Biggs Museum of American Art
Behind the Blue Doors: Famous Creations from the Rehoboth Art League
November 5–February 20 Everything you ever wanted to know about the illustrious Rehoboth Art League’s permanent art collection can be learned here.
Brandywine River Museum
Reality Check: Contemporary American Trompe l’Oeil Painting
September 11-November 18 The Brandywine River Museum owns an outstanding collection of 19th-century American trompe l’oeil paintings. Trompe l’oeil is French for “to trick the eye.” This exhibit shows the evolution of the form through the work of 20 contemporary practitioners.
Cape Henlopen High School Theatre
Viva Italia: An Evening with Diva Aprile Millo
September 25 This fundraiser benefits CHEF, Camp Rehoboth, and others, and includes a gourmet Italian meal and a meet-and-greet with Ms. Millo, whom Newsday calls “the high-priestess of that old time operatic religion.” This a world-class event.
Christina Cultural Arts Center Gallery
The Art in A Woman
Date: TBA Exhibited will be works of artistic, cultural, spiritual and iconic women. Hear them roar.
Clear Space Productions
The Secret Garden
March 25-April 3 “The Secret Garden,” a musical based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1909 novel, follows an English orphan forced to live with relatives she’s never met.
Coastal Concerts
Harlem Quartet
January 29 The Harlem Quartet performs exciting works by diverse composers at Bethel United Methodist Church Hall in Lewes. The group attracts multigenerational crowds, but is known for bringing classical music to younger audiences.
Page 2: The Arts Preview, continues…
Delaware Art Museum
Fred Comegys Photographs
February 12-May 1 Delaware native Fred Comegys’ photographs have been shown on the pages of Life and Time. But his images have graced The News Journal for five decades, and home is where his heart is.
Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts
Susan Myers: Sleight of Hand
September 7-January 9 Myers is a contemporary artist who creates work from pigmented beeswax and heat—an Egyptian process.
The Delaware Children’s Theatre
Annie
October 17-November 7 The Delaware Children’s Theatre was founded in 1973. The musical “Annie” hit Broadway in 1976. The ’70s was a good decade for icons. Hail to the theater’s indefatigable chief, Marie Swajeski, for years of dedicated service. She has directed nearly every show for four decades.
Delaware Friends of Folk
19th Annual Delmarva Folk Festival
October 1-2 It’s good to camp in the woods. It’s better when 13 hours of live folk music fills the woods you’re camping in. The family-friendly festival will feature local artists such as Tad Jones and the Harbor Town Band, Crabmeat Thompson and Bad Wheel Jonny.
The Delaware Historical Society
First Vote
October 5 In honor of the 90th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote, the society brings back Dr. Joyce Hill Stoner and Scott F. Mason’s original musical, which earned raves when it premiered in 1995.
Page 3: The Arts Preview, continues…
Delaware Museum of Natural History
Be the Dinosaur: Life in the Cretaceous
October 2-January 9 Life was simpler 65 million years ago, but there was still dissent in the ranks. This interactive computer simulation lets humans imagine life from the dinosaurs’ point-of-view, proving once and for all which gigantosaurus was boss.
Delaware Symphony Orchestra
The Night of All Nights: Cirque Masquerade
October 29 DSO’s gala event at The Grand is one grand gala. Nowhere else in Delaware will you see contortionists perform feats to Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.” This circus is for grown-up clowns only.
Delaware Theatre Company
Around the World in 80 Days
December 1-19 Follow Phileas Fogg and his servant, Passepartout, as they set out to beat the clock in a race around the world.
DuPont Theatre
The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein
March 1–6 From the wacky mind of Mel Brooks comes the equally wacky re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend. The stage show is based on Brooks’ bizarre yet strangely charming “Young Frankenstein” movie. More important, the Broadway show was directed and choreographed by Tony-winner Susan Stroman, a native Delawarean, and that’s enough for us.
