Nazareth College Arts Center's kicks off its 50th anniversary season with The Soldier's Tale

Rochester, NY (08/18/2017) — Music, theatre, dance, and art all converge on the stage for a triumphant opening to the Nazareth College Arts Center's 50th Anniversary season on Friday, September 8 at 7:30 p.m. with a performance of Igor Stravinsky's classic The Soldier's Tale, followed by an anniversary soiree celebrating 50 years of the arts. Single tickets start at $20 and are available now at naz.edu/50 or 585-389-2170.

This extraordinary performance brings together faculty, students, and alumni from Nazareth's three visual and performing arts departments to bring audiences this rarely performed work in it's intended form. Famed composer Igor Stravinsky and Swiss writer C. F. Ramuz conceived The Soldier's Tale as a work to be "read, played, and danced." Based on a Russian folktale, the piece tells the story of a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil in exchange for unlimited economic gain, only to realize that his material wealth means nothing compared to the happiness-and talent-he'd given up.

Nazareth's performance of The Soldier's Tale (Jared Chase, music director; Patti Lewis Browne, stage director; Hettie Barnhill, choreographer) features a live septet of faculty musicians from Nazareth's Music Department with student and alumni actors and dancers from the Theatre and Dance Department. The work will be performed against digital scenery created by a student from Nazareth's Art Department.

"We are excited to be launching our 50th Anniversary Season with this very special performance. We're celebrating the Arts Center's golden anniversary by putting the spotlight on Nazareth's own talented faculty, students and alumni," said executive director, Rita Mannelli. "It's our anniversary, but the celebration is for our audience."

Nazareth College Arts Center opened its doors in October 1967. The Arts Center's 2017-2018 season will serve as a celebration of 50 years of presenting world-class music, dance, theatre, family programming, and special events, culminating with the completion of the Jane and Laurence Glazer Music Performance Center in the fall of 2018. The Nazareth College Arts Center's 2017-2018 subscription series is sponsored by The Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation and M&T Bank.

The Soldier's Tale
Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, 7:30 p.m., followed by the 50th Anniversary celebration
Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, 7:30 p.m. encore performance
Single tickets: $20-$25 Friday; $10-$15 Saturday (eligible for Arts Center 15% and 20% subscriber discounts). naz.edu/50 or 585-389-2170

Nazareth College Arts Center 2017-2018 50th Anniversary Subscription Series
Media please note: High-resolution photos are available at naz.edu/arts-center/newsroom. Interviews and photo/footage opportunities may also be arranged.

The Soldier's Tale; September 8-9, 2017
Nazareth College kicks off its celebration of 50 years of the Arts Center with this special performance of Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale (Jared Chase, music director; Patti Lewis Browne, stage director; Hettie Barnhill, choreographer). Enjoy an evening of music, theatre, dance, and art, followed by an anniversary soiree in the sculpture garden after Friday's show. Rarely performed with dance, this story of a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil in exchange for great wealth is recreated by a live septet of faculty musicians and student performers against digital scenery created by a student artist.

Rochester City Ballet: All That Jazz; September 29-October 1, 2017
Artistic Director David Palmer brings his Bound for Brubeck to headline Rochester City Ballet's interpretation of great jazz. Choreographer Nikolai Kabaniaev will restage his Bach de Trois, set to Jacques Loussier's jazz rendition of Bach. The performance also will include a world premiere by Palmer.

Black Violin; October 12, 2017
To most people, jazz, hip-hop, funk, and classical are genres; to Black Violin they're ingredients. Combining a daunting array of styles and influences to produce their signature sound, these two classically trained violinists and their DJ are redefining the music world one string at a time, and creating a sound that no one has ever heard, but everyone wants to feel.

The Filharmonic; October 21, 2017
Known for appearances on The Sing-Off and The Late Late Show with James Corden, L.A.-based a cappella group The Filharmonic shares a unique blend of pop, hip hop, and 90s nostalgia with music lovers of all ages.

Garth Fagan Dance; November 29-December 3, 2017
Internationally acclaimed Garth Fagan Dance presents premieres by Garth Fagan and Norwood Pennewell, as well as spectacular revivals from the company's repertoire.

