McCarter Theater offers multiple musical options for students staying on campus this spring break

Spring Break looking grim? Carrel walls starting to close in on you? Does the sight of footnotes make you ill? Will you be on C-Floor while your friends are in Cancun? Now stretch your memory all the way back to registration in September — remember that mysterious little packet of "Tiger Tickets?" That packet, good for free seats or reduced prices at McCarter, can be your ticket out of independent work hell.

But what to see? Not to worry — the 'Prince' takes good care of you. For your study-break pleasure (when reruns of "Dawson's Creek" just don't cut it anymore), we've scoured the McCarter Webpage and harassed her publicity department to pull together a preview of all the performances going on at McCarter Theater this Spring Break.

For the past 40 years, Director of Special Programming and Princeton alum William Lockwood '59 has been catching talent on the verge of stardom and big names looking for a more intimate venue, and bringing them to the McCarter stage. The artists for the week of Spring Break alone boast an impressive collection of Tonys, Grammies, Broadway performances and all-around critical acclaim that ensures that any performance you decide to go to will be an evening of engaging music by superb artists.

The first performance, for you who are already stir-crazy, is on Friday March 10, by singer/songwriter John Gorka. The New York Times raves that "listening to John Gorka . . . one can get goose bumps all over. There are many reasons — fresh lyrics, a stunning emotional baritone voice, his twisted humor — but to focus on one limits the experience." The Minneapolis Star-Tribune describes him as "one of the smartest and most authentic folk voices of the decade."

Diana Krall is such a sensation that when her first McCarter concert on March 11 sold out, another was added, only to sell out as well within days. In every performance, whether a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Lilith Fair or an engagement at the famous Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room, she's astonished listeners with her smoky voice, powerful delivery and subtle interpretations.

Krall's recording successes include two Grammy nominations and seventy weeks on top of the Billboard Charts — some critics have even gone so far as to herald her as the next Ella Fitzgerald. McCarter says that although it's unlikely any ticket-holders will cancel, there should be standing room for people who show up at the box office a few hours before the performances. The matinee at 2 p.m. will probably be easier to get tickets for than the 8 p.m. performance that evening.

Next on the stage is the Pat Metheny trio on Monday, March 13. In his 23 years on stage, Metheny has made a prolific 25 recordings and has collaborated with what the press release describes as "every significant jazz artist of our time." Should you need more persuasion that this "virtuoso guitarist, multi-faceted composer, innovative producer and guitar synthesizer pioneer" is an act worth catching, his eight Grammy awards and his recent film credits as composer of the soundtrack for the latest Sigourney Weaver film, "A Map of the World," should do the trick. Tickets are almost sold out, so make your reservations soon.

If watching a parade on television isn't your idea of St. Patrick's Day revelry, you might want to try Nanci Griffith's concert on Friday, March 17. A five-time Grammy nominee and three-time winner, Griffith, whose music mixes Irish traditional, folk and country-western, is known as "the Queen of Rockabilly." If rockabilly's your thing, she's your woman. "Catch her while you can," advises McCarter's Public Relations Director Dan Bauer.

Broadway phenomenon Audra McDonald's concert on Saturday, March 18 is sold out, but it would be worth your while to try for standing room at a performance by Broadway's youngest three-time Tony award winner. Her smoldering mezzo-soprano and charismatic stage presence led USA Today to declare her the "best thing to happen to the theater world in years."

McDonald's roles have ranged from the timid opera student in Terrence McNally's "Master Class," to supporting roles in newer works like the critically acclaimed "Ragtime," and most recently, her starring role in Michael John LaChiusa's "Marie Christine" — and she's excelled in all of them. Again, show up early at the box office to get standing room.

If you can't get into that concert, or if independent work has made you revert back to a dazed, childlike state in need of soothing music and upbeat lyrics, Tom Chapin will be performing that same day at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. "The toddlers will listen, the older kids will learn and you'll laugh," says the Long Island Parenting News. "What more can you ask for?" What more, indeed. Liberate your inner toddler.

The final performance of Spring Break, on Sunday, March 19, is "first lady of solo percussion" Evelyn Glennie. Glennie has been at Princeton for a few weeks working with students in one of 185 Nassau's Ateliers; this performance is the culmination of her Princeton visit.

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Glennie's many talents and her varied performances, featuring chimes, tympanis, wooden blocks and many other percussion instruments, have led her to a successful career — both as a solo artist and in collaboration with performers as different as a traditional Indonesian Gamelan band and electronica-Icelander Björk. The Washington Post says that "for all of Glennie's stamina, dexterity and strength, her sheer musicianship is what lingers in the memory . . . If you've never experienced Glennie, you shouldn't miss her. If you've heard her before, chances are you already have your tickets."

If you don't have tickets for that show, or for any other, call the McCarter Box Office at 8-2787. Ticket prices range from $30 to $35, or use your Tiger Tickets. Student tickets are also available for some shows. All performances are at 8 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. Just think — this Spring Break, you can get ahead on your independent work and listen to great music. And besides, who really wanted to go to Cancun anyway?