BEHOLD THE MAN: LA OPERA DEL ECCE HOMO - ASU Music Theatre and Opera - May 18 & 19, 2018

Arizona State University Music Theatre and Opera presents a semi-staged workshop premiere of "Behold The Man: La Ópera del Ecce Homo," a new comic opera by composer Paul Fowler and librettist Andrew Flack, about the botched restoration of artist Elias Garcia Martinez’ "Ecce Homo" fresco in Borja, Spain.

In an attempt to save a forgotten and sadly deteriorated fresco of Jesus, octogenarian Cecilia Giménez tries her hand at its restoration, only to make matters worse. Outrage is rampant and threats are made. Even the ghost of the fresco’s original artist gets into the act. Swept up by social media, the story becomes an internet sensation, drawing tourists from around the world, helping restore the woman’s reputation and revitalizing the economy of the struggling town.

"Behold the Man" is a poignant comedy about how a disaster morphed into a miracle, and how the virtual world can impact the lives of ordinary people in powerful ways.

May 18 and 19, 7:30 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
$10 General Admission

CLICK HERE for more information on this production

TIL DEATH: A NEW MUSICAL - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre - March 25, 2018

New Work Reading: Til Death - A New Musical
Join us for our popular New Work Reading series and see what the hype is all about!

As the uncertainty of the Great War gives way to the progress of the 1920s, Liza Bloomfield wishes the times would just stop changing, always wishing to be one of the great ladies she serves in the millinery in which she works. Alongside Irene Kaye, a quick-thinking actress, Liza takes her fate into her own hands and risks it all to sail for England, eventually conning her way up the social ladder. “Til Death” is a darkly comic musical about friendship, crime, romance and the allure and danger of longing for the past. Some mature content.

Book and lyric by Amanda Prahl, Master of Fine Arts in playwriting candidate; music by Alexander Tom, Arizona State University alumnus.

March 25, 6 p.m.
ASU Kerr Cultural Center

$8 General Admission

For information or tickets, call ASU Kerr Center Box Office at 480-596-2660 or CLICK HERE

THE FAIRY QUEEN - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre - March 23 & 24, 2018

Student Lab Production: The Fairy Queen

Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” takes a musical twist in Purcell’s adaptation, "The Fairy Queen."

The stories of the fairies that inhabit the forest come to life through this production in the Diane and Bruce Halle Skyspace Garden on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. Upon entering the garden, the audience will be surrounded by the fairies’ sylvan lair, and will enjoy an evening of singing, dancing and scenes from the original play, featuring artists from the various schools within the Herberger Institute.

Music by Henry Purcell, after "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare; stage direction by Stephanie Sadownik, music direction by Kamna Gupta.

March 23 and 24, 6 p.m.
Biodesign Institute
Sky Space Garden

$8 General Admission  CLICK HERE to purchase tickets

THE HALLOWEEN TREE - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre - October 29th

Join us for a reading of a work in progress, aptly timed for Halloween. Traveling across space and time, from Egypt to Mexico, from prehistory to modern day, a group of children undertake an epic journey to find their friend Pipkin, who has mysteriously disappeared on Halloween night. Through their search, the children learn about the cultural and historical traditions that have led to the celebration of Halloween today. In collaboration with the ASU Chamber Singers. Appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Music by Theo Popov; libretto by Tony Asaro; based on the novel by Ray Bradbury, commission by American Lyric Theater; Lawrence Edelson, producing artistic director; developed under the auspices of the Composer Librettist Development Program.

Sun 10/29 - 6pm
ASU Kerr Cultural Center, Scottsdale, AZ

For information or tickets call ASU Kerr Center Box Office at 480-596-2660

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, and to purchase tickets

THE BARTERED BRIDE - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre - September 27 - October 1, 2017

Music by Bedřich Smetana
English translation by Marion Farquhar; original libretto by Karel Sabina
September 27, 28 and 30, 7:30 p.m.
October 1, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

Bedřich Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride” is one of the most beloved operas of all time, and remains to this day a pivotal work in the history of Czech language and musical history. Overflowing with beautiful melodies, lively dancing, colorful costumes, and a comedic circus scene, this delightful comedy pits the machinations of an old-world matchmaker against two young lovers, with results that are both touching, hilarious and fun for audiences of all ages. The production will be sung in English with projected surtitles.

music direction by Brian DeMaris; stage direction by Dale Dreyfoos; choreography by Molly Lajoie.

