SKYLARK OPERA FESTIVAL 2014

June 13-22, 2014

E.M. Pearson Theatre

Concordia University

312 N. Hamline Ave., St. Paul

Tickets: $22-45

Box office: 612-343-3390 or www.ticketworks.com

Information: www.skylarkopera.org

Please contact me to arrange interviews, press seats or to request high-res images.

SKYLARK OPERAS ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL FEATURES

KURT WEILL MUSIC AND A BERNSTEIN OPERETTA

On stage in rep June 13-22

(Saint Paul, Minn.; May 1, 2014) For its seventh annual Summer Festival, Skylark Opera presents From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill, directed by Frank Theatres Wendy Knox, and Leonard Bernsteins effervescent operetta Candide, directed by Bob Neu. The productions will be staged in repertory from June 13-22, at the E.M. Pearson Theatre at Concordia University, 312 N. Hamline Ave. in St. Paul.

From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill opens the 2014 Festival on Friday, June 13 at 8:00pm. Fresh from directing the Kurt Weill-Bertolt Brecht masterpiece, The Threepenny Opera, for Frank Theatre, Wendy Knox brings her attention to this joyous, powerful and moving celebration of Kurt Weill, one of the most extraordinary composers of the 20th century.

Christina Baldwin, Dieter Bierbrauer, Vicki Fingalson and Bradley Greenwald star in this remarkable musical journey, which offers a rare opportunity to catch a considerable amount of the innovative composers more popular music in a single evening. The New York Times declared, Berlin to Broadway is overflowing with some of the greatest theater music ever written.

This revue, with musical direction by Sonja Thompson, artfully mixes cabaret and commentary to tell Weill's story from his rise to fame in Germany to his success on Broadway. "Mack the Knife" and "September Song" headline the fantastic selection of more than 30 timeless tunes.

Skylark favorite Bob Neu returns to direct Candide, Leonard Bernsteins outrageous musical satire with something for everyone - comedy, action and romance. In this version of the Voltaire novel of the same name, the hero the naïve Candide sets off on a worldwide search for his sweetheart and is plagued by absurd hardships that challenge his optimistic outlook.

Peter Middlecamp stars as Candide and is joined by Twin Cities notables Gary Briggle (Voltaire), Kathleen Humphrey (Old Lady), Jennifer Maren (Paquette), Jennifer Baldwin Peden (Cunegonde) and Andrew Wannigmann (Maximilian).

Considered Bernsteins richest musical theater work, Candide, conducted by Skylark Artistic Director Steve Stucki, features some of the most memorable music ever written for Broadway including "Glitter and Be Gay" and "Make Our Garden Grow."

Tickets are available at www.ticketworks.com or by phone at 612-343-3390. A festival package for both productions is $78 for adults and $40 for students, and single tickets are $45 for adults and $22 for students with discounts available for seniors, children, and groups, and a limited number of front-row seats for $29. There is a free preview talk 45 minutes before each performance.

CALENDAR INFORMATION

Friday, June 13 @ 7:30pm From Berlin to Broadway With Kurt Weill

Saturday, June 14 @ 7:30pm Candide

Sunday, June 15 @ 3pm From Berlin to Broadway With Kurt Weill

Wednesday, June 18 @ 7:30pm Candide

Thursday, June 19 @ 7:30pm From Berlin to Broadway With Kurt Weill

Friday, June 20 @ 7:30pm Candide

Saturday, June 21 @ 7:30pm From Berlin to Broadway With Kurt Weill

Sunday, June 17 @ 3pm Candide

FROM BERLIN TO BROADWAY WITH KURT WEILL: A musical voyage

Music by Kurt Weill with text by Gene Lerner

Directed by Wendy Knox

Musical direction by Sonja Thompson

Friday June 13 @ 7:30pm

Sunday June 15 @ 3:00 pm

Thursday June 19 @ 7:30pm

Saturday June 21 @ 7:30 pm

A joyous, powerful and moving celebration of Kurt Weill, one of the most extraordinary composers of the 20th century. This revue artfully mixes cabaret and commentary to tell Weill's story from his rise to fame in Germany with The Threepenny Opera to his success on Broadway. "Mack the Knife" and "September Song" headline the fantastic selection of timeless hits.

~ Starring Christina Baldwin, Dieter Bierbrauer, Vicki Fingalson and Bradley Greenwald

CANDIDE

by Leonard Bernstein

Directed by Bob Neu

Conducted by Steve Stucki

Saturday June 14 @ 7:30pm

Wednesday June 18 @ 7:30pm

Friday June 20 @ 7:30 p.m.

Sunday June 22 @ 3:00 p.m.

An outrageous musical satire with something for everyone - comedy, action and romance. Our hero, the naïve Candide, sets off on a worldwide search for his sweetheart and is plagued by absurd hardships that challenge his optimistic outlook. Features some of the most memorable music ever written for Broadway including "Glitter and Be Gay" and "Make Our Garden Grow."

~ Starring Gary Briggle, Kathleen Humphrey, Jennifer Maren, Peter Middlecamp, Jennifer Baldwin Peden and Andrew Wannigmann.

About Skylark Opera

Skylark Opera is celebrating its 35th year offering high-artistic quality professional operetta, light opera and musical theater. All productions are in English. Skylark also performs free public concerts and offers educational programs introducing middle and high school students to the wonderful art of opera.

Skylark Operas Summer Festival 2014 is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.