By Southwester Staff
Beginning in March, Arena will debut Arena Riffs – a three-part commissioned musical series that features three different composer and lyricist teams with musical selections infused with sounds of folk, indie, and hip-hop. Performances will premiere on March 17, March 31, and April 14. Each original musical will be 20-30 minutes long and will be available to stream on Arena’s website.
Each artist was given free rein in terms of what they wanted to compose. Themes in the musical series include the grief and void created by the pandemic, the nationwide reckoning on racial injustice, finding joy in difficult times, and the exploration of one’s relationship to the country.
As previously announced, Arena Stage is excited to bring a love story directly to mailboxes nationwide. Inspired by Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise, patrons can relive, or experience for the first time, the joyous, heartfelt drama through a series of nine letters in the mail that follow the love story of Ludwig’s parents, Jacob S. Ludwig and Louise Rabiner. For $35, the Love Letter Experience includes letters, personal photos and telegrams specifically designed and handcrafted with period details by the Arena Stage prop shop. Mailings will start in early March, with new letters placed in the mail twice a week. Recipients should expect to receive all nine packets within a six-week period.