8 minute read
PERFORMING ARTS APPRECIATION
BBC TRILOGY: HOUSE OF CARDS
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA296–01)
Wednesday 9–10:15 a.m.
2/7/2024–5/8/2024
Instructor: Ted Wilks
Number of class sessions: 13
Course format: Video Based
House of Cards is a three-part British television drama aired by the BBC in 1990 and previously shown at OLLI in 2012. The trilogy is based on thriller novels by Michael Dobbs and follows the ruthless political manipulations of Francis Urquhart after Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
BROADWAY IN THE AGE OF AQUARIUS
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA283–01)
Wednesday 10:45 a.m.–noon
2/7/2024–3/13/2024
Instructor: Thomas Powderly
Number of class sessions: 6 • Class limit: 35
Course format: Discussion, Lecture, Video Based
Starting in the late 1960s, urban crises plagued New York City while the Times Square theatre district was rapidly deteriorating. The classic tuneful musical comedies of the Rodgers and Hammerstein era were looking very dated and irrelevant. Could Broadway survive, adapt to a changing world and thrive? Learn about this turbulent time in this six-week class.
CABARET: THE KIT KAT CLUB AT 90*
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA282–01)
Wednesday 10:45 a.m.–noon 4/3/2024–5/1/2024
Instructor: Thomas Powderly
Number of class sessions: 5 • Class limit: 35
Course format: Discussion, Lecture, Video Based
Required text: The Berlin Stories by Christopher Isherwood
Sally Bowles, and the other denizens of Weimar Berlin’s Kit Kat Club, were introduced to the public in 1934. With a radical new production of Cabaret en route from London to Broadway this spring, we look at the evolution of The Berlin Stories characters. Journeying from printed page to Broadway stage, from groundbreaking musical to award-winning film, these characters have been intriguing us for 90 years. This course is an update to and expansion of Cabaret 50 offered in 2021–22.
CAR MOVIES, PART 2
UD OLLI Online (CA289–06)
Wednesday 12:45–3:30 p.m. 2/7/2024–4/24/2024
Instructor: Larry Watkins
Number of class sessions: 11
Course format: Video Based
Tech requirements: Audio and video—with monitor or screen of 12” or more
This is a continuation of the fall course (CA271) with more movies in which cars are principal characters or a significant part of the story. These are not just movies with car chase scenes, although they may include chase scenes as part of the story.
CLASSICAL MUSIC: FAMOUS CONCERT HALLS
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA253–01)
Monday 2:30–4 p.m.
2/5/2024–5/6/2024
Instructor: Ted Wilks
Number of class sessions: 13 • Class limit: 45
Course format: Video Based
Semester four of this continuing series features 13 more world-famous concert halls and presents a series of high-definition video concerts from countries such as England, France, Germany, Finland, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, Switzerland and the United States.
CLASSICAL MUSIC: ORCHESTRAS OF THE WORLD
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA252–01)
Wednesday 2:30–4 p.m.
2/7/2024–5/8/2024
Instructor: Ted Wilks
Number of class sessions: 13 • Class limit: 50
Course format: Video Based
Semester four of this continuing series features 13 more world-famous orchestras. A selection of orchestral and choral masterpieces are presented by use of high-definition video programs.
DEATH IN VENICE: FROM FILM TO OPERA
UD OLLI Online (CA286–06)
Monday 10:45 a.m.–noon
2/5/2024–3/4/2024
Instructor: Robert Violette
Number of class sessions: 5
Course format: Discussion, Video Based
In this five-session course, we have time to watch and discuss the Visconti film Death in Venice, based on the Thomas Mann short story, and also the Benjamin Britten opera version with the same title. Both the film and the opera create a powerful and haunting atmosphere for a man’s loss of youth in a time of plague in Venice, Italy.
EVERYBODY LOVES DEAN MARTIN!
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA230–01)
Tuesday 10:45 a.m.–noon
Class limit: 60
UD OLLI Online (CA230–06)
Class limit: unlimited 2/5/2024–3/5/2024
Instructor: Michael Walsh
Number of class sessions: 5
Course format: Discussion, Lecture
Dean Martin—the King of Cool—Martin and Lewis—the Rat
Pack—superstar! The class covers his remarkable life and incredible career in television, movies, stage performances and recordings. Lecture and discussion is supplemented with videos, CD recordings and book biographies. Find out how Dino became one of the world’s favorite entertainers! New videos! This is a hybrid online course: one section meets on-site; one is online only. See page 3 for details.
FILMS OF THE CLASSIC ERA: 1930–1959
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA204–01)
Friday 12:45–3:45 p.m. 2/9/2024–5/10/2024
Instructor: George Jester
Number of class sessions: 13 • Class limit: 100
Course format: Discussion, Video Based
This course features movies from 1930 to 1959. Some films may last up to three hours.
GREAT CHORAL WORKS
Wyoming Church, Dover (CA273–01)
Tuesday 10:45 a.m.–noon 2/6/2024–4/23/2024
Instructor: George Christensen
Number of class sessions: 11 • Class limit: 40
Course format: Discussion, Lecture, Video Based
A video-based comprehensive survey of large choral works in the classical repertory. Beginning in the 17th century with Vivaldi, we chronologically examine the evolution of choral compositions over the subsequent 400 years as class time permits.
