Paramount, Moore theatres unveil intriguing 2004-2005 season lineup
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The Seattle debut of a prime modern dance company from China. A choral group from Soweto, South Africa. A mini-festival of silent Buster Keaton comedies. The Seattle return of the Bolshoi Ballet, and master tapper Savion Glover.
Those are among the 40 arts events on the 2004-2005 subscription season roster for Seattle Theatre Group, the nonprofit organization that owns and manages the Paramount Theatre and runs the Moore Theatre.
In shows planned for the Paramount and Moore, the STG season will once again include jazz, dance, musical theater and silent-film offerings. And, like last season, subscribers are invited to "build your own" subscription packages by purchasing advance tickets at discount to any shows they choose, rather than by discipline. (The only caveat: You must choose tickets for a minimum of three shows to buy a subscription.)
Included in the deal are the big touring stage shows coming to the Paramount in the annual Broadway series. (All, that is, except for the long-anticipated seven-week run of Disney blockbuster "The Lion King," which is only available currently by subscription to Clear Channel Entertainment's entire Broadway in Seattle at the Paramount series. See www.theparamount.com for details.)
"The new flexibility and freedom of choice for our patrons has been working really well for us," says STG executive director Josh LaBelle, pointing out that subscribers increased to 13,518 for the current season (from 11,389 in 2002-2003). "We're just trying to give people what they want."
What patrons haven't wanted, in great numbers, were some of the more adventurous experimental theater offerings STG booked into the Moore in recent years, including rewarding but challenging shows by Canadian auteur Robert Lepage and the British troupe, The Improbable Theatre.
LaBelle says he is not giving up on this inventive work, but adds that STG can only afford such financially risky ventures "when we can rely on popular shows like 'Stomp' or 'Defending the Caveman' to help us pay for them." Since such low-risk commercial shows are in short supply this year for Seattle, LaBelle says, "our programming changes at the Moore are consistent with the touring market."
What's new next season is the inclusion of more world music: In addition to the Soweto Gospel Choir, there will be a concert at Moore titled "Latinas, Women of Latin America." There is also a healthy contingent of dance companies (including Seattle's own Spectrum Dance Theater, under Donald Byrd's direction) and jazz artists. And two popular theatrical solo artists will be coming back: performance artist Laurie Anderson and actor/comedian John Leguizamo.
Following is the schedule for the Seattle Theater Group's 2004-2005 season. Ticket prices to individual events vary, but are discounted by 15 percent or more when purchased as part of a "build your own" subscription. (Single tickets to the events are not available now, but will go on sale at later dates.) For more details, prices and to purchase subscriptions go to www.theparamount.com.
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Jazz
All events at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle.
• Lionel Hampton Orchestra, with Chaka Khan, Sept. 10.
• Jazz at Lincoln Center's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra & Los Hombres Calientes, Nov. 12.
• Directions in Music: Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove, Feb. 4, 2005.
• Concord Jazz Festival, with Diane Schuur, Karrin Allyson, Oleta Adams and Sara Gazarek, March 10, 2005.
Dance
All events at the Paramount.
• Lyon Opera Ballet, Sept. 22.
• Bolshoi Ballet and Orchestra in "Don Quixote" and "Romeo and Juliet," Oct. 27-31.
• Beijing Modern Dance, March 12, 2005.
• Garth Fagan Dance Company, April 9, 2005.
The Moore Series
All held at the Moore, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle.
• Spectrum Dance Theater, Nov. 6.
• Laurie Anderson, Nov. 8 and 9.
• "Latinas, Women of Latin America," Nov. 23.
• John Leguizamo, Dec. 11 and 12.
• Rennie Harris Puremovement, Jan. 28 and 29, 2005.
• Savion Glover Improvography, March 31, 2005.
Family series
All held at the Moore.
• Dan Zanes & Friends, Nov. 20.
• Soweto Gospel Choir, March 26, 2005.
• Laurie Berkner, April 2, 2005.
Community Spotlight Series
• Showtime at the Apollo on Tour, Feb. 26, 2005 (Paramount).
• Hot Java Cool Jazz, March 25, 2005 (Paramount).
• More Music @ The Moore, April 23, 2005 (Moore).
• Dance this, July 9, 2005 (Paramount).
• Sankofa Theatre: A Maafa Experience, July 22-24, 2005 (Moore).
Silent Film Series
All held at the Paramount.
• "Love in Film," featuring "Sunrise" (1927), Feb. 7, 2005; "Love" (1927), Feb. 14, 2005; "Male & Female" (1919), Feb. 21, 2005; and "Piccadilly" (1929), Feb. 28, 2005.
• "Buster Keaton Double-Feature Festival," featuring "The Navigator" (1924) and "The Boat" (1921), Aug. 1, 2005; "Our Hospitality" (1923) and "The High Sign" (1921), Aug. 8, 2005; "Sherlock Jr." (1924) and "The Ballonatic" (1923), Aug. 15, 2005; "College" (1927) and "Cops" (1922), Aug. 22, 2005; and "Steamboat Bill Jr." (1927) and "One Week" (1920), Aug. 29, 2005.
Broadway Series
All held at the Paramount.
• "Oliver!," Sept. 28-Oct. 3.
• "Little Shop of Horrors," Nov. 2-7.
• "Disney's The Lion King," Nov. 30, 2004-Jan. 16, 2005.
• Patti LuPone in "Matters of the Heart," April 12-17, 2005.
• "The Graduate," April 26-May 1, 2005
• "Wonderful Town," May 31-June 5, 2005.
Specials
All held at the Paramount.
• "Rent," Aug. 24-29.
• "Riverdance," Oct. 12-17.
Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com