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Pops Plus!

A CVPA Collaborative Arts Celebration for Student Scholarships

FRI, SEP 27
 ATLANTIC UNION BANK CENTER

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Pops Plus!

A CVPA Collaborative Arts Celebration for Student Scholarships

FRI, SEP 27
 ATLANTIC UNION BANK CENTER


This exciting event is a super-charged version of one of JMU's beloved Family Weekend traditions – the JMU POPS! Concert featuring five of JMU’s finest School of Music ensembles and performances by JMU's talented students in the School of Theatre and Dance. The evening also features a Silent Auction highlighting original artwork by students, faculty and alumni from JMU's School of Arts, Design and Art History.  All event proceeds benefit CVPA student scholarships. Doors open at 6:30 pm for the Silent Auction. Performance begins at 8:00 pm.  
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Silent Sky

By Lauren Gunderson

TUE-SUN, OCT 8-13
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE

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Silent Sky

By Lauren Gunderson

TUE-SUN, OCT 8-13
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE


This inspiring drama, based on a true story, explores the determination, passion and sacrifice of the women who redefined our scientific understanding of the cosmos. Silent Sky has been dubbed “sheer magic” by the San Francisco Chronicle. Features students from JMU’s School of Theatre and Dance. Presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing Dramatists Play Service collection. www.dramatists.com
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Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Book, Lyrics and Music by Dave Malloy

Adapted from War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

THU-SAT, OCT 24-26
 CONCERT HALL

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Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Book, Lyrics and Music by Dave Malloy

Adapted from War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

THU-SAT, OCT 24-26
 CONCERT HALL


Two-time Tony® Award Winner Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 is an innovative electropop opera based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Experience the show that The New York Times hailed as “the most innovative new musical to open since Hamilton!” Features students from JMU’s School of Theatre and Dance. Contains adult language, sexual content and gun violence. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. concordtheatricals.com
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The Little Prince

Composed by Rachel Portman
Libretto by Nicholas Wright
Featuring the JMU Opera Theater
With the JMU Opera Orchestra

FRI-SUN, NOV 8-10
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE

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The Little Prince

Composed by Rachel Portman
Libretto by Nicholas Wright
Featuring the JMU Opera Theater
With the JMU Opera Orchestra

FRI-SUN, NOV 8-10
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE


Based on the beloved children's book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince is a profound fable about childhood, adulthood, love, and loss. First performed at Houston Grand Opera in 2003, this operatic adaptation is the rare work of art that provides solace to both young and old alike. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Sung in English with English Surtitles. 

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Tennessee Rising

The Dawn of Tennessee Williams

Written and Performed by Jacob Storms
Originally Directed by Alan Cumming

THU, NOV 21
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE

great-comet

Tennessee Rising

The Dawn of Tennessee Williams

Written and Performed by Jacob Storms
Originally Directed by Alan Cumming

THU, NOV 21
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE


Tennessee Rising is a critically acclaimed solo play that explores the formative early years (1939-1945) of the young Williams when the world is on the brink of World War II. It traces his journey from the unknown young writer named Tom into one of the theatre’s greatest playwrights Tennessee Williams and explores the people in his life that will go on to inspire his most iconic characters. The play is a riveting theatrical experience." (The Scotsman) Contains adult language and sexual content.
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Pirate School: Sea Dreams

Created and performed by David Engel

THU, JAN 23
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE

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Pirate School: Sea Dreams

Created and performed by David Engel

THU, JAN 23
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE


Pirate School: Sea Dreams is a madcap, swashbuckling solo show created and performed by veteran New York actor David Engel. Please feel free to come in costume! Recommended for ages 4 and up. Video
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The Spirit of Harriet Tubman

Written and performed by Leslie McCurdy

In Celebration of Black History Month

WED, FEB 5
 CONCERT HALL

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The Spirit of Harriet Tubman

Written and performed by Leslie McCurdy

In Celebration of Black History Month

WED, FEB 5
 CONCERT HALL


Acclaimed playwright and actress Leslie McCurdy thrills audiences with her passionate portrayal of Harriet Tubman in this “powerful and must-see performance ” (Michigan Arts and Humanities) McCurdy invokes the 'spirit' of Harriet Tubman from her early childhood to her elder years and chronicles the life of the courageous Underground Railroad conductor, recreating familiar stories and some rarely told. A Q&A follows the show. Recommended for audiences ages 8 and up.Video
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Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid

