Center for the Arts 2024-25 Subscription Brochure

season A Mason Arts Venue

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GREAT PERFORMANCES AT MASON

Joyful and Deep Collaborations It’s our joy to share with you the 2024–25 season at the Center for the Arts, brimming with inspiring artistic collaborations.

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra joins forces with pianist and MacArthur Genius Jeremy Denk, and the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra returns with inimitable saxophonist Branford Marsalis.

We’re also proud to present the world premiere of Virginia Opera’s Loving v. Virginia, based on the landmark Supreme Court case.

We continue our multi-year residency with Silkroad Ensemble, immersing the GRAMMY Award-winning group in Mason’s classrooms and the surrounding community. The season also features residencies with Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s largest Latino cultural organization, and the electrifying West Coast Hip Hop troupe Versa-Style Street Dance Company.

The season boasts the Tony Award-winning The Acting Company’s Two Trains Running, from August Wilson’s Pittsburgh cycle; Cirque Mechanics’ innovative Pedal Punk and its daring aerialists and acrobats; plus the return of Mark Morris Dance Group and the MMDG Music Ensemble.

Eclectic holiday offerings range from Canadian Brass to the Squirrel Nut Zippers, and our popular Family Series features the Laurie Berkner Band, “queen of kid’s music” (People); Enchantment Theatre Company’s My Father’s Dragon, based on the beloved children’s stories; and Theater Terra’s hair-raisingly exciting production of Rapunzel the Musical.

RHYTHM INDIA

With highlights such as these—and so much more—we look forward to experiencing this inspiring season with you.

Adrienne Bryant Godwin Director of Programming

ON THE COVER (L TO R): LEA SALONGA, MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP, BRANFORD MARSALIS

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A Mason Arts Venue

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE 15%!

VERSA-STYLE STREET DANCE COMPANY

Subscriber Benefits Include: SIMPLY CHOOSE 3 OR MORE PERFORMANCES

• Prime Seats • Discounts All Season Long • Savings on Tickets and Fees

KODO

• No-Fee Ticket Exchanges

Flexibility That Counts Subscribers can always exchange into another season performance without fees. If a performance is canceled or rescheduled, you will get your choice of account credit towards future tickets or a refund.

LAURIE BERKNER BAND

Learn more about Subscriber Benefits on page 18.

Individual Tickets Tickets for individual 2024–25 performances go on sale August 1.

FAIRFAX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Youth Discount: Half-Price Tickets Youth through Grade 12 qualify for half-price tickets for any Great Performances at Mason event.

Performances for All Ages Events that are appropriate for audience members of all ages, including children, are identified by this symbol. ALL

Accessibility We are committed to ensuring performances are accessible to all patrons. Learn more about our accommodations on page 17.

PPD = pre-performance discussion

PPD = post-performance discussion

Table of Contents Special Event: An Evening with Lea Salonga. . . . . . . . . . 4 Great Performances at Mason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Family Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Mason Artists-in-Residence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 College of Visual and Performing Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Become a Friend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Plan Your Visit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Seating Chart & Accessibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Subscriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Special Event

ARTS BY GEORGE! AN EVENING WITH

LEA SALONGA Saturday, September 28 at 8:30 p.m.

“In the book of musical theater, she deserves her own chapter” —San Diego Union-Tribune

Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga headlines the 2024 ARTS by George! benefit concert, performing songs she has made famous throughout her extraordinary four-decade career. Born in the Philippines, Salonga originated the lead role of Kim in the West End and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon and was the first Asian cast member to perform the role of Eponine in Les Misérables on Broadway. Recognized by fans of all ages as the singing voice for two animated Disney princesses—Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan— Salonga will bring you to a “A Whole New World” in this highly anticipated concert performance.

ALL $100, $75, $50 An Evening with Lea Salonga is part of the annual ARTS by George! benefit, supporting College of Visual and Performing Arts student scholarships, the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Benefit tickets also include a variety of student showcases, a buffet dinner, and a post-show champagne reception onstage with the artist. Learn more about the benefit and purchase tickets at artsbygeorge.gmu.edu.

Tickets to ARTS by George! and An Evening with Lea Salonga are not available as part of a subscription package or at a discount. Tickets for this performance go on sale August 1. Prior to August 1, subscribers may purchase tickets as a special event add-on.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

4 | CENTER FOR THE ARTS | 2024–25 SEASON

MASON ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

BALLET HISPÁNICO Recognized as one of America’s cultural treasures, Ballet Hispánico celebrates the multifaceted Hispanic diasporas through vibrant dance in this Hispanic Heritage Month performance. Founded by dance luminary and National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez in 1970, the company works to uplift the intersection of Hispanic cultures, innovatively breaking down boundaries and stereotypes. “Everything about Ballet Hispánico is smashingly theatrical—from the stunning individuality and flamboyant, expressive style of its dancers to its use of sets, lighting, costumes and sound” (Chicago Sun-Times). This program features Sombrerísimo by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Buscando a Juan by Eduardo Vilaro, and Club Havana by Pedro Ruiz. As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, the company will engage the community and Mason students through a variety of events, classes, and discussions during the week surrounding their performance. PPD ALL $55, $47, $33

Saturday, October 5 at 8 p.m.

