From the Theatre/Musical Theatre program

Urinetown, The Musical

Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann
Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis
Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer
Choreographed by Robert Bowen Smith
Music Direction by Deborah Jacobson

It’s a privilege to pee.

Urinetown tells the story of a future fascist society, run by corporate greed, that demands that the public pay to pee. The musical, though fun and tongue-in-cheek, is a warning to us all to not take our freedoms for granted. Winner of three Tony Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards and two Obie Awards, Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, environmental collapse, privatization of natural resources, bureaucracy, municipal politics, and musical theatre itself!

When: February 22–23, 8 p.m., February 24, 2024, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 
Where: Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

The Herstory of Henri IV, pt. 1

By William Shakespeare
Adapted and directed by Kate Eastwood Norris

Poor Hal. Her mom, the Queen of England, wants her to step up and fight in an impending civil war, while her buddy Falstaff wants her to stay at the bar and keep the party going. What is a young princess to do? Equal parts comedy and tragedy, Henri IV pt. 1 is a gender-bent adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous coming-of-age story about a young woman not only trying to figure out her place in the world, but also what sort of world she wants it to be.

When: February 28-March 1, 8 p.m. and March 2, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Where: Katzen Arts Center, Studio Theatre, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

Spring Awakening

Book & Lyrics by Steven Sater
Music by Duncan Sheik
Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Directed by Nadia Guevara
Music Direction by Kristin Stowell
Choreography by Maurice Johnson

Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll that is exhilarating audiences across the nation. The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, told by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater through what Entertainment Weekly called "the most gorgeous Broadway score this decade."

When: April 4–5, 8 p.m., April 6, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 
Where: Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

From the Music program

Faculty Music Concert

American University music faculty take the stage! Instrumental and voice faculty collaborate in a varied program that ranges from Brahms to Cabaret. Featuring Barbara Hollinshead, Susan Derry, Osman Kivrak, Kevin Jang, Nobue Matsuoka, Mary Gottlieb, Bill Wielgus, and Barbara Wilkinson.

When: March 2, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

Expeditions

American University Symphonic Band
Matthew Brown, conductor

The AU Symphonic Band tackles two large scale works that each musically depict a remote frozen landscape. Oscar Navarro's "Expedition" imagines a journey deep into the waters of Antarctica, and Franco Cesarini's "Poema Alpestre" captures the vastness and majesty of the towering Swiss Alps. These two lengthy and challenging works highlight the richness of the Symphonic Band literature and showcase American University's talented wind, brass, and percussion students.

When: April 13, 3 p.m.
Where: Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

In Nature’s Realm: Our Environment and Care for the Earth

American University Chamber Singers
Daniel Abraham, director

This program celebrates the beauty of our planet and the diversity and power of nature. Art has always celebrated nature. To revel in the beauty and power of nature is even more important than ever as we consider the impact we have on our planet. Reconnect with the expansive qualities of nature by hearing how composers have considered nature's awesomeness across time. Including works by Antonín Dvořák, Rachel Portman, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Dan Forrest, Frank Ticheli, and others.

When: April 13, 7:30 p.m. and April 14, 3 p.m.
Where: Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016 

Some Spring Swing

American University Jazz Orchestra
Joshua Bayer, director

Swing into the season with the AU Jazz Orchestra playing Big Band swing, funk, and straight-ahead Jazz from a variety of composers. Featuring special guests from the Georgetown University Jazz Ensemble.

When: April 19, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

American University Chorus and Symphony Orchestra

Matthew Brown, conductor (AU Symphony Orchestra)
Casey Cook, director (AU Chorus)

The AU Symphony Orchestra and Chorus collaborate to perform a lesser-known but important oratorio by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. The program also includes Saint-Saëns' Symphony no. 2 in A minor, the world premiere of a work by AU student composer Matthew Lipka, as well as the winner of the 2024 Concerto and Aria Competition, to be held in February.

When: April 27, 7:30 p.m. and April 28, 3 p.m.
Where: Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

From the Dance program

DANCEWORKS 2024

Artistic Direction by Erin Foreman-Murray
Ronya-Lee Anderson, Director, American University Dance Company
Choreography by Ronya-Lee Anderson, Esperonto Bean, Orange Grove Dance, and Rose Xinran Qi

Rediscover the power of live dance in our increasingly virtual world. The American University Dance Company brings DANCEWORKS 2024 to the Greenberg Theatre stage with original choreography.

Featuring guest choreographers Colette Krogol and Matt Reeves, artistic directors of Orange Grove Dance, a multimedia dance company that "creates visually athletic experiences through the lenses of dance, film, and design." Dancers will present contemporary dance repertory by independent artist Rose Xinran Qi, whose work is informed by her extensive background in contemporary, postmodern, ballet, and Chinese dance. The company will also perform a new dance theatre piece by faculty choreographer Ronya-Lee Anderson and a new club and street styles work by dance faculty member and guest choreographer Esperonto Bean.

When: April 19-20, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

Performance credits:

URINETOWN was produced on Broadway in September, 2001 by the Araca Group and Dodger Theatricals in association with TheaterDreams, Inc., and Lauren Mitchell.

URINETOWN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

SPRING AWAKENING is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.