Go Memphis

This weekend’s Memphis Symphony Orchestra engagement offers a diverse trio of hefty works by John Adams, Beethoven and Dvorak. It’s also a chance to check out guest conductor Mei-Ann Chen, the third of three candidates to audition for the job held by retiring music director David Loebel. The popular Dvorak Cello Concerto, to be performed by guest artist Julie Albers, was already set when Chen got the guest conducting assignment. Full story »

Mei-Ann Chen sees great things ahead for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and would like to be the one who helps shape its future. Chen, 36, is one of three candidates for the job of conductor and music director to replace the retiring David Loebel. This weekend, the assistant conductor with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra leads the Memphis Symphony through a diverse trio of hefty works in concerts Saturday and the Sunday. Full story »

The tour of Tyler Perry’s play “Laugh to Keep from Crying”, scheduled to run at the Orpheum Feb. 25-28, 2010, has been canceled, local promoter Fred Jones said today. Refunds for tickets are available at the point of purchase. The tour of the musical comedy began in early October and included Perry's regular cast of characters, except the popular Madea. Full story »

Religion never stopped Neil Goldberg from appreciating the trappings of the holidays. "Even though I'm Jewish, I've always been a fan and collector of Christmas ornaments," he said. It's a theme that Goldberg and his troupe of aerialists, contortionists and acrobats hope will make the first national tour of "Cirque Dreams Holidaze" a successful one. The show arrives at the Orpheum in Memphis on Tuesday. Full story »

Not since counter-culture legend Ken Kesey hit the road with the Merry Pranksters have so many artistic types been so eager to get on a bus. On Tuesday night, the first 40 riders showed up across the street from Playhouse on the Square and climbed aboard what they hope will be a new way to get around town: a shuttle loop that could benefit locals trying to avoid parking issues and tourists wanting to explore beyond the core. Full story »

Renowned classical pianist Jeremy Denk will perform this weekend with the IRIS Orchestra, and one work, Schumann’s Piano Concerto, is a piece he has loved since he was a child. “It’s one of the pieces I enjoy playing the most,” he says, “because it’s perfectly Schumann: incredibly romantic and playful.” This is Denk’s first guest appearance with IRIS, although he was in town last year performing with violinist Joshua Bell. Full story »

Pay close heed to Thomas Wilkins' first Memphis concert, for it has a message. "It's a look at how more recent composers look back at older composers or styles to reference or synthesize their styles," Wilkins said in a recent telephone interview. Full story »

It wasn't an assignment he would have chosen for himself. Steven McMahon, Ballet Memphis dancer, got word from his boss that his first big-time ballet as a choreographer would be "the great American fairy tale." The young Scotsman wondered if she'd made a mistake. He? Choreograph "The Wizard of Oz"? When his ballet adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" debuted in 2007, it helped establish McMahon as the company's go-to guy for in-house choreography. McMahon has reworked "The Wizard of Oz" for its revival at the Orpheum this weekend. Full story »

For some people, getting onstage and telling a personal story -- then having a troupe of actors play it out in front of them -- might sound like something out of a nightmare. And for others, it's a way to get in touch with the soul of a community. Playback Memphis, a new theater company staging one of its improvisational performances Friday and Saturday, is part town hall meeting, part group therapy, and part entertainment. Full story »

Thomas Wilkins has been music director of the Omaha Symphony since 2005, is principal guest conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and is his 10th season as resident conductor of the Detroit Symphony. What he wants now is to replace David Loebel as conductor of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Wilkins leads Friday night's chamber music concert with a program titled “In Other Words.” Full story »

The late Mattie Emma Ridgway was never an opera buff, which adds a touch of irony to her posthumous patronage of opera buffa. Thanks to her, Mozart's comedy about fidelity, "Cosi fan tutte," has undergone a wardrobe update ... kind of. The Opera Memphis production, opening Halloween night at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre, will be staged in 1920s-era attire. The inspiration? Her closet. Full story »

The deliciously dark "Gorey Stories" at Germantown Community Theatre is a welcome break from the routine fright-fests of the season. Full story »

“Fiddler on the Roof” has been around 45 years, running forever on Broadway, revived over and over, and touring frequently. And the awards! Oy! Little wonder. The timeless tale of tradition vs. modernity plus a dairyman’s cart-full of great music has ensured its popularity, especially in community theater. Collierville’s Harrell Theatre is staging “Fiddler” with some delightful moments, although not quite enough of them to call it a success. Full story »

At 61, comedian Lewis Black is as vitriolic as ever. And that means he’s also as productive as ever. His new live concert film, “Stark Raving Black,” opened in select theaters Oct. 8 to positive reviews. On Friday night, Black takes the stage at the Orpheum theater with some set pieces from the film, as well as brand new material. Black is known for his salty rants on everything from politics to society, so some of this interview had to be bleeped out in the interest of sensitive readers. Full story »

FRIDAY: Something wicked this way draws ... It's Good to Be Bad: Monster Portraits of Villainy: Monsters, villains, and folks who are good at being bad will be represented in this art show of black and white monster airbrushed portraits by artist Lin Workman. Event is free, family friendly and open to the public. Costumed attire is encouraged and will be rewarded. Art show reception, 6-10 p.m. at the Adam B. Shaw Studio, 2547 Broad Ave. Visit: LinWorkman.com. Full story »