The Fresno State School of Music will present ‘The Wild Called Maxx” concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Fresno State Music Building Concert Hall. Tickets are free for Fresno State students; $15 for other students; $20 for military, veterans, seniors (60+) and employees; and $25 for general admission. Parking is $5 in lot P1 or P4 (after 6 p.m.).
Inspired by Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are,” assistant professor of trombone Dr. Russ Zokaites reimagines and modernizes the classic story with a twist. The concert tells the tale of a young, progressive woman struggling to merge her creative identity with her lifestyle. The project combines classic pop tunes, jazz and original compositions, illustrations and narration to follow Maxx as she leaves her suburban life to navigate New York’s concrete jungle.
The ensemble includes Grammy Award-nominated Sara Gazarek (The Eastman School of Music), Fresno State faculty members Limor Toren-Immerman, Amelia Smith, Russ Zokaites, Richard Giddens and Mark Ferber with local cellist Nicholas Anton. The creators, composer Whitney George, illustrator Sammy Lopez and author Russ Zokaites, will give a short pre-concert lecture about the design process.
