This week on Open Air, KALW’s radio magazine for the Bay Area performing arts, host David Latulippe talks with actress Joy Franz (pictured, with Victoria Bingham as Little Anastasia), who plays the Dowager Empress in the touring production of Anastasia, the musical, which runs through September 29 at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco.
Anastasia, with music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, and book by Terrence McNally, is based on the 1997 film of the same name and tells the story of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who, according to legend, could have escaped the execution of her family during the 1917 Russian Revolution.
We talk to Donato Cabrera, music director of the California Symphony, about the orchestra’s new season, which starts on September 14 and 15 with Iconic Beethoven. On the program Beethoven’s overture to The Creatures of Prometheus and the Symphony no. 5, as well as the five Rückert-Lieder by Gustav Mahler, with mezzo-soprano Rachel Calloway as soloist.
Concerts are Sept 14 (8pm) and 15 (4pm) at the Lesher Center for the Arts (1601 Civic Drive) in Walnut Creek.
From the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony, we talk with music director Dawn Harms and pianist Daniel Glover, about the ensemble’s upcoming Fall concert. On the program the Hansel and Gretel overture by Humperdinck; the Amy Beach Piano concerto, with Daniel Glover as soloist; and the Tenth symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich. The BARS Fall concert is on Sept 14 (8pm) at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (50 Oak Street) in San Francisco.
Plus, we talk to solo performer Zappo Diddio, whose new show Hippie Kidruns at The Marsh Berkeley (2120 Allston Way), through October 12. Diddio grew up in a hippie commune around teachers and activists such as Wavy Gravy and Ram Dass, and later worked with Dr. Patch Adams, which led him to passionately commit himself to a life of spreading cheer and laughter to children and young people in need. In Hippie Kid, he shares the quirky, enlightening, and moving experiences that built a singular life dedicated to compassionate activism.
Open Air with host David Latulippe; heard live on Thursday, September 12 at 1pm. Listen now or anytime...