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The Bach Choir of Bethlehem<\/p>\n
Kicking off The Bach Choir of Bethlehem<\/a>\u2019s 118th Bethlehem Bach Festival<\/a> is the final performance of its Outside the Bachs series, which explores how the influence of Johann Sebastian Bach continues to resonate far beyond the Baroque era.<\/p>\n Grammy Award-winning ensemble Time for Three<\/a> will perform at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Musikfest Caf\u00e9 at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem.<\/p>\n A self-described \u201cclassically trained garage band,\u201d Time for Three has earned national and international recognition for redefining what a classical concert can be. Violinists Nick Kendall and Charles Yang and double bassist Ranaan Meyer blend classical precision with the spirit of Americana, bluegrass, jazz, and rock, creating performances that are electrifying.<\/p>\n Time for Three\u2019s innovative programming reimagines Bach\u2019s legacy through a contemporary lens, weaving together classical works with original compositions and unexpected musical influences.<\/p>\n The trio blends the brilliance of Bach with inspirations as varied as Guns N\u2019 Roses and Gustav Mahler, creating a setlist that highlights both contrast and connection across centuries.<\/p>\n The festival continues the new four-day format introduced last year. The expanded celebration marks the 250th anniversary of our nation\u2019s founding by honoring the Moravian musical heritage that helped shape The Bach Choir of Bethlehem. With performances of music from the Moravian archives, insights from distinguished scholars, and collaborations with Moravian partners both in the Lehigh Valley and abroad, this year\u2019s festival invites audiences to reflect on where we came from and why it matters.<\/p>\n Christopher Jackson, artistic director and conductor, will lead the choir in \u201cBach at 4\u201d at 4 p.m. on Friday at Incarnation of Our Lord Church, which is located at 617 Pierce St. in Bethlehem.<\/p>\n The concert will feature guest artists from Synnet, a Baltimore-based ensemble specializing in the performance of 16th- and 17th-century music on period instruments; soloists; and a select group of choir members, highlighting music by Heinrich Sch\u00fctz, earlier Bach relatives, and the polychoral styles of Dresden and Venice to take audiences on a chronological tour of the music that helped shape Johann Sebastian Bach.<\/p>\n In \u201cBach at 8\u201d at 8 p.m. on Friday at Packer Memorial Church, which is located on the campus of Lehigh University, the choir will pair Mozart\u2019s monumental Great Mass in C Minor, unfinished yet transcendent, with works that reflect a rich and living choral tradition. Featuring vocal soloists and members of The Bach Choir and the Moravian choir, Unitas, the concert will feature J.F. Peter\u2019s spirited \u201cFreudenpsalm,\u201d a gem of the early American Moravian repertoire written in 1783 to celebrate the end of the Revolutionary War.<\/p>\n The Ifor Jones Memorial Chamber Music Concert at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Zoellner Arts Center will feature \u201cThe Musical Offering.\u201d<\/p>\n In 1747, Bach traveled to visit Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. The king presented to Bach an infamous fugue theme and asked him to compose a three-part setting of the theme on the spot. Bach created a monumental offering to Frederick, setting the theme in creative canons and various musical puzzles, culminating in a massive six-part fugue.<\/p>\n A highlight of the festival is Bach\u2019s Mass in B Minor on Saturday Packer Memorial Church.<\/p>\n In performing a work that transcends time and place, The Bach Choir continues its century-long tradition, offering Bach\u2019s monumental Mass in B Minor.<\/p>\n The choir will present part 1at 2:30 p.m. and part 2 at 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n \u201cChamber Music in the Saal\u201d will be at 11 a.m. on Sunday in the Saal of the Moravian Museum.<\/p>\n J.S. Bach wrote for the viola da gamba throughout his career, using the instrument\u2019s unique sound to elevate moments in his cantatas and passions. Viol virtuoso and music researcher Loren Ludwig offers a program of music that imagines how Bach might have heard the viol, including works by Carl Frederich Abel, Marin Marais, and Georg Philipp Telemann.<\/p>\n The finale of the festival will be the free concert \u201cThe Testament to Freedom\u201d at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks.<\/p>\n Sci-fi parody<\/p>\n Civic Theatre of Allentown<\/a> will premiere \u201cStranger Sings! The Parody Musical<\/a>.\u201d The spoof on the Netflix TV series \u201cStranger Things\u201d will run Friday through May 17 at Civic\u2019s 19th Street Theatre.<\/p>\n Set in the 1980s, the series centers on the residents of the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana, where Eleven, a girl with psychokinetic abilities, inadvertently creates a wormhole known as the Upside Down, at a nearby secretive government research facility connecting Earth to a hostile realm called the Abyss.