Wolf Trap's 40th Anniversary Season Features Over 175 Diverse Performances Including a World Premiere, Wolf Trap Commissioned Performance from Aspen Santa Fe Ballet; Debuts by Bright Eyes, M. Ward, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Go-Go's, Punch Brothers, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and INXS; Two New Opera Productions; and a Special Greatest Hits Performance from Wolf Trap Opera's Alumni Stars

Tickets as low as $4–$20, metro accessibility, and bring-your-own-picnic privileges make the Wolf Trap Experience a unique summer-time must!

ALL SHOWS ON SALE

High-resolution downloadable images of summer shows are available on Wolf Trap's web site: http://www.wolftrap.org/Media_and_Newsroom/Photos_for_Publication.aspx

VIENNA, Va., May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announces its entire 2011 summer season, featuring 99 performances at the majestic Filene Center amphitheater, eight evenings of opera at The Barns at Wolf Trap, and 70 performances at Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods.

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Just Announced—16 New Shows

• 'Tween superstar Miranda Cosgrove of Nickelodeon's iCarly with Special Guest Greyson Chance;
• The resurgence of the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, with special guest performer Vance Gilbert;
• Pop-rock heroes Guster in support of new album, Easy Wonderful, on a double-headline tour with Jack's Mannequin;
• The Wolf Trap debut of INXS with a newly released album Original Sin;
• Soul icon Patti LaBelle returning to Wolf Trap for the first time in a decade;
• Lucinda Williams, touring behind her new album Blessed, which fuses rock, folk, blues, and country; joined by Amos Lee, also with a new album out this year, Mission Bell;
• Beach Boy co-founder Brian Wilson.

Additional shows just announced and on sale this week include Hawaiian musical duo The Brothers Cazimero with Brother Noland; Judy Collins with Jesse Winchester; the Doobie Brothers; Eddie from Ohio with Martin Sexton; The Goo Goo Dolls with openers Michelle Branch and Parachute; John Hiatt & the Combo on a double bill with Big Head Todd & The Monsters; Lyle Lovett; Reggae Revival featuring Ali Campbell's UB40, Maxi Priest, and Junior Marvin of Bob Marley's Wailers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Wolf Trap Debuts

Several pop, rock, and bluegrass acts make their Wolf Trap debuts in 2011, including the performance of critical indie-rockers Bright Eyes alongside special guests, virtuosic indie-folk singer/songwriter M. Ward, and Dawes, an up-and-coming American rock band out of North Hills, California. Also debuting are The Goo Goo Dolls with their epic catalogue of No. 1 hits, supported by Michelle Branch and Parachute.

Additional acts debuting at Wolf Trap as either headliners or special guests include: The Go-Go's; Southside Johnny & The Asbury Dukes; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; Miranda Cosgrove; Greyson Chance; INXS; The 5 Browns; Punch Brothers; Carolina Chocolate Drops; The Shadowboxers; The Smithereens; The Belle Brigade; Brian Stokes Mitchell; Casablanca; Disney in Concert; Tan Dun: Martial Arts Trilogy; Time for Three; Jack's Mannequin; Opera's Greatest Hits from Wolf Trap Opera's Alumni Stars; Brother Noland; Sing-A-Long Sound of Music; The Curious Women; and The Tales of Hoffmann.

NSO@Wolf Trap: Live Symphony and the Silver Screen Under the Stars!

Wolf Trap welcomes back Emil de Cou as the NSO@Wolf Trap Festival Conductor, taking the baton for four of nine NSO@Wolf Trap performances. Wolf Trap is pleased to present several full-length films and scenes set to live music by the National Symphony Orchestra during the 2011 season, including the debut of Tan Dun: Martial Arts Triology, featuring three concertos based on the films Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; The Banquet; and Hero. Tan Dun composed the music for these three critically acclaimed films that combine the ancient tradition of Chinese martial arts philosophy with the visual arts. Other NSO@Wolf Trap performances include Marvin Hamlisch & Brian Stokes Mitchell; PLAY! A Video Game Symphony; Disney in Concert; Magical Music from the Movies featuring audio and video selections from The Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lion King, and more; Tcheers for Tchaikovsky! featuring conductor Pietari Inkinen and the Violin Concerto with Caroline Goulding; Three Broadway Divas featuring Debbie Gravitte, Christiane Noll & Jan Horvath; Sondheim's Sweeney Todd; Casablanca hosted by TCM's Robert Osborne; The 5 Browns; and the iconic Arlo Guthrie & Time for Three.

Wolf Trap Opera Company (WTOC) Presents New Productions and a Special 40th Anniversary Celebration from WTOC's Alumni Stars

The GRAMMY-nominated Wolf Trap Opera Company presents productions this summer to be performed by some of the finest emerging talent in the field: the Filene Young Artists. The Company will bring Sondheim's Sweeney Todd to life in a fully staged and stunning new Operascape production featuring video projection backdrops custom designed for the Filene Center. At The Barns at Wolf Trap, The Company will present two new full-length operas, and one full-length recital (respectively); Wolf-Ferrari's The Curious Women (Le donne curiose), Jacques Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann (Les contes d'Hoffmann); and Couples: From Getting Hitched to Getting Ditched, Recital with Steven Blier.