Written and adapted by Joshua Borths
Based on the opera Rusalka by Antonín Dvořák

Featuring the JMU Opera Theater

SAT-SUN, FEB 8-9
 RECITAL HALL

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Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid

Written and adapted by Joshua Borths
Based on the opera Rusalka by Antonín Dvořák

Featuring the JMU Opera Theater

SAT-SUN, FEB 8-9
 RECITAL HALL


Take your family on a magical journey into the ocean, learning all about opera along the way! Based on Czech composer Antonín Dvořák's masterpiece "Rusalka," this charming, 35-min adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Performed in English.
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Big Fish

Book by John August
Music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa

Based on the Novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture written by John August
Originally produced on Broadway by Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen and Stage Entertainment with Roy Furman, Broadway Across America/Rich Entertainment Group, John Domo, The Nederlander Organization and Edward Walson in association with CJ E&M, Dancing Elephant Productions, Parrothead Productions, Harvey Weinstein/Carole L. Haber, Peter May/Jim Fantaci, Ted Liebowitz/Joe Piacentile and Columbia Pictures.

TUE-SUN, FEB 25-MAR 2
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE

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Big Fish

Book by John August
Music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa

Based on the Novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture written by John August
Originally produced on Broadway by Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen and Stage Entertainment with Roy Furman, Broadway Across America/Rich Entertainment Group, John Domo, The Nederlander Organization and Edward Walson in association with CJ E&M, Dancing Elephant Productions, Parrothead Productions, Harvey Weinstein/Carole L. Haber, Peter May/Jim Fantaci, Ted Liebowitz/Joe Piacentile and Columbia Pictures.

TUE-SUN, FEB 25-MAR 2
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE


Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest…and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him—most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. Presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide. www.theatricalrights.com
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The Vanishing Elephant

Produced by Cahoots NI

FRI, MAR 7
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE

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The Vanishing Elephant

Produced by Cahoots NI

FRI, MAR 7
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE


Inspired by true events, The Vanishing Elephant, an incredible story of resilience and friendship, comes to life through large-scale puppetry, illusion, and magic. Recommended for ages 8 and up.Contains moments of human mistreatment of animal puppets that can prompt further discussion. Video
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The Antipodes

By Annie Baker

TUE-SUN, APR 1-6
 STUDIO THEATRE

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The Antipodes

By Annie Baker

TUE-SUN, APR 1-6
 STUDIO THEATRE


Annie Baker is a Pulitzer Prize-winner and one of America’s most provocative playwrights. Her 2019 play, Antipodes, delivers a surreal writer’s room, a #MeToo premonition, and a many-layered meditation on storytelling.Contains sexual content and adult language. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
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Idomeneo

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Giambattista Varesco

Featuring the JMU Opera Theater

SAT-SUN, APR 5-6
 CONCERT HALL

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Idomeneo

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Giambattista Varesco

Featuring the JMU Opera Theater

SAT-SUN, APR 5-6
 CONCERT HALL


Written when Mozart was only 25, this operatic masterpiece filled with stunning arias, choruses, and ensembles, brings the myth of Idomeneo to life. On his way home at last from the Trojan War, the King of Crete, Idomeneo, is shipwrecked at sea. In desperation, he promises to sacrifice the first creature he finds if he safely survives the storm. However, in a twist worthy of the greatest Greek tragedies, it is his son, Idamante, he first encounters along the beach. Sung in Italian with English Surtitles.

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Reduced Shakespeare Company

All the Great Books (abridged)

WED, APR 16
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE

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Reduced Shakespeare Company

All the Great Books (abridged)

WED, APR 16
 MAINSTAGE THEATRE


The literary canon explodes as the Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC) once again unleashes a comic outrage on an unsuspecting public. The Bad Boys of Abridgment take audiences on a roller-coaster ride through a compact compendium of the world’s great books in All The Great Books (abridged). It's a blast of bibliography! RSC shows contain some occasional bawdy language and mild innuendo, so they rate their shows PG- 13: Pretty Good If You’re Thirteen. ​​  Video
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