To order tickets and find more information on the complete season, call the Herberger Institute Box Office at 480.965.6447 or visit music.asu.edu/lot.

Ticket prices: $11 – Flash Friday, $21 – adult (for all dates except Flash Friday), $15 – faculty, staff, alumni, $12 – senior, $10 – group (minimum of 10 tickets), $8 – student.

A NEW BRAIN - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre - November 16 - 19, 2017

Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
November. 16, 17 and 18, 7:30 p.m.
November 19, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

"A New Brain" is composer and lyricist William Finn's autobiographical musical about the healing power of art. This surreal and uplifting musical tells the story of a brilliant songwriter finding his voice and the opportunities for positive change that come through unforeseen challenges.

Recommended for mature audiences due to adult language and sexual content.

Stage direction and Choreography by Robert Kolby Harper; Music Direction by Brian DeMaris and Danielle Hutchison.

To order tickets and find more information on the complete season, call the Herberger Institute Box Office at 480.965.6447 or visit music.asu.edu/lot.

Ticket prices: $11 – Flash Friday, $21 – adult (for all dates except Flash Friday), $15 – faculty, staff, alumni, $12 – senior, $10 – group (minimum of 10 tickets), $8 – student.

NEVERMORE: THE IMAGINARY LIFE AND MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF EDGAR ALLAN POE - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre - January 12 - 14, 2018

Student Lab Production

Book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Christenson
January 12 and 13, 7:30 p.m.
January 14, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

“Nevermore – The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe” is a unique and wildly theatrical musical play combining haunting music, poetic storytelling, and stunning stagecraft to tell the fascinating and moving life story of iconic American writer Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849). This eerie and heartbreaking story follows Poe's tragic life and the internal struggles that would later inspire some of his famous writings. For mature audiences.

direction by Nellie Shuford and Austin Delp; music direction by Sara Bruton; choreography by John Batchan.

To order tickets and find more information on the complete season, call the Herberger Institute Box Office at 480.965.6447 or visit music.asu.edu/lot.

Ticket prices: $11 – Flash Friday, $21 – adult (for all dates except Flash Friday), $15 – faculty, staff, alumni, $12 – senior, $10 – group (minimum of 10 tickets), $8 – student.

THE BREASTS OF TIRESIAS - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre - February 22 - 25, 2018

Music by Francis Poulenc
Based on the play by Guillaume Apollinaire
February 22, 23 and 24, 7:30 p.m.
February 25, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

Based on Apollinaire’s play of the same name, "The Breasts of Tirésias" is an absurdist romp through the turbulent relationship of Therese and her husband. Beginning with a feminist revolt in which Therese changes herself to a man and changes her husband into a woman, this gender-fluid opera ends with a poignant message of peace to a country ravaged by war. Recommended for mature audiences.

Music by Francis Poulenc; adapted from the play by Guillaume Apollinaire; music direction by Kamna Gupta; stage direction by David Lefkowich.

To order tickets and find more information on the complete season, call the Herberger Institute Box Office at 480.965.6447 or visit music.asu.edu/lot.

Ticket prices: $11 – Flash Friday, $21 – adult (for all dates except Flash Friday), $15 – faculty, staff, alumni, $12 – senior, $10 – group (minimum of 10 tickets), $8 – student.

LEGALLY BLONDE - ASU Lyric Opera Theatre - April 13 - 22, 2018

Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Roger O. Hirson
April 13, 14, 20 and 21, 7:30 p.m.
April 15 and 22, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

Based on the iconic 2001 movie, “Legally Blonde The Musical” follows Elle Woods on her fast-paced journey from west coast to east coast in pursuit of love and learning. With a book by Heather Hach and an action-packed pop-rock score with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, this musical tackles all kinds of stereotypes with over-the-top energy, irreverence and fun. It is suitable for most audiences, with occasional mild adult humor.

