MONROE - Billboard chart toppers, Celtic music, the best of Branson, and a night under the Big Top all are part of the Monroe Arts Center's 2009-2010 Entertainment Season. MAC's 34th season, which includes the debut of a Summer Concert Series, means more shows, more fun, and more entertainment for the entire family.
The return of the Sunday Afternoon Concerts open the season with the Ancora String Quartet on Sept. 13, then the musical duo Mimmi Fulmer and Trevor Stephenson performs on Oct. 11, and pianist Mark Valenti on Nov. 8.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, Big Top Chautauqua's Blue Canvas Orchestra and singers present the multi-media, musical theater production, "Wild Woods & Waters." This unforgettable performance celebrates the wild side of our nation's natural beauty and heritage with music, dramatic storytelling, and hundreds of breathtaking large screen images. This is the first of three performances in the PAC Stage Series.
The Austin Lounge Lizards return to the MAC stage Oct.10. Described as America's preeminent country "weirdos," they entertain with their one-of-a-kind cutting edge political and social commentary mixed with Texan wit and humor, all performed with a unique blend of bluegrass, country, rock and pop music. November brings Celtic band StoneRing. From lively Irish jigs and reels to haunting Scottish ballads, this outstanding acoustic ensemble uses virtually every instrument at their disposal to seamlessly blend instrumentation and stunning vocals.
The BoDeans, one of the premier American roots-rock bands, promise to make March sizzle. BoDeans front men Kurt Neumann and Sammy Llanas forged a signature sound based on heartfelt lyrics, passionate harmonies and ringing guitars. Their hit song "Closer to Free" made Billboard's Top 10 and won an award for being one of the most played songs on the radio.
In April it's Branson on the Road. This "original road show" directly from Branson, Mo., has more than 20 years of experience of performing at the top theatres in Branson on the famous 76 Country Music Boulevard (known as "The Strip"), and is the first national touring show named for the famous city. Show co-hosts Debbie Horton (who holds the distinction of being the only woman to have every played lead guitar for Johnny Cash) and Donnie Wright entertain with country, bluegrass, rockabilly, and hand-clappin' gospel music, along with a heapin' dose of hilarious comedy. This show delivers the Branson traditions of good, clean, family fun.
MAC's regular season ends in May with folk legend, Bill Staines. For more than 35 years, Staines has traveled across North America, delighting audiences singing his songs at festivals, colleges, concerts, clubs and coffeehouses. Staines' songs have been recorded by many folksingers. including Peter, Paul, & Mary, Nanci Griffith, Mason Williams, The Highwaymen, and Glenn Yarbrough.
Three performances this season are PAC Special Events. Beginning on Dec.12, you can usher in the holiday season with A Christmas Carol. This production, in collaboration with the Monroe Theatre Guild, is an all-new original adaptation written by Monroe's own Father Michael Klarer, and stars John Baumann as Scrooge. For a 12th consecutive year, the MAC hosts the annual Community Showcase of Talent. This ever-popular variety show brings some of the most talented individuals in the area for two performances in January. Then audiences young and old alike will howl with laughter as two zany guys, playing two crazy gals, light up the stage in the hit Off-Broadway comedy, The Queen of Bingo. It's non-stop hilarity when Sis and Babe, two sisters on the other side of 50, add zest to their life with a night out at a Bingo game. Variety Magazine writes, "the laughs are plenty...a terrific group outing." This show about family ties, diet crazes, widowhood, hot flashes, winning and losing, and sibling rivalry, and starring stage, screen, and television actors Rowan Joseph, Shane Partlow, and Kevin Horton, will "bring down the house" in this last PAC Special Event.
Three shows are included in MAC's first Summer Concert Series. Consisting of a unique fusion of classic, contemporary, Latin, and smooth jazz, the seven-member ensemble Opan Jii lead by regional guitarist/composer Frank Calvagna, opens June 12th. In July, Madison musician and singer Tret Fure performs a passionate and carefully modulated brand of folk-rock. August winds up the Summer Series with The Whistlepigs String Band, whose repertoire includes music by Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, and old Appalachian and Irish tunes. Three and four-part harmonies are backed up with banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass. On the fiddle is 15-year-old Minnesota State Fair Fiddle Champion, Catie Jo Pidel.
