Wichita Eagle: The Arts

Review: ‘Little Women’ musical a little too bland but yet pleasant

Bob Curtright — Sun, 19 May 2013 07:09 CDT

The musical version of Louisa May Alcott’s Civil War classic “Little Women” is such wholesome, family-friendly entertainment that I wish it had a little more pizzazz to make it linger in the memory.

You can’t fault the production that just opened at Crown Uptown Theatre. Director Matthew Rumsey, music director Jesse Warkentin and an able and attractive cast keep you smiling, sometimes chuckling and occasionally misting up at all the right moments as Alcott’s tale unfolds, telling the story of four sisters coming of age during hard times while their father is away as a Union Army chaplain.

But this 2005 adaptation by composer Jason Howland, lyricist Mindi Dickstein and writer Allan Knee is curiously bland for such a universally beloved story. It’s not a bad show. It’s pleasant and tuneful, with performances that are often vocally thrilling – a tribute to Rumsey’s great cast.

Summer movie preview: Heroes, hangovers and zombies will heat up multiplexes

Rod Pocowatchit — Sun, 19 May 2013 07:06 CDT

The summer movie season is starting earlier and earlier, with “Iron Man 3” already having officially kicked off this year’s blockbuster bonanza in early May.

But lots of big, loud, explosive and action-filled movies are still headed our way. Here’s a look at what’s in store as the weather heats up, with Hollywood hoping for an even hotter box office (release dates subject to change).

Thursday

Guest Gallery: Johnna Nicole Crawford

Sun, 19 May 2013 07:06 CDT

Today’s guest photographer is Johnna Nicole Crawford, a creative writing student and photographer from Haysville.

She loves to photograph her friends and family, and her gallery is filled with their portraits.

Visit kansas.com/photos/guest to see a gallery with more of Crawford’s photos.

Indian Center exhibit explores life of artist Blackbear Bosin

Jason Dilts — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:06 CDT

The Keeper of the Plains is turning 39, and the statue’s birthday brings with it the opening of a new exhibit that will offer the community a closer look at the artist who created the Wichita landmark.

On Saturday, the Mid-America All-Indian Center will open its newest exhibit, “Tsate Kongia: Walking in Two Worlds, the Life of Blackbear Bosin.” It’s an in-depth, multi-dimensional look at the personal and professional life of a local icon.

“Living in this area, you always hear the name Blackbear Bosin,” said Angela Cato, marketing director for the city of Wichita’s Arts and Cultural Services division. “The name takes on greater meaning to you when you step inside this exhibit and get to know this man who cared so deeply for his American Indian culture and for this city. You really begin to get a feeling, too, for the impact that he had nationally. He had such a great effect on allowing people to see the American Indian culture in a beautiful and true light.”

Rogers Ballet’s ‘Fun and Games’ dance concert will bring board games to life

Denise Neil — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:09 CDT

You could play board games this weekend.

Or you could just watch them dance.

“Fun and Games” is the title this year of the intricately choreographed and costumed annual student concert put on by Rogers Ballet Inc., headed by well-known local ballet mistress Sharon Rogers.

Outdoor concerts to heat up Wichita area

Annie Calovich — Sun, 12 May 2013 09:09 CDT

From Botanica to Bradley Fair, from the Ulrich Museum of Art to the WaterWalk, venues for outdoor concerts are back for the summer in the Wichita area.

A variety of music – jazz, oldies, folk, bluegrass, Cajun, country, eclectic – will be available for the picking in a variety of settings, from a century-old arboretum to a university campus to downtown along the river.

And they start right away: Robin Macy is debuting a new recording, “Wild Sweet William,” on Mother’s Day Sunday at her Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, performing with the Cherokee Maidens at 4 p.m. The gates will open at 2 p.m. so that people can take in the arboretum’s spring colors. Tickets are $10 at the gate.

Win tickets to Symphony Al Fresco benefit

Lori O’Toole Buselt — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:22 CDT

The Wichita Eagle is giving away four pair of tickets — each pair valued at $200 — to Friday’s Symphony Al Fresco.

The event, presented by the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, is a fundraiser for the organization’s Youth Education programs, which introduce children as young as kindergarten age to orchestra instruments and music. The programs reach more than 23,000 children a year, according to the symphony.

The outdoor event, attended by more than 175 people last year, according to the symphony, is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Fulton Valley Farms, 5079 SW Fulton Road, in Towanda.

‘Don Pasquale’ on the lake will close Wichita Grand Opera’s season

Jason Dilts — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:49 CDT

The waters of Bradley Fair will be transformed into the backdrop of a grandiose outdoor stage Saturday evening as the Wichita Grand Opera presents its final performance of the season.

This year’s Opera on the Lake will see a fully staged production of Donizetti’s comedic “Don Pasquale.” The company started the tradition of outdoor opera 10 years ago. It’s a phenomenon that organizers say has brought in new appreciators of the art and offers a unique, festive way to experience entertainment under the stars.

