New seasons celebrate the arts, milestones

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Opera is celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season: A celebration of its past and a toast to its future.

Founded in 1998, the silver season features classic opera with a twist, as Mozart gets the glamour treatment.

2022-23 season

Norman & Abigail: 7 p.m. Oct. 28, CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. A concert honoring CRO’s history, given by baritone Norman Garrett and soprano Abigail Rethwisch, in-person and broadcast live by Iowa Public Radio. Wine, hors d’oeuvres, and toasts to follow. Tickets: $50 at cspshall.org/norman-and-abigail

“Cosi fan tutte”: Fri, Jan 20, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20, 2 p.m. Jan. 22, Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Set in front of (and behind) the cameras of a 1980s soap opera, this shoulder-padded production empowers Mozart’s female characters like never before. Cedar Rapids Opera’s founder, Daniel Kleinknecht, conducts the musicians of Orchestra Iowa. Preconcert talk by University of Iowa Professor Anna Barker, 45 minutes before curtain, in the Paramount’s Encore Lounge. Tickets: $19 to $69, cropera.org/cosi-fan-tutte

“Charlie and the Wolf”: January. Original opera for children about unity and joy, premiering in Cedar Rapids Schools. What would have happened if classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and jazz musician Charlie Parker had met — and what if they gave each other music lessons?

Book Club with the Maestro: 7 p.m. Feb. 23, via Zoom. “Opera, or the Undoing of Women,” by Catherine Clement. Led by Anna Barker; free.

Wistful Melodies of Dvorak: 7 p.m. March 23. Intimate concert at National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids. The concert features Cedar Rapids native and mezzo soprano Janara Kellerman, accompanied by Daniel Kleinknecht on piano. The program will include Antonin Dvorak’s Roma Songs, Evening Songs, and more.

The concert also will be repeated at 7 p.m. March 24 at Spillville’s St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Dvorak spent the summer in Spillville 130 years ago, where he finished the work known as the New World Symphony.

Tickets will be available in 2023.

Juneteenth: Public Premiere of “Charlie and the Wolf,” dates and venues TBA; free admission.

“Gianni Schicchi” and “American Gothical”: 7:30 p.m. June 22 to 24, venue TBA. A double dose of laughter, beginning with Puccini’s one-act “Gianni Schicchi,” filled with impostors and ingenuity, followed by Robert Lindsey-Nassif’s “American Gothical,” a laugh-filled love letter to one of Iowa’s most famous paintings. Tickets will be available in 2023.

A Gala Celebration: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26, 2023, The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids. A toast to the past and future. This gala celebrates the opera theater’s own “three tenors,” Andrew Stenson, Chaz’men Williams-Ali, and Mark He, who will sing traditional Italian favorites. The event, which includes a gourmet Italian feast, honors the Young Artists of the past and the yet-unsung stories of the future. Tickets will be available in 2023.

Information: cropera.org/

Cornell College fine arts

MOUNT VERNON — Cornell College’s fine arts departments have returned to a full performance and exhibition schedule for 2022-23.

Among the highlights of an ambitious year are a large production of “Evita” and a retrospective exhibit by Professor Emeritus of Art Tony Plaut ’78.

Up-to-date information on all the performances and exhibits can be found on Cornell’s new calendar, under the fine arts category; cornellcollege.edu/campus-calendar/.

Theater and dance

“Working,” Sept. 22 to 25, Plumb-Fleming Black Box Theatre. The musical will feature monologues collected from local people about their jobs and how those jobs relate to their identity. Visiting Artist Patrick Du Laney is directing the play adapted from the Studs Terkel book.

“The Thanksgiving Play,” Nov. 10 to 3, Plumb-Fleming Black Box Theatre. Associate Professor of Theatre Caroline Price will direct this new comedy by Indigenous playwright Larissa Fasthorse. Her satire spears white, woke, liberal culture and examines if they sometimes do more harm than good.

“Evita,” March 3 to 5, Kimmel Theatre. This large-scale production of the Tony Award-winning musical features Cornell’s orchestra, band and choirs along with actors, singers and dancers. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, “Evita” is based on the life of Eva Peron, wife of Argentine president Juan Peron.

