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Arts & Entertainment

GMU Unveils Arts Season

From Marvin Hamlisch to Hansel and Gretel, the upcoming arts season at George Mason has something for everyone

George Mason University’s Center for the Arts has unveiled the lineup of what will grace their stage during the upcoming season. 

The range of events and performances includes everything from famous operas to an afternoon with an award winning gospel choir.

One of the season highlights is the sixth annual “ARTS by George!” event that supports student scholarships.  On Saturday, September 24th, vocalist and pianist Michael Feinstein along with composer, conductor and pianist Marvin Hamlisch perform the music of the Great American Songbook.

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The upcoming season is wide and varied.  Grammy award winning pianists, folk legends and well known modern dance ensembles will all appear.  The Virginia Opera will bring four productions to George Mason, including Aida and The Mikado.

Employees at George Mason say it’s important to feature some family friendly events, so they’re very happy that Hansel and Gretel is one of the four operas on stage this season.  The classic story will be performed in English, and children that attend with an adult will be eligible for half price tickets, as they are for many family friendly shows.  Another event that will appeal to families will debut in November and features the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China on its inaugural U.S. tour.

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Jill Graziano Laiacona, public and media Relations coordinator for George Mason University's Center for the Arts, said the university prides itself of bringing a tapestry of performances to campus.

“Many of our performances reflect the diversity of our region, and we endeavor to present performances that celebrate music and dance traditions from around the globe, as well as the art forms that are uniquely American,” Graziano Laiacona said.

Ticket prices range from $20-$100 depending on the show and the tier of ticket you’re buying.  A select number of free tickets for George Mason students are also available throughout the season.

Pianist Jeffrey Siegel opens and closes the 2011/12 season with his "concerts with commentary" series.  The season opens on September 18th and wraps up on April 29th.

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