Andrew Foster Williams on why it’s important we make opera available to everyone. See him, Sonia Ganassi, the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists, the WNO Orchestra, and conductor Emmanuel Villaume in the Washington National Opera 2012–2013 Season Preview Concert this Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. in the Opera House. It’s a FREE event, so bring your friends!
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Still not sure what Massenet’s Werther is all about? Learn a little more with this audio preview, narrated by WETA’s Nicole LaCroix!
“It’s such an honor to receive the Mark Twain Prize. To get the same award that has been given to people like Bill Cosby, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell, it really makes me wonder . . . why didn’t I get this sooner?”
John Legend along with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings recently performed with the NSO Pops to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s May 1, 1972 What’s Going On performance at the Kennedy Center.
MyTix was able to give away a pair of tickets and backstage pass to meet John Legend to one lucky MyTixer, Jason Whittle. We received this wonderful note from him and wanted to share. Thanks Jason!
“A great big ‘Thank You!’ to the Kennedy Center’s MyTix program. Last Thursday, my friend Brandon and I were able to celebrate our upcoming law school graduation in style by attending the What’s Going On Now concert in the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall. John Legend and Sharon Jones are two of my favorite singers and it was a thrill to see them killin’ some classic duets before the National Symphony Orchestra joined the Dap Kings on stage for a performance of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” album. It was the kind of concert that people will talk about for years and one of the absolute best I’ve ever seen. Interspersed throughout the music were performances by high school poets commenting on the show’s theme: What’s Going On Now? These kids were incredible; they wove social commentary, lyric poetry, and performance together expertly. After the show, we had the special treat of going backstage to John Legend’s dressing room to meet him and have a little chat. He couldn’t have been more gracious and welcoming. We talked about his show and a passion we share for education. It was a truly wonderful night and I’m so happy to have won such a fantastic prize.” -Jason M. Whittle
Make sure to visit the MyTix page to check out current MyTix discount offers and to enter ticket giveaways for upcoming performances.
Inspiration for Friday: check out rehearsal footage of Project Bandaloop dancing on the exterior of the Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, D.C. The full performance is TONIGHT at 9 p.m. at the Look Up! Night Street Fair, part of the Kennedy Center’s “Look Both Ways: Street Arts Across America.”
“Some people can be swallowed up by their emotions if they’re not educated on how to deal with them.”
Check out part three of our Making of Opera series for Nabucco - Set Design.
“Recently the elephant keepers were giving another elephant a bath when they heard Shanthi practicing the harmonica in a nearby stall”Yes…Shanthi is an elephant, and she’s awesome. Props to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo elephant keepers for making this happen!
“I feel pretty damn good! I’m exhausted because it’s six in the morning here in LA, but it still feels pretty damn good…I’m in tech right now so I’ll spend the rest of the day in tech until midnight, but for this I’ll do it!”
—Danny Burstein, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for FOLLIES
Congratulations! We’re surprised he didn’t turn the nomination down…“I’m in tech…I’m so sorry.”
CONGRATS ON THE TONY NOMINATIONS, FOLLIES!!!
I hope all my friends down at the Kennedy Center are celebrating! Cause this wouldn’t have happened without ya!
We love your enthusiasm!!!
