Belk Theater : Madama Butterfly 1/21-1/29 Belk Theater Charlotte
Madama Butterfly
Saturday January 21, 2012 thru Sunday January 29, 2012
Some travesties are truer than others. This one
begins in Japan on a flowing terrace above
Nagasaki harbor. It is the turn of the 20th century --
American imperialism is leaving a trail of
casualties.
The enchanting Cio-Cio San, a former geisha
known as Butterfly, enters into a 999 year
arranged marriage with American naval lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton. Yes,
the passion and tenderness are rich, but the contract’s monthly renewal option evinces its seriousness for Pinkerton. The storm brewing in the fragile psyche of Butterfly tells a different story however. Despite the urgings of her confidants, dwindling funds, and the pursuit of a rich suitor, even after a three-year absence from her husband she insists he will return. There is a child after all. Surely he would want to be with his wife and son. Much to her excitement, Pinkerton returns and he indeed wants to be with his son. Unfortunately, it is to happen with his American wife who has accompanied him to Japan. For Cio-Cio San there is no choice between living with disgrace and dying with honor. Releasing everything she loves, she raises the very blade her father used to fulfill his honor, and falls to her own devastating fate.
The Belk Theater is the largest venue in the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, seating 2100 at its full-capacity configuration. It features state--theartequipment, production and support capabilities and can host any event - from grand opera to rock to corporate annual meetings and lectures. The theater is designed in a contemporary European horseshoe arrangement for an intimate atmosphere and world-class acoustics.
The most distant seat is less than 135 feet from the stage.
A hallmark of the theater's design is some 2,400 "points of light" in the audience chamber, part of a dazzling fiber optic network with multi-color capabilities.
Winner of three Tony Awards® including the award for BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL, this hilarious new production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES was the biggest hit of the 2010 Broadway season, leaving audiences in stitches night after night!
LA CAGE tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse Zaza. When Georges' son brings his fiancée's conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly! LA CAGE is a tuneful and touching tale of one family's struggle to stay together... stay fabulous... and above all else, stay true to themselves!
With a glorious score of hummable melodies and a dynamite cast featuring the "notorious and dangerous Cagelles," LA CAGE is an indisputable musical comedy classic... and this extraordinary new version shows you why!
Ansari has quickly established his presence in the comedy world. He is currently starring in a popular television series, is developing a number of films and will soon debut his second hour-long standup special. The Hollywood Reporter said that he “has become one of the most prolific writers and performers on the comedy scene in recent years” and Rolling Stone recently placed him on the cover of their special comedy issue labeling him “the funniest man under 30.” In addition, Paste Magazine has named him one of the “Top 10 Comedians of the Decade.” Ansari also wrapped a much buzzed about gig as the host of the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.
Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST features the
animated film’s Academy Award®-winning score
with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late
Howard Ashman, with additional songs with
music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice.
The book is written by Linda Woolverton.
Jackson Browne has written and performed
some of the most literate and moving songs in
popular music and has defined a genre of
songwriting charged with honesty, emotion and
personal politics. He was honored with induction
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and
the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2007.
Some travesties are truer than others. This one 
