Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts has just released it’s upcoming schedule of events and it’s promising a little bit of something for everybody.
“Some years, it just works,” says the center’s Marketing and Communications Director Laura Sullivan. “And we have a really nice lineup this year.”
The season, which features 28 music, theater and dance presentations, kicks off September 12 with “Botanica,” a dance-illusion performance by the international touring company MOMIX. National Broadway touring companies will perform favorites like “West Side Story,” “Rock of Ages” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
Sullivan says she’s excited about a lot of the performances. After seeing Dr. Lonnie Smith perform in New York, Sullivan can vouch for the multi-talented musician/composer. “He was so warm and friendly with the audience,” she says. “And the musicians he was with were out of this world.” Smith will perform on November 21, at the Schwab Auditorium.
Stage productions based on the popular PBS Kids program “Dinosaur Train” and the 2000 cheerleader comedy “Bring it On” may spark the interest of children and teenagers. Adults have the opportunity to enjoy the third installment of the Classical Music Project, which features acts such as the American Brass Quintet and pianist Jeremy Denk.
“We like to have a good mix of programs,” says Sullivan.
Planning for each season begins a few years in advance. Sullivan and other directors at the center frequently attend performing arts conferences to get an early read on when touring acts will be available and how close they will be to State College while on the road. Then a preliminary list is drawn up, and the research continues.
“It’s like a giant puzzle,” she says about piecing the schedule together. National Broadway touring companies are usually the most difficult to schedule because of the size of the companies and the amount of space needed to perform. “They’re putting together a puzzle on where they can perform, too.”
Sullivan has been with the center since 2001 and says that the 2013-2014 season matches up well with past seasons because it falls in line with organization’s goal of enriching lives through inspiring experiences.
“Every year we’ve been able to accomplish that,” she says.
Tickets for the 2013-2014 season go on sale June 10 for Center of Performing Arts Members; June 17 for last-season Choice series buyers (four or more events); June 24 for new Choice buyers and groups of 15 or more; and August 12 for the general public.
Click HERE for more information on the 2013-2014 schedule.
