The Myrna Loy Center's
2001-2002 Live Performance

Zeitgeist and Paul Dresher

Barrymore

James Hunley

Wednesday, September 19, 2001 8:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $10

Classical guitarist James Russell Hunley brings Spanish romance to the Myrna Loy stage in a concert entitled "An Evening in the Gardens of Spain." The concert will feature images and sounds of Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba and the countryside of Southern Spain, expressed in the language of classical guitar, sometimes called the most introspective of instruments.

Footloose
National Touring Company

Wednesday, October 3, 8:00 p.m.
Helena Civic Center
Tickets: $30 / $15 Students

It's no sin to be young. That's the message behind this exhilarating, roof-raising barnburner of a Broadway show. Footloose tells the tale of a small town that tries to ban dancing - but, inevitably, irrepressible youth and artistic desire bust out and win the day. It's about the triumph of art over fear; of hope over death; of life over oppression. It's also about a misfit teen, misunderstood by his classmates and deserted by his father - but boy does he know how to shake his booty without working up a sweat. The show includes 16 songs including some platinum hits (Kenny Loggins' "Footloose," "Holding out for a Hero," "Almost Paradise, and "Let's Hear it for the Boy") and an explosion of dance that earned raves at Harrah's in Atlantic City. Helena asked for more Broadway musicals. You got it!

"Footloose makes a courageous bid to relate an actual teen drama and succeeds in this mission. It's a pleasing, lighthearted musical that the entire family will rap to, tap to or clap to." -- Whoot Weekly of Atlantic City

"The show is magic! This dazzling energetic and acrobatic offering makes Rent look arthritic!"
-- Liz Smith, Syndicated columnist

"A wonder of wizardly Broadway expertise. A genuine certified, roof-raising show-stopper!"
-- Dennis Cunningham, WCBS-TV

http://www.footlooseontour.com/

Beakman's World

AWARE Family Showcase
Saturday, October 6, 2001, 3:00 p.m.
Helena Civic Center
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students

Based on the Emmy Award-winning children's TV show, Beakman's World features large-scale, wacky science demonstrations with plenty of audience participation and Beakman's trademark goofy humor. Paul Zaloom, as the eccentric scientist Beakman, dazzles and amazes his fellow humans with a series of death-defying and belief-suspending exhibitions of intriguing scientific principles.

"A decidedly cool brand of science." - The New York Times

"Mr. Zaloom is obviously good with children, and they adore him. He affected the children in an extremely positive way by explaining scientific principles incredibly clearly." - Kansas City Museum

"A fast, funny, relentlessly hip science show" - Associated Press

http://www.spe.sony.com/tv/kids/beakman/beakmain.html

Bill Staines

Wednesday, October 31, 2001, 8:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students

One of the most popular (and most admired) singers on the folksong circuit today, Bill Staines resonates with warmth, humor, and a lifetime of soulful songs. After nearly 30 years on the road, Staines has perfected the art of opening his soul sweetly, comfortably, and with a witty lack of fanfare. This is the man who wrote "All God's Children Got a Voice in the Choir," "Roseville Fair," and a number of other songs that have

become folk standards without ever becoming clichés. He has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, The Good Evening Show and a host of local programs on PBS and network TV. Even though he got his start in the hootenanny era, he'll still set your kids' toes to tapping. What a great way to spend a Halloween night.

http://www.acousticmusic.com/staines/bsbio.htm

The Metis Legacy

World Premiere
Friday, November 16, 2001, 8:00 p.m.
Helena Civic Center

Philip Aaberg, Darol Anger, Jimmie LaRocque,
with The Metis Heritage Dancers and the Cascade String Quartet
Tickets: $20 / $10 Students

A celebration of the extraordinary legacy of fiddle music of the Metis people. The project explores the musical and social legacy of a tribe without boundaries, whose heritage results from marriage between Indians and Europeans throughout the Northern Plains from Sault St. Marie, Michigan, to Choteau, Montana, across both sides of the 49th parallel.

ABOUT THE METIS NATION:

In the 1800s, a new population of people emerged on the Northern Plains of North America: the Metis, whose fathers were former employees of Hudson's Bay and Northwest Fur Companies, and whose mothers were Indian women of various tribes. The French word, Metis, comes from the Latin mixtus, which means "mixed," and which also gives us "mele." It's the right idea.

When Canada annexed the northwest in 1870, all the treaties signed with the Metis were "unilaterally extinguished" through individual land and grants scrip. Denied the recognition of their collective rights by political edict, the Metis became Canada's "forgotten people."

