The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts calendar of events for the fall months has just been released. All events are subject to change without notice. Free performances are held each evening at 6 p.m. on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009
5 p.m. Terrace Gallery
Theater Look-In:
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
The Kennedy Center
Join company members of August: Osage County for an Explore the Arts-moderated discussion, including an opportunity to ask questions of the artists.
Tickets: $12 ($10 Subscribers/Members)
7:30 p.m. Eisenhower Theater
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
Direct from Broadway, August: Osage County stars Academy
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Award® winner Estelle Parsons as Violet Weston, a pill-popping, deeply unsettled woman caught in the grip of addiction. When Violet's alcoholic husband mysteriously disappears, her extended clan reunites at their rural Oklahoma homestead for a big, juicy family showdown that's as hilarious as it is shocking. Originally created by the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, August: Osage County is a rare theatrical event-a large-scale work filled with unforgettable characters, a powerful tale told with unflinching honesty. Written by Tracy Letts and directed by Anna D. Shapiro. Through December 20. Note: This play contains strong language and mature themes.
Schedule: Tue., Wed. & Fri. at 7:30 p.m.; Wed. 11/25 at 1:30 & 7:30 p.m.;
Thu. at 1:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Thu. 11/26 dark; Sat. at 1:30 & 7:30 p.m.;
Sun 11/29 & 12/13 at 1:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 12/20 at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: Tue, Wed., & Sun. Eves., Wed., Thu., & Sat. Mats.: Box $75; Orch. $67;
Balcony $56, $25
Thu.-Sat. Eves., Sun. Mats.: Box $80; Orch. $72; Balcony $62, $25
8 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington's hilarious whodunit. After more than 9,600 performances, the show has stayed in great shape, keeping all the bounce, body, and shine of opening night. ABC-7 News's Arch Campbell says Shear Madness is "the most fun I ever had at the Kennedy Center."
Schedule: Tues.-Fri. at 8 p.m.; Sat. at 6 & 9 p.m.; Sun. at 3 & 7 p.m.
Tickets: All seats $42, unless noted otherwise
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2009
7:30 p.m. Eisenhower Theater
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
(See December 1)
The Kennedy Center
8 p.m. Concert Hall
SONNY ROLLINS, SAXOPHONE
The "Saxophone Colossus" returns! Dubbed by Downbeat
Washington Performing Arts Society
"The greatest saxophone player since Charlie Parker," Rollins's sinewy, mercurial tenor redefined the term "solo" for sax players everywhere. Iconoclastic, free-spirited, and never one to rest easy, this Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award winner continues to set the bar and inspire generations of jazz musicians. Presented by WPAS.
Tickets: Start at $35. For ticket information and availability, please call (202) 785-9727.
8 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
(See December 1)
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009
1:30 & 7:30 p.m. Eisenhower Theater
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
(See December 1)
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3 & 8 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
(See December 2)
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Tickets: 3 p.m. (all seats $10) & 8 p.m. (all seats $42)
7 p.m. Concert Hall
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Andrew Litton, conductor
Yuja Wang, piano
National Symphony Orchestra
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Suite from The Snow Maiden
HIGDON Piano Concerto (World Premiere-Hechinger Commission)
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 1, ("Winter Daydreams")
Part of Focus on Russia
Schedule: 12/3 at 7 p.m.; 12/4 at 1:30 p.m.; 12/5 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: Box $85; Parterre $59; Orch. $78, $59, $50, $45; 1st Tier $59, $45, $25;
2nd Tier $45, $20
7:30 p.m. Terrace Theater
TRIO SOLISTI
Maria Bachmann, violin
Alexis Pia Gerlach, cello
Jon Kilbonoff, piano
MENDELSSOHN Trio No. 2 in C minor
PIAZZOLLA Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
MORAVEC Passacaglia (2005) World Premiere
MUSSORGSKY Pictures at an Exhibition for Piano Trio (arr. Trio Solisti)
Part of the Fortas Chamber Concerts and Focus on Russia
Tickets: All seats $32
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2009
1:30 p.m. Concert Hall
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
(See December 3)
National Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m. OC Eisenhower Theater
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
(See December 1) This performance is captioned.
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8 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
(See December 2)
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009
11 a.m. and 1:30 & 5 p.m. Family Theater
TEDDY ROOSEVELT AND THE GHOSTLY MISTLETOE
When President Roosevelt refuses to put a Christmas tree in the
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White House, his kids don't plan to obey. In this world premiere, Kennedy Center-commissioned holiday sequel to the 2006 hit Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major, a zany plot of comic haunting unfolds. Inspired by Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, playwright Tom Isbell and political satirist/songwriter Mark Russell re-team to settle the score in a new presidential musical that can't be missed. Through Dec. 30. Age 7 and up.
Schedule: Sat. 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, and 12/26 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 & 5 p.m.; Sun. 12/13, 12/20, & 12/27 at 1:30 & 4 p.m.; Mon. 12/28-Wed. 12/30 at 1:30 & 4 p.m.
Tickets: All seats $18
1:30 & 7:30 p.m. Eisenhower Theater
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
(See December 1)
The Kennedy Center
2 p.m. Terrace Theater
PLAMENA MANGOVA, piano
SCRIABIN Sonata No. 9, Op. 68, ("Messe noire")
Washington Performing Arts Society
SCRIABIN Six études
CHOPIN Nocturne No. 1 in B Major, Op. 62
CHOPIN Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23
RAVEL Pavane pour une infante défunte
RAVEL Alborada del Gracioso
RAVEL La Valse
Presented by WPAS.
Tickets: For ticket information and availability, please call (202) 785-9727.