Great Performances at Mason

FAIRFAX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP and Music Ensemble Welcome back the Mark Morris Dance Group for a radiant program of must-see dance, accompanied by live music by the MMDG Music Ensemble. Over the years, choreographer Mark Morris has created more than 150 dance works that have earned him the title of “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (New York Times). This program features audience favorites and rare gems, including Pacific (1995), “a beautiful, contemplative piece” (Dancetabs), set to music of Lou Harrison; Going Away Party (1990), which Critical Dance dubbed "thoroughly enjoyable, a little risqué and laugh-out-loud funny at times;” Rock of Ages (2004), set to music by Franz Schubert; and Castor and Pollux (1980), which the New York Times called “breathtaking” and “ferocious, raw yet precise and in possession of an unquenchable wildness.” PPD ALL $60, $51, $36

Saturday, October 19 at 2 and 8 p.m.

with

JEREMY DENK Christopher Zimmerman, conductor

ARTURO SANDOVAL One of the most brilliant and renowned musicians of our time, 10-time GRAMMY Award winner Arturo Sandoval is an acknowledged virtuoso of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, and is just as dynamic and vivacious on the piano, timbales, vocals, and keyboard. He delights in presenting a diverse, exhilarating show featuring Afro-Cuban jazz, bebop, straight ahead jazz, and more. Having been seen by millions performing live at the Oscars, the GRAMMYs, the White House, and the industry’s most esteemed performing arts centers and festivals, Sandoval has also received six Billboard Awards, an Emmy, the Hispanic Heritage Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama. He was recently honored with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. PPD ALL $50, $43, $30$XX, $XX

Jeremy Denk, one of America’s foremost pianists, returns to the Center for the Arts for a special performance co-presented by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) and Great Performances at Mason. The winner of a MacArthur Genius Fellowship Grant and the Avery Fisher Prize, Denk was recently elected to the American Academy of Art and Sciences, and according to the New York Times, “... is a pianist you want to hear no matter what he performs.” Denk joins the esteemed FSO for Beethoven’s poetic Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58, in a program that also includes the regional premiere of Quinn Mason’s She Dreams of Flying and Rachmaninoff’s last work, Symphonic Dances. Under the direction of Christopher Zimmerman, the FSO is one of the premier regional orchestras in the country and “a serious force to be reckoned with” (Washington Post). PPD $65, $55, $40

Saturday, November 23 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, November 10 at 7 p.m.

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Great Performances at Mason

TAKE 6 The most awarded a cappella group in history, Take 6, brings its superlative vocal genius to the Center for a gospel-infused holiday concert. Take 6 has captivated audiences for more than three decades, earning 10 GRAMMY Awards, 10 Dove Awards, 2 NAACP Image Awards, a Soul Train Award, and more. Heralded by Quincy Jones as the “Baddest vocal cats on the planet,” experience vocal artistry with their silky-smooth program that slips and slides from jazz to pop to R&B, doo-wop, and blues. “The impeccable vocal harmony of Take 6 is a magic fairy dust that renews every song it touches” (Keyboard).

PPD ALL $55, $47, $33

Sunday, December 1 at 2 p.m.

CANADIAN BRASS Making Spirits Bright “With their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humor” (Washington Post), Canadian Brass kicks off the holiday season with a program of original arrangements and signature takes on beloved classics such as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Christmas Time is Here,” “Silver Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and songs of Hanukkah. These joyous musicians have performed across the globe, recorded more than 130 albums, and created their own musical world by transcribing, arranging, and commissioning more than 600 works. “Nothing proclaims celebration and festivity like the sound of brass instruments. And if those instruments are played by Canadian Brass, there is even greater cause for celebration” (Toronto Star).

PPD

ALL

$60, $51, $36

Saturday, November 30 at 8 p.m.

6 | CENTER FOR THE ARTS | 2024–25 SEASON

SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS Christmas Caravan Swing into the holiday season with platinum-selling jazz-rock band Squirrel Nut Zippers. Serving up a boisterous blend of Delta blues, big band, klezmer jazz, and calypso sound in its holiday program Christmas Caravan, Squirrel Nut Zippers is sure to get audiences dancing along. Formed in 1992 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Squirrel Nut Zippers rocketed to nationwide fame with its darkly comedic mambo tune “Hell,” cementing its place in the swing revival movement.

This concert features songs from the band’s Christmas Caravan and Mardi Gras for Christmas albums and other holiday favorites. From heartwarming ballads to raucous dance tunes, the band conjures an atmosphere combining the wondrous lights of Christmas and the backroom din of a speakeasy. PPD ALL $55, $47, $33

Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m.

