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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2003
CONTACT: Millie Gonzalez
Office of University Relations
(908) 737-NEWS
E-mail: news@kean.edu

Kean University Announces 2003-2004 Performances Season Line-up

UNION, N.J. — From Shanghai’s Symphony Orchestra to Mexico’s master musicians, from The Bullfighter’s Ballet to the Trinity Irish Dance Company, from Gilbert and Sullivan to Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, from PBS’s Caillou to Garfield the cat, there’s something for everyone in the new 2003-2004 Kean Performances Season at Kean University in Union, N.J., including an International Series of music and dance, a Professional Theatre Series, popular and classical music, and Kean’s Affiliate Artist Program and Children’s Hour.

Season tickets are now on sale at discounts of up to 50 percent off individual show prices, and can be purchased by phone at 908-737-SHOW (7469), or in person at the Wilkins Theatre Box Office, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, N.J., Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets for individual shows go on sale on September 8.

Shanghai Symphony Orchestra - September 26, at 7:30 p.m.
The best symphony orchestra of the Far East perform works by Mozart, Beethoven and the music they originally performed for the Oscar-winning soundtrack for the movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Tickets are $25.

The Bullfighter’s Ballet - November 16, at 7:30 p.m.
The Carlota Santana Spanish Dance Company displays passion, pride and ritual in Mano a Mano, a rich dramatization of the life of the legendary Spanish bullfighter, Manolete. Audiences will experience an exuberant celebration of a culture's cherished memories, and a slice of its everyday life, brilliantly performed. Tickets are $25.

Trinity Irish Dance Company - March 7, at 7:30 p.m.
They leap, they step dance super fast, their arms and legs flail about as if unattached to the rest of their bodies — and they were entertaining audiences with innovative Celtic dancing long before Michael Flatley's joint-bending maneuvers scared the bejesus out of Chandler on the hit television show Friends. Tickets are $25.

Masters of Mexican Music - March 13, at 7:30 p.m.
This cultural program features Marimba Chiapas from southern Mexico, Los Fantasmas de Valle of the Texas-Mexican border area playing the accordion-based conjunto, José Gutierrez leading a trio of master musicians performing jarocho music, and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano playing the mariachi of Jalisco, and traditional Mexican dance. Tickets are $25.

Season tickets for the International Series are $80 for the general public; $70 for senior citizens, faulty, staff and alumni; and $50 for students.

Porgy and Bess - November 8, at 7:30 p.m.
George Gershwin’s American masterpiece bristles with energy and life more than 65 years after its premiere performance. Tickets are $25.

Murder by Poe- November 22, at 7:30 p.m. and November 23 at 3 p.m.
The Tony Award-winning Acting Company weaves together four Edgar Allan Poe tales to create a tapestry of revenge, suicide, obsession and murder. A world premiere! Tickets are $25.

Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado - February 27, at 7:30 p.m.
London’s Carl Rosa Opera Company presents a sparkling and lavish recreation of the original 1885 Savoy production as directed by W.S. Gilbert, featuring sets and costumes from the Academy Award-winning Mike Leigh film, Topsy Turvy. Tickets are $25.

The Unsinkable Molly Brown - March 21, at 7:30 p.m.
Make way for the biggest of Broadway's "big ladies," The Unsinkable Molly Brown, in a funny, light, uplifting and uniquely American musical. Tickets are $25.

Season tickets for the Professional Theatre Series are $80 for the general public; $70 for senior citizens, faculty, staff and alumni; and $50 for students.

Caillou’s Big Party — October 17, at 7 p.m.
Caillou, seen daily on PBS, is a wide-eyed 4-year-old discovering the excitement of being a little boy in a very big world. Tickets are $15.

A Garfield Christmas - December 6, at 7 p.m.
The world’s best-loved and fattest cat, Garfield, will light up your holiday this year with his wit, wise cracks and wisdom. Tickets are $15.

Clara’s Dream: A Jazz Nutcracker - December 13, at 7:30 p.m. and December 14, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
This high-voltage adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s fairy tale ballet, The Nutcracker, is a uniquely American jazz-tap celebration. Tickets are $15.

The Incredible Acrobats of China- March 19, at 7 p.m.
According to The New York Times, the New Shanghai Circus is "literally breathtaking heights of skill (and) entertainment in abundance." Tickets are $15.

Mathilda - April 23, at 7 p.m.
Roald Dahl’s book Mathilda comes to life in this dramatization by the Cleveland Signstage Theatre. Tickets are $15.

Season tickets for the Kean’s Children’s Hour Series are $60 for the general public; $52.50 for senior citizens, faculty, staff and alumni; and $37.50 for students.

Four Bitchin’ Babes- October 25, at 7:30 p.m.
Start with four richly gifted singer-songwriters. Add three-quarters cup married life, five kids, four-part harmony vocals, one piano, a dollop of sharp social commentary and a wardrobe to die for. Put this combination on the road and allow to steep for 10 years and you’ve got Four Bitchin’ Babes. Tickets are $20.

Rockapella - April 16, at 7:30 p.m.
One of the hippest a cappella groups to hit the stage in years; Rockapella is a five-man group from New York City that uses its incredible five-octave range to showcase its musical versatility. Tickets are $20.

Tickets prices for the Popular Music Series are $32 for the general public; $28 for senior citizens, faculty, staff and alumni; and $20 for students.

Sounds British: Works Reflecting Great Britain - September 29, at 8 p.m.
Christopher Kenniff, guitarist and adjunct professor at Kean; Richard Hobson, affiliate artist in baritone; and Sharon Roffman, affiliate artist in violin, perform Bruch's enchanting Scottish Fantasy. The Yardarm Trio and soprano Katherine Harris will perform Affiliate Artist Director Anthony Scelba's arrangement of 12 Celtic Songs. Tickets are $10.

Jazz Pictures - December 11, at 8 p.m.
Affiliate Artist Andy Fusco presents the Walt Weiskopf Sextet in a performance of Sight to Sound. Tickets are $10.

A Perfect 10: Chamber Music for Strings and Piano - March 1, at 8 p.m.
Dvorák's Double Bass Quintet in G and Brahms' Piano Quintet in F Minor performed by world-renowned chamber musicians. Tickets are $10.

Ars Vitalis: The New Jersey New Music Forum - March 31, at 7:15 p.m.
A critically acclaimed concert, Ars Vitalis showcases the best of contemporary music performed by leading New Jersey-area composers, including Guggenheim Fellow Robert Aldridge. Excerpts from Aldridge's soon-to-be-premiered opera Elmer Gantry will be featured. Under the direction of Dr. Matthew Halper, associate professor in Kean’s Department of Music, Ars Vitalis will introduce the audience to the allure, drama and impact of the living art of contemporary music composition. Admission to this grant-funded program is free.

Springtime Showcase: Music from the Stage - April 19, at 8 p.m.

This production will include works from Broadway and opera in chamber music including the world premiere of Music by Kurt Weill, an arrangement written by Latin Grammy winner Carlos Franzetti, especially for Kean’s affiliate artists. Tickets are $10.

Season tickets for the Affiliate Artists Classical Music and Jazz Series are $32 for the general public; $28 for senior citizens, faculty, staff and alumni; and $20 for students.