letter from our director

Millions of men have lived to fight, build palaces and boundaries, shape destinies and societies; but the compelling force of all times has been the force of originality and creation profoundly affecting the roots of human spirit. —Ansel Adams

When handled by a master, the arts act as a creative force that open a conversation, expand our understanding and have us reconsider our perceptions. After looking back last season on the milestone of 40 years of presenting, this season focuses on the creative process — new visions and new perspectives.

Attending a concert inspired Ira Glass to re-explore the elements of storytelling — showcasing the similarities between his flavor of journalism and contemporary . Doug Varone exposes his creative process to share the impact of the individual’s choices as part of the final artistic expression of his work. Rohina Malik brings a new voice to a greater cultural understanding of our Muslim neighbors.

These are the kinds of conversations that have most intrigued me in my 15 years as executive director at the Edison Theatre. That’s because the events that bring forth those discussions are the ones that stick with me the longest. Ovations hasn’t been about what everyone else would do. It’s been about what else is there to explore.

Join us for the journey this season. Engage in the conversation. Challenge yourself to experience the unexpected. You never know what you might learn about the world … or yourself.

See you in the lobby, Charlie Robin Executive Director OVATIONS SERIES

unveiled Written and performed by Rohina Malik Saturday, September 27, 8 p.m. Edison Theatre

Racism. Hate crimes. Love. Islam. Culture. preconceived notions they may have had about Language. Life. Five Muslim women in a post- Muslims. Rohina Malik is a -based 9/11 America serve tea and uncover what lies playwright, actress and solo performance artist. beneath the veil in this compelling one-woman She is also a resident playwright at Chicago show. Written and performed by Rohina Malik, Dramatists and artistic associate at the 16th Unveiled challenges audiences to rethink any Street Theater.

Charlie Chats > “A primary goal of Ovations is showcasing other voices telling lesser heard stories that expand our greater understanding of the world. Few artists fill the bill amidst our current cultural and political confusion as can Rohina Malik. Her perspective deserves rohinamalik.weebly.com/unveiled a more prominent place at the table.” OVATIONS SERIES

ARABESQUE The Mist Friday, October 24, 8 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 8 p.m. Edison Theatre

Arabesque, the very first private, neo-classical and tradition of rice farming. In The Mist, Arabesque company in Hó Chí Minh City, echoes the gradual change in Vietnam itself as Vietnam, brings the nuances of Vietnamese life to young artists work within their country’s history, the stage in The Mist. Realism merges with traditions and aesthetics to forge new forms of symbolic movement while dancers conjure agrarian creative expression. cycles and rural rituals inspired by the Vietnamese

Charlie Chats > “This work is stunningly beautiful. The U.S. State Department is making this tour possible through a cultural exchange program, and Edison is honored to welcome these artists for their U.S. premiere.”

arabesque.com.vn OVATIONS SERIES three acts, two dancers, one radio host

with Ira Glass, Monica Bill Barnes & Anna Bass

Saturday, November 1, 8 p.m. Sunday, November 2, 2 p.m. Edison Theatre

This American Life host Ira Glass, with Monica Bill with another art form that is all visuals and no Barnes & Company, has invented a new show that words? You get a funny, lively and talky evening combines two art forms that — as Glass puts it — of dance and story. According to Ira Glass, “have no business being together — dance and “People who like This American Life will probably radio.” So what happens when you take one art like this because it is just like the radio show, um, form that is all words and no visuals and combine it if you picture dancers during all the stories.”

Charlie Chats > “Already a devotee of This American Life, I was inspired by Ira’s explanation of his discovery of the parallels in storytelling between his craft and that of the dancer. He also hosts a fabulous showcase. He’s just as nice and generous of spirit as you hope he would be.” Theclotheslinemuse.com OVATIONS SERIES OVATIONS SERIES

Reduced Shakespeare Company The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) Friday, November 14, 8 p.m. Edison Theatre

They’ve skewered history, the Bible and the world’s than tickets to an amusement park, but you’ll come most celebrated playwright. Now, the Reduced away with the same feeling of nausea and motion Shakespeare Company tackles the subject it was sickness. From cavemen telling “Rock Rock” jokes to born to reduce. From the high-brow to the low, Chris Rock and everything in-between, the bad boys of The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) abridgment leave no joke untold as they deconstruct covers comedy through the ages, from the entire history of comedy in 90 rollicking minutes. Aristophanes and Shakespeare and Molière (Is Charlie Chats > “Masters of mayhem they may be. They fear no Molière funny? Why not?) to Vaudeville and Charlie farcical failure. They greedily gather each groan and guffaw. Most of all, Chaplin to The Daily Show and Anthony Weiner. they’re the nicest guys to work with and a pleasure to welcome back to The best part is that tickets are far more affordable our stage.”