“Peter and the Starcatcher,” April 27 to 30, Plumb-Fleming Black Box Theatre. Visiting Artist Patrick Du Laney will direct the Tony Award-winning play, based on the bestselling novels that upend the century-old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan.

Ticketing and box office information is included in the calendar listings.

Music performances

Fall Choral, Concert Band and Orchestral Concert: Oct. 15, Kimmel Theatre. The choirs will perform works with a nature theme, with new compositions by Jake Runestad, including “Come to the Woods” (set to text by John Muir) and “Wild Forces” (set to text by St. Francis of Assisi). Also, Brahms’ “O Beautiful Night,” “Late Autumn,” “Evening Song,” and “Why”; “Earth Song” by Frank Ticheli; “Famine Song” by Matthew Culloton; and other works.

The band will play contemporary works, including Katajh Copley's “Sunshine,” Kevin Day's “Requiem for the Unarmed,” and Omar Thomas' “A Mother of A Revolution” — a march tribute to the leaders of the Stonewall uprising and founders of the Pride movement. Also, former Cornell music professor Aaron Perrine's new work, “Vignettes of Mount Vernon,” inspired by memories of autumn on the Cornell campus.

The orchestra will perform Edvard Grieg’s masterwork, Suite for String Orchestra, Op. 40, “From Holberg's Time,” and several works by more recent composers.

Steel Band Concert: Nov. 5, Kimmel Theatre. The steel drum program has been a part of the Cornell College Music Department for 20 years, and its bands have toured throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Winter Choral, Concert Band and Orchestral Concert: Dec. 10, Kimmel Theatre. Cornell’s choir and orchestra will perform separately and in combination, with a program to include holiday music and other selections.

Art exhibitions

“An Array of Wonders: Past, Present, and Future,” to Nov. 16, Peter Paul Luce Gallery, McWethy Hall. Homecoming reception: 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 22. More than 100 works created by Emeritus Professor of Art Tony Plaut ’78 during his 34-year career will be on display, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, video and mechanical contraptions.

“In(Visible): The Proximity of Illusion and Reality,” Jan. 20 to March 24. Michigan artist Cynthia Greig’s installation uses photography and video to examine the difference between what we see and what we think we see.

CSPS fall lineup

CEDAR RAPIDS — From indie rock to international music, a diverse lineup of artists is slated this fall at CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St SE.

October

Treesreach and Halfloves with Maaaze: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1, $12 advance, $15 door

Improv First Thursday: Oct. 6, 7 p.m. free jam, 8 p.m. showcase $5 at door

The Claudettes: 8 p.m. Oct. 14, $20 advance, $25 door

Knight of 1000 Papercuts: 8 p.m. Oct. 15, $15 advance, $20 door, $80 cabaret table of four

Iowa Roots Round with Chad Elliott, Ryne Doughty and Royce Johns: 8 p.m. Oct. 22, 8PM $15 advance, $18 door

Norman & Abigail: Cedar Rapids Opera: 7 p.m. Oct. 28, $50 general admission

November

Improv First Thursday: Nov. 3, 7 p.m. free jam, 8 p.m. showcase $5 at door

SPT Theatre: Trivial Pursuit “Sports & Leisure”: 8 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5, $25 advance, $30 door

Awful Purdies: 8 p.m. Nov. 12, $10 advance, $13 door

Adam Ezra Group: 8 p.m. Nov. 18, $16 advance, $19 door

Cedar County Cobras: 8 p.m. Nov. 19, $10 advance, $13 door

December

Improv First Thursday: Dec. 1, 7 p.m. free jam, 8 p.m. showcase $5 at door

Susan Werner: 8 p.m. Dec. 2, $25 advance, $30 door

Irish Christmas in America: 7 p.m. Dec. 4, $30 advance, $35 door

Carol Montag’s A Carol Christmas: 7 p.m. Dec. 15, $30 advance, $34 door

Information: cspshall.org/events