A Virginia Premiere and Folk Icon Arlo Guthrie at GMU's Center for the Arts

A legendary counterculture music icon and the Virginia premiere of a contemporary opera by one of the most influential and prolific composers of the 20th century -- both come to the stage of this weekend.

A Virginia Premiere

In an effort to introduce new musical and dramatic experiences to its company and audiences, the Virginia Opera returns to the Center for the Arts on Friday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. with the Virginia premiere of Philip Glass’ masterpiece, “Orphée.”

The celebrated work, which received rave reviews after its world premiere in 1993, is based on Jean Cocteau’s 1949 film by the same name, a stunning cinematic retelling of the ancient Greek myth.

Orphée is a famous but misunderstood poet who falls for a beautiful new muse – Death, herself – nearly turning his back on life and his wife, Eurydice. This romantic story is enhanced by an appealing and accessible score fusing opera with samba, jazz and other contemporary music forms.

“I knew of Glass and his music, so the first time I saw ‘Orphée’ I thought I knew what to expect," said Robin Thompson, Virginia Opera’s artistic advisor. "When the curtains opened, my expectations were demolished in every way possible," said Thompson. "The music came out of the pit, a burst of energy and rhythm that I would never have associated with this composer. Jazzy from the downbeat, pulsing, infectious and heavily rhythmic, the sound grabbed my ear immediately and wouldn’t let go. I was totally hooked from Act I.”

Folk Music Icon and Colorful Storyteller

On Saturday at 8 p.m. comes an exciting performance by one of the most beloved American songwriters of the 20th century.  American folk music icon and colorful storyteller Arlo Guthrie brings an entertaining evening of folk favorites, witty stories and amusing anecdotes in a program called “Boys’ Night Out."  Joining Guthrie onstage are his son, Abe Guthrie; his grandson, Krishna Guthrie; and his longtime collaborator, Terry a la Berry.

The son of American singer, songwriter, philosopher and activist Woody Guthrie and former Martha Graham dancer Marjorie Mazia Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie gave his first performance at age 13 and quickly became immersed in the emerging folk scenes in the 1960s.

In 1967, Guthrie became a household name with the release of his album, “Alice’s Restaurant,” based on a real life incident in Guthrie’s life. The comical 18-minute title track, “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” tells the tale of how Guthrie was arrested for littering on Thanksgiving Day 1965 and eventually learned that any American convicted of a crime (even as minor as littering) could avoid being drafted to fight in the Vietnam War.

The satirical song premiered at the Newport Folk Festival and helped usher in a new commitment to social consciousness and activism among the generation that came of age in the 1960s. In 1969, Guthrie starred as himself in Arthur Penn’s motion picture based on the song.

Since the 1960s, Guthrie has toured the globe, entertaining audiences with his mastery of the piano, six and 12-string guitar, harmonic and more than a dozen other instruments, as well as his funny tales.

He and his family purchased the Old Trinity Church (the location of the events that inspired “Alice’s Restaurant”)  and it is now home to The Guthrie Center, a non-profit that provides a wide range of community programs from HIV/AIDS services to raising awareness and money for a cure for Huntington’s Disease, which ended his father’s life.

2012 also marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Woody Guthrie. The Guthrie family is celebrating with a year of events and performances across the globe.

Upcoming Performances

If you can’t make it out to George Mason University’s Center for the Arts this weekend, there are a number of entertaining events coming up in the next several weeks: 

• Appearing on Feb. 17, the beautiful Complexions Contemporary Ballet mixes dance techniques, styles and cultures to create a unique form of dance. Founders Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson have brought their art to prestigious venues around the globe, as well as to the popular entertainment world with appearances on “So You Think You Can Dance."

• A hit in London’s West End, “The ‘All New’ Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers ™" appears on Feb. 18, performing a fun program of classic R&B songs such as “Respect,” “Think” and “Gimme Some Loving.”

• The Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir brings songs of hope, love, joy and peace sung in South Africa’s many languages, on Feb. 19.

• Northern Virginia’s own Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra brings a program titled “Woody, Buddy and Stan” featuring the jazz hits of legendary bandleaders Woody Herman, Buddy Rich and Stan Kenton, on Feb. 25. 

For tickets, please call 888-945-2468, go online to cfa.gmu.edu or visit the Center for the Arts Concert Hall box office, open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.