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 dance concert inspired Ira Glass to re-explore the elements of storytelling — showcasing the similarities between his flavor of journalism and contemporary choreography. 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 Chicago-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 contemporary dance 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.