LUX LUCIDA:In the Rose of Dawn |
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Music Department Presents |
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ABOUT THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption is the mother church of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and one of the city’s most significant sacred landmarks. Serving as both a place of solemn worship and a center for major liturgical celebrations, concerts, and diocesan events, the Cathedral stands as a spiritual refuge amid the energy of the city. Its soaring architecture and luminous interior invite reflection, prayer, and encounter, offering visitors a space of reverence, beauty, and peace.
This Cathedral is the third cathedral to serve the Archdiocese. The original St. Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1854 on California Street, was followed by a second cathedral on Van Ness Avenue in 1891, which was tragically destroyed by fire in 1962. In the aftermath, Archbishop Joseph McGucken initiated the vision for a new cathedral, commissioning prominent local architects Angus McSweeney, Paul A. Ryan, and John Michael Lee. Their work gave rise to the present structure—an iconic expression of modern sacred architecture that continues to serve as a home for worship, music, and community.
RUFFATTI ORGAN
The magnificent organ, considered one of the finest in the world, was designed specifically for St. Mary’s by Fratelli Ruffatti in Padua, Italy. Dramatically displayed on a soaring pedestal, it has 5,042 pipes, 66 stops and 92 ranks. The electropneumatic console has solid state circuitry and can be moved to other locations in the cathedral. The organ took three years to build and six months to install.
Tonight’s concert takes place within this sacred setting, where music and architecture unite to elevate the spirit and draw listeners more deeply into contemplation and awe.
Meet the Artists
Alliana Lili Yang
Alliana Lili Yang is a classically trained young vocalist from San Francisco, California, internationally recognized for her artistry, versatility, and cultural impact. She has studied and performed with the American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco Opera, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and sings in ten languages.
A Youth Ambassador for Mercury Soul, founded by three-time GRAMMY® Award winner Mason Bates, Alliana represents the next generation of artist-advocates committed to artistic excellence and social engagement. With over six years of experience as a solo cantor/psalmist in San Francisco, she sings at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption for major weekend and holiday liturgies. During the 2023–2024 Christmas season, she appeared as a soloist at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Alliana is a high-level auditor alumna of the inaugural Opera for Peace 2025 U.S. Academy, where she participated in an intensive week-long program that included masterclasses with Renée Fleming, Denyce Graves, and Kamal Khan, as well as professional training with the Washington National Opera.
A multiple award winner in prestigious international competitions, Alliana has appeared as a soloist at Carnegie Hall on four occasions and has been invited to perform at renowned venues throughout Europe. Beyond the stage, her work is guided by a desire to create meaningful connections through music. Alliana's performances offer audiences an experience of sound that is luminous, expressive, and timeless.
Christopher Hewitt
Christopher Hewitt is a professional pianist and music director residing in San Francisco. Christopher works in a myriad of different capacities as a professional musician, including Director of Music Ministry at Notre Dame des Victoires, accompanist for the National Children’s Chorus, and as Music & Vocal Director at Katia & Company in Marin.
As an in-demand Music Director, Christopher’s attention to detail and dedication to authenticity brings his shows to critical acclaim, where he has been nominated for several awards. Christopher’s recent Music Director credits include “Spelling Bee”, “A Chorus Line”, and “Frozen, Jr.”
Well-versed in classical music as well as musical theatre, Christopher often accompanies auditions, plays for cabaret shows, and provides music for private parties. Equally passionate about music education, Christopher also teaches private piano and voice lessons. Besides music, Christopher loves cars, finance, and traveling around the world.
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Silicon Valley Shakespeare's Immersive A CHRISTMAS CAROL to Return to Montalvo Arts
Silicon Valley Shakespeare will return to Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga with its spellbinding and roving production of A Christmas Carol, promising to bring joy and festive cheer to audiences of all ages.
"We are incredibly excited to go back to the Montalvo Arts Center for a second year," said SVS Executive Director Annalisa Tkacheff. "Our production of A Christmas Carol has become a beloved tradition for us and SVS patrons alike. The power and draw of the Dickensian classic are evidenced by the return of artists who join SVS anew this season and SVS supporters who plan to see the show for a third consecutive year-assuming they can snag a ticket!"
This unique staging of A Christmas Carol, adapted by South Bay Area's celebrated theatre artist, Richard Orlando, takes audiences back in time with Scrooge as he travels through space and time in a truly immersive way, with stops through the national historical landmark "Villa Montalvo," the John McLaren-designed gardens and grounds, and other special nooks and crannies not ordinarily available for public access.
"Montalvo is so excited to bring Silicon Valley Shakespeare back for another year of this wonderfully creative production," said Montalvo Arts Center Executive Director Angela McConnell. "Our board and donors are so supportive of this important and lovely partnership!"
The production stars Kyle Smith as Ebenezer Scrooge, celebrating his third year in the role. Joining him are Sydney Harmon, Ariana Yasmine Khan, Tonya Mara, Guillermo Morales, Erin Southard, Alika Spencer, and Alliana Lili Yang, all returning to reprise and shine as new characters. Jeff Kramer-founder of ComedySportz San Jose-will portray the iconic Marley for a second year.
The 2022 and 2023 runs of A Christmas Carol sold out before opening night, so audiences are encouraged to buy tickets early, available now at svshakespeare.org/carol. SVS' production of A Christmas Carol is directed by SVS Artistic Director Angie Higgins and SVS Resident Dramaturg Doll Piccotto.
The Sunday, December 8th matinee is non-roving, to be performed in Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre. And the Thursday, December 12th performance will be ASL-interpreted.
