Center for Performing Arts Announces Exciting New Season

It's showtime.

As the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University begins its 18th season, audiences will again experience the best in music, dance, theater, family fare, opera, and children's programming.

GSU Center's 2012-2013 season has it all. The electrifying movements of Chicago's Muntu Dance Theatre. The vocal fireworks of The Three Divas! Multiple Emmy-winning actor Ed Asner as he recreates the life of President Franklin Roosevelt. Galvanizing performances by Chicago theater companies in the One More Night series. Fresh multi-cultural showpieces from Natya Dance Theatre, Kuumba Lynx/FootworKINGz, Celtic Crossroads, and DRUMLine LIVE. The Nutcracker, returning as a perennial holiday favorite. And much more.

"This is an exciting time for the arts at Governors State University." said Executive Director Lana Rogachevskaya. "As we are getting ready to welcome freshman students in 2014, we infuse freshness into our cultural programming with relevant themes, diverse explosion of cultures, genres, and styles, and top-notch powerful performers.

"I invite you to sample some of nearly 50 performances this season. Whether you choose to join us in an intimate cabaret setting on stage, with a glass of wine, or in one of our 1,100-seats in the theater, your experience will be sure to create memories for years to come."
GSU Center is located on the campus of Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois. To purchase tickets, or for further information, contact the box office at www.centertickets.net or (708) 235-2222.

One More Night, featuring the best in Chicago theatrical performances, returns to GSU Center with four shows in the 2012-2013 season. One More Night is made possible by a generous grant from The Chicago Community Trust. Other sponsors of the 2012-2013 season are the Illinois Arts Council, Arts Midwest, and First Midwest Bank.

The season starts with Broadway's Next H!T Musical, on Friday, September 21, at 8 p.m. Master improvisers collect made-up song suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music, humor, and laughter. The audience picks a favorite song and the cast turns it into a full-blown improvised musical - complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists.

The popular Opera Up Close series returns with the Lyric Opera Preview on Sunday, September 30, at 4 p.m. Join a celebrated quartet of superb singers as they premiere highlights from the upcoming Lyric Opera season, including soaring arias and ensembles from Strauss's Elektra, Verdi's Simon Boccanegra, Donizetti's Don Pasquale, Verdi's Rigoletto, Puccini's La Boheme, and more.

On Saturday, October 12, at 8 p.m., Muntu Dance Theatre brings its authentic and progressive interpretations of contemporary and ancient African and African-American dance, music, and folklore. In the Bantu language, "muntu" means "the essence of humanity." Muntu's unique synthesis of dance, rhythm, and song will uplift and inspire you.

U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus comes to GSU Center on Tuesday, October 30, at 7 p.m. This performance is free. The United States Army Field Band, one of the world's most versatile and inspiring musical organizations, represents some of the nation's finest musical talent.

[title of show], on Saturday, November 3, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 4, at 4 p.m., is a rollicking production of the Southland Area Theater Ensemble (SLATE). Two nobodies decide to write an original musical, and to their surprise, it becomes a Broadway hit. This homage to the grand tradition of backstage musicals like Kiss Me, Kate and A Chorus Line comes to GSU for two nights only in an intimate onstage setting.

The Three Divas! light up the stage on Sunday, November 11, at 4 p.m. Hell hath no fury like a Diva scorned. And three Divas? That's a recipe for a great afternoon of vocal fireworks. Desiree Hassler, Pam Williams, and Joanne Jennett are truly worthy of their name, with each trying to outdo the next - and you'll have ringside seats in this Opera Up Close production.

Speaking in Tongues: The Chronicles of Babel, presented by MPAACT Productions, on Saturday, November 17, at 8 p.m. is the first show in the One More Night series. Culled from hours of interviews, this powerful production explores the oral histories of an extended family living in Chicago's now-demolished Washington Park housing project. Three generations come together to chronicle the complex story of their lives and a uniquely American social experiment.

A Christmas Carol, presented by Theatreworks USA, comes to GSU Center on Saturday, December 1, at 11 a.m. A Christmas Carol captures both the humorous and touching moments of the classic story with witty dialogue and fresh new songs. In this production, Dickens' original message that the holiday season should be a "kind, forgiving, charitable time" still rings true.

The Nutcracker - Salt Creek Ballet, returns on Saturday, December 8 at, 1 and 5 p.m. Salt Creek Ballet's magical re-telling of young Clara's holiday journey is a wonderful production for the entire family. Talented dancers and Tchaikovsky's enchanting score - along with waltzing flowers, giant mice, and the Sugar Plum Fairy - delight all ages in this GSU Center holiday tradition.

The Voice! A Celebration in Song is the next Opera Up Close presentation, on Sunday, January 13, at 4 p.m. Four world-class singers perform songs, arias, and ensembles from your favorite operas and Tony Award-winning musicals. Bringing this sublime music to our opera stage are soprano Rachel Holzhausen, mezzo soprano Yvette Smith, tenor John Concepcion, and baritone Michael Cavalieri.