Single tickets and value-priced ticket packages for all performances are now on sale at the MAC box office located at 1315 11th Street. For further information or to obtain an Entertainment Guide, contact the Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700 or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
The return of the Sunday Afternoon Concerts open the season with the Ancora String Quartet on Sept. 13, then the musical duo Mimmi Fulmer and Trevor Stephenson performs on Oct. 11, and pianist Mark Valenti on Nov. 8.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, Big Top Chautauqua's Blue Canvas Orchestra and singers present the multi-media, musical theater production, "Wild Woods & Waters." This unforgettable performance celebrates the wild side of our nation's natural beauty and heritage with music, dramatic storytelling, and hundreds of breathtaking large screen images. This is the first of three performances in the PAC Stage Series.
The Austin Lounge Lizards return to the MAC stage Oct.10. Described as America's preeminent country "weirdos," they entertain with their one-of-a-kind cutting edge political and social commentary mixed with Texan wit and humor, all performed with a unique blend of bluegrass, country, rock and pop music. November brings Celtic band StoneRing. From lively Irish jigs and reels to haunting Scottish ballads, this outstanding acoustic ensemble uses virtually every instrument at their disposal to seamlessly blend instrumentation and stunning vocals.
The BoDeans, one of the premier American roots-rock bands, promise to make March sizzle. BoDeans front men Kurt Neumann and Sammy Llanas forged a signature sound based on heartfelt lyrics, passionate harmonies and ringing guitars. Their hit song "Closer to Free" made Billboard's Top 10 and won an award for being one of the most played songs on the radio.
In April it's Branson on the Road. This "original road show" directly from Branson, Mo., has more than 20 years of experience of performing at the top theatres in Branson on the famous 76 Country Music Boulevard (known as "The Strip"), and is the first national touring show named for the famous city. Show co-hosts Debbie Horton (who holds the distinction of being the only woman to have every played lead guitar for Johnny Cash) and Donnie Wright entertain with country, bluegrass, rockabilly, and hand-clappin' gospel music, along with a heapin' dose of hilarious comedy. This show delivers the Branson traditions of good, clean, family fun.
MAC's regular season ends in May with folk legend, Bill Staines. For more than 35 years, Staines has traveled across North America, delighting audiences singing his songs at festivals, colleges, concerts, clubs and coffeehouses. Staines' songs have been recorded by many folksingers. including Peter, Paul, & Mary, Nanci Griffith, Mason Williams, The Highwaymen, and Glenn Yarbrough.
Three performances this season are PAC Special Events. Beginning on Dec.12, you can usher in the holiday season with A Christmas Carol. This production, in collaboration with the Monroe Theatre Guild, is an all-new original adaptation written by Monroe's own Father Michael Klarer, and stars John Baumann as Scrooge. For a 12th consecutive year, the MAC hosts the annual Community Showcase of Talent. This ever-popular variety show brings some of the most talented individuals in the area for two performances in January. Then audiences young and old alike will howl with laughter as two zany guys, playing two crazy gals, light up the stage in the hit Off-Broadway comedy, The Queen of Bingo. It's non-stop hilarity when Sis and Babe, two sisters on the other side of 50, add zest to their life with a night out at a Bingo game. Variety Magazine writes, "the laughs are plenty...a terrific group outing." This show about family ties, diet crazes, widowhood, hot flashes, winning and losing, and sibling rivalry, and starring stage, screen, and television actors Rowan Joseph, Shane Partlow, and Kevin Horton, will "bring down the house" in this last PAC Special Event.
Three shows are included in MAC's first Summer Concert Series. Consisting of a unique fusion of classic, contemporary, Latin, and smooth jazz, the seven-member ensemble Opan Jii lead by regional guitarist/composer Frank Calvagna, opens June 12th. In July, Madison musician and singer Tret Fure performs a passionate and carefully modulated brand of folk-rock. August winds up the Summer Series with The Whistlepigs String Band, whose repertoire includes music by Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, and old Appalachian and Irish tunes. Three and four-part harmonies are backed up with banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass. On the fiddle is 15-year-old Minnesota State Fair Fiddle Champion, Catie Jo Pidel.
Single tickets and value-priced ticket packages for all performances are now on sale at the MAC box office located at 1315 11th Street. For further information or to obtain an Entertainment Guide, contact the Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700 or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.