SPAC Logo 2023Saratoga Springs, NY (January 23, 2023) — Saratoga Performing Arts Center announces its first ever spring season in the Spa Little Theatre with a robust slate of offerings featuring live theatre, jazz, folk, global and classical music. Highlighting the series are the SPAC debuts of Aquila Theatre for two productions of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (MAR 11) and Grammy-nominated a cappella group Kings Return (MAR 31), making their Capital Region debut, in addition to the return of global music ensemble Banda Magda (MAY 4).Also featured as part of the spring season is the return of Caffe Lena @ SPAC, performing in Spa Little Theatre for the first time to present The Steel Wheels (APR 2) and The Brubeck Brothers Quartet (APR 23). The previously announced year-round residency by Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will also continue with two special programs, highlighted by a finale performance by Artistic Directors Wu Han and David Finckel (MAR 18 & MAY 13).  

“Following the success of our completely sold out holiday season, we are excited to once again open the doors of the Spa Little Theatre to our community this spring,” says Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “From world-class theatre to global music to folk and jazz in partnership with Caffe Lena, and our new year-round residency with Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, there is literally a program for everyone.”  

The announcement follows SPAC’s fall and holiday concert series in the Spa Little Theatre and is part of SPAC’s mission to present year-round programming that extends beyond the traditional summer months.

The programming is as follows:

AQUILA THEATRE in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Saturday, March 11 | 2PM & 7 PM

Published in 1813, Jane Austen's ultimate romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice has stood the test of time. As the Bennet sisters try to navigate their way toward love and marriage, Austen humorously skewers the hypocrisies and absurdities of the English class system, and puts the thoughts and feelings of her women characters front and center.

Aquila Theatre will bring this classic thrillingly to life with its signature passion, energy, and visual flair for its SPAC debut. One of the foremost producers of classical theater in the United States, Aquila Theatre has been described as “an extraordinarily inventive and disciplined outfit…” by The New York Times. The New Yorker says that “Aquila’s productions are beautifully spoken, dramatically revealing and crystalline in effect.”

Tickets cost $33-$68. They will be available to purchase on Tuesday, January 24 at 10 a.m. for members, tiered by level, and Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. for the general public.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

Voices of the Americas

Saturday, March 18 | 7 PM

Experience the wide range of ideas, sounds, and cultures that have inspired composers from the Americas in the 20th century. The program opens and closes with vibrant, beloved classics by Copland and Gershwin brought about by their travels to Latin America.

Tickets cost $45-$65 and are available now at spac.org.

Kings Return

Friday, March 31 | 7 PM

The Grammy-nominated Kings Return is a vocal band of brothers -- Gabe Kunda, Vaughn Faison, J.E. McKissic & Jamall Williams. Fusing gospel, Jazz, R&B/Soul, and classical music, the a capella group performs songs from the Bee Gees “How Deep is Your Love” to “Ave Maria” to Leon Bridges “River” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Based in Dallas, Texas, Kings Return’s popularity grew when they began posting videos to social media from the stairwell where they rehearse. The group has now amassed almost 10 million views across all platforms.

Tickets cost $33 and are all general admission. They will be available to purchase on Tuesday, January 24 at 10 a.m. for members, tiered by level, and Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. for the general public.  

Caffe Lena @ SPAC: The Steel Wheels

Sunday, April 2 | 7 PM

A Virginia-based Americana band with a strong bluegrass underpinning, The Steel Wheels explore deeply rooted yet fresh folk rock sounds. 

Tickets cost $35.40-$44 and are available at spac.org, caffelena.org or directly HERE.

Caffe Lena @ SPAC: The Brubeck Brothers Quartet

Sunday, April 23 | 7 PM

With Dan and Chris Brubeck as the foundation, guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb, complete this dynamic quartet. Although the Quartet’s style is rooted in “straight-ahead” jazz, their concerts reveal an inherent ability to explore and play odd time signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music. 

Tickets cost $41.85- $53.68 and are available at spac.org, caffelena.org or directly HERE.

Banda Magda

Thursday, May 4 | 7 PM

Following their SPAC on Stage debut in 2019, Banda Magda will return to Saratoga with all new music and their global sounds that range from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. Their songs capture the best of mid-century pop ballads and cinematic arranging, drawing on the band’s global background and unchained musicality.

Tickets cost $33 and are all general admission. They will be available to purchase on Tuesday, January 24 at 10 a.m. for members, tiered by level, and Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. for the general public.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

An Evening with David, Wu Han & Arnaud

Saturday, May 13 | 7 PM

Artistic Directors Wu Han and David Finckel and violinist Arnaud Sussman perform Beethoven and Dvořák to close the CMS spring season.

Tickets cost $45-$65 and are available now at spac.org.

 

Photos can be found HERE

 

Visit spac.org for additional details.

The spring season is made possible by the generous support of Deborah and Dexter Senft.


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Saratoga Performing Arts Center

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located in the historic resort town of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, is one of America’s most prestigious summer festivals. Its tranquil setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs draws vacation crowds and arts connoisseurs each year for immersive experiences of performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, Opera Saratoga, and concerts by Live Nation. SPAC also hosts the annual Saratoga Wine and Food Festival in addition to imaginative programming such as CulinaryArts@SPAC and Caffè Lena @ SPAC.

SPAC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations and proceeds from fundraising events benefit the Center’s children’s education programs and support the vibrancy of its classical season. For more information visit spac.org.

 

Press Contact:

Kristy Godette Ventre 

518-316-1435 (m.)

kventre@spac.org