Explore the Season Online

AMERICAN FESTIVAL POPS ORCHESTRA

METROPOLITAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA with

Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season

BRANFORD MARSALIS

Peter Wilson, conductor The American Festival Pops Orchestra (AFPO) continues its annual tradition of spreading musical goodwill and cheer in this audience favorite! Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season returns under the baton of Artistic Director and Maestro Peter Wilson, a “brilliant artist” (Washington Post). Enjoy a festive evening of family-friendly repertoire and seasonal favorites, plus special guest artists. The AFPO comprises more than 60 professional musicians, including faculty from George Mason University’s Dewberry School of Music, instrumentalists from music ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces, and area orchestras. This merry occasion wouldn’t be complete without an audience sing-along to make spirits bright! PPD ALL $60, $51, $36

Saturday, December 14 at 4 p.m.

Jim Carroll, artistic director

MASON ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

SILKROAD ENSEMBLE Percussion All-Stars Returning for a third year as a Mason Artistin-Residence, GRAMMY Award-winning music collective Silkroad Ensemble presents this showcase of virtuoso percussionists.

Through story, rhythm, and melody, experience a rich tapestry of music traditions from around the world, featuring original compositions by Silkroad members and pieces by celebrated composers like Steve Reich and Caroline Shaw. Formed

by Yo-Yo Ma and now led by Pulitzer Prize-winning multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad Ensemble will engage the community and Mason students through a variety of events, classes, and discussions during this residency. PPD ALL $55, $47, $33

Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Branford Marsalis joins the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra in this special concert. An exceptionally versatile musician, Marsalis is a band leader, classical soloist, and film and Broadway composer. The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986, has established a rare breadth of stylistic range. Marsalis is also equally at home performing concertos with acclaimed orchestras around the world and sitting in with members of the Grateful Dead. As a composer, he has scored films including Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Netflix’s Rustin.

The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra is made up of some of the D.C. area’s finest musicians, led by founder and Artistic Director Jim Carroll. This concert also features vocalist Darden Purcell, George Mason University’s jazz program director. PPD ALL $60, $51, $36

Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, January 25 at 8 p.m.

This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Great Performances at Mason

CZECH NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC

The Acting Company

TWO TRAINS RUNNING Written by August Wilson Directed by Nataki Garrett

Zsolt Hamar, conductor Experience the first U.S. tour of the Czech National Philharmonic—one of the leading and oldest symphony orchestras in the Czech Republic—for a performance of beloved Eastern European masterpieces.

Based in the historic capital of Moravia and founded in 1908, the orchestra was reconstituted after the Second World War in 1945. The Czech National Philharmonic is famous for performing the works of Dvořák, Smetana, Martinů, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and Schubert. For their Center for the Arts debut, Zsolt Hamar conducts a program featuring Smetana’s thrilling Overture to The Bartered Bride, as well as treasured works by Dvořák, including the brilliant Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104; Slavic Dances, Op. 46; Scherzo capriccioso; and the overture to the symphonic poem My Home. PPD ALL $65, $55, $40

Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m.

MASON ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

VERSA-STYLE STREET DANCE COMPANY Tribute: Guardians of Street Dance “A stylistic smorgasbord” (New Yorker), Versa-Style Street Dance Company immerses its audience in the electrifying world of Hip Hop. To mark its 20th anniversary, the troupe will present Tribute: Guardians of Street Dance, an eveninglength, multidisciplinary work that shines a light on West Coast Hip Hop and street dance culture, as well as honoring influential Hip Hop and street dance artists such as Rennie Harris, the late Stephen “Twitch” Boss, and Marjory Smarth. Founded by Los Angeles natives and Co-Artistic Directors Jackie Lopez (a.k.a. Miss Funk) and Leigh Foaad (a.k.a. Breeze-lee), Versa-Style has become a staple in the Los Angeles dance community. Named “Los Angeles’ Best Dance Troupe for Hip Hop Empowerment”

by LA Weekly, Versa-Style is recognized for its “uplifting and joyous” (MD Theatre Guide) performances that will have its audience grooving and moving. During their residence, Versa-Style Street Dance Company will engage the community and Mason students through a variety of events, classes, and discussions. PPD ALL $50, $43, $29

Saturday, February 15 at 8 p.m.

8 | CENTER FOR THE ARTS | 2024–25 SEASON

The Acting Company returns with August Wilson’s Tony Award-winning play Two Trains Running. Set during the civil rights movement, the drama centers on Memphis Lee, an African American diner owner whose business is set to be demolished for an urban renewal project.

While Lee fights for fairness and dignity, his customers struggle with gentrification changing their lives in unpredictable ways.

The Acting Company, recipient of a Tony Award for Excellence in the Theatre, brings to life Wilson’s vibrant characters, rich language, and thought-provoking ideas in this poignant tribute to the spirit and perseverance of the people who make our country great, even when faced with overwhelming odds. PPD $50, $43, $29

Sunday, February 16 at 7 p.m.

