Another semester brings another lineup of music and musical productions at the IU Auditorium. From Grammy Award-winning musicals to orchestral music and jazz, music is a major focus this season. Ticket prices range from $17 to $49 for students, and $29 to $71 otherwise. The following listings are courtesy of the IU Auditorium website.
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra will open the season on Jan. 23 at IU Auditorium. The orchestra has been performing since 1903, and is currently led by conductor Osmo Vänskä. The Minnesota Orchestra's performance at the auditorium will feature pianist Inon Barnatan. The group plans to perform Sibelius’s “En Saga, Opus 9,” Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Opus 23” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7 in A major, Opus 92.”
“The Sound of Music” is next in IU Auditorium’s season, premiering Jan. 21 and running until Feb. 1. The story follows a family in Austria and its governess learning love and patience in the midst of Nazi Germany’s territorial advances. The Tony, Grammy and Academy Award-winning musical includes “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi" and "Climb Every Mountain,” among other songs.
Next is the “Birdland All-Stars ‘The Art of Jazz’” on Feb. 23. Featuring musicians from New York led by Tommy Igoe, the band will perform new arrangements of music by other artists such as David Bowie, the Police, Steely Dan, Charlie Parker and others. The show will feature a multimedia presentation as visual artists create paintings on stage correlating to the aural experience of the audience.
“Roger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” will run from Feb. 28 to March 1. The musical is a “surprisingly contemporary take on the classic tale,” according to the production’s website. The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical features some of the same music performed on the original 1957 television airing of the production.
“Cabaret” will run from March 20 to 21. “In here, life is beautiful,” said Sally Bowles, the emcee of the Kit Kat Klub, who performs gaudy and raucous ensemble acts in pre-World War II Germany. The Tony Award-winning production was made into a movie in 1972, which earned over 25 film and music awards.
“The Wizard of Oz” will run from April 17 to 18 at the IU Auditorium and follows the story of Dorothy, Toto and her friends with special effects, choreography and music.
Whether you’re looking for family musicals, New York jazz or 20th century-based classics, IU Auditorium offers productions across the semester on a variety of themes.
Clark Gudas
