The large balcony provides a grand spot to view WKAR presentations.
WKAR at the Michigan Theatre
124 N. Mechanic Street, Jackson , MI 49201 website | directions
WKAR and The Michigan Theatre of Jackson have joined forces to bring you some special high definition public television productions on the Michigan's large screen.
The Michigan Theatre is a restored Butterfield theatre, one of few remaining in Michigan. Its elaborate architectural features, authentic lighting and adult snack bar make viewing productions on its large screen an event.
Unless otherwise indicated, all WKAR Night at the Michigan Theatre events are free.
Ahead: Great Performances: Hamlet
Wednesday, April 28, at 8 p.m.
Shakespeare’s immortal “To be, or not to be” takes on a whole new meaning (and medium) as classical stage and screen actors Sir Patrick Stewart and David Tennant reprise their roles for the television adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) 2008 stage production of Hamlet.
Hamlet aired in the UK on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas), when more than 900,000 viewers tuned in for the BBC broadcast. In an article in The Observer, Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote, “Like many people, I had my love of Shakespeare reawakened by David Tennant’s TV portrayal of Hamlet … .”
Veteran stage and screen actor Sir Patrick Stewart reprises his 2009 Laurence Olivier Award-winning role of Claudius in the screen version, which is directed by Gregory Doran, who reprises his stage direction of the production. (In 2001, Doran directed the dynamic television adaptation of the RSC’s Macbeth.)
The adaptation re-creates the tone and atmosphere of the stage production in a film-style interpretation shot in HD on location at St. Joseph’s College in Mill Hill, London.
GREAT PERFORMANCES online at pbs.org/gperf contains additional information on Greate Performances programs. The Web companion contains a variety of images, in-depth information about the programs and activities for teachers, including lesson plans, tips and resources.
Past Events Preview: "The National Parks -- America's Best Idea" Thursday, September 17, at Michigan Theatre, Jackson
WKAR presents a free preview of Ken Burns’ upcoming public television series, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea at the glorious Michigan Theatre in downtown Jackson.
In addition to a preview of the Burns film, the evening will also include a preview of George Desort's upcoming documentary Fortunate Wilderness: The Wolf and Moose Study of Isle Royale. That program will air in November on WKAR-HD/23.
In addition to screening previews of the two documentaries, members of WKAR-TV’s digital television team will be on hand to answer audience questions about digital television and antennas.
There is no charge for either screening, and reservations are not required. Guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The National Parks - Conclusion Friday, October 2, at 8 p.m.
Michigan Theatre, Jackson
WKAR continues its partnership with the Michigan Theatre in Jackson with a large-screen showing of the final episode of The National Parks: America's Best Idea.
While viewers may choose to watch the concluding episode of this sweeping series on their home televisions, those who would like to revel in the beauty of America's national parks on the Michigan Theatre's large, high definition screen, can see the program there at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 2.
WKAR's Kent Wieland will greet guests. Great Performances: Opening Night with the L.A. Philharmonic Wednesday, October 21, at 8 p.m.
Michigan Theatre, Jackson
WKAR at the Michigan Theatre screening will take place Wednesday, October 21, with a large-screen, high definition broadcast of the Great Performances season premiere, Opening Night with the L.A. Philharmonic.
Bursting on to the international scene in 1999 as the 18-year-old wunderkind conductor of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, Gustavo Dudamel has taken the classical music world by storm. In fall 2009, he became the new music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Great Performances will join the opening night festivities for Dudamel’s inaugural gala concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on October 8. The concert’s repertoire is currently planned to include Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, as well as the premiere of John Adams’ City Noir (a commission of the LA Philharmonic).
WKAR's Jeanie Croope will greet guests.
Great Performances at the Met: Tosca
Wednesday, December 16, at 9 p.m.
Great Performances at the Met opens its fourth PBS broadcast season with a new production of Puccini’s Tosca, staged by Luc Bondy in his Met debut, and starring Karita Mattila in her first Met performance of the title role.
The cast includes Joseph Colaneri, Marcelo Álvarez, George Gagnidze and Paul Plishka. James Levine conducts. Sets are by Richard Peduzzi, with costumes by Milena Canonero and lighting by Max Keller.
Great Performances: Dance In America Presents San Francisco Ballet's "The Nutcracker” Monday, December 21, at 9 p.m.
Since the first production The Nutcracker in St. Petersburg more than a century ago, its charming story, dazzling choreography and magnificent Tchaikovsky score have combined to make it one of the most popular and enduring ballets the world over. San Francisco Ballet makes the beloved ballet its own, resetting it during the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exhibition and introducing “Dance in America” viewers to the dazzling Maria Kochetkova and Davit Karapetyan.
The work is choreographed by artistic director Helgi Tomasson and features dazzling sets by Michael Yeargan and opulent costumes by Martin Pakledinaz, both Tony Award-winning designers. Olympic champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi hosts.
As with all WKAR Night at the Michigan Theatre Jackson events, this event is free. However, we are asking guests to please bring a donation of canned, boxed or commercially packaged food to be donated to one of the food bank pantries in the Jackson area. We want to be sure our Jackson community's food needs are well supported this holiday season. Great Performances: La Boheme--The Movie
Wednesday, December 23, 9 p.m.
Giacomo Puccini’s enduring 1896 blockbuster now makes its way to the big screen in a lushly atmospheric movie adaptation directed by Robert Dornhelm.
The operatic “dream couple” — sensational Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and dashing Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón — reunite as the doomed lovers Mimi and Rodolfo, joined by George von Bergen (vocals by Boaz Daniel) as Marcello, Adrian Eröd as Schaunard, Vitalij Kowaljow as Colline, Tiziano Bracci as Benoit and Nicole Cabell as Musetta.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ "BackStage Pass" Preview
Tuesday, January 5, at 7 p.m.
Be the first to see the season premiere of BackStage Pass (featuring Big Willy), get a taste of other acts airing this season, and be the very first to hear about the new acts scheduled to record BackStage Pass concerts beginning in April, at this special event.
Executive producer Tim Zeko will host the Tuesday, January 5, preview and will also answer audience questions during a talk back. There is a possibility that some of the musical guests from this season's programs will appear.
WORKSHOP: Imagine, Create, and Play Middle schoolers! Learn how to create video games at this FREE workshop from WKAR. Saturday, Feb. 11. More info and SIGN UP HERE.
