Arizona State University’s Music Theatre and Opera 2022–23 season is filled with full-scale productions after two years of smaller productions due to COVID-19.
“We are still taking precautions, but this year’s season is focused on providing as many opportunities for students as possible, creating a season that our audience is excited to see, while, at the same time, continuing to diversify and expand our repertoire,” said Brian DeMaris, artistic director of Music Theatre and Opera and associate professor in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre.
DeMaris said the specific productions for each season are selected from a list of titles submitted for consideration by anyone in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre. The program’s faculty, staff and open-access Student Leadership Team then narrow down the submissions into a short list based on the season’s pedagogical goals.
“We then work with other areas and community partners to identify dates and titles that work in tandem with the countless other performances on campus and in the community to ensure maximum impact,” DeMaris said.
The opening production, "Daughter of the Regiment," is a fun and funny French operetta. "Head Over Heels," an energetic show based on the hit tunes of the Go-Go's, breaks boundaries and will feature an all female-identifying rock band. "The Rake's Progress," a masterpiece by Igor Stravinsky featuring the words of W. H. Auden, is a rare performance of a monumental and challenging work, and — to DeMaris’ knowledge — the first time the work has been produced in Arizona.
"Into the Woods," which was selected because of the ways in which ASU students can tell the story and portray the characters, is a complex and uplifting musical with a timeless quality that allows the story to resonate with audiences of all ages and eras. The work speaks to many people, DeMaris said, not only because of Stephen Sondheim's recent passing, but because of the figurative "woods" many have been through during the pandemic.
Songs from "Liquid Days," led by graduate student Mario Yniguez, is ASU’s first stage production of an opera by the prolific composer Philip Glass. "Little Women," a timeless female-driven story, is the second entirely student-led production and provides students with the opportunity to select, design, build, direct and choreograph their own show.
“Our student lab process provides opportunities for student leadership and community building, while simultaneously enabling students to try their hand in skills outside of performing on stage,” DeMaris said.
Individual student performers will be featured in the class of 2023 Musical Theatre Showcase and in multiple cabaret performances, including the annual student-led Holiday Cabaret and Color Cabaret.
Tickets are available online in advance through the Herberger Institute Box Office. Ticket prices and venues vary. Face coverings are recommended in School of Music, Dance and Theatre indoor performance spaces. University COVID-19 information may be found at coronavirus.asu.edu.
2022-23 ASU Music Theatre and Opera Season
"Daughter of the Regiment"
7:30 p.m., Sept. 23 and 24
2 p.m., Sept. 25
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Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François
English dialogue by Ruth and Thomas Martin
"Songs from Liquid Days"
(student lab production)
7:30 p.m., Oct. 28 and 29
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Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
Music by Philip Glass
Libretto by Paul Simon, Suzanne Vega, David Byrne and Laurie Anderson
"Head Over Heels"
7:30 p.m., Nov. 17,18 and 19
2 p.m., Nov. 20
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Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
Songs by The Go-Go's
Based on "The Arcadia" by Sir Philip Sidney
Conceived by and original book by Jeff Whitty
Adaptation by James Magruder
Holiday Cabaret
7:30 p.m., Nov. 29
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Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
"Little Women, the Broadway Musical"
(student lab production)
7:30p.m., Jan. 13 and 14
2 p.m, Jan. 15
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Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
Book by Allen Knee
Music by Jason Howland
Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein
Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Color Cabaret
7:30 p.m., Feb. 4
2 p.m., Feb. 5
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Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
"The Rake's Progress"
7:30 p.m., Feb. 24 and 25
2 p.m., Feb. 26
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Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
Music by Igor Stravinsky
Libretto by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman
"Into the Woods"
7:30 p.m., April 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22
2 p.m., April 16 and 23
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Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
Book by James Lapine
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Theatre Showcase
7:30 p.m., April 25
location TBD
All Herberger Institute students, faculty and staff are eligible for complimentary tickets to most events (see policies). Click buy tickets to obtain your complimentary tickets using your 10-digit ASU ID as the promo code.
"The Daughter of the Regiment" by Gaetano Donizetti is presented under license from G. Schirmer Inc. and Associated Music Publishers, copyright owners. "Head Over Heels" is produced by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing. "Little Women, The Broadway Musical" and "Into the Woods" are presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. "The Rake’s Progress" is presented by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher and copyright owner.
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