The 2011 opera performances will culminate with a special 40th anniversary concert featuring several generations of Wolf Trap Opera Company alumni at the Filene Center. Opera's Greatest Hits from Wolf Trap Opera's Alumni Stars will be conducted by Stephen Lord, and spotlight some of today's most sought-after, talented singers spanning all four decades of The Company, including Stephanie Blythe, Larry Brownlee, Tracy Dahl, Mary Dunleavy, Christine Goerke, Denyce Graves, Alan Held, Nicholas Phan, Emily Pulley, and James Valenti.

World and D.C. Premiere Dance Commissioned by Wolf Trap

Wolf Trap has long been committed to creating new works and is proud to present two Wolf Trap original commissioned pieces on the Filene Center stage in 2011. The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, marking its 15th anniversary, returns to Wolf Trap this summer for the second time, with the world premiere of a new work choreographed by the much sought-after Finnish-born Jorma Elo. Ronald K. Brown's Evidence, A Dance Company bring their distinctive style merging African and modern dance to the Filene Center for the D.C. premiere of On Earth Together, a co-commission from Wolf Trap, performed to the music of Stevie Wonder.

Doug Varone and Dancers will perform the D.C. premiere of Chapters from a Broken Novel, a physically charged work rife with humor and pathos taken from hundreds of phrases, snippets of conversations, found quotes, and vivid images that Varone has saved over the years. Ballet West wraps up the dance performances of the 2011 season, with their first appearance at Wolf Trap in almost 20 years. The program will include Balanchine's Four Temperaments, Kylian's Sinfonietta, and the D.C. premiere of Grand Synthesis, choreographed by Vienna native Susan Shields.

All lawn tickets for Wolf Trap's 2011 dance performances are just $4. Purchase tickets to all four Summer 2011 dance performances at Wolf Trap and receive a 20% discount off in-house seats.

Wolf Trap Favorites; Something for Everyone

The Filene Center stage shines almost nightly this summer with some of the most popular touring acts of today. As is tradition, A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor with Special Guest The Wailin' Jennys opens the 2011 summer season, followed by the Summer Blast Off!, with Fireworks sponsored by USAA. The Filene Center also hosts flamenco-pop sensation Gipsy Kings; the iconic pop duo of Daryl Hall & John Oates; classic rockers Steve Miller Band; America's dad Bill Cosby; The Indigo Girls; the legendary Dolly Parton in her first Wolf Trap appearance since 1992; roots-rock icon John Prine; Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers with newgrass phenoms the Punch Brothers; Americana darling Emmylou Harris; and the much anticipated return of Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas; plus many more.

Timeless Musical Theater

The 2011 Wolf Trap summer season also showcases several of history's most cherished musical theater productions, beginning with H.M.S. Pinafore and the rousing tale of injustice in class distinction, overblown nationalism, and petty personal ambition from The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players. In a Filene Center debut, Wolf Trap presents Sing-A-Long Sound of Music, featuring the original film and lyrics on huge screens both in-house and on the lawn, and an interactive sing-a-long experience. Back by overwhelming popular demand, come the recent favorite MAMMA MIA!, and the immensely popular Fiddler on the Roof. Perhaps one of the best musicals ever written, Guys and Dolls celebrates its 60th anniversary, and the new production of Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan closes our musical theater season.

Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods

Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods features 70 individual family friendly shows from late June to early August including ballet, puppetry, storytelling, hip hop, and more . The 2011 season features children's favorites like Dinorock, Instant Opera, Robbie Schaefer, and SteveSongs, as well as debut artists Recess Monkey and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods is nestled in 117 rolling acres where families can bring a picnic and enjoy great performances for children between the ages of kindergarten and 6th grade. Our day pass offered this year allows attendees to enjoy both shows in one day for the low price of $8. Performances are perfect for play dates, day camps, or birthday parties. The full schedule of Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods performances can be found at http://www.wolftrap.org/~/media/Files/PDF/TITW2011.ashx.

Recently nominated by fans as Best Outdoor Venue in Washington City Paper's "Best of D.C. 2011," Wolf Trap continues to present accessible and affordable arts experiences to the broadest possible audience. Wolf Trap offers tickets as low as $4; continues to allow patrons to bring their own food and beverages into the park; and provides metro accessibility and free parking for all shows at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

Although the schedule is complete, there will be revisions and additions throughout the summer. For updated information, patrons are encouraged to visit www.wolftrap.org.

Tickets for Wolf Trap's 2011 performances can be purchased online at www.wolftrap.org, by phone at 1(877)WOLFTRAP or at the Wolf Trap Box Office located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts at 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia. For more information, please call Wolf Trap at (703) 255-1868.

**Visit www.wolftrap.org for a full list of performances, dates, descriptions, pricing, video, updates and additions to the schedule.**

Wolf Trap Foundation greatly appreciates the generous support from our 2011 Official Sponsors:

The PNC Foundation
Premier Sponsor, Wolf Trap Summer Season

American Airlines
Official Airline

The Boeing Company
Major Sponsor, Wolf Trap Musical Theater

DC Magazine
Official Magazine, Wolf Trap Special Events

E. & J. Gallo Winery
Official Wine & Champagne

GEICO
Major Sponsor, Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods

General Motors Company
Official Vehicles

Heineken USA, Inc.
Official Beer and Responsibility Sponsor

Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
Official Hotel

Minnesota Public Radio & WAMU 88.5
Official Media Sponsor, A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor

NBC4/WRC-TV
Official Television Station

Olivera Music Entertainment
Official Music Sponsor, 2011 Wolf Trap Ball

The USAA Foundation
Fireworks Display Sponsor, 2011 Summer Blast Off!

Yamaha
Official Pianos

SOURCE Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts