Press release here:
Asheville’s oldest performing arts nonprofit, Asheville Bravo Concerts, strives to bring top-tier music, dance and theater to Western North Carolina. Saturday evening, November 13th will be no exception as Bravo welcomes the renowned New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players to the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium to entertain families with the classic Gilbert & Sullivan musical satire The Mikado (or, The Town of Titipu). When it comes to executing the most trusted interpretations of the treasured Gilbert & Sullivan catalog, the Players are America’s preeminent professional repertory ensemble dedicated to the task – called “Catnip to the Stage Addict” by the New York Times.
With civic pride as strong as ever as Asheville continues to enjoy growth, the city’s residents show great support for local nonprofits like Bravo, which is gearing up for its 80th birthday next season. The organization hopes this support will continue – particularly as local arts organizations find themselves competing for airtime in a regional entertainment market increasingly augmented with touring pop acts, new media and other diversions. As Bravo gets ready to blow out those 80 candles next year, the organization hopes to increase awareness of its dedication to the arts – not only in terms of excellent season presentations like The Mikado, but also in terms of community outreach, such as Bravo’s Music Education Partnership Program, which provides subsidized tickets for traditionally underserved populations, music education programs and curriculum presented in the public schools and community youth organizations, and education programs for the general public, endeavoring to enrich the vibrant community in many ways at once.
On November 13th The Mikado, will be the enrichment at hand, bringing to life a hilariously corrupt public official, a gaggle of schoolgirls, and the Emperor (or Mikado) himself, as we follow a fleeing musician, Nanki-Poo, in love with the girl Yum-yum who is already engaged to Ko-ko – the Lord High Executioner! And as colorful as the dramatis personae are, this production will also excite the eyes, with silken costumes and Japanese fans that shimmer with the saturated hues of the orient. With a witty libretto, a sparkling score, and some of the duo’s most famous songs, this “trusty production has everything an admirer of this music could want” (The New York Times).
Saturday, November 13th at 7:30pm. Pick-3 Subscriptions are available by calling (828) 225-5887. Subscribers receive a discount off individual ticket prices, plus choice seating, and other exclusive benefits. Individual tickets range from $20-$60 and can be purchased by calling the Asheville Bravo Concerts office at (828) 225-5887, visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Civic Center Box Office. Students always receive half-price tickets for all Bravo concerts.
Upcoming shows include the extraordinary string trio Time For Three, and Tony-Award award winner (& recent Kennedy Center Honoree!) Bill T. Jones. For more information please visit www.ashevillebravoconcerts.org.