This October, The Grand Opera House is presenting Porgy and Bess on Oct. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. The show is a part of The Grand’s annual six-part series of nationally touring Broadway musicals. Tickets are $35 and $40.
Gershwin’s musical drama Porgy and Bess tells the moving story of the cripple Porgy and the residents of Charleston’s famed Catfish Row. Originally billed as a “folk opera,” Porgy and Bess introduces classic Gershwin songs like “Summertime,” “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin” and “It Ain’t Neccesarily So.” Recognized as an American masterpiece, the story entwines pride, prejudice, pathos and passion through its jazz and blues-influenced score.
On Thursday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m., The Grand will present The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats, a spectacular show for all ages. It consists of sensational Chinese acrobatics, balancing feats, martial arts displays and much more. The performers’ grace and precision is the triumph of years of dedicated training and discipline. Much more than a series of stunts, their art has been formed by centuries of tradition, demonstrating a perfect harmony between mind and body—an ancient concept in the Orient.
The attraction has been called “incredible,” “breathtaking,” “stunning,” and “quite unbelievable,” to quote just a few of the critics. Tickets are $18 and $12 for students and groups.
On Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m., The Grand will present PHILADANCO. Held in high esteem both nationally and internationally, The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) is a non-profit professional dance organization. This company has a rich history in contemporary dance expressions and exemplary training. Part of the ongoing mission of PHILADANCO is to present the highest quality of professional dance performances and improve the skills of emerging and professional dancers and choreographers in a nurturing environment. After 35 years, PHILADANCO continues to receive recognition and inclusion as a mainstream modern dance company and not just an African-American dance company.
Founded by Joan Myers Brown, PHILADANCO has grown from a grass roots community-based performing arts group to one of America’s foremost dance ensembles. They continue to have one of the most diverse audiences locally, regionally and nationally. PHILADANCO reaches more than 100 million people a year through radio and television broadcasts, and live audiences are estimated to be more than 100,000 people of all ages, ethnicities and cultural traditions.
Dance Magazine hails PHILADANCO’s dancers as “a miracle of skill and energy. They work in a range of idioms most companies don’t even try to possess … A company that can do more than just anything … It can represent the possibilities of human spirit through dance.” Tickets are $20 and $15 for students or groups.
Tickets to all three events can be purchased through Mercer Ticket Sales at 478-301-5470 or online at thegrand.mercer.edu.
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