Miners Alley Presents “Master Class” February 24, 2012

Miners Alley Playhouse presents “Master Class”

By Terrence McNally

Directed by Robert Kramer

Miners Alley Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning “Master Class” playing February 24 through April 1. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 6 p.m. *(Sunday, April 1 is at 2 p.m.; no 6 p.m. performance that day). Tickets are $19.00 - $26.50 with senior, student and group rates available by calling 303-935-3044 or online at minersalley.com. Opening night features a hors d’ oeuvres gala reception after the show; audience is invited to join the festivities and mingle with the cast at no extra charge. On Saturday, March 3, Miners Alley holds its "Second Saturday Members Appreciation Night" and conversation with the director, cast and crew after the performance.

At the core of "Master Class" is diva Maria Callas, a glamorous, commanding, larger-than-life, caustic, and surprisingly drop-dead funny pedagogue, holding a voice master class. Alternately dismayed and impressed by the students who parade before her, she retreats into recollections about the glories of her own life and career. Included in her musings are her younger years as an ugly duckling, her fierce hatred of her rivals, the unforgiving press that savaged her early performances, her triumphs at La Scala, and her affair with Aristotle Onassis. It culminates into a monologue about sacrifice taken in the name of art.

The talented cast includes mezzo soprano Marcia Ragonetti in the role of Maria Callas, Kelly Twedt (1st Soprano), Boni McIntyre (2nd Soprano), Alex Sierra (Tenor), Travis Yamamoto(Accompanist) and Robert Kramer as the Stage Manager.

Terrence McNally’s most recent play is Unusual Acts of Devotion, which had its world premiere at Philadelphia Theatre Company followed by a production at the La Jolla Playhouse. In August 2009, the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle presented the world premiere of his musical adaptation of Catch Me If You Can with a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman—scheduled to open on Broadway in the Spring 2011. In 2010 the Kennedy Center produced three of his plays under the title "Terrence McNally's Night at the Opera: Master Class, The Lisbon Traviata, and the world premiere of Golden Age. He has won four Tony Awards for his plays Love! Valour! Companion! (as well as the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play and the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Best Play) and Master Classand his musical books for Kiss of the Spider Woman (Kander & Ebb) and Ragtime. He also wrote the books for the musicals The Full Monty, The Rink (Kander & Ebb), and A Man of No Importance.

Miners Alley Presents “Master Class” - A backstage look at one of Opera’s most iconic personalities. Feb. 24 - Apr. 1 - Fri./Sat. at 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 6 p.m. (Sunday, April 1 is at 2 p.m.; no 6 p.m. performance that day). $19.00 - $26.50; senior, student and group rates available. 303-935-3044 or online at www.minersalley.com. Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Avenue (13th and Washington 2nd floor entrance on 13th).