By Bobbi Bowman, The McLean Ear

Mummenschanz

MCLEAN, VA – Mummenschanz, the internationally known Swiss mime group, headlines the fall season of the Alden Theater, McLean’s community theater.

The Capitol Steps return in January. In between are Gustafer Yellowgold, a large yellow alien of TV and movie fame,  and  The Hot Club of San Francisco Cool Yule. a jazz group.

The Alden announced its new season last week. It includes seven performances for “McLean Kids” and performances by the McLean Community Players — beginning with Frost/Nixon Sept. 17.

Ticket prices: In the same range as last season, No per-ticket service charge for online sales through the center. There is a discount for McLean residents who pay taxes  that finance the community center. There are other discounts for students, seniors and groups. The Box Office is closed in August. It will reopen on September 1 for sales to MCC tax district residents. General public sales begin on September 8.

“I could not be more proud of the Alden. I think it’s a jewel of a theater,” said Risa Sanders, the member of the McLean Community Center board that oversees the Alden.
‘I’m very excited about the season.”

How does the staff at the McLean Community Center, which houses the Alden Theater, put together a season of performances?

“We strive to offer performances that are not only entertaining, but are also intellectually stimulating, culturally diverse, representative of multiple genres and attractive to all age groups,” said Sarah N. Schallern, director, performing arts.

“ The interests of residents are strongly considered, whether it’s by analyzing results from our audience surveys and past ticket sales or from speaking directly with patrons” she said.

Sanders raved about the season, adding that she hopes to expand the speaker series. “We recognnize a segment of a population isn’t  interested in theater and they would like to hear national experts on health care or politics. Or newsmakers in our community. . . “We want to be able to meet the intellectual needs of our community.”

The Dolley Madison Library’s sponsorship of a speaker series at the Alden has fallen victim to the  county’s budget cutting. Sanders hopes the board can pick up that financing.

Schallern would like the Alden’s neighbors to know: “Most of our residents don’t know that the Alden Theatre exists and that you can see the same touring artists that perform at the Kennedy Center without schlepping downtown and paying a mint for parking.”