by SeoJin Ahn
The Alden in McLean’s 2016-2017 Professional Artist Series brings back many sold-out, audience favorites of past seasons. The residents of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area will be able to access a diverse offering of the best performers in dance, theatre and music at the theater, which is located at the McLean Community Center, located at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean.
Martha Graham Dance Company will perform Saturday, September 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost between $35 – $50. Described by The Washington Post as “one of the seven wonders of the artistic universe” and by the New York Times as “one of the great companies of the world,” the Martha Graham Dance Company will perform a night full of spectacular, game-changing modern dance routine. A discussion with the artists will follow the performance.
“John Eaton’s Holiday Songbook”, a tremendous hit last year, will be held again this year. Jazz pianist and musicologist John Eaton will play the Great American Songbook favorites with a yuletide twist. Tickets cost between $20 – $35. It will take place Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.
The American Shakespeare Center on Tour will perform three plays over two days. Like in Shakespeare’s time, the cast will sing and play contemporary music related to the play before the show begins. Audience members are encouraged to sit on stage and interact with the performers during the show.
On Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. will be Shakespeare’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” a comedic tale of long distance lovers and two clever women. At 8 p.m. the same day will be the famous “Romeo and Juliet,” a celebration of love’s triumphs and trivialities. On Sunday, Jan. 22 “Thornton Wilder’s Our Town,” a view into the small town of Grover’s Corners and what it means to grow up in the families of Webb and Gibbs, will be performed. All shows will cost between $25 – $35.
An American Shakespeare Center ticket package, which costs between $60 – $88. This package includes tickets to all three plays as well as a pre-performance seminar “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” which will take place Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit mcleancenter.org/alden-theatre.
