This exhibit examines the empty homes and foreclosed dreams littering the American landscape in the wake of the foreclosure crisis. After a house is foreclosed upon there is a fleeting moment when the ghosts of the one-time owners are all that is left – before the houses are cleaned and returned to the real estate market. The photographs in this exhibit capture the remaining signs of life that once filled these emptied houses bringing to light ideas about home, family and the American Dream. Opening Reception: Thursday, September 25, from 4:30 – 7pm
A University-wide production of the classic Pulitzer-Prize winning play by Thornton Wilder, Our Town tells the universal story of small town America. Though taking place in the first decade of the 20th century and written in 1938, Our Town has consistently been hailed as a theatrical masterpiece. A New York production won the Tony Award for best revival in 1989 and an off-Broadway presentation in 2009 won accolades from critics and audiences alike and ran for nearly 3 years. Performed with little scenery and having the character of Stage Manager directly address the audience, Our Town asks us to consider what is important in life. When Emily wants to relive a day in her life, she is told “Choose the least important day of your life; it will be important enough.”
A life long Red Bank resident, Evelyn Leavens’ work has been shown at City Without Walls, Aljira, Tweeds, Summit Art Center and the Morris State Museum. Leavens book of drawings “Boswells’ Life of Boswell” was published in 1958 and became #2 on The New York Times children’s best seller list. Primarily self taught, she attended the Vermont Studio Center and studied with Malcolm Morley, Archie Rand and Niel Welliver. This exhibition will include works from throughout the artist’s life. Opening Reception: Fri. November 14, 7 – 9 pm
Hosted by Corey Harris, a MacArthur Grant recipient, and featuring renowned roots musicians Guy Davis and Alvin Youngblood Hart, True Blues chronicles the extraordinary living culture of the blues in an evening of music and conversation. In bringing the True Blues film to the concert stage, the True Blues concert vividly brings to life this crucial wellspring of American music.
Featuring the work of Monmouth University graduating seniors who will receive their degrees in Graphic Design, Animation or Fine Art. Opening Reception: Friday, November 21, 7 – 9 pm
The plot of this lavish production is loosely based on Théophile Gauthier’s novel Le Roman de la Momie. French choreographer Pierre Lacotte was exclusively commissioned in 2000 by the Bolshoi Theatre to resurrect Marius Petipa’s mighty Egyptian fresco, and he succeeded brilliantly in giving new life to this forgotten masterpiece. With its exotic setting, impressive parades, spectacular variations and crowd scenes, this grand 19th‐century Orientalist fantasy is one of the most remarkable productions in the Bolshoi’s repertoire. The main roles are here danced by Bolshoi principals Svetlana Zakharova, Nina Kaptsova and Ruslan Skvortsov.
There’s simply no better way to start the holiday season than to spend this special evening with Conductor Father Alphonse Stephenson as he provides humorous and personal anecdotes amidst a program of holiday classics and carols performed flawlessly by his 42-piece orchestra and distinguished vocalists. This well-established Christmas tradition is celebrating its 24th year at Monmouth University. Be sure to get your tickets early for this annual sell out!