Friends Get Insider Benefits (see p. 15)

THE PEKING ACROBATS

KODO One Earth Tour 2025: Warabe Experience the “primal power and bravura beauty of Kodo” (Chicago Tribune) when Japan’s premier ensemble of taiko drummers returns with its exuberant rhythms and stunningly athletic performance style. Always an audience favorite, Kodo’s modern take on the ancient art form of taiko drumming has been showcased in over 7,000 performances in more than 50 countries and regions on five continents. The Boston Globe declares, “If there is such a thing as perfection in music, Kodo comes as near to it as any group in the world,” so don’t miss this “celebration of music, of physicality, of life” (New York Times).

PPD ALL $60, $51, $36

Saturday, March 1 at 8 p.m.

For more than 30 years, The Peking Acrobats have revitalized Chinese acrobatics, fusing ancient athletic discipline with modern special effects to create a kaleidoscopic marvel for all ages. These world-class gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists, and tumblers provide a gravity-defying spectacle with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control. Accompanied by live musicians who skillfully play traditional Chinese instruments, The Peking Acrobats execute daring maneuvers and display their technical prowess at trick cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. The Peking Acrobats will leave you and the whole family breathless with a performance full of exuberant pageantry and amazing feats that need to be seen to be believed. “The Peking Acrobats are pushing the envelope of human possibility, combining agility and grace in remarkable feats of pure artistry” (New York Post). PPD ALL $55, $47, $33

Sunday, March 9 at 1 and 5 p.m.

CHERISH THE LADIES Kick up your heels with GRAMMY Award-nominated Celtic music sensation Cherish the Ladies in a rousing program of traditional Irish melodies and original arrangements. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, this all-female, U.S.-based ensemble has captivated audiences with virtuoso instrumentals, beautiful vocals, and spirited step dancing.

Named the BBC’s “Best Musical Group of the Year” and Irish Music Awards “Top North American Celtic Group,” Cherish the Ladies has been praised for its “passionate, tender, and rambunctious” (Washington Post) sound. The ensemble, led by 2021 NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award winner Joanie Madden, brims with heart, humor, and “heaps of music in their fingers and toes.” (Glasgow Herald). PPD ALL $55, $47, $33

Saturday, March 15 at 8 p.m.

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Great Performances at Mason

RHYTHM INDIA

CIRQUE MECHANICS

Bollywood & Beyond With colorful costumes, dynamic music, and soulful beats, Rhythm India evokes the glitz and glamor of a blockbuster Bollywood dance sequence and the graceful movements of classical Indian dance. Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond is the creation of World Choreography Award-nominated Joya Kazi, and features the company dancers of Joya Kazi Unlimited, as seen on screens worldwide.

Kazi has appeared in numerous Bollywood and Hollywood movies, as well as Mindy Kaling’s Netflix series Never Have I Ever and FOX’s New Girl. Celebrating the vibrancy and beauty of Indian culture, “Kazi’s artistic voice speaks to the rhythms of Indian dance” (Next Pittsburgh).

PPD ALL $55, $47, $33

Saturday, March 22 at 8 p.m.

Pedal Punk

LES ARTS FLORISSANTS Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300 Théotime Langlois de Swarte, violin In celebration of the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Les Arts Florissants, one of the foremost Baroque music ensembles in the world, reframes the iconic work for the 21st century.

The 15-person chamber orchestra, which performs on period instruments, intersperses the movements of the beloved Four Seasons with lesser-known works by Monteverdi, Uccelline, and Geminiani in this “performance to be celebrated” (New York Times). Inviting questions about the fleeting, cyclical essence of our existence, relationship with nature, and the eternal renewal of earth’s cycles, this program also features “mesmerizing” (New Yorker) violin star Théotime Langlois de Swarte, “a stunner by any standard” (Strad).

PPD ALL $60, $51, $36

Sunday, March 30 at 4 p.m.

10 | CENTER FOR THE ARTS | 2024–25 SEASON

Known for modern circus incorporating mechanical marvels, Cirque Mechanics introduces the wildly astonishing Pedal Punk, set in a Steampunk-inspired world where cycling provides wondrous escape from pervasive obsession with technology.

A 22-foot, pedal-powered performance platform (dubbed the Gantry bike) serves as the caravanning centerpiece of this high-flying thrill ride, featuring spectacular storytelling and daredevil acrobatics.

The awe-inspiring ensemble of aerialists, jugglers, and clowns—including a zany bike shop mechanic—interacts with the elaborate contraption as well as penny farthings, unicycles, and tandem cycles.

The New York Times raves, “exceptional, evocative, eye-catching, ear-catching and, to keep the list short, engrossingly entertaining.” PPD ALL $55, $47, $33

Saturday, April 5 at 2 and 8 p.m.