“You can shop first, then you can see the performance, then dance,” Parvan Bakardiev, Wichita Grand Opera president and show producer. “You can see the lake, the star-lit sky, and enjoy the beautiful the moon. It’s truly spectacular.”

G-rated musical ‘Little Women’ opens Friday at Crown Uptown

Bob Curtright — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:04 CDT

The Broadway musical version of Louisa May Alcott’s classic Civil War story, “Little Women,” will receive its professional Wichita premiere when the 2005 show opens Friday at Crown Uptown Theatre.

The beloved story about four sisters coping with war deprivation and coming of age during the four-year absence of their soldier father is one that Matthew Rumsey has been eager to stage since he first saw it on Broadway.

“This is such a true, honest story about family relations during wartime,” said Rumsey, producing artistic director for the Crown. “It’s about having to cut back during hard times, which bonds them all the more. It’s something that families today can relate to.”

Ballet-student choreography

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:28 CDT

Ballet-student choreography

Four students who are graduating from Friends University on Saturday with fine-arts degrees in ballet will have their work showcased Friday in the Riney Fine Arts Center’s Sebits Auditorium on campus, 2100 W. University. The Student Choreography Showcase will feature classical and contemporary dancing after the style of each of the choreographers. It is free to the public and will start at 7:30 p.m. Seating will be general admission. The four student choreographers are Krissy Adams, Ryan Frier, Sophie Meyers and Taylor Osterman. Part of their coursework was choreographing a piece for the showcase.

The artistry of moccasins

Review: Simon and Garfunkel retrospective too fussy in arrangements in some pieces

David Baxter — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:19 CDT

The Century II Convention Center was aglow with nostalgia Saturday night as the Wichita Symphony Orchestra was joined by guest conductor Michael Krajewski and guest artists A.J. Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle to perform a Simon and Garfunkel retrospective.

The guest artists established an amiable rapport with the audience right from the start and sprinkled interesting facts about Paul Simon’s and Art Garfunkel’s careers throughout the program.

The playing of the orchestra was very strong. The higher frequencies were somewhat too prominent, but considering the venue, the sound was good.

‘Small Pleasures’ mini-gallery presents interactive, rotating artwork outside Ulrich Museum

Alice Mannette — Sun, 05 May 2013 07:57 CDT

A large banner now covers one of the Ulrich Museum of Art’s exterior walls to set the stage for a years-long interactive art experiment of sorts that will keep the arts community — and the community at large — engaged until the return of the university’s iconic “Personnages Oiseaux.”

Wichita State University professor Levente Sulyok designed the 26-foot-by-51-foot interactive work. While the museum’s Joan Miro mosaic is being restored, Sulyok’s work will draw people’s attention to this WSU landmark.

“It’s very important to us at the Ulrich that we maintain a visual presence on the campus,” said museum director Robert Workman.

Chamber Music at the Barn plans ‘exciting season’

Alice Mannette — Sun, 05 May 2013 07:57 CDT

Chamber Music at the Barn’s 2013 season this summer will feature principal players for the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, musicians from throughout the U.S. and instruments from violas to pianos to oboes. A harpsichord will be on stage for the last concert of the season.

Concerts are hosted in a rustic — yet air-conditioned — barn. Audiences now can enjoy an upgraded sound system and the ability to purchase wine and beer. They also can watch butterflies roam among the milk thistle and pansies as they listen to master musicians play oboes, flutes and violins.

“It will be an exciting season,” said Catherine Consiglio, the barn’s artistic director and Wichita Symphony principal violist.

Art and Book Fair a Mother’s Day weekend tradition

Jason Dilts — Sun, 05 May 2013 07:55 CDT

Images popping up across town of a wide-eyed monkey in a bright blue dress mean one thing: the Art and Book Fair is fast approaching.

Cookie, featured in the Donald Roller Wilson painting “Cookie Had Seen One Before,” has become the new unofficial mascot for the evolving annual event. Now it its 54th year, the affair is organized by the Friends of the Wichita Art Museum to help fund exhibits and programming. Artisans from around the country will be selling high-quality art and fine crafts next weekend at Century II’s Exhibition Hall as an expanded offering of activities augments a local Mother’s Day weekend tradition.

“It’s a very festive atmosphere,” said Scott Hampel, Friends of the Wichita Art Museum chairman. “We wanted to include as many things as possible so the whole family has something to enjoy, and we’ve definitely done that this year.

Review: Wichita Grand Opera’s presentation of ‘Swan Lake’ spectacular

Randolph Lacy — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:58 CDT

Following in the tradition of the great opera companies of Europe, the Wichita Grand Opera on Wednesday acknowledged the long-standing connection between opera and ballet: it presented a single, spectacular performance of the ballet “Swan Lake” (with music by Tchaikovsky and choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov) produced by the Russian National Ballet Theatre. Based on the fact that the house was packed, it is sad that there was only one performance, because this was Russian ballet as only the Russians can perform it.