dougvaroneanddancers.org LOUNGE the clothesline muse

Friday, January 16, 8 p.m. Edison Theatre

The Clothesline Muse explores the clothesline as Six-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Nnenna Freelon a metaphor of the African-American community is a driving force and featured artist in this newly lifeline. The clothesline was a place to meet, to created, multi-disciplinary theatrical production. work, to socialize and to share traditions and common struggles. Inspired by the seemingly small act of hand washing, drying, folding and Charlie Chats > “I had never heard of the Washerwomen’s Strike of 1881 and its significance in the labor union movement ironing, the project uses music, dance, text and until this project. Sharing their story and the generations of visual art to celebrate the role played by African- stories of black women both before and since is what truly American washerwomen in history and society. inspired me to include this amazing new work in the season. There’s something for us all to learn here.”

Theclotheslinemuse.com LOUNGE OVATIONS SERIES

doug varone & dancers Stripped/Dressed Friday, January 23, 8 p.m.

An Evening of Doug Varone & Dancers Saturday, January 24, 8 p.m. Edison Theatre

Two distinct programs are offered for this return created, and then performed during the second half of engagement. Friday night reveals the creative the evening, Dressed. An Evening of Doug Varone and process of dance as Doug Varone and Dancers Dancers on Saturday night offers the company’s puts forth a unique concept of dance for this signature style of sly wit, romantic heart and humanity evening titled Stripped/Dressed. With Varone that energizes audiences around the world. acting as emcee, he offers an intimate look into Charlie Chats > “In New York, Doug regularly exposes the the construction of his most recent work, Carrugi. company’s progress as new pieces develop. Now he takes that process The first half, Stripped, with dancers dressed only on the road and shares it for those intrigued as much by the process in rehearsal clothes with simple lighting, the as by the product. For those most interested in the end result, company offers a detailed look into how dance is Saturday night showcases the breadth and brilliance of the company’s repertoire.” dougvaroneanddancers.org LOUNGE OVATIONS SERIES

happily ever laughter: a valentine’s party with Liz Callaway and jason graae

Saturday, February 14, 8 p.m. 560 Music Center

Celebrate valentine’s day with Liz Callaway and Jason Liz received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in Graae as they return to St. Louis for a romantic but Baby, and for five years, she won acclaim as Grizabella in Cats. platonic evening of love songs, high belting and Jason Graae has starred on Broadway in shows such as hilarity! With more than 11 Broadway shows, 60 A Grand Night For Singing, Falsettos and many more. recording/cast albums and 35 movies and TV shows between them, these Broadway buddies will have you head over heels for their sweet stylings. Charlie Chats > “This year’s total guilty pleasure is the return of Liz and Jason. Few pairings consistently crack me up and entertain me so thoroughly. It’s marvelous when you get to see such dear friends perform together on stage. All that and their voices are amazing. Who could ask for anything more? (sounds like a musical cue…)” lizcallaway.com jasongraae.com LOUNGE OVATIONS SERIES

Charlie Chats > “I’m a singer and an Anglophile — really, this one was inevitable. And true to the Ovations standard, this is the finest example of English vocal music.”

One of the world’s most celebrated vocal ensembles, The King’s Singers, performs the widest repertoire in the musical the king’s world: more than 2,000 pieces, including early motets, cutting-edge new classical music and Broadway gems. Hailing singers from the UK, this a cappella vocal ensemble was founded in 1968 and named after King’s College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars. Instantly Saturday, February 21, 8 p.m. recognizable for their spot-on intonation, impeccable vocal blend, flawless articulation and incisive timing, 560 Music Center they are consummate entertainers. kingsingers.com LOUNGE OVATIONOVATIONSS F SORERIE S OVATIONS SERIES YOUNG PEOPLE

scrap arts music Friday, March 20, 8 p.m. Edison Theatre

SCRAP ARTS MUSIC [skrap-artz-myoo’zik] – noun. 3. Five extraordinary, virtuosic and innovative drummers. 1. An internationally renowned, athletic next- 4. The group that transforms “scrap” into “art” and generation percussion ensemble. “art” into “music.” This highly physical, sonically driven 2. An Earth-friendly, Vancouver-based company that music is the most inventive use of recycling today! creates unforgettable performances using mobile instruments artfully crafted from industrial scraps.

