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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center
Arts in the Community PAGE 4
Inside:
New Season Announced! Shrek an Ogre-whelming Success
iMPACt A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center summer 2018
Exciting Member Updates MayoArts.org | summer 2018 1
Great entertainment is “closer than you think.” Closer Than You Think is the theme of MPAC’s new branding campaign being launched this summer designed to raise awareness that you can get everything you want from a performing arts center — great shows, arts education, visual arts and more — right here in Morristown, right here at MPAC, a non-profit arts organization. We’ll have more information on Closer Than You Think in our next issue, but right now, summer is closer than you think and that means there’s plenty of great concerts and free community events on tap over the next few months. Free movies, outdoor concerts and more are all part of our Arts in the Community initiative — read more about it on pp 4-5. Enjoy the summer and we hope to see you here often!
Spring highlights
National Geographic Live! Photographer and Environmentalist Cristina Mittermeier spoke to school groups and the public as part of MPAC’s annual Earth Day speaker series sponsored by BASF.
Music Students of the Month meet with The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation’s Ed and Linda Wacks prior to the annual MSOM recital. The Gorham Foundation sponsored the MSOM program in 2017–18.
Miracle Project Receives Award MPAC received the Morris County Chamber of Commerce Award for Most Innovative Non-Profit Program for The Miracle Project. Over two dozen children participated in Miracle Project classes this spring.
MPAC Rocks! MPAC’s stage has been abuzz with great concerts all Spring, including Pretenders, David Foster, The Boston Pops, Daughtry, Rob Lowe and Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul (pictured above).
OUR MISSION: Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit performing arts organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey.
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Seen and heard around MPAC this spring!
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Going Green
Shrek the Musical proves to be an “Ogre-whelming” success
Featuring a cast of over 50 performers
ranging from ages 7 to the 20s, an Equity guest artist, a full orchestra of over 15 musicians and one 40-foot-long dragon, MPAC’s sixth annual spring production, Shrek the Musical, proved to be a smash that was both hilarious and heartwarming. Over 4,000 people attended the four performances held June 1–3. Cathy Roy, MPAC’s Education Director and Director of Shrek said that she didn’t have to read much past one of the opening lines of the musical, which states people hate the things they cannot understand, to know that this musical was timely for what’s going on in today’s world. “We aim to find the perfect blend of education, entertainment and a strong message to resonate through our cast and have an impact on our audiences,” Roy said. “It seemed to me that this was the year where we need to make people laugh a little louder, feel a little deeper and think a little harder about acceptance, friendship, tolerance, love and kindness.”
MPAC thanks this year’s sponsors, including Kennedys CMK, Crum & Forster, Wendy Aresty, Joe and Jeanne Goryeb, Mary Jane Robertson and Jock Clark, Jeff and Karen Kirby, Nancy and Howard Moseson, Private Advisor Group, RBC Wealth Management (Charles Meizoso, Jr. and Brian Keating), Normandy Real Estate Partners and David and Lisa Welsh. Enjoy a selection of behind the scenes and performance images from Shrek.
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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center
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MPAC Brings Free Summer Fun Around Town! MPAC’s Arts in the Community Takes Shows Beyond the Stage Imagine salsa dancing under the stars…or joining in on a poetry slam…or bringing your family out for a free movie…or taking a break from your work day to enjoy a reggae band. Free events such as these are part of MPAC’s exciting new initiative entitled “Arts in the Community.”
Arts in the Community brings free concerts, movies and more beyond the walls of the Theatre and out into our neighborhood in Morristown. Throughout this summer, MPAC will present free events at a variety of venues beyond our main stage, including the 70 South Gallery, The Morristown Green and the Vail Lawn. Over 20 events have been scheduled. Arts in the Community is based on the best practices of Creative Placemaking, an evolving field that leverages the power of the arts, culture and creativity to serve a annelyse agostino & scott jung
community’s interest, while driving a broader agenda for change, growth and transformation in a way that builds character and quality of place. “With our Arts in the Community program, we expand our commitment to providing creative arts programming to spaces outside of the Theater,” said Kadie Dempsey, MPAC’s Community Engagement Director. “We strive to be inclusive and to provide opportunities for local and emerging artists to perform and express themselves.” Each venue will have a particular vibe. The Morristown Green is home to MPAC’s and Morris Arts’ annual world music lunchtime concert series Music Beyond Borders. 70 South Gallery will be an arts incubator, and host edgier events targeted toward millennials such as poetry slams, documentaries and
music. The Vail Lawn will provide evening music from diverse artists for diverse audiences. With this program, MPAC hopes to encourage the development of community arts, foster growth of local artists, provide community arts activities for people to enjoy, promote the inclusion of all members of our community and make arts experiences available to everyone. “Our aim is to serve as the central hub and platform in the Morristown area for local artists, residents and visitors to celebrate the arts in our diverse community,” Dempsey added. Additional events will be added. See MayoArts.org for details. Advance ticketing is only required for free movies and the free August 24 concert. sane insane
70 South Gallery
6/6 Chris Rockwell & Friends 6/20 Sane Insane & Spoken Word 7/11 Mama D and Vexations/ Annelyse Agostino & Scott Jung 7/25 Documentary Filmmaker Christian Schuller 8/8 Broadway Unbound 8/23 Frontline Arts — Arts by Veterans All events at 7:30 pm
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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center
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Music Under the Stars at Vail
6/21 Brynn Stanley 7/24 Carlos Pavan 8/14 Salsa Under the Stars with Newark Arts High Latin Band All events at 7:30 pm
carlos pavan
brynn stanley
balam dance theatre
Music Beyond Borders at Morristown Green 6/26 7/10 7/24 8/7
tavche gravche
Random Test Reggae Balam Dance Theatre Eco Del Sur Tavche Gravche
All events at 12:30 pm. Co-produced by Morris Arts.
