Fall Arts Preview

Catholic University has a rich and legendary arts heritage.
Between our Musical and Dramatic offerings, we cover a lot of ground in the performing arts. Check out this semester’s upcoming performances for a cultural quick fix.
Drama:
This semester’s offerings include a heavy presence by CUA’s Drama faculty. Catch the heads of the three major M.F.A. programs in the theatrical presentations this semester.
Selma ‘65
Directed by CUA prize director and head of CUA’s M.F.A. directing program, Eleanor Holdridge, and conceived by award-winning playwright Catherine Filloux and the head of CUA’s M.F.A. acting program Marietta Hedges. Selma ’65 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Selma Voting Rights March by presenting stories surrounding the historic event.
The play runs September 24-27.
Big Love
A retelling of Aeschylus’ classic play The Supplicants, the story follows 50 brides who try to stop their weddings to their respective grooms. Chaos ensues as they try to pursue any means necessary to thwart their marriages. According to the CUA website the play features a lot of cake. Definitely a draw.
The play runs November 19 -22.
Butchertown
Catch CUAdrama at Busboys and Poets on October 7th in this play by John Klein, the head of CUA’s M.F.A. playwriting program.
Music:
The Music school continues celebrating its 50th anniversary year this semester with multiple events, including a continuation of the piano division’s Beethoven Sonata Series.
The Beethoven Sonata Series will be performed on September 15, October 6, November 10, and November 23. All performances will be held in Ward Recital Hall.
Sacred Music from the Bolivian Rian Forest
Beloved choir director Leo Nestor presents this special performance of the CUA University Singers and the CUA Chamber Choir with the CUA Symphony Orchestra. Hop over to the Basilica Crypt Church for an evening performance of sacred music of a different breed.
Did you know CUA has a center for Latin American Music studies? Here’s your chance to catch our unconventional area of studies in action.
The performance is on November 7th at 7pm and is free and open to the public.
Musical Theater:
The Most Happy Fella
This Frank Loesser musical is the story of the romance between an older man and a younger woman.  Despite begin described as the ‘most operatic of all musicals,’ its ambition paid off when it won a Tony award in 1956.
The musical runs October 23 – 25 in the Hartke Theater.
Opera:
The Impresario
An operatic comedy, this opera by Mozart features a classically convoluted opera story which serves as a vehicle for opera artists to show off their vocal skills.
The opera runs November 19-22 in Ward Recital Hall.