Space explored in composition in world premiere at concert
48 HOURS
Cary Belling has put to music the story of the birth of the
universe based on scientists’ theories in “Ripples in the Fabric of
Space-Time.”
One of his goals in creating the piece, he said, was to have
listeners get out of their own little space and look out into the
heavens and realize how beautiful, inspiring and how vast the
universe is.
“If you realize how vast the universe is and that our planet is
one small part of that universe, that changes our perspective,” he
said. “To me, that means that makes our planet, each other, and
plants and animals, all life on Earth, more important.”
His work receives its world premiere when it is played by the
Burbank Philharmonic at a free concert beginning at 7:30 tonight in
the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.
Belling, who lives in Pasadena, is the Burbank Philharmonic’s
composer in residence. The piece was commissioned by the orchestra
and also supported by a Subito Grant from the American Composers
Forum.
In his talk before the concert, Belling will pay homage to the
seven astronauts who perished aboard the space shuttle Columbia.
“By their example, these heroic explorers inspire us to expand our
awareness of nature, our community and our spiritual consciousness,”
he said. “I believe that music [including the music in this concert]
can help us deal with their loss and encourage us to continue our own
personal search for truth and understanding.”
His composition uses conventional instruments, but, he said, it
uses a wide palette of sounds.
Belling began his musical studies on violin at 5. He has a
bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Texas at Austin and
won a violin position with the San Antonio Symphony. At the Grove
School of Music in Studio City, he studied composition,
orchestration, arranging and film scoring. He is a violinist with the
Pasadena Pops Orchestra for which he has been commissioned to write
several works.
Steven Kerstein will conduct the Burbank Philharmonic in the
program titled “Music for the Family: Lone Ranger and Beyond!” It
features such classics as Rossini’s “William Tell Overture.”
Forest Lawn is at 6300 Forest Lawn Drive.
SPECIAL EVENTS
‘FUDDY MEERS’ OPENS TONIGHT AT THE COLONY
“Fuddy Meers,” the off-Broadway hit comedy that launched the
career of playwright David Lindsay -Abaire, opens tonight and is
produced by Burbank’s Colony Theatre.
It tells the story of Claire, an amnesiac who awakens each morning
not knowing anything about who or where she is. She ends up being
kidnapped by one husband and pursued by another.
Directing is David Rose, who also directed “Bea[u]tiful in the
Extreme” and “Our Country’s Good,” which received six Ovation
nominations.
The production contains strong language and is recommended for
mature audiences.
Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7
p.m. Sundays through March 9. Tickets are $22 to $28 and can be
reserved by calling 558-7000. The Colony makes its home at the
Burbank Center Stage, 555 N. Third St. For reservations, call
558-7000.
‘A TWILIGHT ROMANCE’ OPENS AT THE FALCON
The world premiere of Mayo Simon’s “A Twilight Romance” opens
tonight at The Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
This new stage comedy stars Katherine Helmond and Robert Mandan.
Helmond won a Golden Globe Award for best actress in 1981 for her
portrayal of Jessica Tate on the TV series “Soap.” Mandan played
Helmond’s husband Chester on the series that ran from 1977 to 1981.
They are reunited as a couple in this play that explores the
humorous dating dilemmas and rituals of two old lovebirds.
Directing is Jules Aaron, a recipient of 18 Drama-Logue Awards,
three Backstage West Garland awards and three Los Angeles Drama
Critic’s Circle Nominations for direction, winning the award for his
revival of “Equus.”
Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 4 p.m.
Sundays. Tickets range from $25 to $37.50.
The play continues through March 2. The Falcon is at 4252
Riverside Drive in Burbank. For reservations, call 955-8101.
CONDUCTOR IS SOLOIST FOR CHAMBER CONCERT
Jeffrey Kahane will be conductor and soloist with the Los Angeles
Chamber Orchestra in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major,
beginning at 8 tonight at The Alex Theatre in Glendale.
Young soprano Elissa Johnston will perform Bach’s Wedding Cantata
and the sensuous prose of Joyce’s Ulysses -- as set by Stephen Albert
in “Flower of the Mountain.” Johnston has appeared in the season-
opening performances of the L.A. Philharmonic under Esa Pekka
Salonen, as well as with the Atlanta Symphony, St. Paul Chamber
Orchestra, Santa Rosa Symphony and the San Francisco Contemporary
Players.
Kahane and the orchestra will bring the program to a melodic
climax with Schubert’s Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major.
Kahane will present Words on Music, a 30-minute talk on the
program, free to all ticket holders one hour before the concert.
Tickets range from $15 to $63 and are available at the box
office, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. For information, call 243-2539.
‘CALIFORNIA COLORS’ OPENS AT DESCANSO GALLERY
Artists Margot Lennartz, Jim Yurk and Louise Forbes are combining
their talents in a monthlong show opening this weekend at Descanso
Gardens’ Boddy House Art Gallery.
Lennartz will exhibit “California Colors,” a collection of oil
paintings including plein-air landscapes of sea, mountain and desert
scenes from throughout the state.