random test reggae
Free Movies & Concerts at MPAC
7/26 Movie: The Greatest Showman (10:30 am & 7:30 pm) 8/13 Movie: Sing! (10:30 am) Sensory Friendly 8/13 Movie: Ghostbusters (7:30 pm) 8/22 Movie: Coco (10:30 am & 7:30 pm) 8/24 Concert: Project Grand Slam (7:30pm)
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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center
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Member News and Notes Thank You to Our Members!
A special “thank you” to our 1,475 members for their support throughout this year. Membership dollars make up 36% of our contributed income. Member support is essential in helping MPAC develop important education programs such as The Miracle Project and more that make the arts accessible to everyone. Member Presales Made Simple Purchasing tickets during Member presales just got a whole lot easier! Gone are the days of waiting, remembering and then typing in special promo codes for events going on sale that particular week. Member presale codes are now embedded into your account. That means all you need to do is log into your existing account and you will have automatic access to added performances during your selected pre-sale period. Getting to your account is easier than ever. Just click the “My Account” tab on the top right of our website and it will bring you to your account. You just need to enter your user name and password. In My Account, you can also check to see what shows you have tickets for, update account information and more!
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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center
MayoArts.org
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The Provident Bank Foundation
Your Donation Matters World-Class Arts Education is closer than you think...in Morristown, at MPAC. And speaking of close...MPAC is close to reaching our year-end Fundraising Goal. Your donations make our programs possible.
awarded MPAC with a grant of $15,000 to support our 2018-2019 Miracle Project program. “We are always looking for partners whose work makes a measurable impact in our community and The Miracle Project is a wonderful example of this,” said Jane Kurek, Executive Director, The Provident Bank Foundation. The 20182019 program will consist of five Fall 2018 and five Spring 2019 classes, serving varying ages and independence levels, including the addition of an “Improv for Interaction” class for young adults.
Please consider donating to help us reach our year-end fundraising goal of $10,000 by June 30th. Your gift will support MPAC’s incredible arts education and outreach programs — including our onsite Performing Arts School — that serve over 40,000 students each year. For this special campaign, donations of $150 and higher will automatically make you an MPAC Member, giving you access to purchasing tickets prior to the general public and more! Click here to learn more about the benefits of MPAC Membership. PLUS, we’ve improved our donation link to help you contribute to MPAC quicker and easier than ever before. No login needed. Give it a try! On behalf of all of us at MPAC, especially the children we serve, thank you.
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The Mayo Performing Arts Center ’s 20th Annual Starlight Ball
C a s i n o Roy a l e Honoring Joseph M. Goryeb Chairman of the Board, MPAC
Starlight Award Donate Now
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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center
Friday, November 16, 2018 The Park Savoy Estate Florham Park, NJ
MayoArts.org
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18-19 Season Offers The Best in the Arts!
MPAC’s 2018-2019 season promises to be one full of amazing concerts, musicals, family events, dance and even Vicki Lawrence’s Mama. Season 24 officially kicks off on Friday, September 14 with a performance by music and TV star Vanessa Williams. Williams is best known best for her hits “Save the Best for Last” and “Colors of the Wind,” as well as from recurring roles on such TV shows as Ugly Betty, Daytime Divas and The Good Wife.
Vanessa Williams is just one of over 140 events scheduled to date for this season. “Our season represents the best in the performing arts,” said Allison Larena, President and CEO, MPAC. “We truly have something for everyone — great events for perfect nights out with friends and family.” Among the artists new to MPAC this season are Culture Club, The Piano
Guys, Celtic Woman and Linda Ronstadt, who won’t sing but rather talk about her storied career.
“Each year presents a challenge to top what we did the year before,” Larena says. “The 18-19 schedule is reflective of a mix of returning favorites, MPAC firsttimers, stunning touring Broadway productions, fun family events and innovative artists. No matter what is on our stage, trust that the performance will be of quality.” MPAC’s Theatre series is highlighted by the touring productions of The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Elf the Musical, Spamalot, Steel Magnolias and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Returning favorites include Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, Paul Anka, Donny and Marie, The Temptations and The Four Tops and Lyle Lovett.
