudge” and “Winnie-the-Pooh.”

And where else will you be able to see the Bellydance superstars?
What’s more, there will also be opera at the Opera House, as they team with Pocket Opera’s “Cossi Fan Tutti” “La Boheme” and “Orpheus in the Underworld.”

It’s just a thought but tickets to any one of these shows might make one great Christmas gift — beats a fruitcake any day.

“The Nigerian Spam Scam Scam”

Friday, Jan. 11, 8 p.m.

“Please help me! I am beneficiary to a fortune of 30 million dollars!!” You’ve seen that in at least one e-mail a week, right? If you bothered to read it, you most likely deleted it. Actor/writer Dean Cameron did not push the delete button but began corresponding over a period of months with one of the scammers. The result is a hilarious and award-winning night of comedy. $25 all seats.

BeauSoleil Avec

Michael Doucet

Friday, Jan. 18, 8 p.m.

This Grammy winning band takes the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and blends in elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country and blues — everything from the Grand Ole Opry to Newport Folk  $30 all seats.   

Idol Instrumental, 2008

Jan. 19-March 29

The Napa Valley Opera House presents the second annual, county-wide Idol NV competition, this year designed to showcase talented players on instruments as varied as the kettle drum and the kazoo. Students ages 13 through 18 are invited to participate in solo, duo, quartet or small band formats. Prizes will be awarded throughout the competition for all participants, semi-finalists and “audience favorites.” The finalists receive a host of “student-friendly” prizes and have an opportunity to open for a nationally-acclaimed musical act at the NVOH. For complete information and entry forms, visit www.nvoh.org.   

Competition Rounds are Saturday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 25, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 9 and 23; 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 general, $12 students with ID The final round is Saturday, March 29, 8 p.m.$25 general, $15 students with ID

Los Lobos

Saturday, Jan. 26, 8 p.m.

Using musical molds built on the blues, rockabilly, jazz, Latin and their own Mexican-American heritage, Los Lobos subtly challenges listeners with conscience-raising songs and thought-provoking lyrics. Returning to the Opera House with their acoustic show, band members Louie Perez, Conrad Lozano, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas bring new songs and old favorites in an intimate concert setting. $55 all seats.

The Clown Princes:

Friday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m.

Film excerpts of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd presented with original scores performed live by Rick Benjamin’s Paragon Ragtime Orchestra recreate a glimpse of the simple magic that was a movie-goer’s experience 80 years ago. Benjamin’s introductions set the tone for Keaton’s “The Playhouse,” Lloyd’s “Never Weaken” and Chaplin’s “The Adventurer.”  This multi-media production, the old-fashioned way, was hit at New York’s Lincoln Center. $30 all seats/$15 students with ID.

Best Of the San Francisco Comedy Competition

Saturday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m.

Best Female Stand-Up at the 12th Annual American Comedy Awards Maryellen Hooper headlines an evening of hilarity with her brand of  storytelling and physical humor.  She’s joined by past quirky competition participants and rising stars. $35 all seats.

Eroica Trio         

Saturday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m.

Sought-after world-wide, this Grammy-nominated trio celebrates its 20th anniversary with a cross-country bus tour, coinciding with the release of their eighth CD  featuring all-American music including new arrangements from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” and “West Side Story.”  $35/$30.

Pat Metheny Trio with Christian McBride and Antonio Sanchez         

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 8 p.m.

The always popular Pat Metheny returns to the Opera House with bassist Christian McBride and drummer Antonio Sanchez for an evening of jazz.  Metheny’s awards include 16 Grammys in categories including Best Contemporary Jazz Recording, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, Best Instrumental Composition, Best Rock Instrumental and a perennial poll winner as “Best Jazz Guitarist.”  $55 all seats.

Aesop’s Fables II

Saturday, February 23, 2 p.m.

Jim West and company present an all-new, large-scale puppet extravaganza with “The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg,” “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and many more of Aesop’s legendary fables. The production features classical music, morals, silliness and puppet-making ideas and is great for young audiences, pre-kindergarten to third grade. $25 adults/$15 children.

“Orpheus in the Underworld”

Sunday, Feb., 24, 2 p.m.

