Theater
Maida Withers Dance Construction Company Creates Kickstarter Campaign for 'MindFluctuations,' Neuro Headsets Used on Dancers to Create Visual Animation
Minnesota Opera Music Director Michael Christie to Lead 'The Manchurian Candidate,' Based Off Famous Novel by Richard Condon
Minnesota Opera music director Michael Christie will lead the world premiere performances of "The Manchurian Candidate" from March 7 to 15 in the Music Theatre at Ordway.The new opera by Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell is based on the novel by Richard Condon. "The Manchurian Candidate," a Minnesota Opera New Works Initiative Production, traces the suspenseful story of an American soldier decorated during the Korean War who is brainwashed into becoming an unwitting assassin in a conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government.The performances of "The Manchurian Candidate" are part of the Rock the Ordway series. These 22 days of opening nights will be marking the grand opening of the new, state-of-the-art concert hall at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Minnesota. The celebration kicks off Feb. 28 with a gala evening featuring The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra led by Christie in collaborative performances with the Minnesota Opera Chorus, pianist Jeremy Denk, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and more. 'School of Rock' Musical in the Works: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Glenn Slater and 'Downton Abbey' Creator Julian Fellowes on Creative Team
It has been announced that the hilarious rock comedy "School of Rock" will be making its stage debut in fall 2015."School of Rock: The Musical" is based on the hit 2003 film staring Jack Black as a failed rock star who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school and attempts to form a rock band out of his class. The Paramount film was directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White, who starred alongside Black in the movie.The musical's creative team is just as surprising as the production itself. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Glenn Slater and "Downton Abbey" creator Julian Followes have all signed on to the project. The show will feature tunes from the movie, as well as new music by Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Slater, known for his work on such films as Disney's "Tangled" as well as Broadway musicals including "The Little Mermaid" and "Sister Act." The book for "School of Rock" is being written by Fellowes, who wrote the stage version of "Mary Poppins" for Disney and producer Cameron Mackintosh.
