Dance, Music, Comedy, Shakespeare and More Slated for The Alden in McLean's 2016-17 Season

The Alden in McLean's riveting 2016-2017 Professional Artist Series brings many of the sold-out, audience favorites' of past seasons back for an encore. The result is an amazing and diverse offering of some of the best performers in the dance, theatre and music worlds, all conveniently accessible to residents of the DMV. The theatre is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.

According to Performing Arts Director Sarah Schallern, "Whether it was a couple of years or a couple of decades ago, many of this season's artists have performed at The Alden before, and we're honoring our patrons' requests for their return." Of note, Staunton, Virginia's American Shakespeare Center, which performed two shows at The Alden last year, and New York City-based Martha Graham Dance Company, which last graced The Alden stage in 2011.

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The Alden 2016-2017 Season:
Schedule subject to change

Martha Graham Dance Company
Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 p.m.
$50/$35 MCC tax district residents

Described by The Washington Post as "one of the seven wonders of the artistic universe" and by The New York Times as "one of the great companies of the world," the Martha Graham Dance Company returns to The Alden for a night of spectacular, game-changing modern dance.

A talkback with the artists will follow the performance.

"Jazz Masters with John Eaton"
"Frank Loesser: A Most Remarkable Fellow"
Saturday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m.
$12/$5 MCC tax district residents

Jazz pianist, musicologist and humorist John Eaton brings his popular continuing education program to The Alden. "Jazz Masters with John Eaton" is an entertaining and insightful afternoon that combines Eaton's peerless knowledge of the Great American Songbook, hilarious commentary and elegant, ultra-tasteful renditions of Frank Loesser's work, from hits like "Guys and Dolls" and "The Most Happy Fella" to his more obscure works.

Silent Movie with Live Music
"Chicago" (1927)
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.
$12/$8 MCC tax district residents

You've seen the musical, now see it silently! This sassy silent film produced by Cecile B. DeMille (and allegedly secretly directed by him) predates the musical by 50 years. "Chicago" tells the story of the deliciously sinful murderess Roxy Hart and is based on a real-life "crime of the century." Composer Ben Model will improvise a score live as the movie plays, film historIan Bruce Lawton will run the 16mm film.

"John Eaton's Holiday Songbook"
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m.
$35/$20 MCC tax district residents

Jazz pianist and musicologist John Eaton's first-ever holiday concert last year was such a hit that we're bringing it back! Hear your Great American Songbook favorites with a yuletide twist.

The Capitol Steps
Saturday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m.
$50/$35 MCC tax district residents

To recover from this off-the-wall election cycle, remain calm and walk, do not run, to The Alden and shelter-in-place with these master political satirists.

"Brush Up Your Shakespeare"
Thursday, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m.
$5/$3 MCC tax district residents

Experts from the Shakespeare Theatre, American Shakespeare Center and the Folger Shakespeare Library are back to give you a guided tour of the world of Shakespeare in preparation for American Shakespeare Center on Tour's Shakespeare Weekend at The Alden.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Chuck D*
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2 p.m.
$20/$10 MCC tax district residents

Best known as leader and co-founder of the legendary rap group, Public Enemy, Chuck D redefined rap music and hip hop culture with the release of Public Enemy's explosive debut album, "Yo Bum Rush The Show," in 1987. One of Ebony magazine's "Ten Most Influential Black Americans," Rolling Stone's "50 Most Important Performers in Rock & Roll History" and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chuck D is a go-to voice for insight on technology, politics, rap and soul music, and race in America. Few artists have such a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of the intersection of popular culture and politics.

*Speaker subject to change.

American Shakespeare Center on Tour
Shakespeare Weekend at The Alden
Back by popular demand, ASC on Tour brings their fast-paced, super-accessible interpretations of the Bard's best. ASC recreates the theatre experience the way Shakespeare's audiences would have enjoyed it: with the lights on. Audience members are encouraged to sit on stage and, at times, even interact with the performers. Just as in Shakespeare's time, before the show the cast sings and plays contemporary music related to the play, but in ASC's case it's Lady Gaga and Prince.

