(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The March lineup at The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg offers something for everything—from Flamenco and Irish dancing and folk music, to a portrait of three former first ladies and a one-woman show about a workaholic film producer, to a presentation for infants and toddlers featuring classical music.
The following productions will be offered:
Evie Ladin & Keith Terry, Thursday, March 1, at 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.; $15 (General admission; audience members may pre-order a $5 box lunch and dine before the 1 p.m. show. The 7 p.m. show includes light refreshments.) Innovative musicians/dancers with a quirky soul, California-based Evie Ladin and Keith Terry present original folk songs and deep interpretations of old songs with the kinetic thrill of percussive dance. A prolific singer-songwriter, percussive dancer and square dance caller, Ladin has shared her clawhammer banjo sounds at such varied venues as Lincoln Center and the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival, as well as the Celtic Connections festival. Keith Terry is a renowned percussionist/rhythm dancer who has collaborated with a host of inventive performers including Bobby McFerrin, Robin Williams, Turtle Island Quartet, Charles “Honi” Coles and Bill Irwin.
Voces del Sur (Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana), Sunday, March 4, at 2 p.m.; $25 & $35 - Voces del Sur offers a glimpse into the mysterious land of Andalucía, the Southern region of Spain known as the “cradle of flamenco.” Andalucía has been the home to a diverse group of cultures, each with its own language and traditions. Blended together over centuries, Arabic, Gypsy and Sephardic Jewish influences are seen today in the extraordinarily rich diversity of art, literature, dance and music found in the region. From these “voces” (voices), Flamenco Vivo’s dancers and musicians pay tribute to Andalucía’s unique culture. Voces del Sur is being presented by Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, one of America’s premier Spanish dance companies.
Tea For Three: Lady Bird, Pat & Betty (Elaine Bromka), Friday, March 9, at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; $15 - America in the 1960s and ʾ70s was a time of turmoil. Amidst dizzying change and political dissent, three women of uncommon valor stood by their husbands, bringing wit and compassion to the country in what Pat Nixon called “the hardest unpaid job in the world.” Tea For Three is an intimate portrait of three remarkable first ladies who suddenly found themselves in the limelight. Emmy Award-winning actress Elaine Bromka stars in this deeply moving and witty one-woman play. Her performance has been described as a “subtle feat of brilliant acting.” While on campus, Bromka will conduct an acting masterclass with RVCC students and local high school theatre students.
Everything Is Fine Until It’s Not (Doreen Oliver), Tuesday, March 13, at 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.; $15 (General admission; recommended for audiences age 14 and older; includes discussion and light refreshments; audience members may pre-order a $5 box lunch and dine before the 1 p.m. show) Doreen Oliver’s one-woman show is a funny, heartfelt piece about a workaholic film producer whose life goes off-script. Just when Oliver feels like she’s got this parenting thing down, her hair catches fire, her mother tells her she’s doing everything wrong, and her son is diagnosed with autism. Guided by an irrepressible crew of old-school matriarchs, she does everything possible to “fix” her son—and starts to unravel when she realizes she can’t. The show offers a funny yet honest look at how we try to change the people that matter most to us, and how we cope when we realize we can’t.
Hup (Starcatchers), Thursday, March 15, at 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.; Friday, March 16, at 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 17, at 10 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. (Recommended for infants to 24 months; all tickets $10) Hup is an enchanting musical experience, specially designed for very young children, that combines live classical music with a heart-warming storyline. In this theatrical presentation, a quirky trio of playful musicians performs the original score, intertwined with a non-verbal narrative that takes the audience on a journey with the story’s lead character. Audience members will share in an experience that includes two violins, one cello, a very important tree and an extremely mischievous raccoon—all in a relaxed and comfortable performance. The production is being presented by Starcatchers, Scotland’s National Arts & Early Years organization that specializes in creating performances and exploring creative activity for babies, toddlers and young children.
Rhythm of the Dance (The National Dance Company of Ireland), Saturday, March 17, at 8 p.m.; $25 & $35 - Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the thundering sound, dizzying speed and unique artistry of Irish step dance at its best. As seen on PBS, this incredible live show is an inspiring epic, reliving the journey of the Irish Celts throughout history through dance and music. Marrying contemporary stage technology with the ancient art of Irish dance, this richly costumed show includes world champion dancers, a traditional Irish band, and the Young Irish Tenors. It’s no surprise that critics, audiences and millions of fans around the world have made Rhythm of the Dance one of the most popular and successful touring Irish step dance shows. Since its debut performance in 1999, Rhythm of the Dance has delighted over 5 million fans in 33 countries.
To purchase tickets for any of the Theatre’s offerings, contact the Box Office, 908-725-3420, or order online at www.rvccArts.org. Senior citizen, student and group discounts are available for most performances.
Raritan Valley Community College’s main campus is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
