The second annual Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival looks like smooth sailing, with performers ranging from Itzhak Perlman to the all-female vocal ensemble Anonymous 4 to a Gershwin 100th Anniversary Celebration with Virginia Symphony and pianist Andre-Michel Schub rounding out the classical music section of the festival.
Theatrically speaking, the festival features the following:
* A new production of H.M.S. Pinafore by the Virignia Opera, conducted by Peter Mark, April 24 at 8 PM and April 26 at 2:30 PM. Harrison Opera House, Norfolk.
* A Chorus Line presented by Virginia Musical Theatre, April 24 at 8 PM, April 25 at 2 & 8 PM, and April 26 at 2 PM. Virginia Beach Pavillion Theatre.
* An evening with Broadway's Betty Buckley, April 25 at 8 PM. Ogden Hall, Hampton University. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, presented by the Virginia Stage Company (directed by Charlie Hensley) and the Virginia Symphony (conducted by JoAnn Falletta), May 1 and 2 at 8 PM, and May 3 at 2:30 PM. Chrysler Hall, Norfolk.
* The Broadway-bound national tour of the musical Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby, May 5-8 at 8 PM, May 9 at 2 PM and 8 PM, and May 10 at 2 and 7:30 PM. Chrysler Hall, Norfolk.
* The Theatre of the Millennium's revisionist staging of Hedda Gabler, directed by Christopher Hanna, May 5-9 at 8 PM and May 10 at 2 PM. Theatre at the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk.
* An international bilingual production of The Tempest, presented by Serpent Child Ensemble, April 30-May 3 at 7:30 PM. Norfolk Botanical Garden.
Other festival highlights include the Universal Ballet of Korea (on its first North American Tour) performing Swan Lake.
For a complete schedule of events, call (757) 664-6492 or see the Website www.vaintlartsfest.com.
--By Rebecca Paller