2021-22 Season ArtsReach Series
The President’s Own U.S. Marine Band – October 23, 7:30 PM – FREE!
Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, the United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Its mission is unique—to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Whether performing for State Dinners or South Lawn arrivals, events of national significance, or receptions, Marine Band musicians appear at the White House an average of 200 times each year and perform an annual season showcase series of indoor concerts and a popular outdoor summer concert series on the National Mall. Each fall, the Marine Band travels throughout a portion of the continental United States during its concert tour, a tradition initiated in 1891 by “The March King” John Philip Sousa, who was the band’s legendary 17th Director.
Aquila Theatre’s Preview Performance of Macbeth – January 11, 10:00 AM
A powerful commentary on unchecked ambition and power, Macbeth, is one of Shakespeare’s most influential contributions to world literature. The play, read by millions each year, offers timeless lessons about motivation and human nature.
On a deserted moor shrouded in mist, a warrior returning from the battlefield is met by three old women who deliver a chilling prophecy – that one day he will be crowned King of all Scotland. So begins one of Shakespeare’s most exciting plays, The Tragedy of Macbeth – a thrilling tale of ruthless ambition, deadly deceptions, intense paranoia, and ultimately, insanity. This is a world where “fair is foul and foul is fair.”
After Macbeth receives the prophecy he is given a new title by a grateful King Duncan. This sends both Macbeth and his wife into a frenzied lust for power that results in the brutal murder of the King. As the Macbeths try to consolidate their power, they are besieged by paranoid visions, terrifying phantoms, and the unraveling of their minds.
Aquila Theatre breathes new life and vigorous dramatic fire into this wickedly famous work, with The New Yorker describing their productions as “The classics made relevant with superb acting and clever staging” while The New York Times exclaims “The excellent Aquila Theatre [is] an extraordinarily inventive and disciplined outfit.”
Aquilia Theatre’s Preview Performance of The Great Gatsby – January 15, 7:30 PM
The Great Gatsby, written in 1924 is a deeply moving and honest portrayal of class, racism, and prejudice in American society. In what was originally titled, Under the Red White and Blue, F. Scott Fitzgerald painted a vivid picture of how the quest for the American dream in the absence of true equality can lead to devastating effects. This timely story reveals a culture where success seems to be defined only by wealth, obsession masquerades as love, and prejudice is used as a weapon to bolster one’s fragile sense of self. The story centers around a “self-made” Jay Gatsby, a man from a working-class background, who had previously fallen in love with wealthy heiress, Daisy Buchanan. After returning from his military service he finds that Daisy had married blue-blood, Tom Buchanan. Gatsby, determined to win her back, does whatever it takes to reinvent himself into the man he thinks Daisy will want.
Aquila Theatre’s Desiree Sanchez is creating a new theatrical adaptation that will speak to how this book resonates within our current culture. With its clever and impactful designs, superb actors and insightful direction, Aquila’s production of The Great Gatsby is sure to be the must see show of the season. The New Yorker has raved that Aquila Theatre productions are beautifully spoken, dramatically revealing and crystalline in effect, and The New York Theatre Guide states of Ms. Sanchez’s more recent productions: Desiree Sanchez has masterfully crafted yet another piece of theatrical genius. Her direction is polished and laser sharp. She gets the maximum amount of potential out of every stage moment, has exceptional attention to detail, and is a demiurge of direction.
The Pout-Pout Fish – January 27 & 28, 9:30 and 11:30 AM
Turn the poutiest of frowns upside down in this new musical featuring whimsical puppets and live performers in a sweeping oceanic adventure. When Mr. Fish sets out on a quest to find Miss Clam’s missing pearl, he discovers there is more to him than his permanently plastered pout.
This colorful adaptation of The New York Times bestseller is co-conceived, directed and designed by the acclaimed puppeteers of AchesonWalsh Studios, whose work was featured in Broadway’s The King and I, On the Town, and Radio City’s New York Spectacular. Writing team includes New Victory LabWorks Residency recipients Christopher Anselmo, Jared Corak, Matt Acheson, and Fergus Walsh.
Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends – May 9 & 10, 9:30 and 11:30 AM
Ms. Greer’s classroom includes three inquisitive, out-of-the-box thinkers. Rosie Revere has big dreams. Iggy Peck has a relentless passion for architecture, and Ada Twist’s curiosity can driver her teacher crazy. A fun new TheaterWorks USA musical based on the books Rosie Revere, Engineer, Iggy Peck, Architect and Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, which spotlights the STEM curriculum, focusing on science, technology, engineering and math.