This landless nation, led at one time by the martyr-warrior Louis Riel (who taught, briefly, at a school near Great Falls before heading off to fight with his people) is now emerging as a political and cultural force in Canada, and recently won an important court decision regarding hunting rights. (For more information, see http://www.metisnation.org.), or read Strange Empire, by Joseph Kinsey Howard, with an introduction by Nicholas Vrooman of Helena.

	Audio Sample - Road to Batoche - 4:11 min
	Audio Sample - Road to Batoche - 4:09 min

http://www.philipaaberg.com/

Spiderwoman Theater:
Persistence of Memory

Saturday Matinee, November 17, 2001, 3:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $10

A video/live performance work about aging, memory and storyweaving by the oldest continually-running women's theater company in North America. This important work focuses on the healing aspects of storytelling. It is a collection of stories acted, told and sung across the 25 years of this group's history (they are sisters), and will be part of Spiderwoman's residency activities in Helena (stay tuned for more details about their residency activities.)

They take their name from the Hopi goddess Spiderwoman, who taught the people to weave and said, You must make a mistake in every tapestry so that my spirit may come and go at will.

Special Consensus

Sunday, November 18, 2001, 3:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students

One of the country's hottest bluegrass bands returns to Helena. This 4-man acoustic ensemble specializes in historic music, education, and enthralling audiences young and old. They've been together since 1975, and have performed on National Public Radio, Nashville Channel's "Fire on the Mountain" program, and numerous other programs and live stages nationwide. They initiated the Traditional American Music program in schools across the country. All their shows are entertaining, educational and musically enriching.

http://www.specialc.com

Death of a Salesman
Montana Repertory Theater

Thursday, January 31, 2002, 8:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students

As relevant today as when it premiered 50 years ago, Death of a Salesman continues to reflect and reveal the core of human experience. In this classic story of the failed Willy Loman, Miller hits a universal chord, enabling us to share the pain of being left out of the great, elusive, uniquely American promise of success. Willy Loman touches us profoundly, tapping into our longing and fantasies. He captures the heartache that can be found in the thwarted pursuit of the American dream. This work of tremendous emotional impact is artfully imparted by the Montana Repertory Theatre.

http://www.shaganarts.com/html/montana.html

Fry Street Quartet

Saturday Matinee, February 2, 2002, 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 2, 2002, 8:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students

This awarding-winning young string quartet will spend a week in Helena capped by two great performances of classical music. Fry Street is one of six ensembles participating in Chamber Music America's Rural Residencies Program. They have worked with Isaac Stern, and played their debut Carnegie Hall concert in November 2001. The Fry Street Quartet will have a residency in Helena from January 27 until February 3. The residency begins with master classes, public appearances, and school performances, and culminates with two formal concerts. For more information, please contact the Myrna Loy Center at 443-0287.

http://www.frystreetquartet.com

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Wednesday, February 20, 2002, 7:00 p.m.
Helena Civic Center
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse is a dramatic compilation of stories written by children's author Kevin Henkes, most of which are familiar to the under-10 set. Henkes's stories delight in the everyday, celebrate growth and learning, and find humor in the difficulties of living.

Just like all successful characters, Lilly teaches by example. For this young mouse, school is a wonderful place to be until the day Lilly takes her new glittery glasses and purple plastic purse (which plays music!) to school. She is so anxious to share her new things that she ignores her teacher, becomes rambunctious, and gets herself into a sticky wicket with a few friends. In the story she learns valuable lessons about friendship, family and forgiveness.

Families and other groups can enjoy the 7:00 p.m. performance. A special school presentation of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse is scheduled for the afternoon of Feb. 21, which Helena-area first, second and third-graders will attend.

http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/family/lilly/

MacHomer

Tuesday, March 5, 2002, 7:30 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students

"The most intriguing interpretation of Shakespeare's Macbeth ever to hit the stage," writes the Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun. This one-man vocal spectacular features 50 voices from TV's favorite dysfunctional family in a hilarious multimedia performance of Shakespeare's darkest tragedy. Starring Homer Simpson as Macbeth and Marge as Lady Macbeth (in a script that remains 85% Shakespeare). Hysterically funny and amazing to watch.

