Playhouse expands V-Tix program; Beethoven in Vermont; ‘War Horse’ at Ludlow; toe-tapping music in Proctorsville

Weston Playhouse has expanded its V-Tix program with $25 MainStage tickets for Vermonters./Photo submitted

The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company announces initiatives to make its popular plays and musicals affordable for all Vermonters and anyone who asks. Single tickets are now on sale for a summer season that includes everything from Broadway musical favorites to exciting new works.

The Vermonter Tickets program — V-Tix — which was introduced several years ago, is being “expanded and improved … to encourage more people to attend our performances,” Weston managing director Stuart Duke said in a press release. The new V-Tix program allows a limited number of select seats at each MainStage performance to be available for $25. Similarly, some tickets to Weston’s OtherStages performances at the Rod & Gun Club will be priced at $15. There are no restrictions on ordering, but the tickets must be ordered by phone at 802-824-5288.

In addition, Weston announces that all of its MainStage preview performances (typically the Thursday before the Friday opening of each new production at the Playhouse) would be priced at a flat $35 and OtherStages previews will be priced at $20.

V-Tix and subscriptions are available by phone at 802-824-5288. All other single tickets can be ordered by phone or at westonplayhouse.org. For more information about the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, visit the company’s website, facebook (westonplayhouse) and Twitter (@westonplayhouse).

Ludlow Auditorium presents “War Horse”

“War Horse” is being shown at the Ludlow Auditorium.

War Horse will be the next Friends of the Ludlow Auditorium movie in the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium, 1 Whispering Pines Road, at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11.

Set during the First World War, War Horse begins with a friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. Forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets — British cavalry, German soldiers and a French farmer and his granddaughter — before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man’s Land. The movie is open to the public. Donations are appreciated to underwrite the cost of the program. For information, call 802-228-7239 or e-mail info@fola.us.

Beethoven in Vermont

The Windham Orchestra invites the public to its season finale of Beethoven in Vermont, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at The Putney School, 418 Houghton Brook Road, Putney, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at the Latchis Theater at 50 Main St., Brattleboro.

Under the direction of Maestro Hugh Keelan, the orchestra performs Beethoven’s works along with a premiere of Chester resident James Adams’ Concertino for Tuba written for Andover resident Sue Lemei, pictured top right.

Adams, pictured bottom right, holds both a masters of music and a doctor of musical arts degree in composition. He has studied with composers John McCabe and Aaron Copland and has composed numerous pieces for a variety of ensembles and theater.

Lemei holds a master’s degree in music history  and criticism, has been a member of the Imperial Brass Quintet, and a freelance player for orchestras, bands and smaller ensembles. She is the principal tuba player for the Windham Orchestra, Keene Chamber Orchestra and the Brattleboro American Legion Band. She is also a member of the Monadnock Brass Quintet. Dr. Lemei maintains a private medical practice in Chester.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors. For tickets, call the Brattleboro Music Center at 802-257-4523 or on-line through www.bmcvt.org.

 After the Rodeo plays in Raise the Roof series

At 4 p.m. Sunday May 19, After the Rodeo, a homegrown Vermont trio, will perform in Gethsemane Episcopal Church chapel on 89 Depot St. in Proctorsville.

Blurring the boundaries between jazz, blues, country western, bluegrass and folk, After the Rodeo members Pat Melvin, D. Davis and Matt Schrag’s toe-tapping performances are shaped by close three-part harmonies.

A suggested donation of $10 at the door will help sponsor upcoming events in the Raise the Roof series. The church is handicap accessible. For more information call 802-226-7497.

— Susan Lampe-Wilson