“Eisemann Center Presents” announces the expanded 2008-2009 season

by PegNews wire

The Eisemann Center and the City of Richardson have announced the 2008-2009 Season of Eisemann Center Presents expanding the diverse and compelling programming of the Hill Performance Hall Spotlight Series including the return of The Manhattan Transfer and the acclaimed Paul Taylor Dance Company and presenting four hilarious smash hit shows for the popular Theatre Comedy Series including Sister’s Christmas Catechism.

HILL PERFORMANCE HALL SPOTLIGHT SERIES

Featuring an eclectic collage of dance, music and theatre in the Eisemann Center’s concert space, the season kicks off with Girls Night: The Musical with four performances running Thursday, October 23 through Saturday, October 25, 2008. A tell-it-like-it-is look at five friends as they re-live their past, celebrate their present and look to the future on a wild and hilarious karaoke night out ... and you'll recognize every one of them! Girls Night is bursting with energy and is packed with every female anthem you can think of including "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", "I Will Survive" and "Say a Little Prayer".

Second in the series is The Smothers Brothers on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 8:00 pm. Time has been an essential ingredient in the Smother’s Brothers’ success. Tom and Dick Smothers were considered ahead of their time with their highly popular prime time television show in the 1960’s; masters of timing and practitioners of timeless comedy. Now, on the eve of their 50th anniversary as show business professionals, the Smothers Brothers are saluted as time-honored legends, whose lengthy career has surpassed all other comedy teams in history. With their singular blend of comedic and musical talents, the irrepressible brothers have made a sweeping impact on diverse generations of fans.

Last seen at the Eisemann Center in June 2005, The Manhattan Transfer returns with two special Christmas shows Monday, December 15 and Tuesday, December 16, 2008 with both performances at 8:00 pm. Celebrating their 35th Anniversary in 2008, the Grammy-winning pop and jazz group has recently released a 2-disc retrospective of their greatest hits, The Definitive Pop Collection. With two Christmas CDs in their catalog as well, this concert is sure to be another holiday sell-out at the Eisemann Center. The Manhattan Transfer will perform with a 25-piece orchestra featuring musicians from the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.

Appearing Friday, January 30, 2009 at 8:00 pm is Simply Sinatra, starring Steve Lippia. Lippia has become one of the most prominent, in-demand vocalists in the country. He has quickly established himself as one of the finest interpreters of the great American classic standards and adult contemporary pop music in the nation. His high-impact, high energy show ranges from powerful to subtle, sassy to wistful, elegant to sublime. Steve Lippia's great voice, excellent stage presence and charisma have thrilled audiences where he has headlined at major venues in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, New York City, Europe and symphonies across the US. Las Vegas Style remarked “Steve Lippia is…the talk of Las Vegas”; “…he has an impeccable vocal instrument”.

In partnership with the UTD School of Arts & Humanities, Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company will appear in a public performance of Dynasties and Beyond on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 8:00 pm while conducting a two week residency of workshops and master classes in dance on the UTD campus and other locations throughout the community. Elegant, sensual and captivating, the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company melds ancient Chinese forms with modern dance in an artistic and inventive marriage of styles. The Company bridges the continuum from past to contemporary - from spectacular court dances of Chinese dynasties to contemporary works fusing classical Chinese and ballet, complemented by dazzling costumes, original music, and multi-media designs. Established in 1988 by Lily Cai, the Company performs and tours extensively throughout California and the United States, appearing at major performing arts venues, festivals, university theaters, schools, community centers and special events. In 1994 the Company opened the Grateful Dead's concert celebrating the year of the Dog at the Oakland Coliseum, and in 1995 performed for United Nations' 50th Anniversary Celebration in San Francisco.

Taking the Hill Performance Hall stage on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 8:00 pm, is country music star Larry Gatlin’s original theatrical production, Look Homeward Honky Tonk Angel. Described as Kiss Me, Kate meets the Grand Ole Opry, the show was written in collaboration with Anthony Dodge and Marcia Millgrom Dodge. Look Homeward Honky Tonk Angel centers on "country music legend Jimmy John Angel's reunion concert with his ex-wife and even bigger star, Dixie Diamond," according to press notes. "Jimmy John's life of unscrupulous trickery - on stage and off –is exposed in this hysterical new musical."

Rounding out the Spotlight Series on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 8:00 pm is the always spectacular Paul Taylor Dance Company in their fourth appearance at the Eisemann Center. Planned educational residency activities include a Master Class, attended technical rehearsal with narrative from the company manager and a pre-performance lecture. In 2006, The Dallas Morning News said, "Paul Taylor Dance Company is perhaps the most beloved and respected modern dance company in the world, famous for Mr. Taylor's wit, its sunny expansiveness, its all-American optimism and its occasional forays into darkness and gloom."

THEATRE COMEDY SERIES

Featuring weeklong runs of four hilarious productions all set in the intimate surroundings of the 368-seat Countrywide Theatre, the series begins with Salvage Vanguard Theater’s production of The Intergalactic Nemesis from October 30-November 2, 2008. The Intergalactic Nemesis takes place in a radio studio in 1933 with the theatre patrons playing the part of the studio audience. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Molly Sloan and her intrepid assistant Timmy Mendez are hot on the trail of a story. When a mysterious stranger saves their lives, they discover the story they were seeking is much bigger than they could have possibly imagined! It's Star Wars meets Raiders of the Lost Ark with a little of Flash Gordon thrown in for good measure. And it rocks! The Austin American-Statesman put it this way: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, earthlings and aliens, witness an amazing event as Salvage Vanguard Theater brings a blast from the past with The Intergalactic Nemesis…perfect live entertainment."

