Few universities offer the exciting diversity of ASU’s cultural season. The 2004-2005 schedule sizzles with performances to suit every taste, from collaborations with contemporary composer Philip Glass to lyric opera to first-ever-in-Arizona Broadway shows. In addition to the sampling listed below, nine concerts by the ASU Symphony Orchestra and 16 by ASU Bands will keep ASU venues filled with talent and creativity into next summer.

M&I Bank Broadway in Arizona season

Gammage Auditorium is home to the M&I Bank Broadway in Arizona series. Now in its 15th season, it’s the largest subscription series in the state and one of the nation’s most successful Broadway series. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster outlets (www.ticketmaster.com) or by calling 480-784-4444.

The season began in September with Oliver! and continued with The Graduate. The season also included Jesus Christ Superstar in December, the first musical masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Arizona’s most eagerly awaited stage production ever, Disney’s The Lion King (Jan. 21 - March 6), is ready to leap onto the Gammage stage. You’ll remember this show forever. Newsweek calls it “a landmark event in entertainment.”

Also coming to town is Thoroughly Modern Millie (May 3 - 8), which won six 2002 Tony Awards, including Best New Musical. Based on the 1967 Oscar-winning film, it is the story of a young girl from Kansas who comes to New York City in the Roaring '20s.

Next summer brings the mega-musical Phantom of the Opera (June 8-July 3). With some of the most lavish sets, costumes and special effects ever to have been created for the stage, Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece, directed by Harold Prince, traces the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the majestic Paris Opera House. Summer theater buffs will also appreciate Little Shop of Horrors (Aug. 9-14), New York's biggest “monster” hit musical from the producers of “Hairspray” and “The Producers.”

2004-2005 Beyond Broadway season

This season includes Philip Glass in collaboration with ASU artist-in-residence Daniel Bernard Roumain as well as two world premiere pieces by dance legends Trisha Brown and Bill T. Jones. Plus, Brown Bag Rehearsals will give audience members a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse at the artistic process and a chance to question the artists. For more information, call ASU’s Gammage Box Office at 480-965-3434 or visit www.asugammage.com.

Join Regina Carter and the ASU Symphony Orchestra on Feb. 7 for an unforgettable evening of world-class jazz.

For the first time ever, legendary composer/musician Philip Glass and Daniel Bernard Roumain will walk, talk and perform together in Seen and Heard. (Rehearsal, April 1; performance, April 2.)

Trisha Brown Dance Company & Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance will use computer technology and a motion sensor system in the world premiere of The Arts, Media & Engineering Project motione (April 9) in concert with the Herberger College.

Dan Hurlin wrote the shocking true story and will direct nine hauntingly beautiful life-like puppets and five dancers in Hiroshima Maidens, based on 25 women disfigured at Hiroshima and later exploited in the U.S. (Rehearsal, April 29; performances, April 29 - 30.)

ASU Herberger College Mainstage
2004-2005 season

Get on board with Cole Porter, weep with Romeo and Juliet or experiment with dance and performance art. Gear up for an exciting season of 21 performances from the ASU Herberger College of Fine Arts. For full information and tickets, go to http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/tickets or call 480-965-6447.

Herberger Mainstage Theatre kicked off the season in September with Dancing at Lughnasa, and The Ash Girl followed in November.

The timeless story of first love, Romeo and Juliet (Feb. 11 - 27), romantic, sensuous and forbidden, is set in a modern production.

A Festival of New Work (April 13 - 24) showcases three original theatrical works created by ASU faculty and graduate students: “Stolen Children,” a gripping tale from local history; “Raw Footage,” an insanely funny and disturbing play about a documentary filmmaker; and “Performance Art,” which brings Herberger College faculty and graduate students together to explore new theatrical forms and original artistic visions.

Herberger Mainstage Lyric Opera Theatre, sponsored by The Harris™, began with Side by Side by Sondheim in October and also included The Elixir of Love in late November and early December.

The series continues with The Rape of Lucretia (Feb. 25 - March 6) an opera that creates a powerful operatic metaphor for the ongoing struggle between love and lust, evil and redemption. And, on the lighter side, Anything Goes (April 22 - May 1) is the definitive Cole Porter musical of the 1930s.

Herberger Mainstage Dance. Capping a rigorous study of dance at ASU’s nationally top-ranked dance department, these productions are rich passages of dance, athletic prowess and aerial daring. Look for innovative choreography and social potency New Danceworks II (Jan. 27-30) and Spring Dance Collection (April 21 - 24).

Herberger Mainstage Organ presents Romantic Baroque (Feb. 6), The Transcriber’s Art (Feb. 20), Celebrating Composers’ Birthdays (March 6), and Daughters and Sons of Bach (March 20).

The popular School of Music Faculty Artist Recital Series returns to ASU this fall with 24 performances by top faculty musicians and guests. For information on all music events, including orchestra and band concerts, visit http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/tickets or call 480-965-6447.

Keep up with ASU performances

To make it easier to know what is coming to ASU’s stages, sign up for these weekly e-newsletters. Subscriptions are free and subscribers are the first to learn about discounts and special offers.

Herberger College’s e-vents is distributed every Thursday and contains 10 days — and two weekends — of events to help you plan your arts activities. Sign up at http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/eventssignup.html.

Public Events’ e-insider features Broadway shows, concerts, dance and other performances at ASU’s Gammage Auditorium, ASU’s Sundome & ASU’s Kerr Cultural Center. Go to http://www.asupublicevents.tmmailmanager.com/newpatron.asp

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ASU Alum Rocky Rodriguez appeared in a recent performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Gammage.

Photo: Joan Marcus, ©Disney

The Lion King strides through Gammage from January 21 through March 6.

Photo: courtesy of Regina Carter

Regina Carter creates a scintillating evening of jazz with the ASU Symphony Orchestra on February 7.

Hiroshima Maidens blends the action of life-like puppets and dancers April 29-30.