Shen Yun Returns | Christine Ebersole, Piper Laurie & Will Durst come to town
Along with the new year, brings the return of Shen Yun, the one-of-a-kind performance that revives stories and legends from five millennia of Chinese culture. Full of wonder, the Bay Area performances launched last week in San Francisco at the SF War Memorial Opera House and continues through Sunday, January 8. Its richly expressive art of classical Chinese dance, musical compositions, and first-rate interactive stage effects continue to leave audiences captivated. The production combines ancient dance with technological innovations and historically authentic costumes with amazing backdrops.
Shen Yun moves to Sacramento for two-shows only at the Sacramento Community Center Theater January 10-11 and then moves to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose January 13-15.
Over a decade ago, a group of elite Chinese artists in New York created Shen Yun in response to not being able to see this authentic performance in China. Today, there are several troupes and performances around the world. Shen Yun does its storytelling through classical Chinese dance with its distinct elegance and athleticism as it brings its stories to life.
For tickets and more information, visit www.shenyunperformingarts.org/ca.
Entertainment Notes. Two-time Tony Award winner and Broadway star Christine Ebersole kicks off the new season of producer Mark Cortale’s Broadway @ The Nourse Concert Series in San Francisco this Saturday, January 7 at 8 p.m. The concert will help raise funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Project Open Hand, and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Ebersole won her Tony Awards for “Grey Gardens” and “42nd Street.” She was a series regular on Saturday Night Live, and has appeared on such highly acclaimed stages as The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall, among others. On Saturday, she will be joined by series host and Sirius XM Radio Star pianist Seth Rudesky. Ebersole performs in SF before her highly anticipated return to Broadway in the new musical “War Paint” which she stars in with the great Patti LuPone. Audiences will enjoy the intimate behind-the-scenes stories prompted by the questions of Rudetsky’s sharp mind along with the stellar singing of the artist’s musical theatre repertoire. The Nourse Theatre is located at 275 Hayes Street in San Francisco. For tickets and information, call 415-392-4400 or visit www.cityboxoffice.com/broadway ... On the heels of its 75th anniversary celebration recently, the Orinda Theatre welcomes three-time Oscar nominee Piper Laurie January 14 as part of its Oscar Series which is part of the 20th anniversary yearlong celebration of the California Independent Film Festival. Laurie graced the silver screen for over 65 years and received the Golden Globe in 1991 for her television role in the cult favorite, Twin Peaks. The event will showcase two of her Oscar nominated films – “Carrie” (1967) at 5 p.m. and “The Hustler” (1961) at 8 p.m. A Q&A with Laurie will follow each screening. Tickets are $15 per movie. The Orinda Theatre is located at Orinda Theatre Square in Orinda. Call 925-254-9060 or visit lamorindatheatres.com. Next up, political funnyman extraordinaire Will Durst brings his new show about one-man stalking the presidential election cycle (along with an overhead projector) to the Orinda Theatre Thursday, January 19. Elect to Laugh with Will Durst claims to put ‘the mock back in Democracy where it belongs.” Tickets are $20.