INAUGURAL SEASON • 2011-2012 WRCJ 90.9 FM presents the Detroit Symphony Orchestra INVITATION TO THE DANCE revolutionary work Thu., Jan. 26 at 7:3o p.m. — Southfield Einstein on the Beach At Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Rd. will be staged at the Power Center. Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hans Graf, conductor Karl Pituch, horn Weber Invitation to the Dance Mozart Horn Concerto No. 4 Weber Overture to Oberon Schumann Symphony No. 2 Einstein on the Beach includes a featured violinist dressed as the iconic scientist. Suzanne Chessler Contributing Writer Ann Arbor E instein on the Beach: An Opera in Four Acts lasts near- ly five hours without inter- mission. Members of the audience can wander in and out as they please. There is no storyline in the col- laboration of composer Philip Glass (born to Jewish parents in Baltimore in 1937) and theatrical experimenter Robert Wilson. There are singular episodes, particularly in the dance sequences choreographed by Lucinda Childs. The first North American presenta- tion ever held outside New York City, this production, beginning a tour Jan. 20-22 at Ann Arbor's Power Center for the Performing Arts, portrays Einstein in reference without biographical sequence or acknowledgement of his Jewish heritage. A featured violinist is dressed as the iconic scientist, who played violin. "Einstein on the Beach broke all the rules in terms of what could be done when creating opera;' says Linda Brumbach, executive producer, who knows of only rare instances of view- ers wandering away. "It is like a mov- ing visual poem, and audiences don't want to miss anything." The diverse content of the produc- tion reaches from a segment showing a giant beam of light moving in uni- son with Glass-composed music to a dance-infused trial scene referencing kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst. Brumbach, who is based in New York and has brought many produc- tions to Ann Arbor, will explain her role 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Wyly Hall (Room W2740), 724 E. University. "The first time I saw the produc- tion was in 1992, which was the last time it was done Brumbach says. "I was overwhelmed with the idea of experiencing an opera this way, completely unlike anything I had ever experienced. Watching the piece was transformative." Einstein on the Beach was first produced in France during the 1970s and had subsequent perfor- mances in Europe and at New York's Metropolitan Opera. Instead of a tra- ditional orchestral arrangement, Glass chose to compose for synthesizers, woodwinds and voices of the Philip Glass Ensemble. Since the form is non-narrative, the opera relies on a series of recurrent images shown along with abstract dance sequences. The four acts are connected by a series of short scenes, known as "knee plays." As a co-commissioner of the revival, the University Musical Society is hosting the company for an inten- sive three-week technical rehearsal residency leading up to the preview performances. "Nobody has tried to break down the text of Einstein on the Beach, but some University of Michigan graduate students are interested in exploring the meaning:' Brumbach explains. "We have 65 people traveling with the show. We've been in New York preparing in different studios, but we're going to become a company in Michigan." Related free events include a pre- sentation by Glass and Wilson (4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty) and a discus- sion of Einstein as a cultural figure with Glass and scientists (10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, in Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington). "Einstein on the Beach opened the doors for much of what has happened in opera and musical theater today': Brumbach says:Artists now can feel [inspired to] do their work in different ways." O Tickets just $25! ($io for children under i8 and students). LEONARD SLATKIN Music Director A COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED ORCHESTRA shoploca I eatioca I listen loca I Buy tickets today at www.dso.org/neighborhood or call 313.576.5111 Love, Loss, Daryl Roth presents 15 and What IWore Nora Ephron Delia Ephron - and an intimate collection of stories by Daisy Emily Dorsch Eagan (The Secret Garden) (In the Next Room) Sonia Manzano Loretta Swit (-Sesame Street") rteieS•11") starring Myra Lucretia Taylor (Nine) Gem Theatre • Feb. 8—March 4 • Gem Theatre & Fisher Theatre box offices, ticketmaster.com . 313-963-9800 or 800-982-2787 • Info: broadwayindetroit.com • gemtheatre.com Group sales (10+) call 313-4634216 • Broadway In Detroit 50th Anniversary Season sponsored by - - "Consistently delicious food is the driving force behind Sposita's success" Danny Raskin, Jan 5, 2012 RISTORANTE Fine Italian Dining in a Casual AtmosEhere ;1 Sunday-Thursday II 0 OA 0 Ve2 03 Sunday-Thursday 15%0FF 15%0FF " TOTAL FOOD BILL 11 TOTAL FOOD BILL OPEN 1 DAYS A WEEK! 10% off on Fri and Sat " 10% off 00 Fri and Sat Einstein on the Beach will be performed 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 20-21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher, Ann Arbor. $18-$60. (734) 764-2538; www.ums.org . SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA DETROIT (248) 538-8954 Not good with any other offer II ivot gooa witn any other otter Good with coupon. Expires 2/29/12 t t Good with coupon. Expires 2/29/12 r Excluded for the holidays Excluded for the holidays irsi 0 0 CM 0 C3© Mon-Thurs: 4pm-10pm • Fri: 11am-11pm Sat: 4pm-11pm • Sun: 4pm-9pm 0 0 In 33210 W.14 Mile Rd Simsbury Plaza, just east of Farmington Rd. West Bloomfield January 12 • 2012 • • 41 •