Subscribers Get No-Fee Ticket Exchanges

Performances are recommended for ages 13 and over.

Tickets: $110, $70, $40 WORLD PREMIERE

LOVING V. VIRGINIA

CARMEN

Composed by Georges Bizet Virginia Opera presents the passion-filled masterpiece Carmen, one of the most popular operas of all time, with recognizable arias including “The Habanera” and “The Toreador Song.” Carmen confronts the dangers of jealous obsession and falling madly in love with the wrong person. Sung in French with English surtitles. PPD = Saturday and Sunday PPD = Sunday only Saturday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. / Sunday, November 17 at 2 p.m.†

The Center for the Arts is proud to present these two productions from Virginia Opera’s 50th anniversary season. For a full schedule of performances in Richmond and Norfolk, visit VAopera.org.

Music by Damien Geter / Libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo Directed by Denyce Graves Commissioned by Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony In partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University Co-produced by Virginia Opera and Minnesota Opera Loving v. Virginia is based on the true story of Mildred and Richard Loving, a married couple from Central Point, Virginia. The Lovings were criminally charged for their interracial marriage and forced to leave Virginia to avoid prison sentences.

They took their case to the Supreme Court and won a landmark victory for civil rights in the United States. Sung in English with English surtitles.

PPD = Saturday and Sunday PPD = Sunday only

Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. / Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m.†

† Audio Described

KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS® WITH JEFFREY SIEGEL

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MUSIC OF JOY AND PEACE

DANCES FOR THE EARS

Jeffrey Siegel showcases the gorgeous and uplifting poetic music by four beloved composers—Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Grieg. ALL Sunday, September 15 at 7 p.m.

Enjoy the rhythmically captivating music of Bach, Chopin, Gershwin, and Spanish composers Enrique Granados and Manuel de Falla. ALL Sunday, January 26 at 7 p.m.

FRANZ SCHUBERT: THE SOULFUL AND THE SUBLIME

Enjoy merriment in musical tones from the enchanting works of Chopin, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Copland, and Stravinsky. ALL Sunday, March 23 at 7 p.m.

Experience the exhilarating March Militaire, the dreamy Impromptu in E-flat major, and the charming, tuneful Sonata In A, Opus 120, D. 664. ALL Sunday, October 13 at 7 p.m.

HUMOR IN MUSIC

Tickets: Single Performance $50, $43, $29 / Series $160, $138, $93

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Choose 3 or more to subscribe and save 15% Individual tickets go on sale August 1.

“The Adele of the preschool crowd” —NEW YORK TIMES

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Laurie Berkner Band Welcome “the undisputed queen of kindie rock” (USA Today), Laurie Berkner and her band, in a concert event for the whole family. One of the most popular children’s entertainers in the United States, Berkner’s music shines a light on what it means to be a kid, and the kids can’t get enough of her folk-pop melodies made especially for them. “Laurie Berkner does what Fred Rogers did: respect, validate, and reassure young children” (Los Angeles Times). Recommended for ages 2 to 8. $40, $30, $20

Sunday, October 20 at 3 p.m.

Enchantment Theatre Company

Great Family Entertainment at Affordable Prices An Inspiring Series with Children in Mind Performances will be held in the Concert Hall.

All patrons must have a ticket.

12 | CENTER FOR THE ARTS | 2024–25 SEASON

My Father’s Dragon Based on the stories by Ruth Stiles Gannett Story adaptation by Jennifer and Landis Smith and Leslie Reidel Score by Charles Gilbert Nine-year-old Elmer Elevator is on a mission to rescue a baby dragon held captive on Wild Island. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of Ruth Stiles Gannett’s Newbery Honor-winning book My Father’s Dragon, Enchantment Theatre Company brings this story to life by blending original music, puppets, and creative scenic effects. “It fully captures the spirit of the beloved stories, the essence of childhood, and the imagination of the audience, both young and old” (Phindie). Recommended for ages 5 to 10. $15

Sunday, November 24 at 1 and 4 p.m.

Add a Laurie Berkner Meet and Greet Experience for $50 per Group!

Enhance your visit with a post-performance meet and greet with Laurie Berkner and members of her band. The package includes a commemorative band postcard and the opportunity for autographs and/or additional photos with the artists.

The $50 add-on package is per group, limited to six people within a group, and must be purchased separately from the performance ticket.

Limited Meet and Greet packages available.

Theater Terra

Rapunzel the Musical

Mike Super Magic & Illusion See America’s Got Talent finalist and “America’s Favorite Mystifier” Mike Super live on stage! Mike Super brings his immersive show of mind-blowing illusions to entertain and enthrall the whole family. He rose to fame as the winner of NBC’s hit television series Phenomenon, becoming the only magician in history to win a live magic competition on primetime U.S. network television. Mike Super transcends the “trick” and connects personally with his audiences, making this a Center for the Arts Family Series event sure to leave you spellbound. Recommended for ages 3 and older. $40, $30, $20

Sunday, February 2 at 4 p.m.

