MONROE — Monroe Arts Center will open their 44th season in September, presenting a variety entertainment for the entire family. The 2018-19 season will be an active one with 21 performances on the MAC stage. The Sunday Concert Series doubles performances from four to eight, and there will be a total of four exciting events on the Performing Arts Center (PAC) stage at Monroe High School, three free Family and Kids Series shows and eight gallery exhibitions.
MAC’s 44th season of entertainment opens at 2 p.m. Sept. 23 with the classical concert program “One Piano-Four Hands,” featuring world-renowned pianists Stanislava Varshavski and Diana Shapiro. The Whitewater Piano Trio from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater performs in October; pianist David Newman of Beloit College takes the stage in November; celebrated pianist Christopher Taylor and Madison’s Pro Arte Quartet perform together in December; Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Ensembles bring three diverse concert programs in March and April; and in May, the final performance of the Sunday Concert Series will be the always popular Madison Youth Choirs.
The MAC Stage series begins Sept. 29 with a performance by the award-winning New York City based five-person a cappella group, Backtrack Vocals. With a variety of cover and original songs, Backtrack Vocals explores the power of the human voice through unique vocal arrangements, tight harmonies and world-class beatboxing. Having over 10 million views and 110,000 subscribers on YouTube is a testament to their undeniable talent and popularity.
Also on the MAC stage will be singer, guitarist and songwriter Robbie Fulks and His Band on Oct. 6. The season continues in November with “Those Were the Days,” a musical journey of America’s greatest songs of the 1960s and 70s. Three holiday-themed shows are scheduled for December; country musicians and singers The Malpass Brothers perform in March, along with a variety of many other shows throughout the season.
A line-up of four shows will be coming to the PAC stage. The first takes place on Oct. 19 with Catapult’s Living Shadows. As seen on America’s Got Talent, this stunning show leaves audiences elated as they transform themselves into mind-boggling silhouettes from a fire-breathing dragon to a helicopter with a spinning rotor to a desert landscape with a roaming camel, using only light and a screen. Catapult is spectacular and technically brilliant.
The Next Generation Leahy is scheduled for Dec. 1and it is the second performance at PAC. Doug and Jennifer Leahy and their six children present a show bursting with Celtic-based music, song and dance, along with beautiful carols and melodies of the season. You will be entertained, energized and inspired by this accomplished family of multi-instrumentalists who have a passion for music.
One of the most sought after Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute bands in the world is the third show at PAC. Creedence Revived performs on April 12 and they will rock the house with their dead-on-the-money vocals by singer and guitarist Rick Perez, along with authentic costuming.
“The Force will be with you” on May 11 for the final PAC performance “One Man Star Wars Trilogy.” Actor, writer and comedian Charles Ross condenses the plots of the original three Star Wars films into one hilarious production.
Ross will stun and amaze you as he performs the dialogue and sound effects, plays all the characters with spot-on voice impressions, sings the iconic soundtrack, flies the ship and fights both sides of the light saber battles.
Package and single tickets for all shows are now on sale by going online to monroeartscenter.com, by phone at 608-325-5700, or in person at the MAC box office located at 1315 11th Street, Monroe. For additional information contact Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700.
Monroe Arts Center’s 2018-19 season is underwritten by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, and Media Underwriter Big Radio. Additional support is provided by numerous businesses, individuals and members of Monroe Arts Center.
