Sara’z Showbitz: “Les Miz,“ “Messiah“ and “Billy Elliot”
By Sara Dudley Brown, Theatre Editor
Performance Dates and times:
March 24 & 25 at 7 pm, March 26 at 2 pm, and March 31 & April 1 at 7 pm.
You may purchase tickets at the door with cash or check only, or reserve tickets online at TJDrama.com until three hours before show time.
Location: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Auditorium, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22312. Enter through Door 12.
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Soloists for “Messiah” will feature Metropolitan Opera soprano Danielle Talamentes (who also grew up in Vienna Presbyterian Church where her mother was the organist), mezzo-soprano Jennifer Mathews, tenor Patrick Sobolik, and bass Joshua Hong. Accompanying this performance will be Kristina Schenck, piano, and Daryl Scott, organist. The 60+ member sanctuary choir will be led by Lance Vining. The Reverend Peter G. James will provide narration.
Location: Vienna Presbyterian Church, Palm Sunday, April 9, 6 pm, 124 Park Street, NE, Vienna, Va. Free. Parking in the church lot and on street. ****************************************************************
This production is based on the 2000 film of “Billy Elliot,” with music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall. It’s the story of Billy, a despondent, motherless young boy who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. His personal struggles play out against a heartbreaking, working-class family story and community strife and violence caused by the UK miners’ strike (1984-1985) in County Durham, England.
This is the first regional presentation of “Billy Elliot the Musical.” After it ran on Broadway for 4 years, through 2012, there were limited North American national tours from 2010 to 2013. In 2016 the Grandstreet Theatre in Helena, Montana, became the first American, non-professional theatre company to stage the musical.
This upcoming landmark production will feature West Potomac High School student, Natalie Edwards, who was a cast member of the national tour.
Tickets and assigned seating for all shows are $12 for students and $15 for adults, and are available online until two hours before each performance. Any remaining seats, as well as general admission seating, will be available at the door one hour before performances. Tickets are available at www.westpotomactheatre.org. Performance dates: Thursday, April 27 – 5pm; Friday, April 28 – 7pm; Saturday, April 29 – 2pm and 7pm; Thursday, May 4 – 5 pm; Friday, May 5 – 7pm; Saturday;, May 6 – 2pm and 7pm.
Location: West Potomac High School, Springbank Auditorium, 6500 Quander Road, Alexandria, VA 22307.