Pictured (l to r): Jeff Kramer and Kyle Smith (Photo by Evelyn Huynh)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL To Return To A.C.T. For The Last Time In Its Current Version
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) ushers in the holiday season with its celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. This will be the final chance to see this version of A Christmas Carol, one that has enchanted hundreds of thousands of audience members since 2005. In 2024, A.C.T. will present a brand-new production of this classic.
A Christmas Carol performs at A.C.T.'s Toni Rembe Theater from Wednesday, December 6 through Sunday, December 24, 2023. Press night will be held on Wednesday, December 13. Tickets ($25–$130) are available at the A.C.T. Box Office at 415-749-2228 or online at act-sf.org/carol23. Groups of 10 or more save up to 20% and enjoy free tickets for group leaders. For group sales, call 415-439-2306. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.
Under the direction of A.C.T. Conservatory Director Peter J. Kuo, this version of A Christmas Carol—adapted by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh and based on the original direction by Perloff—stays true to the heart of Dickens's timeless story of redemption and brings a playful sensibility to his rich language. Featuring a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, A Christmas Carol is a cornerstone of the A.C.T. repertory and has become a holiday tradition for families all around the San Francisco Bay Area.
A.C.T.'s A Christmas Carol includes a multigenerational cast of performers led by James Carpenter and Anthony Fusco, alternating performances as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Joining Carpenter and Fusco are veteran Bay Area actor Dan Hiatt as the Ghost of Jacob Marley, Scrooge's nightmarish late-night visitor; Jomar Tagatac and Sarita Ocón as Bob and Anne Cratchit; Brian Herndon and Sharon Lockwood as the festive Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig; B Noel Thomas as the Ghost of Christmas Past; and Catherine Castellanos as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Also featured in this year's production are (in alphabetical order): Tasi Alabastro, John Chukwudelunzu, Khalia Davis, Itxán Steven Flores, Cindy Goldfield, Kimberly Hollkamp-Dinon, Jeremy Kahn, Kina Kantor, Adam KuveNiemann, James WDL Mercer II, Emily Newsome, Amanda Le Nguyen, Brennan Pickman-Thoon, Anna Marie Sharpe, and Howard Swain.
Rounding out the cast are a group of talented young actors. They are (in alphabetical order): Jakub "Kuba" Adams, Vivian Amirault, Jasper Bermudez, James Coniglio, Evan DePalma, Ginger Dreicer, Wynter Gill, Danika Elizabeth Guinn, Monique Hightower-Gaskin, Olivia Kohn, Paloma Martinez Muhsin, Justina Mateescu, Xochitl Santillan, William Spitz, Piera Tamer, Rhys Townsager, Madeline von Treskow, and Alliana Lili Yang.
The creative team for A Christmas Carol includes A.C.T. Conservatory Director Peter J. Kuo (Director), John Arnone (Scenic Designer), Beaver Bauer (Costume Designer), Nancy Schertler (Lighting Designer), Jake Rodriguez (Sound Design), Karl Lundeberg (Composer), Val Caniparoli (Choreography), Dan Feyer (Music Director), Nancy Dickson (Repetiteur), and Carla Pantoja (Fight Director).
Photo credit: Kevin Berne
Winners Announced For The BroadwayWorld 2021 San Francisco Awards
Winners have been announced for the 2021 BroadwayWorld San Francisco Awards. The 2021 Regional Awards honor productions which had their first performance between October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.
Streaming productions were eligible this year in the categories designated as such. This year BroadwayWorld also enabled audiences to vote on which theatres they are most excited to return to, and which productions they are most excited to see.
The BroadwayWorld Regional Awards are the largest theatre audience awards, with over 100 cities worldwide participating.
Want to be the first to know about the 2022 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards? Sign up for our local newsletter here.
2021 BroadwayWorld San Francisco Award Winners
Best Choreography Of A Play Or Musical
Chelsea Bardellini - COMPANY - Pittsburg Community Theatre
Best Costume Design Of A Play Or Musical
Steve Mazurek - FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel
Best Direction Of A Musical
Anderson Davis - FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel
Best Direction Of A Play
Greg Brown - THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND - Pittsburg Community Theatre
Best Direction Of A Stream
Margo Hall - [HIEROGLYPH] - San Francisco Playhouse / Loraine Hansberry Theatre
Best Editing Of A Stream
Christian Pizzirani - FOLKTALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD - Silicon Valley Shakespeare
Best Lighting Design Of A Play Or Musical
Mike Morris - COMPANY - Pittsburg Community Theatre
Best Musical
FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel
Best Performer In A Musical
Anita Viramontes - COMPANY - Pittsburg Community Theatre
Best Performer In A Play
Jason Berner - THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND - Pittsburg Community Theatre
Best Performer In A Streaming Play
Anna Marie Sharpe - RACHEL - South Bay Musical Theatre
Best Play
THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND - Pittsburg Community Theatre
Best Production Of The Year (In Person)
FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel
Best Scenic Design Of A Play Or Musical
Tanya Orellana - THE WINTER'S TALE - California Shakespeare Theater
Best Sound Design Of A Play Or Musical
Everett Elton Bradman - [HIEROGLYPH] - San Francisco Playhouse / Loraine Hansberry Theatre
Best Streaming Play
[HIEROGLYPH] - San Francisco Playhouse / Loraine Hansberry Theatre
Best Supporting Performer In A Musical
Scott Taylor-Cole - FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel
Best Supporting Performer In A Play
Atessa McAleenan-Morrell - THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND - Pittsburg Community Theatre
Best Supporting Performer In A Streaming Play
Alliana Lili Yang - FOLKTALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD - Silicon Valley Shakespeare
Most Anticipated Upcoming Production Of A Musical
FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel
Most Anticipated Upcoming Production Of A Play
VELORIO - LATINX MAFIA/Playground
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