Words + Music is Marin Theatre Company's innovative live performance series. These special evenings expand on the ideas of the currently running play through renowned guest speakers, actors and performances of dance, song and instrumental music, plus foreign documentary or vintage films. The performances take place on the set of the current play on a Monday night when the play does not perform.
Tickets are $32 for General and $19 for Students. A $3 discount is available for Seniors
Light suppers may be purchased in advance when ordering your tickets and will be served in the lobby starting at 6pm. Please purchase your dinner in advance when calling the Box Office. A dinner seat will be guaranteed for all dinner guests who reserve in advance.
Complimentary wine tasting from Grove Street Winery.
For more information call the Box Office at 415.388.5208.
Ellie Mednick | Series Producer
Words + Music is made possible by the generous support of Carl G. Berry, Marin Piano, and Grove Street Winery
Often called gypsy jazz, the music of Le Jazz Hot has entranced audiences around the globe for over 15 years. Critics have hailed the group’s playing as “intricate, scorching and often brilliant…” Acoustic Guitar. From festivals in Mexico and France to concert halls across North America, The Hot Club of San Francisco and keeps this historic music fresh and alive. Le Jazz Hot Quartet, an ensemble which borrows the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars from the pioneering Hot Club de France but breathes new life into the music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions from Paul Mehling, the group’s superb lead guitarist. Paul Mehling will speak on Django Reinhardt, Jacques Brel and others
A delicious hot French Bistro Dinner may be purchased in advance for only $20 when ordering your tickets.
Featuring:
Bill Carter | Award-winning writer, clarinetist, lecturer and photographer looks back at the history of jazz in New Orleans through the lens of his recently published book, Preservation Hall. Carter unearths the roots of New Orleans jazz, a turn-of-the-century combination of African American and European musical traditions that ranged from the polished ragtime to a grittier, more blues-based style, leading up to the establishment of Preservation Hall. Brilliantly captures the essence of this colorful chapter in America's musical history. Stories, slides and musical riffs!
Jazz on Film | Interviews, commentary, and rare concert footage present a history of America's most celebrated music, jazz, tracing its roots back to the 1830's. Jazz is a creation of the African-American community but incorporates every kind of music heard in the streets of the country’s most cosmopolitan city, New Orleans. Rare film clips, vintage footage, and photo's. Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and many more…
Kenny Washington, Jazz Vocals and Trio | If you have never heard this New Orleans native Kenny Washington sing before, get ready for a jaw dropping experience. Kenny is a jazz vocalist virtuoso. Emulating the classic styles of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, infusing colors of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, Kenny’s free approach, with over a four-octave range is awe inspiring. His tone on ballads is liquid, his scat is so rapid-fire, passionate, melodious and inventive that subsequent saxophone solos often pale, and his intonation is so precise that it becomes noticeable if the piano wasn’t tuned that day!
Celebrating MTC’s play, “said Said”
Words & Music is honored to present for your pleasure
The renowned Gregangelo & Velocity Circus!
Let your imagination soar as you are invited behind the walls of the Casbah, for a fascinating evening of arabesque entertainment as we visit “Heliopolis,” Egypt’s Legendary City of the Sun. Both haunting and upbeat, you will be entertained by colorful Whirling Dervish, Sword Swallowers, Snake Charmers, Acrobats, Contortionists, Fire Ensembles and an exceptional troupe of Harem Dancers, both male and female.
In the tradition of Cirque du Soleil, Velocity’s exceptional artists dedicate their lives to perfecting their diverse talents and skills. Their artistry has been recognized, sought-after by the leading Entertainment, Media and Fortune 500 companies in one-of-a kind productions on the regional, national, and international stage.
“Amazing entertainment!”- Entertainment Tonight
“Simply brilliant” – The Times of India
In addition, award-winning writer Jack Marshall will read his contemporary translations of poetry by Rumi, published in his book, “Arabian Nights.” Rumi (b.1207) is one of the most read and well-known poets in the world who founded the Whirling Dervishes of Sufism.
...summer like a ripe fruit in its explicitness, its yearning, its heat.
Nick Sholley* | Narration
“Miss Briggs’ San Francisco Opera debut was nothing short of sensational!” – SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
Frederick Matthews | Baritone - San Francisco Opera
Paul Bowles’ Blue Mountain Ballads, a cycle of five songs for piano and baritone is based on the words of his friend & mentor, Tennessee Williams.
“Frederick Matthews left an exquisite stage impression.” – NEUE PRESS, GERMANY
Daniel Lockert | Piano
Roman Fukshanksy | Clarinet - San Francisco Symphony
George Gershwin’s ever-popular Three Preludes for Piano and Clarinet: The first, a snappy number, plays off a blue-note riff. The second, one of the marvels of piano literature, turns the same riff into a slow blues lullaby. The third, called Spanish by its early listeners, seems to blend Caribbean rhythms with jazzy harmonies.
Plus . . . The beautiful and steamy summer sounds of Catfish Row come alive in Gershwin’s gorgeous Porgy and Bess - Summertime/Bess You is My Woman, performed by Hope Briggs and Frederick Matthews. And Ricky Ian Gordon’s Summer will be performed by Hope Briggs and soprano Jenny Matteucci.
* Actors’ Equity Association
Daniel Lockert | Music Director / Accompanist
Piano Courtesy of Marin Piano - San Rafael
“Tonight’s performance was absolutely wonderful. It was educational and most enjoyable with great musicians.”
“Anything you have done we have enjoyed. You have a wonderful way of presenting a mixture of talents and subject matter…keep it up!”
“These shows are a treasure both musically and dramatically. I hope I get to experience more.”