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PAC Announces Its Broadway, "Arts Alive!"
2004-2005 Lineup
by Bob
Lowe
May 4, 2004
Tickets went on sale Monday for the new Broadway and "Arts
Alive!" performing arts seasons at the Fox Cities Performing
Arts Center in Appleton. Among the shows listed in the Broadway
lineup are "Hairspray," a new musical comedy which
won eight 2003 Tony awards. It will be staged May 31-June
12 2005, Also coming are longtime favorites "Chicago"
(Oct, 26-31), "Evita" (Dec. 14-19) and "Little
Shop of Horrors" (July 12-17, 2005).
The
PAC also will be among the first venues to showcase the national
tour of "Wonderful Town," a new production that
has been enthralling audiences in New York. It is schedule
for Feb. 1-6. Making a triumphant return for a one-week engagement
April 19-24, 2005 will be the Abba-inspired musical, "Mamma
Mia!," the ultimate feel-good show seen by more than
10 million people worldwide.
"The
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center has quickly established
itself as a premiere destination for live entertainment –
especially Broadway theater," said Susan Stockton, president
of the PAC.
The newly named "Arts Alive!" series feature 21
live arts presentations from a wide variety of styles and
forms. "We wanted a name that would more accurately describe
the energy, enthusiasm and innovation of these exciting live
performing arts productions," Stockton said. "It
is my belief that by bringing the best live touring productions
to the Fox Cities, we are providing an opportunity to catch
a glimpse of the many cultures and fantastic gifts the world
has to offer through its art."
Scheduled
to perform April 5 are Alvin Ailey’s American Dance
Theater. "This isn’t a group that tours often,
said Maria S. Van Laanen, director of marketing and communications
for the PAC. "I think the community is so lucky to see
this level of performance at the PAC. Coming on April 16,
will be the off-Broadway hit, "Cookin.’ "Tap
Dogs Rebooted," featuring a dazzling array of tap dancing
numbers, will be presented Sept. 17-19. Keith Lockhart and
the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra will pay a return visit
to the PAC on Dec. 8.
Shows
with an international flair include, the Virsky Ukrainian
National Dance Company (Oct. 5), the National Acrobats of
Taiwan (Feb. 22). and the Soweto Gospel Choir (Feb. 24) direct
from South Africa. Kids of all ages will delight in the inventive
presentation of "The Velveteen Rabbit" on April
3, as well as the Jan. 28 performance of "Tap Kids,"
which features nine exceptional rhythm tap dancers ranging
from ages 10 to 18. "In The Mood," which highlights
swing music that moved a nation’s spirit, will be presented
on Oct. 9. The Count Basie Orchestra with Nnenna Freelon is
set for Jan. 27. The folk favorites of the Kingston Trio,
the Brothers Four and Glenn Yarbrough and the Folk Reunion
will be featured in "This Land is Your Land: An American
Songbook" on March 24. The classic opera sounds of Bizet’s
famous work, "Carmen," will be performed by Opera
Verdi Europa on March 16 and the innovative music of "Sound
Stage: Paul Dresher with Zeitgeist," is scheduled for
May 11.
William
Shakespeare’s greatest works come to life through the
presentation of his whirlwind comedy, "Twelfth Night"
(Oct. 14) as well as his most touching love story, "Romeo
and Juliet," is scheduled to be performed by the St.
Petersberg’s Ballet on Jan. 14 and Claire Bloom’s
intimate performance of her well-known work, "Women of
Shakespeare" will be staged Jan. 18-19.
The
PAC also will be bringing back "The Nutcracker,"
performed by the Moscow Ballet and the Fox Valley Symphony
Orchestra Dec. 3-4. The first Fox Cities Choral Music Festival,
featuring the choirs from five area high schools, is scheduled
for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 19. And for the Irish spirit in
all of us, "The Irish Rovers" will make an appearance
on March 3, followed by"Gaelic Storm" on March 10.
All
performances will take place in the 2000-seat Thrivent Financial
Hall, with the exception of Bloom’s "Women of Shakespeare,"
which will be presented in the Kimberly-Clark Theater.
For
more information and to secure season ticket packages, contact
the PAC at 920-730-3760 or go online at www.foxcitiespac.com.
Ticket prices for the five-show Broadway series range from
$149 to $399. Individual tickets for the Broadway shows are
$43 to $73 and for the Arts Alive!, $15 to $90. Individuals
tickets will go on sale at a later date
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