Next in the lineup is the hysterical holiday comedy from everyone’s favorite nun – Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold running December 16-21, 2008 for eight fun-filled performances. Sister’s back and it’s not The Nutcracker and it’s not A Christmas Carol, but it is the must-see comedy addition to everyone’s holiday traditions as Sister attempts to solve the mystery of the Magi’s Gold using audience members as part of a living nativity scene.

Appearing February 12-15, 2009 is the off-Broadway hit Mother Load, written by performer Amy Wilson. Mother Load’s is an insightful exposé of the cutthroat world of competitive parenting. Modern motherhood, this show tells us, is not for sissies. Moms have always felt the pressure to do right by their children, but the new generation of parents has turned that pressure up to 11. In a world where a toddler's birthday party must be catered, a stroller costs eight hundred dollars, and there’s a new danger in your child’s toy box every week, how can a mother keep from losing her mind? From prenatal yoga to preschool interviews, the heroine of this show struggles to throw off the "Mother Load" of unrealistic expectations, ignore the competitive "sanctimommies" lurking in every playgroup, and somehow find the time to enjoy her kids.

Rounding out the Theatre Comedy Series lineup March 26-29, 2009 is My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy written and performed by author/comedian Steve Solomon. This hit Broadway show is receiving critical acclaim to sold-out audiences from New York to Phoenix. It's filled with hilarious stories about Steve's wacky family and the crazy characters that he meets on the road whose sole purpose is to drive him into therapy.... and they have succeeded. Steve creates voices, dialects and sound effects which make the stories and jokes come alive. And there are a few musical surprises along the way. “Steve's Alan King, Billy Crystal, a smidgen of Don Rickles and George Carlin all thrown in," said Paul Hodgkins in Variety.

FAMILY THEATRE SERIES

New this season to Eisemann Center Presents is a Sunday matinee series for children and families of all ages. The Family Theatre Series brings professional touring children’s productions to the Eisemann Center with a lineup of shows that promises to excite, entertain, educate and amaze our youngest patrons. All Family Theatre Series performances will take place in the Hill Performance Hall.

The series kicks off with Lazer Vaudeville on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 2:30 pm. Lazer Vaudeville combines high-tech laser magic with the traditional arts of vaudeville to create an original theatrical production that has had a successful run on Broadway. Complete with superlative juggling, black light illusion, acrobatics, zany comedy, and audience participation, Lazer Vaudeville offers clean, classy fun for the entire family. A cast of fantastical characters leads the audience on a journey through the imagination as a wizard creates magical illusions with laser beams, a neon cowboy kicks up a luminescent rope-spinning display, and an audience member escapes from a straitjacket.

Pinkalicious: The Musical is straight from the pages of the best-selling children’s book by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann and will be at the Eisemann Center Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 2:30 pm. Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe—a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament.

Next on the Family Theatre Series roster is Pinocchio on Sunday, November 23, 2008 at 2:30 pm. Through the magic of live musical theatre, the all-time favorite Pinocchio comes to life on the Hill Performance Hall stage in a delightful production from American Family Theater. Outrageous escapades are in store for Pinocchio, Geppetto’s irresistible puppet-son as he travels from carnival to Candyland in the belly of a whale. Join in merriment as this classic tale comes to life with exuberance and song.

Stellaluna will be produced as a puppet show by Kid’s Entertainment on Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 2:30 pm. Baby bat Stellaluna's life is flitting along right on schedule―until an owl attacks her mother one night, knocking the bewildered batlet out of her mother's loving grasp. Literally. Stellaluna's adoptive bird mom accepts her into her nest, but only on the condition that Stellaluna will act like a bird, not a bat. Soon Stellaluna has learned to behave like a good bird should―she quits hanging by her feet and starts eating bugs. Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they're not will understand the conflicts and possibilities that Stellaluna faces.

On Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 2:30 pm is American Family Theater’s production of Pippi Longstocking―the strongest, most outrageous girl in the world. Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren's irrepressible, freckle-faced heroine, returns to wreak havoc on Mrs. Prysselius, Kling and Klang, her pals Annika and Tommy, and the rest of the denizens of her otherwise sleepy village.

The Family Theatre Series will wrap up the 08-09 season with the ArtsPower National Touring Theatre in From the Mixed–Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 2:30 pm. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of E.L. Konigsburg’s Newbery Medal-winning classic, ArtsPower has created an enchanting new drama that follows Claudia Kincaid and her brother Jamie up the stone steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and right into the middle of an adventure sure to captivate patrons of all ages!

Subscriptions for the Hill Performance Hall Spotlight Series and the Theatre Comedy Series go on sale to the public in June with a 15% discount on full series subscriptions. Spotlight Series subscriptions range from $168.00 to $343.00. Theatre Comedy Series subscriptions range from $112.00 to $133.00. The Spotlight Focus Mini-Series allows patrons to create their own miniseries of four to six Spotlight Series events at a 10% discount. The Family Theatre Series subscriptions range from $48.00 to $96.00, a savings of 20% off single ticket prices. The Kidstuff Mini-Series is also available, allowing you to choose four or five Family Theatre Series shows at a 15% discount.

Single tickets go on sale to the public August 11, 2008 online at www.eisemanncenter.com, by telephone and in person. For more information, call the Eisemann Center Ticket Office at 972-744-4650. The Ticket Office is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm and one hour prior to curtain time for all events. The Ticket Office fax number is 972-744-5830. Series subscriptions are not available online, but orders are accepted by mail, fax, telephone, and in person at the Ticket Office.

Posted by Shawn