Grab the red satin pumps, all you “Dancing with the Stars” divas. TV legend Barbara Eden will appear as mistress of ceremonies in “Ballroom With a Twist,” at the DuPont Theatre January 19-24. The show, choreographed by “Dancing with the Stars” choreographer Louis van Amstel, is riveting, says Eden. “On TV, it’s beautiful, but not as tactile. The dancers are of another world.” Superstar couples Alec Mazo and Edyta Sliwinski and Jonathan Roberts and Anna Trebunskaya are in the cast, too. The stars will conduct a master class in the Gold Ballroom of the Hotel du Pont on January 18. Any local ballroomer can glide with the celebs, but one lucky couple will perform with the cast on opening night. “This is an elegant, high-energy show that showcases the beauty and athleticism of ballroom dance,” says DuPont Theatre manager John Gardner. Eden, who appeared at the DuPont in 2002, is “thrilled to be back,” she says. “I have fond memories of Delaware, and I’m delighted to be part of a magical, dynamic and passionate show.” For more, visit duponttheatre.com, or call 656-4401.
Page 2: Renting it Out
Renting it Out
The Wilmington Drama League has tackled seriously ambitious shows this season, including “The Producers” and “Death of a Salesman.” From January 29 to February 13, the community theater will take on the first Delaware-based production of “Rent,” Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning musical. “Rent,” the modern version of “La Boheme,” is set in New York’s East Village and tells the stories of struggling artists. Its music, a blend of pop, salsa, R&B and rock, boasts some of the best tunes written for the stage in decades. For more, visit wilmingtondramaleague.org, or call 764-1172.
Page 3: Grandiose
Grandiose
The fact that The Grand Opera House is presenting both David Bromberg and Paula Poundstone this month speaks to its diverse lineup. On January 21 Bromberg will perform with Jorma Kaukonen, a founding member of Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna. The concert will offer a rare opportunity to hear musical communication between two guitar legends. Poundstone, a stand-up comic, author and regular on NPR’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” game show, should crack us up on January 22. For more, visit grandopera.org, or call 652-5577.
Page 4: The Ivory Coastal
The Ivory Coastal
The classical world is buzzing about Thomas Pandolfi, a prodigious American pianist The Washington Post called a “master of both the grand gesture and the sensual line.” Pandolfi won critical acclaim last year after debuts in Canada, Germany and China. We expect more raves on January 30, when he will perform for Coastal Concerts at Bethel United Methodist Church Hall in Lewes. All Coastal Concerts shows are performed at Bethel, but the venue’s acoustics are especially well-suited for piano. For more, visit coastalconcerts.org or call (888) 212-6458.