<\/p>\n \u201cStranger Sings! The Parody Musical\u201d is a high-energy send-up of the \u201880s-inspired sci-fi phenomenon. Featuring music and a book by Jonathan Hogue. The show\u2019s original off-Broadway run was directed by Nick Flatto, a Bethlehem native and a 2006 Liberty High School grad. Flatto, who studied theater and dance at Muhlenberg College, where he performed in many shows, including \u201cFiddler on the Roof,\u201d \u201cKiss Me Kate,\u201d \u201cBat Boy,\u201d and \u201cRuddigore,\u201d will attend the show\u2019s opening night.<\/p>\n \u201cStranger Sings!\u201d invites audiences into Hawkins, where kids on bikes, telekinetic powers, and secret government labs collide in an outrageous adventure. Packed with catchy songs, over-the-top characters, and tons of \u201880s references, this zany musical comedy promises non-stop entertainment.<\/p>\n Eleven (Angie Dries) and her friends battle the Demogorgon (Max McCurdy), navigate middle school crushes, and uncover the mysteries of the Upside Down, all with tongue firmly in cheek. From Steve\u2019s (Anthony Rizzuto) glorious hair to Barb\u2019s (Mackenzie Lewis) triumphant return, \u201cStranger Sings!\u201d lovingly pokes fun at every twist, turn, and waffle along the way. With big musical numbers, clever humor, and plenty of heart, this crowd-pleasing parody proves that friendship can conquer just about anything.<\/p>\n The cast features Mason MacGowan, AJ Rodriguez, Jayden McFaddin, Mariel Letourneau, Joey Troiano, Doug Ace, Brooke Harrsch, Chelsea Soto, Nate Rosario, Shelby Shaffer, and David Lippincott.<\/p>\n \u201cStranger Sings!\u201d is directed by Williams Sanders, Civic\u2019s artistic director.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $35 for adults and $30 for students, seniors, and military.<\/p>\n Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and May 14 and15; at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on May 16; and at 3 p.m. on May 17.<\/p>\n Civic is offering pay-what-you can tickets on May 9.<\/p>\n Updated \u2018Alice\u2019<\/p>\n Star of the Day<\/a> will premiere \u201cWonderland,\u201d a modern spin on the classic story of Alice. Featuring a pop score by \u201cJekyll & Hyde\u201d composer Frank Wildhorn, the show will run Friday through May 17 at Between the Lines Studio Theatre<\/a>, which is located at 725 N. 15th St. in Allentown.<\/p>\n \u201cWonderland,\u201d with a book by Jack Murphy and Gregory Boyd and lyrics by Murphy, is inspired by the novels \u201cAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland\u201d and \u201cThrough the Looking-Glass\u201d by Lewis Carroll.<\/p>\n The story is set in the high-stakes, fast-paced world of modern-day Manhattan and focuses on game designer Alice Cornwinkle (Jessie Dau Hughes) and her 10-year-old daughter Chloe (Adleigh Burdine).<\/p>\n “This modern, high-energy adaptation brings the beloved Wonderland characters to life with a contemporary score that will delight all ages,” said Daniel Petrovich, director.<\/p>\n Just moments away from a promotion, Alice has been estranged from her husband and alienated from her daughter, when a broken service elevator transports her into a colorful, dazzling, and “back-stabbing” Wonderland.<\/p>\n In Wonderland, she encounters strange yet familiar characters, including a Cheshire Cat with a Latin flair (Benjamin Ruth), a delightfully dotty Queen of Hearts (Dara Connelly), and\u202fa malicious malicious, fashion-forward Mad Hatter (Raven Whitefawn). Through her journey, Alice finds a new sense of balance and strength within herself as she reconnects with her inner child and learns to believe in herself again.<\/p>\n “We are beyond excited to bring this reimagined, contemporary journey to Allentown audiences,” said Kirsten Almeida, choreographer and founder of Star of the Day. “This show is a joyful, thrilling adventure about rediscovering your inner child and learning to believe in yourself again. It is truly a celebration of self-discovery, filled with a massive, pop-rock score that will absolutely blow the roof off the theater.”<\/p>\n The cast includes Nathaniel Lawall, Jared LaMar, Joseph Mowad, Safran Astra, Sean McFarland, Courtney Bodnar, Lydia Frei, Rebecca Herrera, Logan Razar, Julisa Trinidad, and Hannah Zarate.<\/p>\n Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and May 15 and 16 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday and May 17.<\/p>\n \u2018Dance Quilt\u2019<\/p>\n The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts<\/a> in Bethlehem will present \u201cDance Quilt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDance Quilt\u201d is a dynamic concert featuring original works by faculty and guest artists, including two Charter Arts dance alumni, and will showcase all 99 of the school’s dance majors. The performance will open with an innovative cross-curricular collaboration, bringing Julius Caesar to life through modern dance, inspired by the structure of the play\u2019s five acts.<\/p>\n The program weaves together a rich variety of genres, including ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, commercial, and jazz dance, highlighting the versatility and artistry of our students. The work presented in this concert is a direct reflection of the dance department\u2019s comprehensive curriculum, demonstrating both technical range and creative depth.