The Staller Center for the Arts kicks off its 2020 season with Bodytraffic on Feb. 8, at 8 p.m. Bodytraffic is a world-class contemporary dance company, known internationally for its contagious vivacity. Named “the company of the future”, and called “one of the most talked-about [dance] companies” by the Los Angeles Times. Bodytraffic is internationally recognized for its high caliber work and palpable love of dance.
Drum Tao 2020 will be performing on the Staller Center main stage on Feb. 15, at 7 pm. Drum Tao is back with an all-new show for 2020, showcasing the ancient art of Japanese drumming. The Staller Center for the Arts continues its 2020 Season with its annual Gala on March 7 at p.m. Two of Broadway’s greatest leading ladies and Tony Award winners Kelli O’Hara and Sutton Foster will be performing together for the first time on the same bill on Staller’s main stage.
On March 14, A Cappella Live! takes the Staller Centers’ main stage. A Cappella Live! is a high-energy musical celebration of contemporary a cappella, conceived and arranged by Deke Sharon, vocal producer of Pitch Perfect. By combining four vocal ensembles, it’s guaranteed to appeal to all ages, spanning a wide range of music with something new happening at every turn.
Next up on the main stage, the Russian National Ballet will perform Giselle on March 21 at 8 p.m. Giselle is a romantic ballet, a tale of love, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption. It is among the earliest of the 19th century classical ballets performed by major ballet companies. With achingly beautiful music, brilliant choreography by Marius Petipa, and passion-filled dancing under the direction of the legendary Elena Radchenko, this classical ballet will captivate you from beginning to end.
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones will celebrate their 30th anniversary on the main stage on March 28 at 8 p.m. Groundbreaking banjoist/composer/bandleader Béla Fleck has reconvened the original pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy back in the fold alongside Fleck, bassist Victor Wooten, and percussionist/Drumitarist Roy “Futureman” Wooten for the occasion.
On April 18, Diavolo will perform on the main stage. Finalist in America’s Got Talent, Diavolo | Architecture in Motion uses dance to explore the relationship between the human body and its architectural environment.
Rounding out Staller’s main stage events, The Doo Wop Project will perform on May 2 at 8 p.m. The Doo Wop Project begins at the beginning, tracing the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing tight harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. Starting with groups like the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos, The Doo Wop Project covers the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and The Four Seasons all the way to today’s musicians.
The Staller Center winter/spring season also includes classical music concerts featuring the Emerson String Quartet, renowned artists including Carol Wincenc, flute; Colin Carr; cello; Alan Kay, clarinet, along with dozens of concerts performed by Stony Brook’s world class Music Department students. In addition, the season includes a full lineup of art and foreign films on Long Island’s largest screen, the Live From the Met in HD Opera Series and the National Theatre Live presentation of The Audience, with Helen Mirren. During your visit, be sure to stop by the Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery for exhibitions and events. For the entire season lineup, visit stallercenter.com.
Staller 2020 spring season at a glance:
- The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess – Met Opera (Live in HD): Saturday, Feb. 1, 12:55 p.m.
- Bodytraffic: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, 8 p.m.
- Drum Tao 2020: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, 7 p.m.
- The Audience – London’s National Theater with Hellen Mirren: Saturday, Feb. 16, 3 p.m.
- Agrippina – Met Opera (Live in HD): Saturday, Feb. 29, 3:55 p.m
- Gala 2020: An Evening with Kelli O’Hara and Sutton Foster: Saturday, March 7, 8 p.m.
- A Cappella Live: Saturday, March 14, 2020, 7 p.m.
- Russian National Ballet – Giselle: Saturday, March 21 8 p.m.
- Der Fleigende Hollander – Met Opera (Live in HD): Saturday, March 22, 12:55 p.m.
- Bela Fleck & The Flecktones: Saturday, March 28, 8 p.m.
- Tosca – Met Opera (Live in HD): Saturday, April 11, 12:55 p.m.
- Diavolo: Saturday, April 18, 2020, 8 p.m.
- Doo Wop Project: Saturday, May 2, 8 p.m.
- Maria Stuarda – Met Opera (Live in HD): Saturday, May 9, 12:55 p.m
The Staller Center for the Arts also offers a spring film series. Click here for more information.
