PAC Goes Global in February

Ooh-la-la! There’s a French connection during February at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center with a wealth of French-influenced entertainment, including the lyrical opera Lakmé, the Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre, the French-inspired “gypsy jazz” of The Hot Club of San Francisco, a ballet choreographed by Frenchman André Prokovsky and a children’s show about one lovable little French girl. On the Russian front, the PAC hosts Tulsa Symphony’s An Imperial Evening, conducted by Russia’s Vladmir Lande. Add in a play penned by Britain’s Noel Coward, and you have a taste of Europe in Tulsa during February. For an even broader global experience, there’s also a trip to Egypt.

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra opens the month on Feb. 2 with a performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture and two works by Mussorgsky, including his fabulous soundscape, Pictures at an Exhibition (featuring an arrangement by France’s Maurice Ravel). Also on the program is Polovtsian Dances from Borodin’s opera Prince Igor, which will be sung by the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus. Tickets are $16-$48.

From Russia to the Long Island shores of New York, February’s lineup includes the much-anticipated The Great Gatsby, Feb. 8-10, showcasing Tulsa Ballet’s talented international company, dressed in exquisite 1920s costumes and dancing the tragic story of socialite Daisy Buchanan and her wannabe beau, the wistful Jay Gatsby. Tickets are $15-$70.

Grace Ann Productions follows its High School Musical success with a February run of shows.  Catch the youthful Afternoon of the Elves and The Pinballs Feb. 8-10, followed by the return of Children’s Letters to God, Feb. 15-16. Tickets are $15.

The battle of the sexes and bed partners is played out in Noel Coward’s 1930s classic, Private Lives, a saucy comedy staged by Theatre Tulsa. Coward’s eccentric wit is at its best with dry humor and quick comebacks. Tickets to this Feb. 22 to March 1 production are $17.50.

Theatre North returns to the PAC with The AWE Series Feb. 22-24. TV, film, and stage actress Cecelia Antoinette stars in this one-woman show about groundbreaking African and African-American women. Tickets are $20 for adults; $16 for seniors and students.

Tulsa Opera stages a romantic piece by French composer Léo Delibes Feb. 23, 29 and March 2. Lakmé is the story of passion and forbidden love set in India during British colonial rule. Native Oklahoman Sarah Coburn stars. Tickets range in price from $20 to $95.

The Hot Club of San Francisco turns Parisian “gypsy jazz” into a sophisticated and sentimental sound. The PAC Trust presents the group on Feb. 24. Tickets are $30 and $35, with $12 tickets available for students and seniors.

Egypt: In the Footsteps of Moses takes armchair travelers around the globe on Feb. 25 for two showings of the film by Dennis Burkhart, who will provide live narration. The Nile, the pyramids, Alexandria and some of the oldest churches and mosques in existence are part of the tour. Tickets to this PAC Trust-sponsored event are $8.

Dance lovers have more to enjoy Feb. 26-27 when Choregus Productions hosts the Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre. The company performs the critically acclaimed Ravel Project, including dance pieces set to the composer’s La Valse and the hyper-sexy Bolero. Tickets are $32.

Wrapping up the month on Feb. 29 (and also Mar. 1) is the musical Madeline and the Bad Hat, based on the much-loved book about an adorable young French girl who gets involved in a series of lesson-generating capers. In this adventure, Madeline helps a friend out of trouble. The production is staged by the national touring theatre troupe ArtsPower and presented by the PAC Trust. Tickets are $8.

In the Gallery:  And My Spirit Said, Yes — The Photographic Art of Don Thompson. Thompson is best known for his urban landscapes, Polaroid manipulations and portraits of African Americans. The display is free and open to the public, Feb. 1-24.

For more information, go to TulsaPac.com. To buy tickets, call 596-7111, or buy online at MyTicketOffice.com