Rhythmic Circus: Red and Green; December 8, 2017
Back by popular demand, Rhythmic Circus adds a groovy twist to memorable melodies in an all-ages Christmas spectacular that combines their signature rapid-fire tap with genre-hopping holiday music.

Theatreworks USA: Pete the Cat; December 10, 2017
A delightful family musical based on the best-selling children's book series and presented by America's largest and most honored theater company for family audiences.

The Capitol Steps; December 31, 2017
The Capitol Steps return to the Arts Center for a favorite New Year's Eve tradition of award-winning, bi-partisan, politically based satire ripped from current headlines.

Do You Speak Djembe?; January 20, 2018
A festive fusion of cultures enjoyed by all ages. Onstage: a live band of outstanding Western and African musicians on traditional instruments. In the theater, the audience becomes part of the show as they beat infectious rhythms on their own djembe drums. This performance is sponsored by Josephine M. Perini.

Tiempo Libre; February 10, 2018
Three-time Grammy-nominated Afro-Caribbean ensemble Tiempo Libre features seven classically trained musicians. The band has appeared on The Tonight Show, Live from Lincoln Center, Dancing with the Stars, and performed worldwide (including the Rochester International Jazz Festival).

Childsplay: Go, Dog. Go!; February 18, 2018
A perfect first theatre experience for young children that brings the adventures of P.D. Eastman's best-selling book to life in a frolicking musical presented by one of the country's top professional theatre companies for young audiences.

The Second City; February 22, 2018
Fresh, fast, and spectacularly funny, The Best of The Second City brings hilarious sketches made famous by stars such as Belushi, Fey, Sudeikis, and Colbert, as well as brand new scenes, songs, and improv straight from sold-out club shows in Chicago and Toronto. May contain adult or mature content.

Rochester City Ballet: Cinderella; March 9-11, 2018
Rochester City Ballet brings back the classic, full-length favorite, Cinderella, filled with humor, beautiful dancing, and magic to create a performance that makes the shoe fit for everyone in the family.

MOMIX: Opus Cactus; March 18, 2018
MOMIX brings the landscape of the American Southwest to life with signature illusionistic style. Dynamic images of cacti, lizards, insects, fire dancers, and more are created with nothing more than light, shadow, props, and the human body in a show that is suitable for all ages.

Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago; March 24, 2018
Travel back to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Chicago's golden age with hits like "Saturday In The Park," "25 or 6 To 4," "If You Leave Me Now," "Feelin' Stronger Every Day," and "Beginnings."

Vital Theatre Company: Pinkalicious; May 5, 2018
Based on the New York Times best-selling picture book written and illustrated by Victoria Kann, this sparkling musical shows that being your pinkariffic, pinkatastic, pinkaperfect self is best of all!

Rochester City Ballet: Stravinsky/Bowie; May 18-20, 2018
Rochester City Ballet shows the range of 20th century music when it dances Artistic Director David Palmer's interpretation of Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and brings back Under the Moonlight, Palmer's celebration of the music of David Bowie.

TICKETS
Single tickets and subscriptions for the Arts Center's 50th anniversary season are on sale at naz.edu/artscenter or 585-389-2170.
The Arts Center offers two subscription options: patrons who order three or more different shows receive 15% off their entire order; patrons who order five or more different shows receive 20% off their entire order. Subscribers enjoy numerous benefits including the first opportunity to renew for the following season, the ability to purchase additional tickets throughout the season at their discounted subscriber rate, half-price tickets to Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department performances, and the courtesy of ticket exchanges prior to curtain time.

The Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office is located on campus, at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14618. The Box Office is open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Since 1967, the NAZARETH COLLEGE ARTS CENTER has served as a venue and educational resource for students, educators, artists, and audiences of all ages to create, study, and experience the visual and performing arts. The Arts Center's subscription series and K-12 school performance series provide area residents of all ages with opportunities to experience world-class dance, multi-cultural entertainment, family programming, music, theatre, and special events. The Departments of Art, Music, and Theatre and Dance present exceptional productions, recitals, and exhibitions, which are open to the public, while preparing students for successful careers in arts-related fields.
The Nazareth College Arts Center is the performance home of the Rochester City Ballet and world-renowned Garth Fagan Dance; and is home to the Bach Children's Chorus.

For More Information
Rita Mannellli | Arts Center Executive Director | (585) 389-2147 | rmannel5@naz.edu

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