Family shows include The Very Hungry Caterpillar, American Girl Live and live version of the popular PBS Kids show Peg + Cat. And New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker returns for 14 performances with music by New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Don’t be afraid to try out more culturally innovative events, such as Enchanted India, the Havana Cuba All-Stars, Black Violin and Currents by Mayumana, a mix of Blue Man Group and Stomp. Additional events will be added throughout the season. Most events are currently on sale. Purchase five or more events at the same time and save on per ticket charges with a one-time $15 processing fee. Patrons who accumulate five or more purchases during a season (July 1-June 30) qualify for presales and exchange privileges. See the schedule at MayoArts.Org. Click here to see a sizzle reel of the season.
the sound of music
linda Ronstadt
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iMPACt
A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center
MayoArts.org
| summer 2018
July
7/10 Dick Fox’s Golden Boys 7/12 Andrew Dice Clay: Live in Concert 7/16 Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers 7/17 The Mavericks 7/18 Yanni 7/19 Brian Wilson: Pet Sounds: The Final Performances 7/20 Adam Ant: The Anthems Tour 7/22 Human Nature: Jukebox 7/31 Boy George and Culture Club
August
8/2 Peter Cetera 8/3 Dion 8/7 An Evening with Lyle Lovett and His Large Band 8/8 Get the Led Out 8/9 The Piano Guys 8/17 American Idol: Live! 2018 8/25 Wayne Brady
September
9/6 The Robert Cray Band 9/14 Opening Night! An Evening with Vanessa Williams 9/20 Celtic Thunder X 9/21 Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish’s Rascals
9/27 Enchanted India! DHOAD Gypsies of Rajasthan 9/28 An Evening with Pat Metheny 9/29 Bobby Collins
October
10/4 A nka Sings Sinatra — His Songs, My Songs, My Way 10/5 Melissa Etheridge 10/9 The Greatest Love of All — The Whitney Houston Show 10/10 Diana Krall 10/11 The Price is Right Live! 10/13 Three Dog Night 10/17 The Tenors 10/20 The Music of Cream 10/24 Gaelic Storm 10/25 Friends! The Musical Parody 10/26 An Intimate Evening with Kristin Chenoweth 10/27 The Temptations and The Four Tops 10/28 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
November 11/2-3 11/6 11/7 11/8 11/9 11/11
The Wizard of Oz The Wood Brothers Boz Scaggs Dr. Drew Pinsky Howie Mandel Hanover Wind Symphony Veterans Day Concert
ballet folklórico de mexico
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vicki lawrence & maMa
A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center
vanessa williams
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| summer 2018
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11/14 Puddles Pity Party 11/15 Toto 11/17 Ballet Folklórico de Mexico 11/18 Elf the Musical 11/23 Manhattan Comedy Night 11/24 The Wizards of Winter 11/25 A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage 11/26 Canadian Brass Holiday Concert 11/28 Celtic Woman: The Best of Christmas Tour
98°
December
12/2 Monty Python’s Spamalot 12/3 Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2018 12/4 Craig Ferguson 12/5 Biscuit 12/6 Donny & Marie Holiday Show 12/7 98°: 98° at Christmas 12/14-27 New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
January
1/4 Manhattan Comedy Night 1/6 Sing Along Grease 1/11 The Capitol Steps 1/13 Pinkalicious 1/19 American Girl Live 1/25 Tusk & Eaglemania 1/26 The Magic of Adam Trent
February
2/1 ASERE! A Fiesta Cubana with the Havana Cuba All-Stars 2/2 Legends in Concert: Neil Diamond, Cher, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers 2/3 Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix 2/8-9 Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella 2/13 Love Letters— Starring Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker 2/14 The Aluminum Show 2/17 Shanghai Opera Symphony Orchestra 2/21 The Reduced Shakespeare Company presents “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]” 2/28 Rain — A Tribute to the Beatles
March
3/2 Currents by Mayumana 3/3 Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could (Relaxed Performance) 3/7 Scharoun Ensemble Berlin 3/8 Steel Magnolias 3/10 National Dance Company of Ireland: Rhythm of the Dance
Additional events to be added. Shows and dates subject to change. Mayumana
bernadette peters
3/14 Kodo 3/16 Songs of Ireland — A Celtic Celebration 3/29 Manhattan Comedy Night
April
4/3 Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show 4/4 Russian National Ballet Theatre: Giselle 4/7 Peg+Cat 4/10 The World of Musicals 4/15 Dragons Love Tacos and Other Stories (Relaxed Performance) 4/18 Michael Feinstein with very special guest Storm Large 4/19 The Romeros 4/20 The Hit Men — Legendary Rock Supergroup 4/25 Pilobolus 4/26-27 The Sound of Music
May
5/2 A Conversation with Linda Ronstadt 5/3 New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: The Mikado 5/4-5 NJ Ballet 5/6 Charlotte’s Web 5/9 The Gong Show Off Broadway 5/11 Bernadette Peters 5/16 Black Violin 5/17 Battle of the Big Bands: The Glenn Miller Orchestra vs. The Cab Calloway Orchestra
June
6/7 Manhattan Comedy Night 6/13 Steve Solomon’s My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m in Therapy
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iMPACt
A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center
MayoArts.org
| summer 2018