August 30, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore.… Magic Circle Mime Co. teams up with the Oregon Symphony to open the 2002-2003 Kids Concert season with "The Listener," an original production which gives both kids and parents a new, fun-filled way to listen to music, on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Conducting Assistant Jonathan Pasternack leads the Symphony in a concert of popular orchestral music; however, they find their performance hampered somewhat by two members of the audience. Their unanticipated involvement changes the whole course of the afternoon and their efforts help the audience learn about the music, the orchestra, and the oh-so-important art of listening. Some of the music featured in this concert includes Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," Mozart's "Symphony No. 39," Bernstein's "Overture" from Candide, selections from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker," and Bizet's "Carmen," as well as music from popular films, including "Star Wars."
Audiences across America and internationally have been captivated by the Magic Circle Mime Co.'s imaginative, educational, and innovative productions. The Company is the artistic collaboration of Maggie Petersen and Douglas MacIntyre, who have been presenting "theatrical works for orchestra" for more than 20 years. Magic Circle Mime Co. last performed with the Symphony on Feb. 10, 2001, when they brought Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" to life.
Tickets range from $6 to $30 and may be purchased in advance at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (503-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.
Magic Circle Mime Co. is regarded as one of today's premier family attractions. Their highly acclaimed performances, which unite the concert orchestra with visual theater, are consistently praised.
Magic Circle Mime Co. performs with virtually every major orchestra in North America and orchestras around the globe. They regularly appear with the Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Saint Louis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, and Montreal Symphony, among many others. During the 2001-2002 season, MCMCo. made their Boston Symphony debut and returned to the Chicago Symphony for the 15th consecutive season.
Over the past 10 years, Magic Circle Mime Co. has developed a presence in the Far East, performing with the major orchestras in Japan, China and Taiwan. During the 2001-2002 season, they return to Asia to perform with the Tokyo Philharmonic, the Beijing Music Festival, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic (for the 5th time).
Magic Circle Mime Co is the creative partnership of Maggie Petersen and Douglas MacIntyre. Both artists have backgrounds in theatre and instrumental music, and have utilized that training to create their highly engaging programs. From their West Coast homes Ms. Petersen and Mr. MacIntyre continue to create new programs for music ensembles of all sizes.