In spite of the fact that three of the major principals were performed by dancers other than those listed in the program, the production did not suffer one bit. The four major characters were all terrific dancers. Replacing Ekaterina Egorova as Odette/Odile (the Queen of the Swans) was the dazzling Maria Sokolnikova, who even bowed as a swan. In place of Aydos Zakan as Prince Siegfried was the equally impressive Mikhail Mikhailov. And instead of Alexander Daev, the athletic and menacing Samat Abdrakhmanov played the sorcerer Von Rothbart. The jester, who at times nearly stole the show, was danced by the youthful and radiant Dmitry Shchemelinin.

Make no mistake: Every member of this company was a highly skilled dancer, capable of not only great precision, but also refined and beautiful movement. The four brides (Spanish, Hungarian, Italian and Polish) were beautifully danced by Maria Kluyeva, Nadezhda Illarionova, Viktoria Krakhmalyova and Elena Khorosheva, respectively.

Review: ‘Full Monty’ overcomes composer’s inherent limitations

Bob Curtright — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:33 CDT

The naked truth about “The Full Monty” is that it’s a structurally uneven show, mostly due to composer-lyricist David Yasbek, who creates a couple of hauntingly lovely, show-stopping ballads plus a couple of clever comedy romps but then relegates too many other tunes to that limbo of serviceable but forgettable.

What’s more, most of the good stuff doesn’t come until late in the first act or well into the second, resulting in a sluggish start to an otherwise smart and provocative tale about male-female role reversal and sexual objectification.

And this new production, directed by Rick Bumgardner at Wichita’s Forum Theatre, struggles to overcome those inherent limitations to find its initial footing and pacing but ultimately blossoms into a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud treat.

Wichita Grand Opera presents Russian ballet company’s ‘Swan Lake’

Jason Dilts — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:51 CDT

The Russian National Ballet Theatre returns to Wichita on Wednesday for a staging of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.” The classic tale about a beautiful maiden trapped in swan form by a nefarious magician and the prince whose love is determined to save her is fashioned after many popular folktales and legends.

The story has inspired numerous adaptations, including the recent Academy Award-winning film “Black Swan.” The latest offering by Wichita Grand Opera continues the historic association between ballet and opera, bringing in talent that organizers say is audibly pleasing and visually striking.

“ ‘Swan Lake’ is the most famous of all classical ballets,” said Alexander Daev, Russian National Ballet Theatre’s associate artistic director. “It is well-known throughout the world because all of its parts are masterpieces in and of themselves. Tchaikovsky’s music is emotional and beautiful. The story is timeless. It gives the audience a chance to leave this world and go into another very beautiful place.”

‘Crazy for You’ the perfect challenge for WSU performing arts students

Bob Curtright — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:42 CDT

Besides being glorious, giddy tap-dancing fun, George and Ira Gershwin’s 1930s-era “Crazy for You” contains a subtle message about pulling together as a community that Amy Baker Schwiethale thinks is particularly relevant to America’s polarized present.

“The show is about the pursuit of happiness against all odds,” said Schwiethale, assistant theater professor at Wichita State University who is director-choreographer for the musical that opens Thursday.

“But it’s also about a town putting aside their differences to get something done. That’s a huge message in these polarizing times for our city, our state and our country. As a cast, we’ve discovered that first-hand by pulling together to put on a show,” Schwiethale said. “It literally does take a village.”

Symphony program a tribute to Simon and Garfunkel

Alice Mannette — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:42 CDT

The Simon and Garfunkel Retrospective performers are not imitating a legend — they simply are honoring one.

Singer/songwriter’s Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s ballads propelled them to stardom in the 1960s. A.J. Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle will sing several of Simon and Garfunkel’s Grammy Award-winning songs and well-known ballads as they perform Saturday with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.

“We discovered very early on that we had this vocal blend that seemed to be there right from the start,” Swearingen said. “We just loved Simon and Garfunkel so much. It just seemed to fit.”

Visual elements combine with audio for Wichita State percussion group

Alice Mannette — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:33 CDT

The Wichita State University Impulse Percussion Group will combine music and choreography with the help of a nationally renowned composer. After a couple of traditional percussion numbers, the WSU students will change hats and become performance artists.

“This is a significant test for the students to really test their mettle,” said Gerald Scholl, the group’s director and head of the percussion division at WSU. “They understand that performing is not just about the music. The minute you take that step onto the floor, the performance has started.”

The percussion group will perform several pieces composed and directed by Minnesota-based Mary Ellen Childs. She recently was named a USA Friends Fellow and awarded $50,000. Groups including the Kronos Quartet, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Dale Warland Singers have played her compositions. Her ensemble CRASH performs her music in motion worldwide.