10 best bets for 2024 arts productions in Eastern Iowa

Every year is a stellar year for the arts in Eastern Iowa, and 2024 is shaping up to shine, once again. Here are the events I can’t wait to see this year. And of course, this list will expand once some of our major presenters unveil their offerings for the latter part of 2024.

1. Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau

May 4 to Sept. 1, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids

If the name “Alphonse Mucha” doesn’t ring a bell, anyone who has driven through Czech Village in southwest Cedar Rapids surely has seen the gigantic Mucha-inspired mural facing the Cedar River.

Iowa City artist Ali Hval re-imagined Mucha’s artistry, with Iowa touches, for the outdoor mural across from the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. This year, the celebrated Czech artist’s actual works will again grace the walls inside the museum when “Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau” goes on display from May 4 to Sept. 1.

This is another huge coup for the museum, which reopened in July 2012 with the only U.S. showing of "Alphonse Mucha: Inspirations of Art Nouveau." ncsml.org/exhibit/alphonse-mucha-master-of-art-nouveau/

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2. Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

Feb. 21, Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City

Hancher pulled out all the puns when announcing this Feb. 21 performance: “We'll get straight to the pointe: The Trocks are exceptional ballet dancers. They are also exceptionally funny.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. I’ve seen this all-male ballet company in action, and I’ve never seen anything like it — before or since. Dancing en pointe is difficult for the male physique, but these men make it look tutu easy. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll cheer for more, and you’ll be gasping for breath as the dying swan melts to the floor in one of their signature ballets. hancher.uiowa.edu/2023-24/les-ballets-trockadero

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3. “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Jan. 19 to 21, Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City

I’ve costumed this show for Theatre Cedar Rapids, I’ve seen this show outdoors at Brucemore, but I’ve been longing to see Oscar- and Emmy-winning writer Aaron Sorkin’s new adaptation of Harper Lee’s coming-of-age classic. Playbill sums it up as: “Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a Black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his children against prejudice.” The fact that it’s starring Richard Thomas, one of my favorite actors from my youth, is icing on the theatrical cake. hancher.uiowa.edu/2023-24/TKM

4. Masterworks VI: Carmina Burana

May 18, Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids

May 19, Voxman School of Music, Iowa City

Orchestra Iowa always has something astounding to offer, whether in the pop or classical realm. “Carmina Burana” is planted firmly at the intersection of both. Not only it is a tour de force for vocalists and instrumentalists, it’s also instantly recognizable from “The Omen,” Sue Sylvester’s meltdown in “Glee,” and Domino’s 2015 Super Bowl commercial, in which “Pizza” was toppled from the company’s logo. Hang onto your hats as the storm clouds gather indoors with Orchestra Iowa, its symphonic orchestra and guest soloists. artsiowa.com/tickets/concerts/carmina-burana/

5. “Tosca”

Jan. 19 and 21, Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids Opera and Orchestra Iowa join forces for another emotional tempest with Puccini’s tragic tale of opera diva Floria Tosca; her lover, the painter and political activist Mario Cavaradossi; and the corrupt chief of police who is determined to have Tosca for himself in the most devious manner. artsiowa.com/tickets/concerts/tosca/

6. Martha Graham Dance Company: GRAHAM100

March 29, Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City

One thing Hancher also has done so well is to connect world-class artistry with students — and their audiences. As the groundbreaking Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates its centennial with a program of classic and new works, the opening piece, “Panorama,” choreographed in 1935, will be performed by more than 20 students from the University of Iowa Department of Dance. It’s a shared moment they’ll remember all their lives. hancher.uiowa.edu/2023-24/martha-graham-dance-company

7. Howie Mandel

Rescheduled for May 17, Riverside Casino Event Center, Riverside

This “America’s Got Talent” judge is chock full of talent, from roles on television’s “St. Elsewhere” and the animated series “Bobby’s World,” to serving as host on “Deal or No Deal.” He’s also a standup comedian, author and star of the documentary, “Howie Mandel: But Enough About Me.” We just can’t get enough of him. riversidecasinoandresort.com/event/2023/oct/howiemandel.html

8. “Parade”

April 12 & 13, Revival Theatre Company, Cedar Rapids

Revival Theatre Company is launching its Cameron Sullenberger Overture Series by bringing back Jason Robert Brown’s Tony Award winning musical, “Parade.” Joe Wetrich and Loralee Songer are returning in their leading roles in this concert version at CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Based on the true story of a Jewish factory owner wrongly accused of raping and murdering a 13-year-old employee in 1913, the tragic tale contains glorious, haunting, heartbreaking music. It’s part of Revival Theatre’s new fundraising series in memory of co-founder Cameron Sullenberger, who died Feb. 11, 2023, at age 54, leaving a huge hole in the heart of the arts and artists near and far. revivaltheatrecompany.com/cameron-sullenberger-overture-series/

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9. Orchestra Iowa: Zuill Bailey, cello

March 23, Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids

March 24, Coralville Center for the Performing Arts

Cellist extraordinaire Zuill Bailey returns to Orchestra Iowa to pour his passion into Dvorak’s Cello Concerto. In a season preview, Maestro Timothy Hankewich told The Gazette: “I am really looking forward to having Zuill Bailey come back and play the Dvorak Cello Concerto (in March), a work that was finished in Spillville. That’s another piece that in the 17 years that I have been here, I have not programmed because I was waiting for the right soloist to come along.” artsiowa.com/tickets/concerts/silent-woods/

10. “Swan Lake”

March 9, Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids

After you’ve seen Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo perform its hilarious version of this Tchaikovsky classic, head to the Paramount Theatre to see the World Ballet Series dancers and orchestra bring the “ballet of all ballets” to life. World Ballet features professional dancers from more than 10 countries, presenting “new productions of timeless classics.” creventslive.com/events/2024/swan-lake---world-ballet-series

Also of note

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say you can’t go wrong with the thought-provoking artistry always on display at Riverside Theatre in Iowa City; the range of styles at Theatre Cedar Rapids; the joy infused in Red Cedar Chamber Music concerts; the Broadway series at the Paramount, Hancher and the Des Moines Civic Center; the concerts ready to rock all the major venues in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City; and the outdoor stages from the Great Jones County Fair in Monticello to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines and the Brucemore estate in Cedar Rapids. Just don’t ever tell me there’s nothing to do here.

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com