The original “Mark of Zorro” accompanied by an all-star quintet
Swashbuckling trumpets and flamenco romance mark this musical adventure through the 1920 “Mark of Zorro,” capturing the mood of 19th-century Spanish California with a flamenco-tango-salsa-mariachi-jazz score performed live. Blending action, adventure, romance and comedy in a new way, Douglas Fairbanks’ portrayal of Zorro, the black-clad outlaw-hero, was to set the standard for all future versions of the film. Fairbanks’ daring yet graceful stunts made him a cinematic legend. Capturing the humor of the film, Brendan Cooney’s original score borrows freely from a variety of Spanish and Latin-influenced musical genres from flamenco to tango to salsa.
The Rotunda at 40th and Walnut streets
Friday, April 13 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $8.50 in advance, $10 at the door
www.therotunda.org
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Concert at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
More than 100 of the region’s most gifted and talented young, classical musicians will perform several pieces under the direction of Maestro Louis Scaglione, who is celebrating his 15th anniversary season with the PYO organization.
The orchestra will perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 — “New World,” Gershwin’s American in Paris, Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story,” Copland’s Hoe-Down from “Rodeo,” and E. Bernstein’s Overture to Magnificent Seven, guest conducted by Dorothy Giordano, longtime supporter of the PYO nonprofit organization.
The Kimmel Center at 260 S. Broad St.
Sunday, April 15
Tickets: $20-30
www.pyos.org
The Voice Foundation celebrates World Voice Day
Each year on April 16, voice health professionals worldwide join together to celebrate World Voice Day. This year the Voice Foundation is sponsoring several events in the Philadelphia area, where, for the first time ever, World Voice Day will be recognized on the PECO Building’s Crown Lights. Sunday, April 15 will feature a screening of “A Voice Journey: Drew & Dan,” directed and produced by Drexel film and video professor Zhenya Kiperman. A cinematic study of the work of Dr. Robert Sataloff, the film follows two singers whose vocal future is suddenly threatened by serious voice problems. The film documents their dramatic journeys through complex surgeries, periods of complete silence and extensive therapy to finding their voices again. Also on Sunday is a master class for singers with Melissa Cross: “Moving from Classical Broadway to the New Broadway Sound (and Back).”
The PECO Building Crown Lights will display signage for World Voice Day on the 16th. On this day, a musical theater presentation titled “Your Voice Counts: Can you count on it?” geared toward high school students, will teach teens how to take care of their voices on and off the stage just as athletes take care of their bodies on and off the sporting field.
At the Philadelphia Senior Center, seniors can attend a workshop led by Peggy Baroody on how to care for an aging voice.
Finally, on April 25, Jen Creed will perform from the Adele songbook along with songs from her record, “Goodnight Is Not Goodbye,” at World Cafe Live.
Sunday, April 15-25
Admission: Free-$20
www.voicefoundation.org
Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal
An integral force on the international dance scene, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, a company of 12 virtuoso dancers, fuses contemporary styles and polished technique. Its repertoire features works by some of the brightest choreographers today. The contemporary company known for its stylized, technically masterful repertoire performs two works — the world premiere of “Night Box” by Wen Wei Wang and the Philadelphia premiere of “Les Chambres des Jacques” by Aszure Barton.
“Night Box,” Wang’s world premiere, explores urban life. The piece reflects the sounds, rhythms, beats and flashing lights of Montreal’s cultural underground. Set to an eclectic mix of music, this 35-minute work incorporates a lighting design by James Proudfoot that recreates city nightlife along with video projections by Denis Dulude and Christian Lalumiere. The movement vocabulary combines contemporary ballet with urban dance forms.
Aszure Barton’s “Les Chambres des Jacques” (2006), a 36-minute work, explores the inner turmoil of the human being lurking inside the dancer. The piece delves into everyday actions, interpersonal relationships and private moments that haunt, amuse, reveal and surprise. Barton’s choreography blends a balletic base with breakdancing, Irish step dancing and folk steps. Inspired by the strong personalities of LBJM dancers, she incorporates gestures and personal habits.
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts at 3680 Walnut St.
Thursday, April 19 through Saturday, April 21
Tickets: $20-60; student rush $10-15
www.AnnenbergCenter.org
Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”
In this irresistible romantic comedy, artistic director Carmen Khan will transport audiences to Illyria — a topsy-turvy place where everything is turned upside down and nothing is what it seems. Viola loves Orsino, who thinks he loves Olivia. Olivia thinks she loves Cesario, who is really Viola dressed as a man. Malvolio thinks he is a gentleman, but he is not. The foolish and foppish Sir Andrew thinks he is a fine match for the Lady Olivia, but he is far from it. There is disguise and impersonation at every turn; even the language is turned upside down. Nobody except Viola really knows who they are or what they want.
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre at 2111 Sansom St.
Now through May 20
Tickets: $25-35; $15 for students
www.phillyshakespeare.org