Special Presentation for Schools
A Shakespearean Classic:  “Julius Caesar”
Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 7 p.m.

Aquila Theatre Company’s rendition of “Julius Caesar” follows the epic story of the rise and fall of one of the world’s most notorious leaders. Set in a world of political intrigue and strained domestic relationships, the production explores the moral and political dilemma of Marcus Brutus. Now in its 16th year, the New York-based group of American and British actors portrays classic Greek and Shakespearean theatre for modern audiences.  The Reichhold Center is partnering with the Department of Education and the V.I. Council on the Arts to make this performance available to teachers and students. For more information on student attendance at the event, call 693-1563.

“Cutie & the Freak” is all about laughs in this Caribbean remake of Beauty and the Beast. Samuels is Tiny Adams, an overbearing father trying to keep his daughter, Cutie (Camille Davis), away from the ghastly looking Frank the Freak (Courtney Wilson). “Cutie and the Freak” was written by Patrick Brown, directed by Trevor Nairne and produced by Jambiz International. “Cutie & the Freak” premiers at Island Center on St. Croix on Friday, July 13 at 8 p.m., and at Reichhold Center on St. Thomas on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15, also at 8 p.m.

It’s all-out hilarity when the Reichhold Center for the Arts’ Caribbean Repertory Theater presents “Run For Your Wife,” based on the British hit comedy by Ray Cooney. The play deals with a house of cards that comes crashing down around a St. Thomas taxi driver, John Smith, (Dwight Browne) who is married to two women; Mary (Bridget R. Hodge) and Barbara (Almaria Powell) at the same time. One wife lives in Red Hook, the other in Bordeaux. Neither wife knows about the other's existence. John’s scheme begins to unravel and takes a comic turn. Tickets for “Run For Your Wife” are $20 and $15 for students.

Reichhold Center joins with the Forum to present another winning performance from the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. Led by Maestro Roselin Pabon, the orchestra will perform Mozart’s Overture from the Marriage of Figaro and Tschaikovsky’s Concerto No. 1 for piano and orchestra. The evening includes a special appearance by Cuban pianist Liuba Pupo, who won the first prize at the Competition of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico in 2005.  Ms. Pupo has played as a soloist with the Puerto Rico Chamber Orchestra, and the Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra in Colombia.

Children and parents will be amazed and delighted by the soaring acrobatics, synchronized unicycling, and expert juggling of The Russian American Kids Circus. This spectacular, fully-staged circus features youngsters ages 6-16, each trained by veterans of the world-famous Moscow Circus. The performers demonstrate the art of tightrope walking, spinning plates, using state-of-the art lighting and equipment.

It’s celebration time when Kool and The Gang bring 30 years of hits to the Reichhold Center. Robert “Kool” Bell and his “gang” of musicians ruled the 1970s with old-school funk tunes such as Hollywood Swinging and Jungle Boogie.  Their reign continued in the 1980s with the hits Johanna and Get Down On It. The party anthem, Celebration went double platinum, spending weeks atop the R&B charts. With two Grammy Awards and more than 70 million albums sold, Kool and the Gang continues to pack stadiums across the United States.

Master pianist McCoy Tyner is arguably one of the best living composers of jazz music. He began his career at age 17 with the famous John Coltrane Quartet, one of the most influential groups in jazz history. Tyner performed on classic Coltrane recordings, including Live at the Village Vanguard and the signature suite A Love Supreme. At 67, Tyner’s piano stylings—bluesy, spiritual, and whimsical--remain fresh and powerful.  The McCoy Tyner trio makes its first visit at Reichhold Center, featuring Charnett Moffett on bass and Eric Gravatt on drums.

Angélique Kidjo has ruled the world music charts, emerging as the most famous female from Africa since Miriam Makeba. A native of Benin, Kidjo’s music is steeped in the tribal and pop rhythms of her West African heritage. Her earthy voice spans musical boundaries, blending funk, salsa, jazz, rumba, makossa and souk. Kidjo participated in the We Are the Future Concert in Rome, sharing the stage with Santana, Andrea Bocelli, and Nora Jones. She also took part in the 46664 – The Concert, sponsored by former South African president Nelson Mandela.

In 2006 Reichhold Center received rave reviews for Playing Ring, a celebration of the rich history of quelbe music. This follow-up demonstrates the grace and beauty of quadrille dance, featuring quadrille groups from throughout the Virgin Islands. The evening includes performances from top quelbe musicians, including Stanley and the 10 Sleepless Knights.  A traditional marketplace filled with crafts and food will be displayed on the Reichhold Center grounds.

Savion Glover was just a boy of 12 years old when he made his Broadway debut in “The Tap Dance Kid.” Today, the 34-year-old has emerged as the force keeping the tap dance genre alive. His mesmerizing performances take viewers on a dazzling ride of speed, power, grace and elegance. Glover can tap out a slow syncopated style to the music of Bach, match the intricate improvisations of McCoy Tyner or kick out a series of high-flying moves to a funk groove. His 1996 Broadway show “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk” earned Glover a Tony Award for best choreography.

With positive lyrics and smooth reggae rhythms this group of five brothers and sisters do more than live up to the heritage established by their father, reggae legend Denroy Morgan. From England to Africa, throughout the Caribbean and the United States, Morgan Heritage has established themselves as the premiere roots and reggae group of the 21st century. Their hits include Reggae Bring Back Love, Don’t Haffi Dread, Down by the River, and Tell Me How Come.

Ailey® II has gained worldwide acclaim as a premiere ensemble within the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, with dance routines that are contemporary, athletic and sexy. The troupe’s dance suites alternate between the sadness of fated relationships in “Bitter Suite” to the celebration of African American heritage in “Revelations.” Don’t miss the company’s master class on Friday, May 11 at Reichhold Center.

The handclapping, foot stomping rhythms of Step Afrika! take center stage as the Washington D.C.-based group demonstrates the African-American phenomenon of “stepping,” which is used by African American college students to portray pride in their fraternities and sororities.  The Step Afrika! performance, both energizing and stimulating, will get audiences moving.