Charlie Chats > “These folks make my heart sing, my chest pound and my theater vibrate. Their energy and imagination overwhelm me. You never look at your pots and pans in quite the same way ever again.”

scrapartsmusic.com OVATIONOVATIONSS F SORERIE S OVATIONS SERIES YOUNG PEOPLE

giordano dance

Friday, April 10, 8 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 8 p.m. Edison Theatre

Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) has been expression of American life. They push and pull the captivating audiences worldwide through boundaries of jazz dance with their diverse and American jazz dance for over 50 years. Widely innovative choreography, often redefining and regarded as America’s original jazz dance expanding the very definition of jazz dance company, GDC is on a mission to develop and as they go. preserve the jazz dance art form as a true artistic Charlie Chats > “My parents used to go out dancing all the time. They knew the utter joy of dancing with wild abandon ­and they were good. This company shares that same passion and excitement and these dancers rock. The jazz dance that emerged out of the blend of social and contemporary dance styles of a previous age is celebrated beautifully here.” giordanodance.org LOUNGE OVATIONS FOR OVATIONS FOR A bubble volcano. A bubble roller coaster. A kid in a YOUNG PEOPLE YOUNG PEOPLE bubble? Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one- man bubble extravaganza. It’s the craziest, most creative bubble show around. Jeff juggles bubbles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, makes fog-filled bubbles and more. Mixing comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic, Jeff bubble shows the science involved in bubbles — why they are multi-colored and what each color says about that part of the bubble. What makes up a bubble? Why are they trouble shaped the way they are? What holds them together? It’s a Jeff Boyer whole lot of Bubble Trouble! Saturday, November 22, 11 a.m. Edison Theatre jeffboyer.com/bubble-trouble

Take some old bike parts, shiny construction salvage, PVC scrap arts pipes and other recycled odds and ends. Add five hyperactive hipsters and a dozen drumsticks, and the result is a dizzying barrage of beats. Vancouver-based ensemble music Scrap Arts Music bounces around on stage with a combination of gymnastic agility and percussive drive. They alternate between hitting, moving and bowing their Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m. instruments, and the choreography is intricate and eye- Edison Theatre catching. Warning: Your child may want to take up drums!

scrapartsmusic.com

Have you ever wondered where current dance styles began, styles like Hip Hop or ? Jazz Dance Beat…Then and Now is an entertaining and educational giordano presentation of the history, fusion and future directions of the many-faceted art form of American jazz dance. Suited for all ages, from kindergarten through adult, this is a dance high-energy, fun and truly enjoyable program for all! Jazz Dance Beat Then and Now giordanodance.org

Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m. Edison Theatre subscription info 12- 40% SAVINGS Depending on package > Priority Seating: Subscription orders are filled prior to single tickets. > Exchange Privileges: Subscribers may exchange tickets for another performance within the same series. > Guaranteed Pricing: Subscribers may order additional tickets throughout the season for any Ovations series event at the same price as their subscription rate. > Parking: Subscribers will receive one parking validation ticket for the Danforth University Center Garage for each Edison Theatre event in the subscription order.

audience services > Box Office Hours: The box office window is closed during the summer. Phone support is available during the summer Monday-Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. by calling the box office at 314.935.6543. The window reopens with regular hours beginning Thursday, August 21st. Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. > Sign Interpreted: Select performances throughout the season are sign interpreted for the deaf and hard of hearing. > Parking: Edison Theatre Parking: Hourly parking is conveniently located in the Danforth University Center Garage. The charge for parking is $1.00/hour, maximum of $8.00 per day. On weekends only, free surface parking is available in yellow- and red- permit parking areas, unless marked by a 24-hour-enforced sign. Free parking is also available in the Throop Garage, located off of Forest Park Parkway, and just a quick walk to the Edison. 560 music center Parking: Limited parking is available (for free) in the 560’s lot just to the east of the building accessible from Washington Avenue. With plenty of street parking surrounding the 560, the University City Loop parking areas across the street accommodate any overflow. Before the Show, Enjoy Dinner at

ENJOY 20% OFF YOUR MEAL AT IBBY’S, our on-campus bistro, before the show! We offer foods that are unique, simple, fresh and inspired by the seasons, focusing on regional products prepared with classical cooking techniques. Enjoy sustainable and locally sourced ingredients as a focal point at Ibby’s... just footsteps away from the show!

ibby’s • 6465 Forsyth Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63105 314 • 935 • 3940

OpenTable

• Valid only on Friday and Saturday night Ovations Series shows. • Present show ticket to your server on the evening of the show for your discount. Does not include tax and gratuity.