Yurk, a potter whose works are both functional and decorative, is
exhibiting unusual stoneware impressions of wall-hung flowers.
Forbes paints wildlife, fantasy flowers and hidden subjects in oil
on wood panels. The images follow the natural grain of the wood and
seem to exist within, not on the panels.
Much of the artists’ works are reproduced on cards and other items
available for purchase. The Boddy House Art Gallery is open from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is free with gardens admission.
Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Ca- nada
Flintridge. It is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Christmas
Day. Admission fees are $5 for adults; $3 for seniors and students;
$1 for children 5 to 12; and free for members and children younger
than 5. For more information, call 949-4200.
ON STAGE
‘SNOW QUEEN’ IS EVENT FOR WHOLE FAMILY
The Falcon Theatre is presenting the “Snow Queen,” a winter-themed
production for the whole family, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and
1 p.m. Sundays.
Magic hangs in the air when the Snow Queen comes to town and
transforms balmy Los Angeles into a snowy winter wonderland. Now she
has only a short time to take Emma, Alexander and the whole audience
on a musical adventure through L.A. to show them that, though winter
comes and goes, “Love Lasts Forever.”
The play continues through Feb. 16. Tickets are $10. The theater
is at 4252 Riverside Drive in Burbank.
For reservations or more information, call 955-8101.
‘SEE HOW THEY RUN’ AT GLENDALE CENTRE THEATRE
Glendale Centre Theatre kicks off its new season of wholesome,
family entertainment with the British farce “See How They Run.” It
was written in the 1940s by Philip King. Burbank resident George
Strattan is directing.
The play is about an English vicarage gone nuts. With the arrival
of the Bishop, one expects the shenanigans to cease; however, the
confusion snowballs.
Tickets range from $14 to $17. The play continues through Feb. 15.
For reservations, call 244-8481. Glendale Centre Theatre is at 324
N. Orange St., Glendale.
STAGE AND FILM STARS JOIN IMPROV TROUPE
The Really Spontaneous Theatre Company welcomes two celebrity
guest stars Janet Carroll and Michael Fairman throughout February to
The Third Stage in Burbank.
Carroll won a Dramalogue Award for Best Actress in Ezra Pound’s
stage musical “Elektra.” She has also appeared on such TV shows as
“Ally McBeal” and “Melrose Place.”
Fairman’s career on stage, film and TV spans more than 40 years.
In addition to Broadway and off-Broadway roles, he has had running
roles on TV’s “Ryan’s Hope” and “General Hospital.” He played Adlai
Stevenson in the film “Thirteen Days.”
The improv troupe performs at 7 p.m. Sundays at The Third Stage,
2811 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Tickets are $15. For reservations,
call (323) 969-4991.
‘2ND WIND THE MUSICAL’ IS BACK ON STAGE
The revival performance of the rock opera, “2nd Wind the Musical
2002,” has returned with two new songs. Show time is 8 tonight at the
Gene Bua Acting For Life Theatre in Burbank.
The story is about an acting coach, Teacher, who rallies together
three celebrity volunteers to help him with a new program at
Strawberry Fields Residential Treatment Center.
They attempt to teach three street kids how to turn their rage,
fear and shame into positive energy through acting.
Tickets are $25 with discounts available for seniors, groups and
teens. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Here’s To Life Foundation,
reaching at-risk youth through art and entertainment.
For reservations, call (310) 680-9109. The play continues through
March 15. The playhouse is at 3435 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank.
‘BUS STOP’ RETURNS TO A NOISE WITHIN STAGE
William Inge’s “Bus Stop” finishes its limited run this weekend on
the A Noise Within stage.
Rodeo star Bo (Ben Messmer) falls in love with saloon singer
Cherie (Abby Craden), and plans to sweep her off her feet and make
her his bride. Cherie has no plans for marriage and is focused on
stardom, but Cupid has other plans and aims his bow when the couple
are stranded at Grace’s Cafe during a snowstorm.
Tickets range from $24 to $32. For reservations, call 240-0910.
“Bus Stop” is part of A Noise Within’s season titled “The
Dangerous and the Divine” by co-artistic directors and husband and
wife Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez Elliott.
The season continues with Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,”
running Feb. 28 to May 10; “O Pioneers!” March 14 to May 15; and “The
King Stag,” April 4 to May 18.
A LITTLE JAZZ WITH DINNER
JAX OFFERS SUPPER, JAZZ EVERY NIGHT
Jax Bar and Grill is a supper club offering live jazz every night
of the week.
Show times are 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 p.m.
to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Sunday. Happy Hour Jazz is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through
Saturday.
Tonight, the spotlight shines on the Nelson Adelard Quintet.
Sunday, it’s the Preston Smith Trio performing. The schedule for the
week is the Lloyd Hebert Trio on Monday; Danny Weinstein & Viva on
Tuesday; Brian Elliott on Wednesday; Jack Sheldon on Thursday; and
Dead Ringer on Friday.
Jax is at 339 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. For more information, call
500-1604.
* If you have press releases for the 48 Hours column, please
call JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241 or e-mail joyce.rudolph@ latimes.com
or fax them to 241-1975.