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The Alden in McLean Sets Winter-Spring Season
By: Tyler Peterson Dec. 21, 2015
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Peggy Wallace Kennedy, Daughter of George Wallace
"A Walk to Redemption"
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2 p.m.
$20/$10 MCC district residents
The daughter of infamous segregationist Governor George Wallace, Peggy Wallace Kennedy now stands apart from her past as one of America's most important voices for peace and reconciliation. From her childhood years of living behind the gates of the Alabama Governor's mansion to her present-day work as a civil rights activist, Kennedy's personal journey to redemption captures the hearts of those that hear her voice and reminds us that none of us can be responsible for the circumstances of our birth, but all of us will be held accountable for who we will become.
Comedy and Dance
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Thursday, Apr. 7, 7:30 p.m.
$50/$40 MCC district residents
The world's premier all-male comedy ballet company! Founded by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form and en travesti, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo first performed in the late-late shows in Off-Off Broadway lofts. Within a year, their loving knowledge of dance and comic approach was being noted beyond New York. Since those beginnings, the Trocks have established themselves as a major dance phenomenon throughout the world. The Trocks will delight and amuse everyone in the audience, from the most knowledgeable to the novices.
Theatre
American Shakespeare Center on Tour's Shakespeare Weekend at The Alden
www.americanshakespearecenter.com
Back by popular demand, ASC on Tour brings their fast-paced, super-accessible interpretations of the Bard's best. Come early! The cast sings and plays contemporary music related to the play 30 minutes before each show. Buy tickets to all three plays for $88/$50 MCC district residents.
"Julius Caesar"
Friday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m.; Live music starts at 7:30 p.m.
$35/$20 MCC district residents
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
Saturday, Jan. 23, 2 p.m.; Live music starts at 1:30 p.m.
$35/$20 MCC district residents
"The Life of King Henry V"
Saturday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m.; Live music starts at 7:30 p.m.
$35/$20 MCC district residents
New York Neo-Futurists
"Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind" (T.M.L.M.T.B.G.B.)
Saturday, April 16, 8 p.m.
$25/$15 MCC district residents
With its ever-changing "menu" of plays, "Too Much Light..." is an attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes. The Neos aim to create an unreproducible, living experience of the comic and tragic, the political and personal, the visceral and experimental. From silly to surreal, tender to titillating, "T.M.L.M.T.B.G.B." is theatre for people who want to be part of the action, love a rush of adrenaline, take a little of everything from the buffet and are, well... a little strange. Do you dare to be Neo?
Speakers and Education
Insider Knowledge: Brush Up Your Shakespeare
Thursday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m.
$5/$3 MCC district residents
Experts from the Shakespeare Theatre and American Shakespeare Center 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. #ShakespeareHacked
Jazz Masters with John Eaton: "Indiana on My Mind"
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 jazz standards, both popular and obscure. Each seminar this spring covers a great composer from Indiana.
Saturday, Apr. 30, 1 p.m.
$12/$5 MCC district residents
Saturday, June 25, 1 p.m.
$12/$5 MCC district residents
"Gut Churn" from Radiolab's Jad Abumrad
Saturday, June 11, 8 p.m.
$30/$15 MCC district residents
What does it mean to "innovate?" This was a question Radiolab host Jad Abumrad was frequently asked after being awarded a MacArthur "Genius Grant" in 2011. This multimedia exploration, on one level, is the personal story of how Jad invented a new aesthetic. On another, it is a clinic in the art of storytelling. On a third and more profound level, it is the result of a three-year investigation into the science, philosophy and art of uncertainty, which all began with the two words that are the title of this talk. Gut Churn.
Kids and Families
"A Wrinkle in Time"
www.bartertheatre.com/barter-players.php
Saturday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m.
$15/$10 MCC district residents
For ages 7+. On a dark and stormy night, the eccentric Mrs. Whatsit arrives at the home of Meg Murray, a tomboy who doesn't fit in at her high school. Aided by Mrs. Whatsit, Meg and her brother are transported through time and space on a mission to rescue their missing father from the frightening forces that hold him prisoner on another planet. John Glore's delightful and wildly theatrical adaptation of this brings this acclaimed, Newbery Medal-winning story magically to life.
