BOX SEAT: Youth productions, Tubman Museum events keep January busy
If I may borrow a phrase from Bob Dylan, "the times they are a-changing."
It used to be that February was the most action-packed month on the calendar, but recently the riches are spilling over into January. The entire next six weeks are chock full, beginning this weekend with Mercer University's production of "Oklahoma" at the Grand Opera House.
I attend Mercer's music events regularly, so I can assure you that any production with the names Martha Malone, Clay Mote and Mary Lathem attached is going to excel.
Close on the heels of Theatre Macon's Youth Actor's Company production of "A Chorus Line" comes a Backlot Players youth production of "Bye Bye Birdie" at the lovely Rose Theater in Forsyth.
Speaking of handsomely restored facilities, Macon's Douglass Theatre has enough stuff on the calendar to qualify as a one-stop entertainment machine, beginning with "An Evening with the Dance Theatre of Harlem," followed in quick succession with the CollegeTown Film Series (with the theme of "Future Shock"), the HD telecast of "Turandot" from the Metropolitan Opera and the National Theatre Live's broadcast of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" from London.
Meanwhile, just around the corner, the Tubman Museum is opening an exhibition of works by documentary photographer Jim Alexander this evening with a 6:30-8:30 p.m. reception. It's a big month for the Tubman, since the following weekend will see "All That Jazz," an evening with funk, rhythm and blues artist Jeffrey Osborne at the City Auditorium.
It's an amazing line-up for the latter days of January, and we haven't even peeked at the huge volume of events awaiting in February.
WORDS & MUSIC
While racial problems are not unique to Macon, renowned violinist and Macon native Robert McDuffie believes that we are "uniquely positioned to do something about it," citing the strength of our churches, the goodwill of the people, the strength of our arts community and Mercer's commitment to the community.
Following up on last year's wildly successful event at Beulahland Bible Church, McDuffie, the Center for Strings and the Youth Actor's Company have announced the approach of "What Color Is Your Brother? An Exploration of Race Through Words and Music" at the Grand Opera House. As befits the gravity of the subject, the Feb. 27 event will be ticketed but free.
Contact Larry Fennelly at LarryFennelly@avantguild.com.
This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 6:13 PM with the headline "BOX SEAT: Youth productions, Tubman Museum events keep January busy ."