Center for the Arts 2013–2014 season announcement

George Mason University's Center for the Arts announces its 2013–2014 season (photo courtesy of George Mason University).

On April 11, 2013 George Mason University's Center for the Arts (CFA) publicly revealed its 2013–2014 “Great Performances at Mason” season. The CFA is well known for offering a wide variety of performances from orchestral and choral shows to dance troupes and theatrical tours. This upcoming season will feature a whole slew of new performances, and everyone can find something offered that will give them, as well as friends and family, a pleasurable evening of entertainment.

Conductor and violin soloist Pinchas Zukerman (photo courtesy of Paul Labelle).

For those who enjoy the thrilling excitement and soothing tones of an orchestra, CFA presents a collection of artists and groups in their “Magnificent Music” series. Featured artists include the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and, as part of its first U.S. tour, the Haifa Symphony Orchestra of Israel. Conducting the Royal Philharmonic at the CFA will be violin virtuoso Pinchas Zukerman. Known for his illustrious career as a violinist, Zukerman will be joining the Royal Philharmonic as they embark on their worldwide tour of over 100 performances, including their performance at the CFA.

Another vocal and musical performance includes the King’s Singers, a British a cappella sextet. This group will be performing “The Great American Songbook,” including pieces by Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, along with other great American composers Chamber Orchestra Kremlin and Jeffrey Siegel, who will be performing for the twenty-first year with CFA.

An exciting part of CFA’s season is “ARTS by George!” which kicks of the performance season. “ARTS by George!” is the biggest scholarship fundraiser for Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Previous performers for this event include Tony Award winners and Broadway legends Joel Grey and Sutton Foster. This year, Tony Award winner and television star Laura Benanti will perform on September 28 as part of the “ARTS by George!” gala and fundraiser, which will definitely be an event you will not want to miss. 

Also well-represented in the upcoming season is dance. After performing at Mason in 2002, the Shanghai Ballet is back with two productions: “The Butterfly Lovers” and “La Sylphide.” Another returning favorite is the Moscow Festival Ballet, performing the two romantic ballets “Romeo and Juliet” and “Chopiniana” along with a company presentation of “Ballet Favorites” which will feature some of the most popular pieces in the ballet repertoire.

Not a fan of classical ballet? There are still wonderful dance performances that you should not miss! One of the world’s best known American dance companies, the Joffrey Ballet will be part of this year’s dance highlights which will include powerful, contemporary dances inspired by famed chorographers Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, Christopher Wheeldon and Yuri Possokhov. Another returning favorite is the Mark Morris Dance Group, featuring two Mason School of Dance alumni, which will present a modern, unique style of dance that will leave CFA audiences wanting more.

L.A. Theatre Works "The Graduate" logo (image courtesy of the artists).

Along with dance and music, there is a wonderful representation of the theater including original plays “The Graduate” performed by L.A. Theatre Works and “Driving Miss Daisy” presented by Walnut Street Theatre.

Both plays were later adapted into award-winning films. In case those options sound a little too much like a movie theater, there are wonderful classical pieces including Aquila Theatre’s presentation of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and the American classic “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” by Tom Stoppard. The Virginia Opera Company will be returning with four operas including “The Magic Flute,” “Falstaff,” “Ariadne auf Naxos” and “Carmen.”

The list above only grazes the surface of internationally renowned and nationally adored greats who will be performing at the CFA in 2013–2014. Check out the CFA website at cfa.gmu.edu for more information about the performances listed and to explore the variety of performances available to students for free with a Mason ID.