Maier returns in ‘Big Fish’
Fans of performer Brandon Joel Maier, who holds a BA in theater from SDSU, extolled in a recent, ecstatic announcement that he will return to the San Diego stage June 9 as Edward Bloom in Lamb’s Players production of “Big Fish: the Musical.” Not only that, Maier will co-star with one of his closest friends, Kelsey Venter, who played Fantine to his Jean Valjean in Lamb’s 2014 production of “Les Miserables,” and with whom he has been featured in numerous shows but never paired romantically with onstage. The extraordinary “Big Fish” will be directed by Lamb’s associate artistic director, Deborah Gilmour Smyth. Maier was seen most recently at Lamb’s in “Les Miserables” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” For more information, visit www.lambsplayers.org or call 619-437-6000.
Four San Diego actors Opening in previews on April 12 (and playing through May 7) North Coast Repertory Theatre artistic director David Ellenstein will stage Giles Havergal’s adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel, “Travels With My Aunt.” Ellenstein features four popular San Diego actors in the play’s 20 roles, among them Aunt Augusta and her fussy, gray flannel nephew, a retired banker whom she removes from his staid existence. The aforementioned actors are Richard Baird, Benjamin Cole, David McBean and James Saba. For more information, visit www.northcoastrep.org or call 858-481-1055.
Sonnenberg makes Old Globe debut
Moxie Theatre executive artistic director, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, who staged this year’s La Jolla Playhouse POP educational tour (it was seen by more than 20,000 school students in the San Diego area) will make her Old Globe Theatre directing debut with the West Coast premiere of Dominique Morisseau’s “Skeleton Crew.”
The play, which concerns a close-knit bunch of factory line workers, opens in previews April 8 in the Cheryl and Harvey White Theatre at the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. For more information, visit www.theoldglobe.com or call 619-234-5623.
Classical music heads up
Plan your May symphony attendance now. San Diego Symphony music director, Jahja Ling, a joy since he took over the then-emerging-from-bankruptcy orchestra in 2004, departs at the end of this season. If you plan now, you may still secure tickets to hear Ling’s two final programs in his present capacity, from May 5 to 7 (Gustav Mahler’s great Symphony No. 3) and May 26 to 28 (pianist Yefim Bronfman in Johannes Brahms’ “Piano Concerto No. 2” and also Jean Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 2.” For more information, visit www.sandiegosymphony.org or call 619-235-0804.
During his tenure, Ling has hired and nurtured 65 new players from around the world. He and the orchestra toured to great acclaim to New York City and China in 2013. After completion of a nationwide search, San Diego Symphony will name a successor, most likely by the end of next season. Ling will return as guest conductor in years to come. Meanwhile, he and his wife, pianist Jessie Chang, and their two daughters will continue to live in San Diego while he accepts conducting assignment worldwide.
Soprano Priti Ghandi in recital
UCSD alumna Priti Gandhi, who discovered her operatic voice while singing in a choir there, and subsequently became an opera singer, will be presented by Bodhi Tree Concerts in a recital titled “Love Letters” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 at St. James by-the-Sea, 743 Prospect St. Her collaborator is pianist Ines Irawati. The program benefits The Seany Foundation, which serves children affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.bodhitreeconcerts.org or call 646-457.-707.