HISTORY OF RHYTHM & BLUES AND SOUL MUSIC: PART 1
UD OLLI Online (CA287–06)
Wednesday 10:45 a.m.–noon 2/7/2024–4/24/2024
Instructor: Jerry Grant
Number of class sessions: 11
Course format: Discussion, Video Based
This course covers the evolution of black popular music post-World War II through the 1960s, with an emphasis on the rise of independent record companies in major U.S. cities. Part 1 includes New York; Chicago; New Orleans; and Augusta, Georgia, and features Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield and many more artists.
MADAMA BUTTERFLY: ON SCREEN, ON STAGE
UD OLLI Online (CA288–06)
Thursday 10:45 a.m.–noon 2/8/2024–3/7/2024
Instructor: Robert Violette
Number of class sessions: 5
Course format: Discussion, Video Based
Madama Butterfly is arguably a favorite opera by Puccini. The tragic relationship between the two main characters is mirrored, somewhat, in the screen version (well, sort of version) entitled My Geisha. We view these pieces back to back and see what discussion comes about!
OPERAS BY JAKE HEGGIE
UD OLLI Online (CA290–06)
Tuesday 12:45–2 p.m.
2/6/2024–3/5/2024
Instructor: Robert Violette
Number of class sessions: 5
Course format: Discussion, Video Based
Classical singers flock to composer Jake Heggie due to his powerful and beautiful vocal compositions. Dead Man Walking was performed by OperaDelaware a few seasons ago. It also opened the 2023–24 season for The Metropolitan Opera. But, two other operas by Heggie are well worth knowing: Moby Dick and Great Scott. This composer is comfortable in dramatic and comic writing!
STANDARD OPERAS: DIFFERENT PRODUCTIONS*
UD OLLI Online (CA291–06)
Tuesday 2:30–3:45 p.m.
2/6/2024–4/23/2024
Instructor: Larry Peterson
Number of class sessions: 11
Course format: Discussion, Video Based
Tech requirements: Audio and video—with monitor or screen of 12” or more
We look at several operas in the standard repertory and compare different productions of each opera to look at creative decisions by the cast and others.
TCHAIKOVSKY: HIS LIFE AND MUSIC
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA293–01)
Monday 10:45 a.m.–noon
2/5/2024–5/6/2024
Instructor: Ted Wilks
Number of class sessions: 13
Course format: Video Based
The popular Great Courses instructor Robert Greenberg returns in this course on the life and music of the famous 19th-century Russian composer Pyotr Ill’yich Tchaikovsky,
presented via 45–minute video presentations. The instructor’s informative and entertaining lectures are supplemented with additional information and videos of Tchaikovsky’s music.
THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF GIACOMO PUCCINI
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA292–01)
Thursday 10:45 a.m.–noon 2/8/2024–5/9/2024
Instructor: John Quintus
Number of class sessions: 13
Course format: Lecture, Video Based
Explore the life and music of acclaimed composer Giacomo Puccini through lectures, discussions and viewing of his operas.
THE MASTER OF CINEMA: MORE HITCHCOCK FILMS
Wyoming Church, Dover (CA285–01)
Class limit: 30
UD OLLI Online (CA285–06)
Class limit: unlimited
Tuesday 12:45–3 p.m. 2/6/2024–4/23/2024
Instructors: Daniel Pritchett, George Christensen
Number of class sessions: 11
Course format: Lecture
In this class, we introduce, view and discuss 11 more motion pictures directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starting with the only movie that he later remade (we watch both versions), and ending with his last production, released in 1976. This is a hybrid online course: one section meets on-site; and one is online only. See page 3 for details.
THE THREE STOOGES: SOITENLY!
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA294–01)
Thursday 12:45–2 p.m. 2/8/2024–3/7/2024
Instructor: Michael Walsh
Number of class sessions: 5 • Class limit: 50
Course format: Lecture, Discussion, Video Based
Relive your childhood with The Three Stooges! There were actually six, and three were brothers. Their movies were shaped by a depression and world war, and The Three Stooges provided relief and laughter to a weary public. Lecture and discussion are supplemented with videos and book biographies. It wasn’t all eye pokes and face slaps, but it sure was fun!
THEATRE APPRECIATION**
Wyoming Church, Dover (CA247–01)
Thursday 2:30–3:45 p.m.
4/11/2024–5/9/2024
Class limit: 30
UD OLLI Online (CA247–06)
Thursday 2:30–3:45 p.m.
4/11/2024–5/9/2024
Class limit: unlimited
Instructor: Deb Roberts
Number of class sessions: 5
Course format: Discussion, Lecture
Required text: Deathtrap, Ira Levin, ISBN 13:978-0-8222–02943
Small casts can make for interesting theatre. This class explores and discusses the dynamics of plays with fewer actors on stage. Class members are encouraged to read the scripts and attend the theatre productions for two plays, beginning with Ira Levin’s thriller, Deathtrap, presented by the University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players. Bruce Graham’s new play, The Flatlanders, makes its debut at the Delaware Theatre Company with only two actors to carry the action. This is a hybrid-online course: one section meets on site; one is online only. See page 3 for details.
WORLD CINEMA IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Arsht Hall, Wilmington (CA242–01)
Tuesday 2:30–3:45 p.m. 2/6/2024–5/7/2024
Instructor: Gloria Acquaviva
Number of class sessions: 13 • Class limit: 40
Course format: Discussion, Video Based
This course features 21st-century films from around the world (with subtitles) and discussion of the subjects, cultures and values portrayed.
