By Mary Damiano

	Ballet Gamonet, which will launch their second season in October

In most parts of the country, changing colors signal the beginning of autumn.  But in South Florida, changing marquees signal the new season, at least for lovers of the performing arts.

Welcome to MiamiARTzine.com’s first season preview issue.  The stories in this issue are designed to give readers a run-down of the theatre, dance and music seasons of as many companies whose schedules were available at press time.  In addition to the schedules and descriptions of upcoming concerts and productions, read what the artistic directors of various organizations have to say about their seasons, and how the season reflects the personality of their company.

With this issue, MiamiARTzine.com also resumes biweekly publication.  We had cut down to just one issue during July and August, typically slower months on the local arts scene.  I’m happy to say that we were missed, judging by the number of subscribers we heard from who were concerned that they hadn’t gotten the new issue.  They had received the August 11 issue, they had just expected an e-mail two weeks later letting them know a newly minted issue was up and ready to read.  As we approach our one year anniversary, that was music to our ears.

As for our season preview, there’s so much coming up that it wouldn’t all fit in one issue.  So in the September 29 issue, look for the season previews encompassing the museums, festivals and special events.  

Both September issues are designed for readers to refer to throughout the season through our archives.  But right now, peruse our pages get our your calendars and start making your plans.  It’s going to be one hot season.

Theatre

	Wendy Wasserstein: The Women’s Theatre Project will present a salute to the late playwright this season

South Florida’s theatre region stretches about 92 miles, from Coral Gables to Jupiter.  While that’s a daunting area to cover, the up side is that no matter where you live, there’s probably a theatre nearby.

Classic dramas, clever comedies, splashy musicals, edgy new work—the 2006-2007 South Florida theatre season has it all.

Changes abound.  In Miami-Dade County there are several big changes.  The season begins with one less venue; the troubled Coconut Grove Playhouse is still down for the count with no new season on the horizon.  But you lose some, you win some:  The new Carnival Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami is finally opening; it is the new place to be for Broadway in Miami.

Also in Miami-Dade, the changing of the guard at New Theatre is official.  New artistic director Ricky J. Martinez is already putting his distinctive mark on his first season.  Go see the wonderful Lincolnesque to see what I mean.

In Broward, The Promethean Theatre begins its first full season in its new home, at the Mailman Hollywood Theatre on the Nova campus in Davie.  The Women’s Theatre Project, a company that produces newer work by women playwrights with all female casts, has not only moved from Fort Lauderdale to Cooper City but is also embarking on their most ambitious season yet, including a special tribute to late, great playwright Wendy Wasserstein.   The Public Theatre, coming off one of their edgiest seasons to date, boasts a roster that just might top last season. 

	Avi Hoffman, artistic director of the New Vista Theatre Company

In Palm Beach County, the Caldwell Theatre in Boca Raton is scheduled to present the last show of their season in their brand new theatre, which will be located right near their current venue.

And there’s a new kid in town, so to speak.  Avi Hoffman, long known as a performer dedicated to keeping Jewish theatrical traditions alive, is heading a new theatre company, the New Vista Theatre Company in Boynton Beach.  New Vista’s season includes three shows. 

South Florida continues to have the write stuff—this season four local playwrights, Michael McKeever, Juan C. Sanchez, David Jay Bernstein and Ricky J. Martinez, will have new plays produced here in South Florida.  In Martinez’s case, the premiere of his play Sin Full Heaven at New Theatre in Coral Gables is just the first stop—it’s already scheduled for its off-Broadway debut in New York City next spring.

Music

Jazz, classical, chamber, choral—the South Florida music scene is varied, to say the least. 

Highlights of the upcoming season include the schedule of the Concert Association of Florida, which will present the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the first time the group has played South Florida in 14 years.  Music lovers will also enjoy  concerts by Grammy Award-winning violinists Itzhak Perlman, Maxim Vengerov and Gil Shaham, as well as Florida debuts of Metropolitan Opera tenors José Cura and Rolando Villazon.

	Yo-Yo Ma, who will make his New World Symphony debut this season

The Broward-based Flamingo Freedom Band celebrates its 20^th anniversary with their November Strike Up the Band Concert.  If you haven’t heard this local treasure, you’ve been missing out.  Their holiday rendition of “Sleigh Ride” is the best I’ve ever heard and is sure to put you in a holiday mood.

The move to the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts has presented new possibilities for the Florida Grand Opera, whose slick marketing campaign of the past few years has made opera hot and hip entertainment.  Their season opener, Aida, features 200 performers, new sets and costumes.  One of the biggest changes in the Florida Grand Opera’s season is that they’re scheduling operas in pairs—one weekend trip to Miami gets you two different productions.  Also, look for the world premiere of David Carlson's Anna Karenina, commissioned for the opening of Carnival Center’s Ziff Opera House.

Everyone it seems is jumping on the Carnival Center bandwagon, and the Miami Symphony Orchestra is among the arts organizations using the grand venue.  In the Orchestra’s 18^th season, they’re showcasing young soloists.  Look for some South Florida premieres as well as the Symphony’s big gala in February.

New World Symphony’s season includes lots of big names, including Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, both in their NWS debuts.  World renowned guest conductors will also take the stage, as well as Thomas Hampson, regarded by many to be America’s leading baritone.  New World Symphony will also appear at the Carnival Center’s inaugural season with several concerts in the Knight Concert Hall. 

Now in their ninth season, the South Beach Chamber Ensemble has established itself as one of the leading classical organizations in Miami.  They continue their “Music in Beautiful Spaces” series with seven concerts in gorgeous venues.

	The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, during a recent performance in Stockholm, Sweden Photo: Jay Johnson

Classical singing is also alive and well in Miami, thanks in part to Seraphic Fire, the award-winning professional chorus.  Seraphic Fire’s fifth season is one of their most ambitious, with five concerts each performed in three different venues.

And the many gay choruses that call South Florida home are always a good bet for quality entertainment presented in an inventive way.  Look for the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus’s holiday show, Traditional and Twisted, with a script by playwright Michael McKeever; the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus’s October salute to Judy Garland and South Florida Lambda Chorale’s Home for the Holidays show.

Dance

The 2006-2007 dance season will keep dance lovers on their toes.

	Miami City Ballet will perform Don Quixote this season

Ballet Gamonet leaps into their second season with programs full of new works and world premieres by Jimmy Gamonet, Charles Moulton, Jerry Opdenaker, William Soleau and Mark Godden, and the return of the great ballerina Iliana Lopez. 

Ballet Flamenco will present the world premiere of an original Flamenco Ballet, Las Brujas de Salem, inspired by Arthur Miller’s story of fear and manipulation, The Crucible. 

Miami City Ballet season includes the show that has become a holiday tradition, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, as well as the company premiere of Don Quixote and the premiere of Liturgy by Christopher Wheeldon, New York City Ballet’s resident choreographer.

In February, Miami will celebrate the work of the great choreographer Merce Cunningham, with Merce in Miami.  The two-week event will include the world premiere of a new piece commissioned especially for the event, which will take place at the Carnival Center. Cunningham’s last work will also be recreated for three performances only.