What's in store at Mixed Blood, VocalEssence

Mixed Blood Theatre, which is concluding its season of female playwrights, has announced a new five-play roster with a global vision. And in a rarity, Jack Reuler, the theater's founder, will direct.

The season kicks off with Reuler's production of Lisa Loomer's "Distracted," about a boy with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(Sept. 25-Oct. 19). It is followed by Jason Grote's "1001," which sets the contemporary relationship of an Arab woman and a Jewish man against Scheherazade's stories and trip-hop. It is to be staged by Sarah Rasmussen (Oct. 30-Nov. 23).

The slate also includes Carlyle Brown's "Pure Confidence," about Simon Cato, an enslaved man who is a successful jockey during pre-Civil War America (Jan. 15-Feb. 8, 2009).

Mixed Blood will also premiere "Red Ink," by Diane Glancy and six other American Indian writers. (April 23-May 2009).

Rick Najera's "Sweet 15 (Quinceañera)," about the coming-of-age celebration for young Chicana women, will be the theater's 11th annual bilingual show. It is being adapted and directed by Mark Valdez (March 13-22).

ROHAN PRESTON

Has it already been 40 years? Well, 39, but VocalEssence celebrates its 40th anniversary season, beginning in the fall with a party hosted by Garrison Keillor. The group that started as Plymouth Music Series in 1969 is still led by artistic director Philip Brunelle.

Highlights include:

Choral superstar Eric Whitacre will conduct a world premiere of his music on March 22, 2009, at Orchestra Hall. Joining VocalEssence will be the St. Olaf Choir and the Minnesota State Honors Choir.

Jazz pianist Billy Taylor will perform his composition "Peaceful Warrior" for the Witness program Feb. 15 at the Ordway Center. Witness celebrates the 90th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King next year.

VocalEssence will be joined by Kantorei, Magnum Chorum, Minnesota Chorale, National Lutheran Choir, the Singers, Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus and World Voices -- more than 500 voices in all -- to give the world premiere of a new work by Dominick Argento on May 3, 2009, at Orchestra Hall.

There also will be a concert of French music Oct. 17 at the Cathedral of St. Paul; a new work by Lawrence Siegel, giving voice to 15 Holocaust survivors, on Nov. 15 at Ted Mann Concert Hall; and the annual Welcome Christmas! concerts on four dates in December.