Music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin; book by Heather Hach; based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture; stage direction and choreography by Roy Lightner; music direction by Brian DeMaris and Josh Condon.

To order tickets and find more information on the complete season, call the Herberger Institute Box Office at 480.965.6447 or visit music.asu.edu/lot.

Ticket prices: $11 – Flash Friday, $21 – adult (for all dates except Flash Friday), $15 – faculty, staff, alumni, $12 – senior, $10 – group (minimum of 10 tickets), $8 – student.

ASU Lyric Opera Theatre's 2017 / 2018 Season!

from our friends at ASU LOT:

Main-stage productions include Smetana's beautiful and pivotal opera "The Bartered Bride," William Finn's autobiographical musical "A New Brain," Francis Poulenc's absurdist "The Breasts of Tiresias" and Stephen Schwartz's iconic rock musical "Pippin." The Lyric Opera Theatre Lab, through which students do everything themselves including selecting titles, directing, designing and producing, will feature "Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death Of Edgar Allan Poe" and Purcell's "The Fairy Queen," based on Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream," performed outdoors in the ASU Biodesign Institute's Diane and Bruce Halle Skyspace Garden.

We will continue our New Works Reading series at ASU Kerr Cultural Center next year, presenting "The Halloween Tree" (based on the story by Ray Bradbury) in partnership with American Lyric Theater, and a new musical by ASU MFA Playwriting student Amanda Prahl and ASU alum Alexander Tom called "Til Death," in collaboration with the ASU School of Film, Dance and Theatre.

We are proud to continue our partnership with Phoenix Theatre, where we will hold select classes and our year-end Musical Theatre Showcase. Our students will also have the special opportunity to work with Maestro Tito Munoz and the Phoenix Symphony on a concert version of "West Side Story."

Follow us on Facebook so you can be sure to hear about other events and all the exciting work our students and alumni are doing at ASU and beyond.

“The Bartered Bride”
Music by Bedřich Smetana
English translation by Marion Farquhar
September 27, 28 and 30, 7:30 p.m.
October 1, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

New Works Reading
“The Halloween Tree”
Music by Theo Popov
Libretto by Tony Asaro
Based on the novel by Ray Bradbury
Commissioned by American Lyric Theater
Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Director
October 29, 6 p.m.
ASU Kerr Cultural Center

“A New Brain”
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
November. 16, 17 and 18, 7:30 p.m.
November 19, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

Student Lab Production
“Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe”
Book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Christenson
January 12 and 13, 7:30 p.m.
January 14, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

“The Breasts of Tiresias”
Music by Francis Poulenc
Based on the play by Guillaume Apollinaire
February 22, 23 and 24, 7:30 p.m.
February 25, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

Student Lab Production
“The Fairy Queen”
By Henry Purcell
After Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
March 23 and 24, 7:30 p.m.
Diane and Bruce Halle Skyspace Garden
ASU Tempe Campus Biodesign Institute

New Works Reading
“Til Death”
Book and lyrics by Amanda Prahl (ASU M.F.A. Playwriting candidate)
Music by Alexander Tom (ASU alum)
March 25, 6 p.m.
ASU Kerr Cultural Center

“Pippin”
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Roger O. Hirson
April 13, 14, 20 and 21, 7:30 p.m.
April 15 and 22, 2 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

Musical Theatre Showcase
April 23, 8 p.m.
Phoenix Theatre
Free admission

Opera Scenes Performance
April 28, 7:30 p.m.
Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
Free admission

To order tickets and find more information on the complete season, call the Herberger Institute Box Office at 480.965.6447 or visit music.asu.edu/lot.

Ticket prices: $11 – Flash Friday, $21 – adult (for all dates except Flash Friday), $15 – faculty, staff, alumni, $12 – senior, $10 – group (minimum of 10 tickets), $8 – student.

Tickets are on sale as of Aug. 1 for the general public. Save 25% by ordering tickets to three or more Herberger Institute events per person by Sept. 15. A $2 handling fee applies to all orders, and a web per ticket purchase fee will apply.

Summer box office hours are 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m., Monday–Thursday.