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's
"Goodnight Moon" and "Runaway Bunny"
Saturday, Apr. 23, 2 p.m.
$15/$10 MCC district residents
For ages 4+. "Goodnight Moon" is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while "The Runaway Bunny" is a pretend tale of leaving home that evokes reassuring responses from a loving mum. Both tales feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young audiences with a reassuring sense of security. Mermaid's staged adaptation will bring a new sense of appreciation to stories that have delighted several generations.
ArtsPower's
"Chicken Dance"
Saturday, May 14, 2 p.m.
$15/$10 MCC district residents
For ages 4+. ArtsPower's newest musical portrays the colorful story of Marge and Lola, two chickens on a mission to win the barnyard talent contest first prize of two tickets to see the great Elvis Poultry in concert! But first, they must present a performance that will score higher than a flock of very talented ducks who seem to have the contest locked up. Can Marge and Lola face their challengers, against all odds, and win the talent contest?
"Gustafer Yellowgold's Show"
Sunday, June 12, 2 p.m.
$15/$10 MCC district residents
For ages 4+. Gustafer Yellowgold is a friendly fellow who came from the Sun and landed in the Minnesota woods. "Gustafer Yellowgold's Show" is a multi-media performance of live music, animated illustrations and storytelling. The Yellowgold album, "Dark Pie Concerns," has been nominated for a 2016 Grammy award for Best Children's Album.
Puppet Festival
Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
$15/$10 MCC district residents
Advance registration required. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
For ages 4+. The festival consists of two, 45-minute shows along with puppet-making stations. Jim West Puppets will perform "Aesop's Fables" at 10:30 a.m., followed by Crabgrass Puppets with "African Adventure Tales" at 11:30 a.m. Puppet-making booths will be open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The booths are self-guided so parents can create puppets with their children.
Magic
The Magic of Bill Blagg Live!
Saturday, June 18, 8 p.m.
$20/$15 MCC district residents
Critics and audiences alike rave about his incredible high-energy, grand-scale magic and illusion that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. Called "simply amazing" by The Chicago Tribune, Blagg's show is packed with new mind-blowing illusions and his trademark off-the-cuff personality that make this show a great family event. Audience volunteers will levitate in mid-air, others will vanish in the blink of an eye and so much more!
Movies
Classics of the Silent Screen
Silent movies with live musical accompaniment
Hosted by Bruce Lawton, film historian, and Ben Model, composer
Mary Pickford's "Sparrows" (1926)
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m.
$12/$8 MCC district residents
Produced by and starring Mary Pickford, this mature silent film has been described as "Dickensian" and "equal parts Gothic thriller and sentimental melodrama." The former Pollyanna Pickford grows up into the savior of children in a bayou "baby farm," complete with an escape scene through an alligator-infested swamp. Get an exclusive look at Lawton's special DVD edition while enjoying Model's amazing, totally improvised score.
Buster Keaton's "The Cameraman" (1928)
Tuesday, June 7, 7:30 p.m.
$12/$8 MCC district residents
How can you go wrong with the comedy genius of Buster Keaton? Keaton gets himself into ridiculous situations in an attempt to win over a girl, and his hijinks are so timeless that "The Cameraman" has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 100 percent. Bruce will show THE 16mm print that was used by Warner Brothers to complete the film restoration for their 35mm master.
Music
U.S. Navy Commodores
www.navyband.navy.mil/commodores.shtml
Saturday, Apr. 2, 8 p.m.
Free. Reservations are not required.
Jazz is America's music, and the U.S. Navy Band Commodores, the Navy's premier jazz ensemble, have been performing the very best of big band jazz for the Navy and the nation for more than 40 years. Celebrate National Jazz Month with this free, swinging concert from some of the nation's best jazz musicians.
Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit: www.aldentheatre.org or call 703-790-0123, TTY: 711.
About the Alden
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.
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