Spend an enchanting afternoon with Rapunzel and her long, golden locks in this reimagined musical fairytale from Theater Terra. With the help of four large-scale puppet birds, live actors, original songs, dreamy set, and lighting designs, Theater Terra evokes the classic Brothers Grimm story. For nearly 50 years, the Netherlands-based Theater Terra has built a reputation all over the world as a leader in children’s theater with popular adaptations of classics such as The Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book, Spot, and Guess How Much I Love You. Let down your hair and join us for this memorable adaptation!

Recommended for ages 4 and older. $15

Sunday, April 6 at 1 and 4 p.m.

To order, call

703-993-2787 or visit

cfa.gmu.edu/family CFA.GMU.EDU | 703-993-2787 | 13

MASON ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE In deep collaborations on campus and in the wider community, Mason Artists-in-Residence lead interactive workshops, conversations, and other events beyond the stage. Learn more at cfa.gmu.edu/residence.

In October, Ballet Hispánico returns during Hispanic Heritage Month for a performance and engagement activities centered on uplifting Hispanic cultures. Then in January, Silkroad Ensemble returns for their third year as a Mason Artist-in-Residence, presenting Percussion All-Stars, showcasing virtuoso performances by the elite group of percussionists within the ensemble. Versa-Style Street Dance Company leads a residency in February, culminating in the performance of a multidisciplinary work that shines a light on West Coast Hip Hop and street dance culture.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund. The Silkroad Ensemble residency is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

VERSA-STYLE STREET DANCE COMPANY

COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE OF THE ARTS As a Mason Arts venue managed by the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Center for the Arts connects the classroom and the professional stage. Whether it’s a masterclass to hone students’ technical skills or a Q&A about how to break into the field, Mason Arts students get extraordinary access to the professional artists that grace the Center’s stage. Students also receive free tickets to see these local and internationally renowned artists perform. Students pursuing studies in Art and Design, Arts Management, Dance, Film, Game Design, Music, and Theater perform, create, and exhibit work in many Mason Arts venues on campus ranging from the Center for the Arts Concert Hall to the intimate TheaterSpace and the Gillespie Gallery of Art. The Center for the Arts is proud to be a catalyst for the development of new talent through the fusion of academic and professional work on campus and throughout the community. cvpa.gmu.edu.

BALLET HISPÁNICO SILKROAD ENSEMBLE

14 | CENTER FOR THE ARTS | 2024–25 SEASON

The online platform Mason Arts Amplified is a digital stage and classroom featuring curated arts experiences including livestreamed concerts, releases of previously recorded content, behind-the-scenes talks with artists, and more. Watch now at masonartsamplified.gmu.edu.

The Center for the Arts membership program, the Friends, makes a world of difference by ensuring Center for the Arts programming remains vibrant and diverse each year. Through their contributions, Friends provide the community with educational programming and unparalleled access to artists and experts around Great Performances at Mason and Family Series performances.

STUDENTS SHINE AT MASON The College of Visual and Performing Arts presents inspiring and imaginative artistry all year long with many events and exhibitions that invite our community to expand their perspective and dive deeper into the arts.

Each season, talented students, accomplished faculty, and gifted alumni present work as part of their continuing artistic development. Many of these live performances, gallery exhibitions, screenings, artist conversations, and more are open to the public for little or no cost, while ticket sales for other events support the work and scholarship of these talented creatives.

Learn more about these artists and their work, and view the full calendar of Mason Arts events. cvpa.calendar.gmu.edu

The Friends have helped introduce hundreds of performances, masterclasses, workshops, performances, lecture/demonstrations, and special events to the communities surrounding Washington, D.C. Patrons and learners of all ages continue to benefit from our members’ time and generosity. In acknowledgement of their generous gifts, Friends of the Center for the Arts receive early access to subscription purchases, access to the Friends Hospitality Lounge during Great Performances at Mason and Family Series performances, and an invitation to the Friends-exclusive Season Announcement event.

THE GRAND TIER SOCIETY The Grand Tier Society plays a visionary and leadership role in ensuring that all performances remain vibrant and affordable for all audiences. In grateful acknowledgement for their leadership giving, they receive exclusive benefits to include concierge seating and ticket assistance from the Ticket Office, opportunities to meet artists, and invitations to annual Grand Tier Society Receptions and other VIP events.

Join the Friends of the Center for the Arts today to begin your philanthropic journey with the Center for the Arts and start making memories that will last a lifetime!

JOIN TODAY: Visit cfa.gmu.edu/friends or call 703-993-3927.

THANK YOU 2024–25 SEASON SPONSORS ®

The Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund

The Tom and Evelyn Kiley Fund CFA.GMU.EDU | 703-993-2787 | 15

PLAN YOUR VISIT Directions

Visiting the Ticket Office

The Center for the Arts is conveniently located on Mason Pond Drive on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University, six miles west of the Beltway exit 54, at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123.