 The Olympian gods take off for the underworld and all hell breaks loose in Jacques Offenbach’s opera presented in English by Donald Pippin’s Pocket Opera. $35/$30.

Turtle Island Quartet Tribute to John Coltrane

Friday, Feb. 29, 8 p.m.

Pre-show talk, 7 p.m.

Since its inception in 1985, Turtle Island Quartet has been a singular force in the creation of bold new trends in chamber music for strings.  

The quartet’s Opera House performance takes an in-depth look at John Coltrane’s jazz epiphany, “A Love Supreme,” in the greater context of the music that preceded and followed it, a time many consider the last great evolutionary period of jazz. $35 all seats.  

Ladysmith Black Mambazo  

Saturday, March 1, 8 p.m.

 Back by popular demand, the number one record-selling African group (over six million records sold at home and abroad), Ladysmith is a vocal phenomenon. As musical ambassadors, they have brought their trademark a cappella Zulu harmonies, in the traditional isicathamiya singing style, their exuberant spirit and dynamic movement to performances for the pope, the queen and audiences around the globe — garnering two Grammy Awards and a host of other nominations along the way. $45 all seats.   

Belly Dance Superstars

Sunday, March 2, 3 p.m.

The world’s only professional full-time belly dance troupe has brought this ancient art form into the mainstream. The group began as part of the 2003 Lollapalooza 45-city tour, followed by a three-month run at the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco in 2005. In more than 375 concerts in 16 countries with countless television appearances, this most feminine and sensual dance troupe celebrates all women. $35 all seats.

Capitol Steps

Friday, March 7, 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 8, 2 and 8 p.m.

These former congressional staffers’ brilliant song parodies and hilarious sketches are up-to-the-minute send-ups of all things political — satirizing issues, events and personalities from both sides of the aisle. Their material is updated constantly, be it the latest opinion from Ann Coulter (“Loonies of the Right”) or on the international side, President Bush and the Prime Minister of Japan reconciling their differences in the touching “Stand By Japan.”  No matter who makes the headlines, the Steps are equal opportunity offenders. $40/$35.

Barrage

Friday, March 14, 8 p.m.

A high-octane fiddle-fest featuring an eclectic mix of music, song and dance coupled with pulsating modern beats and rhythms.  A young hip cast that delivers an energetic show with musical virtuosity that makes the stage sizzle with excitement. This isn’t your grandpa’s fiddle music. $45 all seats.

 

Alasdair Fraser

& Natalie Haas

Saturday, March 22, 8 p.m.

 Alasdair Fraser’s dynamic talent, engaging stage presence and deep understanding of Scotland’s music have created international demand for his solo appearances and concerts with a variety of ensembles. A major force behind the resurgence of traditional Scottish fiddling in his homeland and the United States, Fraser inspires legions of listeners and learners through his recordings, annual fiddle courses and concerts. For his Opera House show, he will link bows with vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas. $25 all seats.   

Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders

Friday, March, 28, 8 p.m.

New Orleans’premier classic jazz orchestra plays repertoire that includes Creole jazz from the 20s and 30s  when jazz was the “pop” music of the time as well as tunes from Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Their CD “Creole Blues” is one of Offbeat Magazine’s “essential 100 CDs of the 20th Century.” Don Vappie, called the “Jimi Hendrix of the banjo,” frequently plays with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. $35/$30.

Rhythm In Shoes: Banjo Dance: A Celebration of American Spirit

Saturday, April 5, 8 p.m.

Years in the making, Banjo Dance explores the cultural evolution of the Southern Appalachians with old-time music and dance. Company founders and artistic directors  Sharon Leahy and Rick Good weave the cultural elements of Appalachia through storytelling, balladry, fiddling, square dancing, flatfooting, clawhammer banjo, honky-tonk songs and sacred harp singing for a pastiche of American traditions that express the heights and depths of human experience. $35/$30

Asleep at the Wheel

Thursday, April 10, 8 p.m.

With nine Grammy Awards and 30-plus years of Texas-swinging fun, the Wheel is one of the West’s most successful musical acts. The seven-member band under founder Ray Benson brings infectious energy to great hits such as “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie,” “Hot Rod Lincoln” and fan favorite “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.”  An audio remote will be provided for those who want to dance in to the Wheel’s tunes in the Café Theatre. $35 all seats.     

