Learn About 'Nixon In China' Ahead Of Princeton Festival

PRINCETON, NJ — This year’s Opera presentation at The Princeton Festival is “Nixon in China,” and the festival is offering three workshops in the lead up to the show as part of its free “Music that Tells a Story” series.

Teaching artist Kyle Masson will provide a multi-media presentation about the show, and there will be live singing by two cast members from the Festival production.

Participants who pre-register also receive tickets to the June 23 performance of “Nixon in China” at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton. This includes a talk by the set designer and a backstage tour.

Workshops will take place as follows:
Trenton: June 1, 10 a.m., Turning Point United Methodist Church;
Lawrenceville: June 11, 6:30 p.m., Lawrence Public Library; and
Princeton: June 12, 6:30 p.m., Princeton Public Library.

More information and online registration is available at The Princeton Festival website. Those interested in attending may also email education@princetonfestival.org to request a registration form.

The opera tells the story of the first meeting between an American President and the Premier of China in February 1972. The singers portray such historical characters as President Richard Nixon, First Lady Pat Nixon, Chairman Mao, Madame Mao, Premier Chou En-Lai, and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

“Nixon in China uses gripping, marvelous music to dramatize the aspirations and human failings behind a world-changing event,” Masson said. “We are extremely happy to have singers from the Festival production to preview the music for us.”

The workshop is geared to the general public with an interest in musical theater, and is suitable for anyone of middle-school age and older, Masson said.

There will be two performances of “Nixon in China,” on June 23 and 30, 3 p.m. each day, in the Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton,

Tickets are available through the Festival website, in person at the McCarter ticket office, or by phone at 609-258-2787. For more on the show, visit princetonfestival.org.