"A breakneck one-man tour de force… Macbeth has never been so funny!" - London Sunday Mail

http://www.rickmiller.org

National Tour of Mahalia

Saturday, March 16, 2002, 8:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $25 / $10 Students

MAHALIA is a rousing new musical that tells the true story of one of the greatest women of the 20th Century, Mahalia Jackson. Her unique full-throated voice made her the most famous gospel singer of all time. Hers was an amazing journey. A grandchild of plantation slaves, she became a successful gospel singer, triumphed at Carnegie Hall, and reigned at concert stages worldwide. She also put herself in danger and lent her musical gifts to the Civil Rights Movement, and always went wherever she was "called." Tasha Wilson is simply superb as Mahalia, "with dead-on comic timing and a voice that raises the rafters even without a mike." (Lexington Herald-Leader)

"Stupendous, inspiring, empowering…simply breathtaking." -- Braden Auditorium, Normal, IL

The Laramie Project

by Moises Kaufmann and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project
Presented by The Helena Theater Company

April 4-6 & 10-13, 2002, 8:00 p.m.
April 4, 8:00 p.m. Benefit for PRIDE - Tickets: $12
Sunday Matinee, April 7, 2002, 3:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $10

"If you would have asked me before I would have told you, Laramie is a beautiful town... A town with a strong sense of community-everyone knows everyone... A town with a personality that most larger cities are stripped of. Now, after Matthew, I would say that Laramie is a town defined by an accident, a crime."-Jedediah Schultz, The Laramie Project Through a series of interviews, The Laramie Project offers a stunning, profoundly moving picture of a community facing a nearly incomprehensible event and its aftermath. In October 1998, Matthew Shepard was found savagely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming. His death spurred a painful self-examination for the people in this small town, who found themselves suddenly in the national spotlight as they grappled with their values and identity.

The amazing thing about The Laramie Project is that almost every word is true. Faithfully transcribed from some 200 hours of interviews, plus police records, court testimony and the occasional impressions of the actor/interviewers, it is really a judicious job of cut-and-paste for dramatic effect.

It might have been titled "Anytown USA." University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was indeed savagely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in Laramie. But, as The Laramie Project unfolds, there is a gradual awareness that this horrible act could have taken place in a whole lot of places where there are wide-open spaces and narrow, closed minds.

Triple Play

Sunday Matinee, April 14, 2002, 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 2002, 8:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students

When Chris Brubeck, Peter "Madcat" Ruth and Joel Brown perform together, it's always an event to remember. This dynamic ensemble programs everything from jazz to folk to blues and classics, presented to enthrall kids, please grandparents, and satisfy serious music fans. The combo features guitar, piano, trombone, vocals, harmonica and sometimes some Tupperware. These are wonderful musicians, and their enthusiasm is infectious. Bring the family.

Bill Harley

Friday, April 26, 2002, 8:00 p.m.
Helena Middle School
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students / $5 (if you are under 5)

Bill Harley is a household name to children and parents. This master teller of tales and singer of songs is one of the finest family performers in the United States. "I seem to be the victim of a very normal childhood," says this Grammy-nominated composer. He's a Pea Green Boat favorite, with songs like "Zanzibar," "Weezie and the Moonpies," "There's a Pea on my Plate," and "Monsters in the Bathroom."

Bill Harley will give two school performances in addition to the evening family performance.

"Bill Harley is the finest, funniest children's songwriter around." - Family Fun Magazine

http://www.billharley.com

Sound Stage
A New Music Theater work about Making Music
Conceived and composed by Paul Dresher
Direction and text by Rinde Eckert
Performed by Zeitgeist with Paul Dresher

Friday, May 3, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday Matinee, May 4, 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 4, 8:00 p.m.
Myrna Loy Center
Tickets: $15 / $10 Students

Sound Stage is an extraordinary new work that explores the means and meaning of music-making. Combining a set built entirely of huge invented musical instruments, traditional instrumental virtuosity, deadpan physical humor, vivid lighting design, and a spare text filled with sly wit and real science, the work playfully explores the physics of sound and the mystery of music's emotional power in our lives. Leading this exploration, Dresher's score ranges widely, from passages of haunting lyricism and emotional power through sections of almost indescribable rhythmic intensity and contrasted with the exploration of the sonic potential of every day objects.

Eckert's text provides both a framework for understanding the piece visually and aurally and engages us with its poetic intelligence and humor. The score allows the musicians of Zeitgeist to use the full range of their skills as both traditional instrumentalists and improvisers and with Eckert's resourceful and restrained direction, they fluidly inhabit the stage environment with the intention and economy of skilled actors.

The elegant visual impact of the work is immediate upon entering the theater, when one views far upstage the centerpiece of the work, a 17 1/2 foot tall rolling A frame with two 17 foot pendulums swinging silently on either side. Over the course of the work, this instrument, whose every surface and material produces sound, becomes many things: a childhood home with an attic full of memories; a set of giant harps plucked by the swinging pendulums; a drum set for all five performers, and ultimately a place of collective musical mystery and discovery.

At the end of the 80-minute performance, the audience is welcomed on the stage to explore the instruments on their own or with the assistance of the designers and performers, creating their own music in an impromptu musical playground for both children and adults.