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APPLETON’S
PAC ANNOUNCES ITS BROADWAY,
"ARTS ALIVE!" LINE-UPS FOR THE 2005/2006 SEASON
by Bob Lowe
April 29, 2005
The
Irish dance show, "Riverdance," a special
engagement of the percussion group, "Stomp," and
the play adaptation of "Tuesdays With Morrie," starring
former "Barney Miller" star Hal Linden, are among
the six Broadway shows announced for the upcoming 2005/2006
season by the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton.
The PAC also simultaneously announced its 2005/2006 Arts
Alive! season that includes 18 productions ranging from jazz
and modern dance to drama and comedic performances.
M&I Bank Broadway Season kicks off Oct. 4-9 with "Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," with Broadway
actor Patrick Cassidy as Joseph and "American Idol’s" Amy
Adams as the narrator. The show follows the trials and triumphs
of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son, and is described
as a "rainbow ride through biblical Egypt." It
features the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the humor and
poetry of lyricist Tim Rice.
"Tuesdays With Morrie," based on the best-selling
novel by radio and TV personality and newspaper columnist
Mitch Albom, comes to the PAC from Nov. 8-13. The autobiographical
story is about Albom’s weekly meetings with his former
college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is dying. The encounters
teach Albom lessons about "the meaning of life."
"Little Women – The Musical," starring Maureen
McGovern, will be staged from Feb. 7-12, 2006. The musical
is based on Louisa May Alcott’s timeless tale about
the power of family, friendship and romance.
"Annie," the popular story about Little Orphan
Annie, will be making a stopover at the PAC from April 4-9,
2006, as part of its 30th Anniversary Tour. The all-new production
will feature a brand new song, "Why Should I Change
a Thing?" by Martin Chamin and Charles Strouse.
"Riverdance," the acclaimed performance of Irish
songs, dance and music by the international dance troupe,
visits the PAC on May 30 through June 4. "Riverdance" is
celebrating its 10th anniversary.
"Stomp," the
uninhibited, distinctive, wild, sexy and powerfully provocative
performance, will be making its first appearance in Appleton
as a season special Dec. 13-18. The eight-member percussion
group uses a variety of non-traditional instruments, such
as wooden poles, garbage cans, hubcaps and matchboxes.
The
popular ensemble has made several appearances on television
and garnered numerous awards and rave reviews from critics. "Stomp" got
its start as a street performing group in England and
has since played to sell-out crowds in more than 350 cities
and 36 countries.
"We are thrilled with the variety of productions we
are able to offer theatergoers this season," said
Susan Stockton, president of the PAC. "By mixing
classic musicals, with other spectacular shows, we have
created a package that will delight our current patrons,
while also inviting new audiences to experience the magic
of Broadway theater."
Five-show
packages (excluding "Stomp") is on
sale from $99 to $381, depending on performance date, time
and seating preference. Tickets for "Stomp" will
be available to season tickets holders first for an additional
$18.25 to $45 per ticket.
Season
ticket holders also will get first preference when tickets
become available for the blockbuster musical, "The
Lion King," which is coming to the PAC in 2007.
No date has been announced.
For additional ticket information call
1-800-216-7469.
The "Arts Alive!" season brings in performers from
as far away as Japan, Scotland and Russia. It opens with
Opera Verdi Europa’s "Barber of Seville" at
7:30 p.m. Oct. 11, followed by the American Players Theatre’s
performance of Shakespeare’s "Macbeth” at
7:30 p.m. Oct. 14.
The
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15.
The Fox Cities Choral Music Festival is slated for 7 p.m.
Oct. 25; Mandy Patinkin in Concert is scheduled for 7:30
p.m. Oct. 27; "Yamato The Drummers of Japan" comes
to the PAC stage at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4; The Moscow Classical
Ballet’s "The Nutcracker" will make
another appearance at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2-3 to kickoff
the holiday season.
At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, the PAC will feature a return
appearance of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. "Judy Collins
Holiday Show" is booked for 7:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 23.
Jazz at the Lincoln Center presents "The Music of Miles
Davis," featuring the music of the late jazz trumpeter,
at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25, 200.
"The Black Watch and the Band of the Welsh Guards" is
scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15, followed a few days later
by the female Celtic music group, Cherish the Ladies at 6:30
p.m. Feb. 26. The Juilliard Jazz Orchestra will be performing
at 2 p.m. Thursday March 2, the Kirov Orchestra at 7:30 p.m.
March 22 and the Royal Carl Rosa Opera’s "the
Mikado" is set for 7:30 p.m. April 13.
Modern dance group Pilobolus will be appearing at 7:30
p.m. April 19.
Ballet Hispanico comes to the PAC at 7:30 p.m. April 26
and Red Grammar is booked for 7 p.m. May 17. Show prices
range from $15 to $93.
"There is no better way to explore different cultures
as well as your own than through the live performing arts," Stockton
said. "With each new "Arts Alive!" season,
we will continue to strive to bring our audience a wide selection
of culturally diverse programming. We’re very
proud of the number of quality performances that
make up our 2005/06 line-up."
The PAC is located at 400 W. College Ave. Information:(920)
730-3782 or go to www.foxcitiespac.com.
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