PROGRAMSWelcome to Play in Concert’s 2008 catalog. This series of musical documentaries celebrates renowned musical artists from Mozart and Schubert to Gershwin and Joplin. Through musical performance and dramatizations, these pieces give an intimate look into the personalities and moments of history of some of the world’s favorite composers and performers. Ranging in length from half-hour to full-length performances, these concerts are neither high brow nor low brow but appeal to every audience. Whether you want to purchase a soup-to-nuts production complete with costumes, performers, and publicity materials or merely license the rights to perform a Play in Concert in your own venue, we will customize these to suit your needs. THE ENTERTAINER
Ragtime had a wildly popular revival when Oscar-winning The Sting brought back "The Entertainer." America’s first black composer made history when he created this uniquely American music. Its rich melodies engage your heart as your toes helplessly tap along. Among the musical selections are "The Entertainer," "The Maple Leaf Rag," and a song from Joplin’s only published opera.
FANDANGO, a chamber operaThe plot sounds like a modern soap opera full of petty jealousy, cleavage heaving passion, even a dose of adolescent angst. But the music is Mozart at his best. This distinctive adaptation of Mozart’s Figaro is punctuated with beautiful dances the world’s greatest music. Well-loved by both the opera buff and the novice, Fandango is performed by five opera singers accompanied by wind quintet. Length: 1 hour 15 minutes LITTLE JAZZ BIRD
Rewind a hundred years or so. It's New York just after the turn of the century. The famed Tin Pan Alley where a "plugger" belted out his wares for a buck fifty a piece. Meet Nora Bayes, a real-life sheet music salesgal known back then as a "song demonstrator," and composer/pianist George Gershwin himself (well our actor’s rendition). Together they bring selections from Gershwin's better and lesser known works like "The Man I Love" to "Little Jazz Bird" and the evocative "Rhapsody in Blue." Length: 30-minutes PIONEER SONGS
A classical musical tale based on the migration of American settlers from Missouri to California in the 1840s. As its title suggests, this work is a collection of original songs that tell the story of a typical westward-bound group, from the time of their gung-ho departure, through travails in the desert and the mountains, to their arrival at the destination they would then call home. Composer Eric Houghton's music is highly melodic and reminiscent of the time and the mood of the events. Each of the twelve songs is an unforgettable melody that brings the story alive through music exploding with the raw emotion of our rugged forebears. Like Showboat, this musical documentary will leave you filled with the courageous spirit that built this great country. Length: 90 minutes WOMEN ON THE OUTSIDE
By the fourth note of Ave Maria, the audience begins to melt into beauty of this timeless melody. In the style of an Edith Wharton salon, this play in concert combines an original ten minute play with songs by Franz Schubert. In Act One, we meet Therese, the woman who inspired composer Franz Schubert -– his first love in an imaginary meeting with Frederike, the first love of writer and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Act Two includes songs sung by the character Ellen from Sir Walter Scott's novel, The Lady of the Lake. Ideal for a medium to large gathering of women, this short piece leaves the audience wondering if they've been to the theater or to Harrod’s for High Tea. Delightfully educational and charmingly entertaining. Length: 30 minutes COMING SOONFIRST STEPS: Marian Anderson Contact Info:Jane McClary Oakley
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