Arlo Guthrie Solo Reunion Tour

Together At Last

Friday, April 11, 8 p.m.

The iconic folk musician and composer returns for a solo evening of seamless musical narrative. Guthrie’s 1967’s satirical anti-war protest saga “Alice’s Restaurant,” inspired an entire generation’s commitment to social activism. Nearly half-a-decade after his first solo concert, Guthrie takes the stage, revisiting solo performance with what he calls “... the songs, the humor, the commitment to keep making the world a better place for everyone.” $45 all seats.

“Cosi Fan Tutti”

Sunday, April, 13, 2 p.m.

Pocket Opera performs Mozart’s opera about two naïve young lovers discover (to their eventual relief) that their adorable sweethearts do not belong on a pedestal. $35/$30.

The Waifs

Thursday, April 17, 8 p.m.

The Australian trio return with songs from their new CD, “sundirtwater.” Sisters Donna and Vikki and guitarist Josh met a remote corner of the Western Australian desert 15 years ago and the result is campfire-crafted songs and independently recorded, gold-selling CDs.  $35/$30.

“Winnie the Pooh”

Saturday, April 26, 2 p.m.

Generations of children have grown up with A.A. Milne’s stories about Christopher Robin and his toy animals. Now, all the heart, wisdom and fun of the classic tales come to life in a musical presentation by Two Beans Productions. $25 adult/$15 children.  

Dave Brubeck with Chris and Daniel Brubeck

Tuesday, April 29, 8 p.m.

Designated a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, Dave Brubeck continues to be at the top of his game well into his 80s.  He became a household name following the success of the gold-selling Time Out recording in 1959 that featured Take Five and Blue Rondo a la Turk, songs that he still plays in his sets today.  Joining Brubeck are sons Chris on bass and trombone and Daniel on drums, as well as Bobby Militello on saxophone. $65 all seat.

“Henry & Mudge”

Saturday, May 3, 2 p.m.

Sometimes it’s tough being a kid, but life is easier — and a lot more fun — when you’ve got an extremely large, slobbery, canine buddy to share your adventures. Follow the exploits of Henry and Mudge in this new musical based on Cynthia Rylant’s best-selling books. Perfect for young audiences ages 4-8. $25 adults/$15 children

Best of the San Francisco Comedy Competition

Saturday, May 3, 8 p.m.

$35 all seats

Popular Bay Area stand-up comedian, newsperson and TV personality Mark Pitta hosts an evening of comedy, sharing the stage with hilarious up and coming Comedy Competition alumni.

“Gilbert & Sullivan, Straight up, with a Twist!”

Saturday, May 10, 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 11, 2 p.m.

Lamplighters Music Theatre presents the story behind one of the greatest partnerships in theater history, told in their own words, with musical highlights from all 13  Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas. Meet Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert, overhear their creative infighting (in their own words) and enjoy a large selection of songs and choruses, both familiar favorites and beauties from infrequently staged productions. $40/$35.

Jay Johnson:

The Two and Only!

Saturday, May 17, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Winner of the 2007 Tony Award for Special Theatrical Event, Jay Johnson has spent his 30-year career creating new fans of ventriloquism with his charm, anarchy and innovative wit. In this show, Johnson makes a multidimensional journey through a parade of characters that range from a subversive monkey to a withering tennis ball. Suitable for audiences 8 years and older. $30 all seats.  

“Don Pasquale”

Sunday, June 8, 2 p.m.

Pocket Opera present Gaetano Donizetti’s story about a wealthy older gentleman’s impending marriage and his wish to disinherit his nephew, much to dismay of the nephew and his lady-love. $35/$30.

“La Boheme”

Saturday, July 12, 2 p.m.

Pocket Opera presents Giacomo Puccini opera that is a series of character sketches giving a vivid picture of student Bohemian life in 19th century Paris. $35/$30. 
1 comment(s)

Make Napa Better wrote on Dec 4, 2007 11:34 AM:

" Is the opera house going to have anything worth seeing? No offense to the people playing there now but I think I'd rather drive to San Fransisco and see things I've heard of, or even like. "

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