Fine Arts Center features fine arts indeed

Fine Arts Center features fine arts indeed

Fans of the arts -- from studio arts to music to theatre to dance -- will find compelling reasons to visit the University's Fine Arts Center during the fall semester, and in fact throughout the year. Here's a preview of some of the coming attractions:

On Stage

URI Theatre will take the stage to present a comedy and a musical this fall as part of the 2001-2002 season. The first play, Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon, takes a humorous look at growing up in New York City during the Great Depression and examines the joys, strength and complexity of family relationships. The play runs from Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 17-20 at 8 p.m. and on Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 general, $8 students/seniors/children.

The second performance of the season is A Chorus Line; a 1975 Broadway hit musical that takes the audience through the final grueling audition for a Broadway show. The musical will run from Nov. 29-Dec. 1 and Dec. 5-8 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 2 at 5 p.m.; and Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 general; $10 for students, seniors, and children.

Tickets can be purchased at the Theatre Box Office or by calling 401-874-5843.

Great Performances

Now beginning its twentieth season, the University's Great Performances series offers an expanded program of music, theatre, and dance from the United States, Indonesia, Venezuela, Russia, and Europe.

The 2001 series opens on Monday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. with Behind the Broken Word in Will Theatre, Fine Arts Center. This electrifying performance of 20th century poetry and drama by Roscoe Lee Browne and Anthony Zerbe includes works by Edna St. Vincent Millay, W.H. Auden, William Butler Yeats, e.e. cummings, Dylan Thomas, Seamus Heaney, T.S. Eliot, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Indonesian Pianist Esther Budiardjo will perform on Friday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Budiardjo has received considerable acclaim throughout the world in recital as well as concert appearances with established orchestras. Richard Dyer of The Boston Globe wrote, "Her playing summoned laugher and tears, made the mind work, the spirit soar." A master class with Budiardjo will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 12:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. The class is free and open to the public.

Tickets are $15 general; $12 URI faculty/staff; $10 senior citizens/groups of 10 or more purchased together; and $5 students and children. For tickets or for more information, call 401-874-2627.

University Artist Series

The Music Department's Fall 2001 schedule includes over 100 concerts and recitals by faculty, students, guest artists, and departmental ensembles, including these highlights:

On Sunday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. there will be a Tribute Concert to Dr. W. Donald Rankin honoring his 38 years of extraordinary service to music for URI and Rhode Island. Performers include Rankin and former piano and bassoon students. Tickets are $15 general admission, $5 students with ID.

On Saturday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. Joseph Parillo, URI director of jazz studies and international jazz artist, and special guest cellist Christine Harrington will perform selections from Parillo's CDs and their duo CD, Sandbox. Tickets for this and the following event are general admission $6; seniors $5; and students free with ID.

Ann Danis will conduct the URI Symphony Orchestra in orchestral literature on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. An Opera Workshop featuring scenes from famous operas will be performed by students and guest artists on Sunday Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.

All of these events are held in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. For more information, call 874-2431.