Ring Round the Moon Wraps Wit and Farce at UNLV

By Debbie Hall

Presented by the Nevada Conservatory Theatre, Ring Round the Moon brings absurdity and fun to the stage at the Judy Bayley Theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Oct. 8.

Set in Paris before World War I, the delightfully witty farce takes place in the winter garden of a palatial estate owned by the incorrigible Madame Demortes, aunt to the roguishly charming Hugo. Ever cynical about love, Hugo suspects that his lovesick and emotionally sensitive twin brother, Frederic, is engaged to the wrong woman—the wealthy and seemingly indifferent Diana. Hugo schemes to turn Frederic’s head from Diane to a new conquest—the breathtakingly innocent and enchanting dancer, Isabelle. Mistaken identities, unrequited love, reunited school chums, and a whole pot of noodles with no butter or salt add flavor to this quick-paced romantic comedy that will delight the entire family.

Jean Anouilh's Invitation to the Castle was released in 1947 and the play based on the book, Ring Round the Moon, was adapted in 1950 by Christopher Fry. Peter Brook commissioned Fry to adapt the book as a play which was first performed at the Globe Theatre starring Academy Award winners Paul Scofield and Margaret Rutherford with Claire Bloom. It has since been performed in the West End, Royal Exchange (Manchester), and on Broadway (1999).

Ring Round the Moon will be performed at the Judy Bailey Theatre at UNLV at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8. Ticket prices are $25 with discounted tickets ($22.50) available for seniors, military members, the disabled, and UNLV faculty, staff, and alumni. Students may get one $10 ticket with identification. Tickets are available at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office (northeast end of campus attached to the south wall of the parking garage) or call (702) 895-ARTS (2787). UNLV Performing Arts Center patrons are welcome to park in the Cottage Grove Parking for free after 1 p.m. on Friday. For more info, click here.

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A Public Fit opens its season with Foxfinder

Live theater in Southern Nevada perseveres with the opening season premiere of Foxfinder by Dawn King will be presented by A Public Fit at The Space Sept. 23-26.

At the heart of this gripping, futuristic parable beats an incendiary plot that pulses with menace and suspicion. In rural England, a blight of bad luck has befallen the countryside, and an infestation may be to blame. The totalitarian government sends an agent, a Foxfinder, into the home of Judith and Samuel Covey, and the invasive inspection whirls simple lives into a frenzy of finger-pointing and distrust. As the bizarre scrutiny intensifies, guilt, fear, and distorted realities fuel a feverish hunt to explain the unknown.

The Covey Farm is in distress. Afflicted with fallow fields, an over-abundance of pests, and seemingly unending rain, Samuel and Judith struggle to meet the Capitol’s demanding quotas. The situation is complicated with the arrival of William Bloor (Foxfinder), dispatched by the government to help the couple solve their agricultural woes. But is Bloor really there to help, or has he been sent by the powerful to assign blame? This riveting play offers an unnerving critique of political mind-control and bureaucratic propaganda.

Directed by co-founder and artistic director Ann-Marie Pereth, this was the play that introduced A Public Fit to the audiences of Las Vegas. Learn more about Foxfinder on A Public Fit’s podcast Behind the Buzz!!! Click here to listen.

Foxfinder will be presented at The Space, 3460 Cavaretta Court, 7 p.m. Sept. 23-25 and 2 p.m. on Sept. 26. Click here to purchase tickets.

Nevada Chamber Orchestra presents 'Our Fantastic Fathers'

NCO performs 6/20/2021 in honor of Father's Day.

The NCO performed masked during the pandemic.

The Nevada Chamber Orchestra (NCO) is proud to present "Our Fantastic Fathers" this Sunday, June 20th at 3 PM at the Summerlin Library Performing Arts Center in Las Vegas. This musical Dad's Day tribute is the second in a series honoring those who raised us following their May 9th "Our Mindful Mothers" concert.

Founded in 2016 by members of the former Nevada Chamber Symphony, the NCO performs under the leadership of Artistic Director Dr. Gregory Maldonado. Maestro Maldonado earned his doctorate degree from USC, a master's from CSULB, and a bachelor's from UCLA, and is Director of Orchestra at West Career and Technical Academy with the Clark County School District (CCSD).

Members of the NCO.

The Nevada Chamber Orchestra’s mission is "to nurture and develop the musical, social and educational knowledge of the communities and citizens of the state of Nevada and city of Las Vegas. The Nevada Chamber Orchestra is committed to building musical and diverse cultural awareness in Las Vegas and communities abroad." A chamber orchestra refers to an orchestra with a smaller ensemble (up to 50 musicians) than a fullscale symphony orchestra may often have up to 100 players.

Click on the image for tickets,

The NCO's 44-piece orchestra draws from a talented, experienced, and versatile pool of musicians, many of whom are established mentors throughout the Las Vegas valley both on professional stages and as educators. NCO repertoire covers a wide range of chamber music from Baroque to Modern, as well as holiday tunes, patriotic and pop songs, and traditional favorites. NCO break-out concerts focus on smaller chamber works, such as string quartets and piano trios.

The Nevada Chamber Orchestra offers post-concert meet-and-greets with the audience along with educational components included which foster a dialogue with the audience and create an approachable environment.

NCO collaborates with other local cultural organizations including Vegas City Opera and the Lan Tian Chinese Center. On June 25th and 26th, it will join in a new partnership with and The Asylum Theatre and the international out of the Wings Festival based in London. The NCO will perform in advance of the premiere of SCHERZO (Dialogue with a Statue); a play by Rafael Guizado translated by his granddaughter and local theatre artist, Gigi Guizado at the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center.

The Nevada Chamber Orchestra is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Donations can be made via the link found here.