By Mark G. Auerbach
JIAYAN SUN
Sevenars Concerts will present a 2021 season of Sunday afternoon chamber concerts in Worthington. Since 1968, Sevenars has been a crown jewel in the musical scene of Western New England. The traditional opening (July 11) features members of the Schrade and James Families. The Elm Chamber Ensemble performs on July 18, and pianist Jaiyan Sun performs an all-Beethoven program on July 25. The Taconic Music Festival performs on Aug. 1, followed by Alexis Kende, violinist, and Lynelle James, pianist, on Aug.t 8. The season wraps with The Bob Sparkman Trio on Aug. 15. For details: https://www.sevenars.org/concerts.html
ADAM RAPP
“The Sound Inside,” Adam Rapp’s stunning new play, streams from TheaterWorks, April 11-30. Adam Rapp is a master of the small moments that define a character. Here we meet Yale creative writing professor Bella Baird and her brilliant, guarded, challenging student Christopher Dunn. The tension of their encounters builds quietly, provocatively as the playwright drives forward to a stunning conclusion. Pedro Bermudez and Rob Ruggiero co-direct, and Maggie Bofill and Ephraim Birney co-star. For details: www.twhartford.org.
Goodspeed Musicals has adjusted its 2021 season. They hope to present “South Pacific” in September and postpone “Anne of Green Gables” to its 2022 season. Both shows had been planned for 2020 and postponed to 2021. For details: www.goodspeed.org.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra launches its virtual Spring season on April 10, with selections by Beethoven, Kodaly and more featuring SSO Principal Timpanist Martin Kluger. The first concert streams through May 21. For details: www.springfieldsymphony.org.
The Rights of Spring Festival, presented by The UMass Theater Department a mix of virtual and live outdoor performances, April 22-May 2. For details: https://www.umass.edu/theater/rights-spring-festival
YOUNG AT HEART CHORUS
The Young@Heart Chorus performs their newest work: “Something Inside So Strong: A young@Heart Fantastic Cinematographic Concert” on April 17. The show will include new renditions of music by Tom Waits, Patti Smith, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, Nina Simone and many others. For details: https://youngatheartchorus.com/ P.S. Watch the trailer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdpGRdN_9Nc
Antigone, Sophocles’ classic drama, adapted and directed by Gary English, will be streamed from Connecticut Repertory Theatre through April 11. This play offers an intimate portrait of a young woman and her refusal to sacrifice her principles when ordered to meet questionable but legal demands of a state in crisis. Samantha Seawolf plays the title role. For details: https://crt.uconn.edu/Online/default.asp
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra has announced the 43rd Young Artists Competition, which will be held completely virtual. Students are invited to apply through May 15. To be eligible, students must be Connecticut residents in grades 9-12 during the 2020-2021 academic year, cannot be a previous first place winner of the HSO’s Young Artists Competition and must play one of the following instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, saxophone, percussion, harp, piano, violin, viola, cello, bass, or guitar. For details: https://hartfordsymphony.org/43rd-yac/
JOHN COLLUM
“John Cullum: An Accidental Star,” streams courtesy of Goodspeed Musicals, through April 22. Cullum reviews his illustrious musical career, which has included award-winning runs in Shenandoah (which had its world premiere at Goodspeed), On The Twentieth Century, Camelot, On A Clear Day, Urinetown, and The Scottsboro Boys. Lonny Price and Matt Cowart direct. For details: www.goodspeed.org.
Masterworks-In-Depth, The Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s online program with Maestra Carolyn Kuan, wraps up its current season, April 9-14, discussing works scheduled to be performed live during the current season. Guests HSO Principal Oboe Heather Taylor and HSO Assistant Principal Second Violin Jaroslaw Lis join the chat to discuss Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. For details: www.hartfordsymphony.org.
“Mother’s Day”, a new work by Bekah Brunstetter (The Cake) commissioned by Barrington Stage and directed by Jennifer Chambers, streams online April 9-11. Debra Jo Rupp heads the cast. For details: www.barringtonstageco.org.,
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and The Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat and On The Mark for WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB, and he’s a regular contributor to Pioneer Valley Radio.