For more information, visit cfa.gmu.edu/plan-your-visit.

Purchasing or exchanging a ticket? Free 15-minute temporary parking is located on Mason Pond Drive in front of the Center.

GPS Address: 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030

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Parking for Great Performances at Mason and Family Series

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Parking Lot J

Parking Lot K

Harris Theatre

Cancellations Extraordinary circumstances, such as weather or public health concerns, may cause an event to be canceled or rescheduled.

Change announcements are emailed to all ticket buyers and posted on our website.

The Center for the Arts strives to start all performances on time. Please allow extra time to reach the Fairfax Campus and be seated. Patrons arriving after the start of a performance will be seated at the discretion of house management and as dictated by artists’ requirements.

Youth Discount Tickets

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deLaski Performing Arts Building

Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CH) Dance Performance Studio (DPS) Harris Theatre (HT) TheaterSpace (TS)

Performance Times

IVE

Concert Hall

Venues

➊ Free Parking ➋ Adjacent Paid Parking ➌ Accessible Parking ➍ 15-minute Ticket Office Parking

Free parking is available in Lot K, just off Patriot Circle, during Great Performances at Mason and Family Series events held in the Concert Hall. The Center for the Arts is a short walk away, directly across Mason Pond. GPS address for Lot K: 4584 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, VA 22030

Accessible parking is available along Mason Pond Drive on a first-come basis with a DMV-issued permit.

Covered parking is available in the Mason Pond Parking Deck. It is adjacent to the Center for the Arts. A flat fee is charged during most events held in the Concert Hall.

Visit cfa.gmu.edu for more information about directions and parking.

Half-price tickets are available for youth through Grade 12 for all Great Performances at Mason events. (No discounts are available for special events, such as An Evening with Lea Salonga.) All patrons, regardless of age, require a ticket. In an effort to ensure an exceptional experience for all of our patrons, we recommend that children attending events other than Family Series events be at least six years of age. Children through Grade 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Students Grades 9–12 may attend without an adult, but must have a valid student ID.

Pre- and Post-Performance Discussions Many performances are accompanied by a lively forum led by local experts or the artists themselves. The pre-performance discussions begin 45 minutes prior to the performance start time. Seating is limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more at cfa.gmu.edu.

QUESTIONS

ABOUT YOUR VISIT? Contact the Ticket Office 703-993-2787 or cfatix@gmu.edu

PPD = pre-performance discussion PPD = post-performance discussion

16 16| |CENTER CENTER FOR FOR THE THE ARTS ARTS| |2024–25 2024–25 SEASON SEASON

SEATING CHART & ACCESSIBILITY Our Commitment to Accessibility Seating Chart A detailed version of the seating chart and views of the stage from each seat can be accessed at cfa.gmu.edu/tickets/seating-charts.

Accessible Seating Accessible seating is available through all avenues of ticket sales on a first-come, first-served basis. The accessible seating locations consist of a space appropriate for a patron-provided wheelchair. Wheelchair accessible seats are spaces are in rows G, N, and V. Patrons requesting accessible seating are acknowledging that they, or a member of their party, require accessible seating due to a mobility disability (visible or non-visible) as defined by the ADA or they require the features of an accessible seating location. Please call (voice) 703-993-8881 or email (text) cfatix@gmu.edu with any accessibility requests beyond wheelchair accessible seating.

Accessible Services Requests for audio description, captioning, interpretive services, or braille programs must be made at least two weeks prior to the event; more advance notice is appreciated. Assistive listening devices are available at the Concert Hall Courtesy Desk (on the left-hand side of the main lobby) prior to each performance. Large-print programs will be available upon request. For optimal assistance with accessible seating and other accessibility accommodations, please contact the Ticket Office.

Sensory Kits Adult and child-safe Sensory Kits can be checked out at the Courtesy Desk prior to performances. Quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each kit includes a pillowcase to drape over the seat, over-the-ear headphones, sensory fidgets, and a pen and notepad.

Row E is the first row for Virginia Opera and select performances.

Group Sales Group discounts are offered for groups of 10+ beginning July 2.

Contact (voice) 703-993-8600 or visit cfa.gmu.edu/groups.

Tickets for Mason Students Most ticketed in-person events presented by the Center for the Arts or the College of Visual and Performing Arts will have a set quantity of free student tickets available.

Visit cvpa.gmu.edu/freetickets.

VERSA-STYLE STREET DANCE COMPANY

CFA.GMU.EDU CFA.GMU.EDU | 703-993-2787 | 703-993-2787 | 17 | 17

CENTER FOR THE ARTS SUBSCRIBERS SAVE 15% Choose your own package of any three or more Great Performances at Mason and Family Series performances to subscribe. Add more events any time throughout the season and get your 15% subscriber discount by calling or visiting the Ticket Office.