Shakespeare's "The Two Gentlemen of Verona"
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m.
$35/$25 MCC tax district residents

When long-distance love tangles the heartstrings of the play's title characters, it takes two clever women, a pair of devoted servants and a dog to make things right. Shakespeare tries out some of his most popular ideas for the first time in this early comedy.

Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"
Saturday, Jan. 21, 8 p.m.
$35/$25 MCC tax district residents

With its ravishing language and uproarious comedy, "Romeo and Juliet" celebrates love's triumph and its trivialities. Verona's walls embrace the volatility of youth as well as the wisdom and restraint that often escape young and old alike.

Thornton Wilder's "Our Town"
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2 p.m.
$35/$25 MCC tax district residents

A moving look at life in the small town of Grover's Corners, "Our Town" examines what it means to grow up. Through three acts: "Daily Life," "Love and Marriage" and "Death and Eternity," Thornton Wilder studies the deeply personal yet remarkably universal lives of the Webb and Gibbs families. This poignant American tale explores friendship, love and death, but most importantly, what it truly means to live.

ASC Ticket Package-Purchase tickets to all three plays and a pre-performance seminar, "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," (on Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.) for $88/$60 MCC tax district residents.

"Flamenco 101" with Estela Vélez de Paredez
Saturday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m.
$5/$3 MCC tax district residents

Flamenco educator and artistic director of Furia Flamenca Estela Vélez de Paredez will start off your evening with a lecture on flamenco history and styles, after which she'll conduct a Q&A session that will deepen your understanding of flamenco dance and make your experience watching Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana much richer.

Flamenco Viva Carlota Santana
"Poema de Andalucía"
Saturday, Jan. 28, 8 p.m.
$35/$20 MCC tax district residents

You'll forget all about the winter weather outside when Flamenco Vivo/Carlota Santana heats up The Alden. Flamenco Vivo brings an exciting evening of flamenco to the stage featuring accomplished artists from the U.S. and Spain. Join us before the show for "Flamenco 101."

Hot Club of San Francisco
"Meet Me in Paris"
Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m.
$35/$20 MCC tax district residents The acclaimed Hot Club of San Francisco and the popular French vocalist Isabelle Fontaine bring you "Meet Me in Paris," a charming concert invoking an unforgettable Parisian experience. The guitar-and strings sounds of 1920s and '30s gypsy jazz combine with a French chanteuse to recreate Paris and La Belle Époque right in The Alden!

Aquila Theatre
"The Trojan War: Our Warrior Chorus"
Saturday, Apr. 1, 8 p.m.
$35/$25 veterans and current military $20 MCC tax district residents

Classic myths of ancient Greece and Rome are set against the compelling narratives of modern war. "The Trojan War" incorporates Aquila's distinctive theatrical style of combining superb acting with expert movement, original music, innovative design and groundbreaking direction. Gripping stories of modern war will be woven into the narrative of the ancient myths in a multimedia format that uses live action, film, bold projections, thrilling music and American combat veterans. The Warrior Chorus is a national program that brings together men and women who served in the United States military and trains them to the highest level in the performing arts and humanities.

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Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit: www.aldentheatre.org or call 703-790-0123, TTY: 711. For more information, visit ow.ly/vgrH3038ZFE.

Built in 1975, the 383-seat Robert Ames Alden Theatre, "The Alden," is a cultural resource for the citizens of McLean and the Washington Metropolitan area that presents a full professional season of interdisciplinary and high-quality performances, lectures and educational programs for audiences of all ages. The Alden is ADA-compliant and will make arrangements for accommodations. To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit: www.aldentheatre.org.

The Robert Ames Alden Theatre is a cultural resource for the citizens of McLean that presents high-quality performances, lectures and educational programs for audiences of all ages. The Alden Theatre is ADA-compliant and will make arrangements for accommodations. To request this information in an alternate format, call 711.

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