Kuumba Lynx/FootworKINGz Presents: Braid Tales, featuring the South Shore Drill Team, appears Saturday, January 26, at 8 p.m. This One More Night double bill features a diverse explosion of genres and styles. Sample powerful poetry, incredible footwork and movements influenced by classical music, hip hop, jazz, and modern dance. This multi-dimensional street art production weaves real life stories through the lens of the Kuumba Lynx Peace Poets and Chicago's FootworKINGz.

Assassins will be presented by the Southland Area Theatre Ensemble on Friday, February 1, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, February 2, at 8 p.m. Stephen Sondheim's Assassins is a bold, original, thought-provoking, and alarmingly funny production about nine people who assassinated or tried to assassinate the United States President. The winner of five Tony awards, Assassins will leave you speechless, entertained, and asking yourself what it means to be an American.

A Night at the Operetta, on Sunday, February 3, at 4 p.m., is an afternoon of beautiful music presented by Chicago Folks Operetta. Host and performer Gerald Frantzen, along with an ensemble of talented singers, will take you on a tour of the most beloved (and some lesser known) Viennese and American operettas from the 20th century in this Opera Up Close presentation.

DRUMLine Live, makes its third appearance at GSU on Friday, February 15, at 7 p.m. DRUMLine Live is an international tour based on the bold beats and ear-grabbing energy of the Historically Black College and University marching band tradition. With choreographed routines and heavy doses of drum riffs, the show incorporates original compositions and soul-infused interpretations of top 40 hits.

The Flowering Tree, presented by Natya Dance Theatre, on Saturday, February 16, at 8 p.m., is the third One More Night show. Chicago-based Natya Dance Theatre is one of the most critically acclaimed and culturally treasured Indian dance companies in the United States. This is an international, multicultural production, exploring timely, cross-cultural concerns about humanity's relationship to the natural world.

Sing-a-Long Sound of Music comes to GSU Center on Saturday, March 9, at 2 p.m. Get your vocal chords warmed up for this screening of the Academy Award-winning movie musical, in glorious full-screen Technicolor, and complete with subtitles so the whole audience can sing along. Come dressed as your favorite character. Audience participation kits are included with each ticket.

Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic - DuSable to Obama: Music from Chicago's Black Metropolis, on Sunday, March 10, at 4 p.m, is the fourth One More Night performance. Orbert Davis leads the CJP Chamber Ensemble in a live performance of the Emmy Award-winning soundtrack from the critically acclaimed WTTW public television documentary DuSable to Obama: Chicago's Black Metropolis. With video highlights, this presentation tells the timeless story of Chicago's African American history.

Aesop's Dinosaur Puppets -The Grasshopper and the Ant, presented by Bits 'N Pieces, America's Giant Puppet Theatre, on Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m., is an instant family classic. This spirited musical features singing and dancing by six giant prehistoric puppets. With frolicking action from the nine-foot-tall dinosaur puppets - and wee TryANTasaurus - the play teaches children "It's better to prepare today for tomorrow."

Celtic Crossroads, on Thursday, March 28, at 7 p.m., presents Irish music like never before, abounding with fusions of traditional Irish melodies, bluegrass, gypsy and jazz while pulsating with the rhythms of exciting dance percussion. This concert is a spectacle of talent incorporating seven world-class musicians steering Irish acoustic music into surprising new territory.

The Piano Men - A Musical Journey through the '70s Featuring the Music of Billy Joel and Elton John, starring Jim Witter, arrives on Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m. Award winning pianist Jim Witter and his band lead an expertly crafted tour of the 1970s. Witter unleashes his tenor voice to recreate songs by Billy Joel and Elton John. The era comes to life through projected newspaper headlines, TV footage and celebrities.

Ed Asner as FDR, comes to GSU Center on Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. Seven-time Emmy Award winner Ed Asner stars in this solo performance drama. This powerful play follows Franklin D. Roosevelt as he reflects on his years in office. This one-man drama explores the life of one of America's best-loved presidents and the events and decisions that shaped a nation.

The Wizard of Oz, on Saturday, May 4, at 11 a.m., is a family show that all ages will enjoy. Follow the Yellow Brick Road on a magical journey and share Dorothy's fantastic adventures as the stage is transformed into a world of imagination. Presented by American Family Theatre, this production features original songs and colorful costumes

Multibuy/Megabuy packages are available at GSU Center. Choose any three or four shows and receive the Multibuyer discount; choose any five or more shows and receive the Megabuy discount. In addition to big savings, package holders receive ticket exchange privileges with 72 hour notice or more, priority seating, and more. Packages are available for purchase through the box office only and are not currently available online.
The box office is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, and two hours prior to performances. For further information, contact the box office at www.centertickets.net or (708) 235-2222.