<\/p>\n The concert culminates in an exciting commercial dance work by special guest professional choreographer Tiffanie Carson.<\/p>\n Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Friday and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $8-$14.<\/p>\n Chorale at Symphony Hall<\/p>\n Dominic Diorio<\/p>\n The Lehigh Valley Chorale will present its 10th anniversary concert \u201cThe Road Home<\/a>\u201d at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday at Miller Symphony Hall<\/a> in Allentown.<\/p>\n More than 150 singers from the Lehigh Valley Chorale and more than 40 instrumentalists from the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, will perform choral-orchestral pieces by George Frideric Handel, Johannes Brahms, Stephen Sondheim, and Christopher Tin. Selected additional composers include Stephen Paulus, Stacey Gibbs, and Charles Albert Tindley.<\/p>\n For the first time in history, the Lehigh Valley Chorale has commissioned a brand-new composition entitled \u201cThe Forest Always Sings\u201d by acclaimed composer Dominick DiOrio. The lyrics, also written by DiOrio, are inspired by a quote that the chorale\u2019s founding artistic director, Ed Milisits, would often recite: \u201cThe forest would be a quiet place if the only birds who sang were the best.\u201d<\/p>\n Dual cast musical<\/p>\n Yocum Institute for Arts Education<\/a> in Spring Township, Berks County, will present the magic of “The Secret Garden<\/a>,” an enchanting musical.<\/p>\n The show uniquely features two casts: a community cast, bringing together talented adult actors from the local area and a young performers cast comprised of Yocum students, past and present. This dual-cast approach offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the production through two different lenses, showcasing the depth, versatility, and vibrant talent across the program.<\/p>\n Based on the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, \u201cThe Secret Garden\u201d is reimagined in a sweeping musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman. The story follows 11-year-old Mary Lennox, who, after being orphaned in India, is sent to live in a mysterious Yorkshire estate with her reclusive uncle, Archibald, and his ailing son, Colin. As Mary discovers a hidden garden, she embarks on a journey of healing, hope, and transformation that brings new life to those around her.<\/p>\n Filled with powerful storytelling and memorable music, \u201cThe Secret Garden\u201d is a moving tale of forgiveness, renewal, and the enduring power of imagination. The production is recommended for all audiences.<\/p>\n Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Friday and May 15, at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and May 16, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday and May 17.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $25.<\/p>\n Anniversary ballet<\/p>\n Berks Ballet Theatre<\/a> will present \u201cSwan Lake<\/a>\u201d at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Reading Area Community College\u2019s Miller Center for the Arts<\/a>, which is located at 4 N. Second St. in Reading\u2019s Entertainment Square, as part of its 50th anniversary season.<\/p>\n For the first time in the company\u2019s history, Berks Ballet Theatre will present Act II and Act III of this iconic ballet\u2014taking audiences deeper into the story\u2019s most powerful and celebrated moments.<\/p>\n \u201cSwan Lake\u201d tells the timeless tale of love, transformation, and sacrifice, set to Tchaikovsky\u2019s sweeping and unforgettable score. From the haunting beauty of the swan maidens in the lakeside \u201cwhite act\u201d to the grandeur and intrigue of the royal court, this production captures both the intimacy and spectacle that have made \u201cSwan Lake\u201d a cornerstone of classical ballet.<\/p>\n This landmark performance honors five decades of artistry while showcasing the continued growth and evolution of Berks Ballet Theatre. Featuring the strength and unity of our corps de ballet alongside compelling principal performances, this production highlights both our organization’s legacy and the next generation of artists.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Bach Choir of Bethlehem Kicking off The Bach Choir of Bethlehem\u2019s 118th Bethlehem Bach Festival is the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":125951,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[83096,153,155,154,7019,7865,83097,289],"class_list":["post-186265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bethlehem","tag-bach-festival","tag-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem-headlines","tag-bethlehem-news","tag-concert","tag-music","tag-the-bach-choir-of-bethehem","tag-things-to-do"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=186265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186265\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/125951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=186265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=186265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=186265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/p>\n
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