Page 4: The Arts Preview, continues
First State Ballet
“Coppélia”
October 15-16 For a ballet, “Coppélia” is interesting theater. The story involves Dr. Coppélius, the village doll maker who makes lifelike creations. Franz is the village Lothario. (There’s always one). Let’s just say that Coppélius makes a life-size female doll that really, really confuses Franz.
The Grand Opera House
Holidazzle
September 25 After a brief hiatus, the annual Hollidazzle fundraiser is back, and so are internationally known improv kings Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, best known for their appearance on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Proceeds benefit the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens With Intellectual Disabilities.
The Grand Opera House
Emmylou Harris
November 6 Emmylou Harris is one of the industry’s most respected singers, as evidenced by her 12 Grammys and seven No. 1 hit country singles. Hear her in a place designed to showcase voices like hers.
Hagley Museum and Library
Remember Me: du Pont Family Keepsake Portraits
Through January 2 We’ve long been fascinated by the du Pont family, and this exhibit offers a peek at 18th-century family portraits. Paintings were the only images available at the time. Once photography was invented, they fell out of fashion until a revival in the 20th century. The exhibit is included in a tour of Eleutherian Mills.
Page 5: The Arts Preview, continues…
The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Joy
December 4 The Mid-Atlantic Symphony doesn’t get the ink it deserves. Herein, ink. “Holiday Joy” sings the praises of Christmas and Hanukkah favorites. Soprano Janice Chandler and baritone Ryan DeRyke hit high notes, too.
Mispillion Art League
Annual Members’ Fine Arts and Fine Crafts Show
October 13-January 8 The league’s recent renovation opened up more space on the second floor. More square footage means more artwork.
The Music School of Delaware
Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Tribute
January 14 The annual tribute concert celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as African-American music and visual art. Students and faculty will perform the music of the Nat King Cole Trio, and others. Check the school’s calendar for numerous, family-friendly events throughout the year.
New Candlelight Theatre
Little Shop of Horrors
September 17-October 30 Only one rock musical can claim as its main character a blood-sucking plant. The nerdy shop clerk, ditsy blonde and wacky dentist merely support the creature. Feed us, Seymour.
Newark Symphony Orchestra
Passion at Different Latitudes
December 12 The community orchestra’s new music director, Simeone Tartaglione, is expanding the repertoire. Expect an exciting season. The December performance offers Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 and features pianist Lura Johnson.
OperaDelaware
La Traviata
November 7-13 “La Traviata” is Verdi’s heart-wrenching tale of a courtesan who makes the unfortunate choice to fall in love. The story was made famous by Greta Garbo in the classic film “Camille.” The show features Colleen Day.
Page 6: The Arts Preview, continues…
Rehoboth Beach Theatre of the Arts
Gershwin & More
October 2 Accomplished singer Julie Budd performs Gershwin, which, in itself, makes for a wonderful show. Piano accompaniment by Herb Bernstein sweetens the deal.
Resident Ensemble Players at UD
O Beautiful
April 21-May 15 The Resident Ensemble Players commissioned Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Theresa Rebeck to write “O Beautiful.” Rebeck describes the piece as “a tragicomic reflection on abortion, teen suicide, the Tea Party movement, gun control, Jesus and the Founding Fathers.”
Schwartz Center for the Arts
Danú
March 19 The music of “Danú” is authentically Irish, which means it’s seasoned with flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion and bouzouki. (Actually, the bouzouki, a member of the lute family, came from the Greeks, but who’s counting?)
Wilmington
The Fringe Wilmington Festival
September 29-October 3 Delaware’s second annual celebration of unconventional and experimental art offers adventurous art by regional and national artists. Witness 100 performances, exhibitions, and film screenings in a variety of traditional and nontraditional spaces throughout downtown Wilmington and the Riverfront. See FringeWilmingtonDE.com.
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Betsy Ross: The Life Behind the Legend
October 2-January 2 Betsy Ross sewed “the” flag. She also outlived three husbands and was disowned by the Quakers. Think there’s a bit more about this lady we need to know? You bet there is.