Subscribers Enjoy • Prime Seats Get priority access to great seating.

• Great Savings Save 15% on a choose-your-own package.

• Discounts All Season Use your 15% subscriber discount on future ticket purchases, plus we’ll waive the individual ticket convenience fees.** • No-Fee Ticket Exchanegs Exchange tickets without a fee.

• Pre-Paid Parking Add parking vouchers for the adjacent parking deck to your order. (Free parking is available in Lot K, but you may add parking deck vouchers to your order for convenience.)

Piano Lovers Save More Buy all four performances of the Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel series (p. 11) and save 20%.

Flexibility Subscribers can always exchange into another season performance without fees.** If a performance has to be canceled or rescheduled, you will get your choice of account credit towards future tickets or a refund.

Subscribe Today and Save 15%

CIRQUE MECHANICS

Subscriptions are available now. Individual tickets for all 2024–25 performances go on sale August 1. * Summer Hours: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 6–August 23, and two hours prior to ticketed events in the Concert Hall. ** Applies to Great Performances at Mason and Family Series events only when ordering by phone or in person. Exclusions apply.

703-993-2787

CFA.GMU.EDU/SUBSCRIPTIONS

18 | CENTER FOR THE ARTS | 2024–25 SEASON

TICKET OFFICE

TUES.–SAT., 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M.*

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUBSCRIBING Subscription Payment Plan

Ticket Exchanges

Use our convenient plan to spread payments out over three months. Please request a payment plan when ordering by phone or in person. The deadline to enroll in a payment plan is June 12. Payment plans must be charged to a credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express) that must remain current until the final payment has been received. Payments will be divided into three equal parts.† The first payment will be charged on June 12, the second payment will be charged on July 12, and the final payment will be charged on August 12. Tickets will not be distributed until the final payment has been received.

Subscribers may exchange tickets without fees for another event in the same season. Tickets must be returned to the Ticket Office either in person, by mail, or by email no later than the day before the performance date that appears on the ticket(s). For more information, visit cfa.gmu.edu/tickets/ticket-policies.

†Please note: Contributions to the Center for the Arts and ARTS by George! tickets are not included in the payment plan. Payment for these items will not be divided into three equal parts but will be charged in full in addition to your first payment. Payments that are declined will be resubmitted until authorized. Regardless of any authorization issues, the established payment plan schedule will not change.

Seating Priority: How Orders Are Filled Seating priority is first based on the date a subscriber’s order is received at the Ticket Office. Friends of the Center for the Arts members receive highest priority. Tickets are mailed to subscribers in late August. Friends of the Center for the Arts priority period begins two weeks prior to the general public on-sale date for subscriptions. See p.15 for details on how to become a Friend of the Center for the Arts.

Additional Tickets Discount Subscribers may order additional tickets along with their subscription or throughout the season at a 15% discount.** It may be used, for example, when a subscriber wants to bring a guest to one of the performances in their series.

Seating will be assigned on a best-available basis. It is likely these seats will be neither adjacent to the seats for your subscription nor the same for each event.

Subscription Handling Charge All subscription orders are subject to a $15 handling charge in lieu of individual ticket purchasing fees. The handling charge subsidizes the ticket delivery cost of the subscription packet and the subscriber benefits. This one-time charge is applied to orders purchased online, over the phone, and in person.

Ensure Your Tickets Are Authentic The Center for the Arts can only authenticate tickets purchased through the Center for the Arts Ticket Office and through our website, cfa.gmu.edu. Tickets.com is our current authorized ticket provider. The Center for the Arts at George Mason University maintains no relationship with third-party ticket vendors.

CHOOSE 3 OR MORE TO SUBSCRIBE CANADIAN BRASS

CFA.GMU.EDU | 703-993-2787 | 19

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID FAIRFAX, VA PERMIT NO. 1532

A Mason Arts Venue

4400 University Drive, MSN 2F5 Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 703-993-2787 cfatix@gmu.edu Follow us on social: @gmucfa @GMU_CFA @gmu_cfa @masoncenterforthearts

THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS ADVANTAGE LOW TICKET PRICES CONVENIENT LOCATION FLEXIBLE SEASON TICKET EXCHANGES* FREE PARKING AVAILABLE* * for Great Performances at Mason and Family Series events

KODO

SAVE 15% WHEN YOU CHOOSE ANY THREE OR MORE PERFORMANCES

703-993-2787

Tickets for Individual Events Go on Sale August 1.

Until then, tickets are available only as part of a subscription.

TICKET OFFICE

Learn more on p.18.

CFA.GMU.EDU CHECK WEBSITE FOR UPDATED HOURS

Ensure your tickets are authentic. Only purchase from cfa.gmu.edu.

Please Note: Subscriptions apply to Great Performance at Mason and Family Series events only. Programs, artists, and dates are subject to change. All patrons must have a ticket.

20 | CENTER FOR THE ARTS | 2024–25 SEASON