News & Notes

National, international shows have local flavor

Two former Omaha actors are on the road with shows, one of them all the way to China.

Christopher Violett, who starred in “john and jen” at the Shelterbelt Theatre in 2005, is one of four singers cast in a musical review titled “From Hollywood to Broadway.” It’s his first acting job since moving to New York City a few months ago.

The show is based in Shanghai and will tour the Far East from October through January.

Jonathan Rayson, known in Omaha as Ray Johnson, is in the national tour of “Legally Blonde, the Musical,” which will arrive in Omaha on April 27 for an eight-show run.

Johnson played the son in the Upstairs Dinner Theatre’s “La Cage aux Folles” in 1989, among other shows.

Shelterbelt benefit should be fun night

The Shelterbelt Theatre will host an evening of fun in the upstairs of the Old Mattress Factory, 501 N. 13th St, as a fundraiser next Sunday.

The event, which begins at 5 p.m., will feature entertainment by Bryan Poole, Theresa Sindelar, Jay Huse, Andy Niess, Jeremy Johnson and Kathleen Lomax, with special guest Scott Working. Admission is $10 at the door.

Free screening opens opera series at Rave

Rave Motion Pictures at the Westroads 14 will present a free screening of the opera “Aida” at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The screening is an introduction to a series of “Opera in Cinema” screenings this fall at Rave.

From “La Boheme” Sept. 24 and 27 to “Il Trovatore” Dec. 22, the series includes eight titles from the best of European opera and ballet in high definition. Tickets normally are $20. For more information, visit operacinema.com or balletincinema.com

‘Oz’ anniversary will be high-def affair

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the opening of “The Wizard of Oz,” high-definition screenings of the classic movie will be shown in 449 theaters nationwide Sept. 23.

Among local theaters screening the movie will be OakView 24, near the Oak View Mall, and Star Cinema in Council Bluffs.

The movie will be introduced by Robert Osborne, the host on Turner Classic Movies.

New release marks Land of Talk’s return

Saddle Creek Records has announced another new release, this one from indie rock trio Land of Talk.

The band has been out of commission for a year as frontwoman Elizabeth Powell had a ailment that affected her vocal chords.

Back from the illness, Powell and the band are set to release “Fun and Laughter,” a four-song, three-video EP.

The disc will be available at landoftalk.com and saddle-creek.com, as well as retailers in the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (which includes Homer’s Music stores). The EP will be available in late October.

House on Farnam inspiration for album

Omaha group Capgun Coup will release a new album on Nov. 3.

Released through Conor Oberst’s label Team Love Records, the 14-track “Maudlin” was born from performances at Hotel Frank, a house on Farnam Street that has been a breeding ground for local musicians and where members of the band lived for a time.

Cover art for the CD features the five members of the band tarred and feathered and sitting in one of the front rooms of the house.

Auditions

“A Christmas Carol,” Omaha Community Playhouse, 1 p.m. Saturday for children; 7 p.m. Sept. 14 and 15 for adults; all auditions at the playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Show runs Nov. 20-Dec. 23. Information: 553-4890.

Fall productions of “Almost an Evening,” “Dog Sees God” and “Red Light Winter,” SkullDuggery Productions, Weber Fine Arts Building, Room 006, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Information: 317-7893.

The Moving Company, the University of Nebraska at Omaha modern dance company, needs five dancers for the 2009-10 season, college age or older, nonstudents eligible. Rehearsals on Sunday afternoons. No audition piece necessary. Auditions 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at the dance lab, School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Information: 554-3239.

Sing Omaha, seven ensembles covering K-12 students and adults, by appointment starting Tuesday. Times and dates are specific to each group. Visit singomaha.com or call Matt Hill at 208-0081 for audition dates and times and for information on how to schedule an audition.

Nebraska Choral Arts Society and Nebraska Children’s Chorus, adult and youth choruses from second grade up, all parts, by appointment only, at University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Strauss Performing Arts Center or at the Nebraska Choral Arts Society office, 14225 Dayton Circle. Adult chorus rehearses Monday evenings. Advanced chorus for grades six through 12 rehearses Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Chorus for grades six through eight rehearses Saturday mornings. Choruses for grades two through four and four through seven rehearse Monday evenings. First concert is Oct. 3 at UNO. Information: 342-6753.

— Compiled by Bob Fischbach and Kevin Coffey