Big Fish Opening Sunday! And Five Images After Sappho Concert May 18th!

Big Fish is going so well! We had our first preview show yesterday! My hat is off to the cast, director, and choreographer who put such a big show together in just less than 2 short weeks! Big Fish is a beautiful story! Read about it here. 
It officially OPENS on Sunday night May 10th! There are giants, witches, and circuses and stunning dancing and lights and great singing. Show-stopping song after show-stopping song. The ensemble is just amazing. Completely a family friendly show that is just so heartwarming and imaginative. 

What I have enjoyed most about this show are the folks in the cast and crew! Not a sour apple in the bunch! Our cast is so welcoming and warm - and it emanates from each character into the show. What a wonderful synergy. I just know that all of my friends and family will enjoy this show! It is worth the every minute of the hour and 10 minute drive from Evanston to beautiful Munster, Indiana (Just 35 mins south of the Chicago Loop!) 

Here are some backstage & rehearsal photos from the show~ 

Some of my friends asked about group rates...If you would like to organize a group to come and see the show~ There are group discounts available, tickets as low as $32 each for a group of 11 people or more. Such a good deal! Group sales info here. 

UPDATE: Cast PHOTO from Opening Night - Sunday May 10th, and Read REVIEWS about this Jeff Recommended Show! 

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ALSO, very excited about 

Five Images After Sappho! 

Monday May 18th, 7:30 PM, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

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Rehearsals with the contemporary music ensemble and conductor Ben Bolter have begun, this work is truly a masterpiece. I am thrilled to have the honor of performing Salonen's amazing work for soprano and chamber ensemble - for the composer himself. 

This concert is in Esa Pekka Salonen's honor and the world-renowned conductor/composer will be in the audience of this tribute concert, as part of his residency with Northwestern for winning Bienen School of Music's Nemmers Prize for composition. 

This is a picture of the Contemporary Music Ensemble rehearsing with the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble, who will also be featured on this program. 

I am very excited for this concert See details below!  Here is the ticket info.

You won't want to miss this show!
In addition to the beautiful Five Images After Sappho, there will be a premier by a talented student composer, one of Ligeti's most influential works, an amazing horn student of Gail Williams (Russell Rybicki), the wonderful Jim Giles (piano faculty)on a Salonen solo work (Sisar) and of course the fabulous BCE led by Donald Nally. 

Concert Program Order: 

Salonen Two Songs from the Kalender Röd (performed by Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble- led by Donald Nally 
This ensemble was recently invited to perform on Chicago Symphony Orchestra's MusicNOW series! They are fantastic and I miss singing with them in my student days!)
 Here are program notes about Two Songs from the Kalender Röd 

Salonen Concert Étude for Solo Horn 
(performed by Russell Rybicki)

Salonen Sisar 
for solo piano (performed by Jim Giles)

Carlo Diaz Reach too Far
 (NU student world premiere/CME- Vincent Povazsay, conductor)

Ligeti Chamber Concerto 
(CME-Alan Pierson, conductor 
& co-Artistic Director of Alarm Will Sound in NYC )

Salonen Five Images after Sappho 
CME-Ben Bolter, conductor and Rachel Sparrow, Soprano
Here are program notes about Five Images After Sappho

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I am so excited for this concert! 


I would be so honored if you would be there!