Bravos and Bows on a 'Grand' Scale

Plácido Domingo and Nino Machaidze

The Center presented LA Opera in a concert performance of Jules Massenet’s Thaïs on May 27. This is the third time the Center has brought the LA Opera cast, chorus and orchestra to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall to perform one of the company’s works being presented in fully-staged productions at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The cast starred the legendary Plácido Domingo as Athanaël and Nino Machaidze in the title role.

Final bows and standing ovation.

A number of Center guests applauded and welcomed the cast at a party held in the concert hall Donor Lounge.

Center Chairman Larry Higby and wife Dee 
with Plácido Domingo and his wife Marta.

LA Opera President Christopher Koelsch, performance 
underwriter Paul Musco and Center President Terry Dwyer.

All photos by Nick Koon.

Oh What a Prize – JERSEY BOYS Tickets!

Maria Fazelat with Macy's American Icons MC Mario Lopez.

Maria Fazelat won a pair of tickets to opening night of JERSEY BOYS on June 24 during a raffle at Macy’s American Icons event. Eleven other lucky people took home the coveted tickets as well. Host of the event was Extra’s Mario Lopez, who presented Maria with her winning tickets and an autographed photo. Shoppers received JERSEY BOYS totes, cast recordings and posters. The show will be at the Center June 24 – July 13 this summer. You can see the original Jersey Boy, Frankie Valli, on August 16, also in Segerstrom Hall.

Maria Fazelat with her tickets to opening night of JERSEY BOYS.

Always in good taste, the classic Jersey Boys tote.

All photos by Nick Koon.

LEGO Art Snaps Into Place at the Center

GUYS AND DOLLS LEGO display by Peter Aoun of Azusa

DIRTY DANCING LEGO display by James Banks of Long Beach

Patrons coming to Segerstrom Hall now through August 31 will be amazed by the exhibit of Broadway-inspired LEGO art created by some of the most talented members of LUGOLA (LEGO Users Group of Los Angeles). Each sculpture is themed to a Broadway show in the Center’s 2014-2015 Season: PIPPIN (November 11 – 23, 2014), DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (December 10 – 14, 2014), KINKY BOOTS (December 30, 2014 – January 11, 2015), DIRTY DANCING (February 3 – 15, 2015), NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (March 17 – 22, 2015), GUYS AND DOLLS (April 14 – 19, 2015), ANNIE THE MUSICAL (May 13 – 24, 2015), MOTOWN THE MUSICAL (June 16 – 28, 2015) and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (August 5 – 16, 2015). The team of nine designers are led by Paul Lee. 

ANNIE LEGO display by Guy Himber of Sherman Oaks

PIPPIN LEGO display by Paul Lee of Placentia

It’s incredible and it’s cool – and for a close-up look the Center’s LEGO odes to Broadway, click here or view it here:

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT LEGO display by Eric Tetangco of La Habra

DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS 
LEGO display by John Cooper of San Diego

All photos by Joesan Diche.

Clothes Make the Man – and the JERSEY BOYS

JERSEY BOYS display at Macy's South Coast Plaza

To help celebrate the return of JERSEY BOYS to the Center June 24 – July 13, Macy’s South Coast Plaza is raffling 12 pairs of tickets to the June 24 opening night in Segerstrom Hall. It’s part of the American Icons event on Thursday, May 15 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Macy’s Women’s Department. The event will be hosted by Extra and On with Mario star Mario Lopez and feature the USC Trojan Marching Band. The first 50 customers to make a purchase will receive a JERSEY BOYS tote, poster and cast CD.  

We Were Rockin' Our Souls at the Center!

Dance classes at Revelations Celebration on the Arts Plaza.
Photo by Dawson Photography.

Segerstrom Center’s welcome to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater began on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. with a Revelations Celebration on the Arts Plaza. The free event included dance classes taught by the Ailey’s National Director of AileyCamp/Spokesperson & Master Teacher for Arts in Education Nasha Thomas-Schmitt and former Principal Dancer Renee Robinson, a performance by The Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles, Center Teaching Artist and master storyteller Victoria Burnett, the Imagination Playground, visual arts demonstrations, street mural chalk drawing and food trucks. 

The Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles at Revelations Celebration
on the Arts Plaza. Photo by Dawson Photography.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opens on Wednesday, March 26 with a special Discover Ailey performance. Artistic Director Robert Battle will host the evening. He’ll discuss the history and development of the Ailey company and talk about the artistic vision and legacy that the company is creating in the world dance scene. The company will dance Bill T. Jones’ modern dance classic D-Man in the Waters (Part I) and Alvin Ailey’s signature masterpiece Revelations. Following the performance, Mr. Battle will introduce the dancers to the audience. Tickets are just $29. 

Revelations Celebration the Arts Plaza. Photo by Dawson Photography.

Full performances are March 27 – 30. There will be free Preview Talks one hour before each performance. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Center Flaunts Yoshiki Concert Kick-Off

Yoshiki

This past weekend at the 2014 SXSW Music and Media Conference global rock icon Yoshiki unveiled a never before seen classical concert performance at FLAUNT Magazine’s party celebrating its upcoming List Issue. Yoshiki mesmerized the audience at Austin’s Qui as he performed a piano duel with a hologram of himself. Watch the performance on Yoshiki’s YouTube channel. 

Yoshiki will kick off his first ever classical world tour on April 25 in the Center’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. He will perform music from his new classical album Yoshiki Classical. Known worldwide as founder of the legendary band X Japan and arguably the most successful rock band to come out of Asia, Yoshiki has sold 30 million singles and albums combined. The Yoshiki Classical tour is a rare chance for fans of both his signature brand of rock and classical music to see him perform in some of the world’s most renowned concert halls. 

For more information about Yoshiki’s performance at the Center and to purchase tickets, click here.

Let Us Introduce You to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with Artistic Director Robert Battle
 and Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya. Photo by Andrew Eccles.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is presenting a special Discover Ailey performance on Wednesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle will host the evening. He’ll discuss the history and development of the Ailey company and talk about the artistic vision and legacy that the company is creating in the world dance scene. The company will dance Bill T. Jones’ modern dance classic D-Man in the Waters (Part I) and Alvin Ailey’s signature masterpiece Revelations – a must-see for anyone who wants to discover the heart, and soul, the energy and spirit of the Ailey, which has been hailed as an American cultural treasure. Following the performance, Mr. Battle will introduce the dancers to the audience. 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater  Artistic Director Robert Battle.
Photo by Andrew Eccles

All seats are $29 for this special performance. For information and to purchase tickets to other performance during the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater engagement at the Center from March 27 – 30, click here.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's Revelations. Photo by Gert Krautbauer.