6 & 9 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
(See December 2)
The Kennedy Center
8 p.m. Concert Hall
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
(See December 3)
National Symphony Orchestra
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2009
2 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
(See December 2)
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7 p.m. Opera House
KENNEDY CENTER HONORS
The 32nd annual Kennedy Center Honors will award five
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performing arts icons for their lifetime contributions to American culture. The 2009 Honorees are writer, composer, actor, director, and producer Mel Brooks; pianist and composer Dave Brubeck; opera singer Grace Melzia Bumbry; actor, director, and producer Robert De Niro; and singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen.
Tickets: Sold Out
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2009
Free performances are held each evening at 6 p.m. on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2009
7:30 p.m. SL Eisenhower Theater
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
(See December 1) This performance is sign interpreted.
The Kennedy Center
7:30 p.m. Terrace Theater
Young Concert Artists Series Presents
RAY CHEN, violin
with NOREEN POLERA, piano
Young Concert Artists
TARTINI Violin Sonata in G minor, "The Devil's Trill"
FRANCK Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano
BACH Solo Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003
SARASATE Introduction and Tarantella
Tickets: All seats $30
8 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
(See December 2)
The Kennedy Center
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2009
7:30 p.m. Opera House
NEW YORK CITY BALLET
New York City Ballet performs two programs of mixed repertory
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with works by Balanchine, Martins, Robbins, and Wheeldon to music played by the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. Program A (Wed., Dec. 9, Thu., Dec. 10, Sat., Dec. 12, & Sun., Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m.): Mozartiana (Tchaikovsky/Balanchine), Dances at a Gathering (Chopin/Robbins), and Stravinsky Violin Concerto (Stravinsky/Balanchine). Program B (Fri., Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 12 & Sun., Dec. 13 at 1:30 p.m.): Concerto Barocco (Bach/Balanchine), Liturgy (Pärt/Wheeldon), Les Gentilhommes (Handel/Martins), and Liebeslieder Walzer (Brahms/Balanchine).
Schedule: 12/9-12/11 at 7:30 p.m.; 12/12 & 12/13 at 1:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Wed., Thu., & Sun. Eves., Sat. Mat.: Box $79; Orch. $69, $59; 1st Tier $59, $54; 2nd Tier $48, $40, $29
Fri. & Sat. Eves., Sun. Mat.: Box $85; Orch. $75, $65; 1st Tier $65, $60; 2nd Tier $48, $40, $29
7:30 p.m. AD Eisenhower Theater
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
(See December 1) This performance is audio described.
The Kennedy Center
Romanian Cultural Institute Presents
Enescu-Brahms: European Encounters
Remus Azoitei, violin
Eduard Stan, piano
In this program, two of Romanian composer George Enescu's violin-piano sonatas, "Torso" and the Third, are beautifully complemented by the Second and Third Sonatas of Johannes Brahms, one of Enescu's greatest influences.
$30, $25, $15
7:30 p.m. Terrace Theater
8 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
(See December 2)
The Kennedy Center
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009
1:30 & 7:30 p.m. Eisenhower Theater
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
(See December 1)
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7 p.m. Concert Hall
NSO POPS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
National Symphony Orchestra
Marvin Hamlisch, conductor
Afro Blue, jazz vocal ensemble
Capture the spirit of the season with cheerful songs and time-honored classics, featuring a visit from Santa Claus and other special guests. The Washington Post has raved about this festive time when the "Concert Hall is festooned with seasonal decorations and young children are watching the proceedings raptly. Infectious rhythms and soaring voices made for the best kind of pops holiday."
More with Marvin: Join Marvin Hamlisch and special guests immediately following the Thu., Dec. 10 concert in the Concert Hall for a free discussion.
Schedule: 12/10 at 7 p.m.; 12/11-12/13 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: Thu., Fri., & Sun. Eves.: Box $80; Parterre $69; Orch. $75, $69; 1st Tier $69, $42, $20; 2nd Tier $42, $20. Sat. Eve.: Box $85; Parterre $69; Orch. $78, $72, $69; 1st Tier $72, $45, $20; 2nd Tier $45, $20
7:30 p.m. Opera House
NEW YORK CITY BALLET
Program A
(See December 9)
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Mozartiana (Tchaikovsky/Balanchine), Dances at a Gathering (Chopin/Robbins), and Stravinsky Violin Concerto (Stravinsky/Balanchine).
7:30 p.m. Terrace Theater
Vocal Arts Society Presents
JAMIE BARTON, mezzo-soprano
with KATHLEEN KELLY, piano
Vocal Arts Society
American mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, whose voice has been hailed as "dark and bright, soft and loud, serene and vivacious," is a winner of the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council awards and a member of the Houston Grand Opera Studio.
Tickets: All seats $45
8 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
(See December 2)
The Kennedy Center
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009
7:30 p.m. Opera House
NEW YORK CITY BALLET
Program B
(See December 9)
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Concerto Barocco (Bach/Balanchine), Liturgy (Pärt/Wheeldon), Les Gentilhommes (Handel/Martins), and Liebeslieder Walzer (Brahms/Balanchine).
7:30 p.m. SL Eisenhower Theater
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
(See December 1) This performance is sign interpreted.
The Kennedy Center
7:30 & 9:30 p.m. Terrace Theater
NPR's A Jazz Piano Christmas
Join the Kennedy Center and National Public Radio when jazz pianists Dr. Billy Taylor, Ramsey Lewis, Patricia Barber, Eldar, and Robert Glasper perform their favorite holiday songs in both solo and (new this year) special duo formats on two pianos. An annual NPR tradition, the concert will be recorded for later broadcast.
Tickets: All seats $42
8 p.m. Concert Hall
NSO POPS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
(See December 10)
National Symphony Orchestra
8 p.m. Theater Lab
SHEAR MADNESS
(See December 2)
The Kennedy Center
Videos