Culture

Arts Scene: Tales of Dr. King, love notes at the symphony

Theater

King's epiphany

Memphis playwright Katori Hall won the Olivier Award for best play with "The Mountaintop" back in 2010. Perseverance Theatre will bring its production to Anchorage with performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13-22, in Sydney Laurence Theatre. There's a pay-what-you can preview at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12. Hall mixes humor and mystery in a gripping fable of life and destiny as Martin Luther King Jr. is confronted by a peculiar hotel maid on what will turn out to be the final night of his life. The cast performs under the direction of California-based director Lydia Fort. Tickets are available at centertix.net or by calling 907-263-2787.

Art

Juneau view

Anchorage watercolorist Christine Fortner has new work on display this month at Artique Ltd., 314 G St. Most were inspired by her first trip to Juneau last year. These paintings, however, are done with acrylic and oil. "They have a more personal interpretation of color and, as a result, are larger and brighter" than her previous work, she said. Not that she's given up on watercolors. Her piece "The Tourist Guide" won third place in the recent Alaska Watercolor Exhibition and was selected as one of the "FAV 15," in the top 15 percent of the online Bold Brush Painting Competition.

Music

Sounds of love

The Anchorage Concert Chorus will shower listeners with timeless tunes of wooing at its Valentine's Day pops concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, in Atwood Concert Hall. "Love Notes" will include exquisite music from the likes of Irving Berlin and Billy Joel, with hits like "Cherish" and "My Funny Valentine." The chorus is accompanied by a full orchestra, and after the concert, there'll be a Champagne reception with special desserts. Do not go to this show by yourself -- or you'll be squandering a golden opportunity to indulge in a tighter-than-usual squeeze. Tickets are available at centertix.net.

Mike Dunham

Mike Dunham was a longtime ADN reporter, mainly writing about culture, arts and Alaska history. He worked in radio for 20 years before switching to print. He retired from the ADN in 2017.

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