By Chris Murphy
This is one risky column to write this month.
Here we are, crossing the threshold into 2022 and we are still figuring out what the immediate future of larger events in our community and other gatherings. The Gallo Center, State Theatre and the Prospect have specific mask and vaccination requirements. Please check with these venues so you know how to prepare.
Right off the bat this year, are a couple of offerings from Opera Modesto. 2022 could really be their year and Roy Stevens and the crew were very active through COVID, even making an award winning opera film, and then doing some really cool shows that are making opera pretty accessible here in Modesto. This month there are two performances at the State Theatre with their annual Story Into Song Literacy Initiative at The State Theater on January 8th & 9th at 2:00 pm.
BLESS ME, ULTIMA is based on the famous “Chicano” novel by Rudolfo Anaya, which is read by students in high schools across the country. DULCINEA is based on DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA, by Miguel Cervantes. The opera about a boy who doesn’t want to read the book and has it come to life in his dreams, is by the leading European composer (from Spain), Mauricio Sotelo.
Performed in Spanglish and Spanish, the two operas star a diverse cast of national level leads combined with recent and current students from Modesto Junior College, CSU Stanislaus, CSU Sacramento, CSU Fresno and San Jose State University. Ticket range from $25-40 and student tickets (with ID) are $20 and can be purchased at www.thestate.org
Mother of the Maid by Jane Anderson is story of Joan of Arc’s mother, a sensible, hard-working, God-fearing peasant woman whose faith is upended as she deals with the baffling journey of her odd and extraordinary daughter. An epic tale told through an unexpected and remarkable perspective, highlighting not only the conflicts that divide mothers and daughters but also the profound bonds that unite them.
January 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30
Tix info at www.prospecttheatreproject.org
State Theatre
The State Theatre presents Tommy Castro & The Painkillers as they showcase their new album A Blues Man Came To Town on January 15th, 2022! Accompanying the extremely talented headliner will also be local talent AJ Crawdaddy, a long-time bay area guitarist known for his work with Pablo Cruz. Get tix at www.thestate.org to purchase
Modesto Symphony
Cellos are in the house on January 7 & 8 at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conductor Delta David Gier rings in the new year and kicks off our Music Director Search with the lively and colorful Espejos en la Arena by Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez featuring the exceptional Francisco Vila-Haas on cello performing Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 and Beethoven’s Overture #3 Tix are available at www.galloarts.org
On January 11, and 12, the Gallo Center gets transformed into a whimsical chocolate factory for the production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This enchanting musical captures the spirit of Roald Dahls book and the wonderful music we all know. Tix are at www.galloarts.org
Support the Modesto Rotary Foundation by getting tickets to the Elton John Billy Joel Face 2 Face Tribute show. This will be a super event where you should know basically every song performed. There is no bad seat in the house and your ticket purchase helps the many great works of Rotary and these funds stay right here in our community. Purchase tix today for this February 3 show at www.galloarts.org
You can find many more great local performances and up to date info on these and other events at www.modestoview.com
