The Clark State Performing Arts Center will feature a unique array of top performers throughout the 2017-18 season, which kicks off October 1 with the Marshall Tucker Band.
“This will be my third season at the Performing Arts Center, and I’m very excited about the shows we are offering,” said Adele Adkins, executive director of the Clark State Performing Arts Center. “A great deal of careful thought and planning has gone into this season after having two seasons under my belt watching and listening to the patrons.”
The Club Kuss series will bring three performances to the Clark State Performing Arts Center, and Black Violin will return for another high-energy performance. Like last season, the members of Black Violin will partner with the Performing Arts Center for a community outreach program which will include the Springfield Youth Symphony and Urban Strings. Diavolo, Julie Fowlis and Cristina Pato will also bring community outreach programs to the area.
The coming 17-18 season will also feature the return of The Illusionists for their third show at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, three National Broadway tour performances and Prince Charming will be searching for a matching glass slipper when Cinderella attends the ball in Kuss Auditorium.
Adkins said ticket sales tell the story of what the community wants to see. “By community, I’m also including areas from as far away as 80 miles,” she said. “I believe this season reflects our organization’s creativity, vitality and synergy. The mission is to provide our city’s residents and visitors with exceptional arts and educational experiences – now and well into the future. I believe the upcoming season does just that!”
Tickets for the Clark State Performing Arts Center 2017-18 season events go on sale Monday, July 24 at pac.clarkstate.edu. Patrons buying a subscription–three or more shows–can purchase tickets beginning July 10.
The 2017-18 Clark State Performing Arts Center Season:
Marshall Tucker Band
Sunday, October 1 at 7 p.m.
With hit singles like "Heard It in a Love Song," "Fire on the Mountain," "Can't You See" and "Take the Highway," the Marshall Tucker Band earned seven gold and three platinum albums while they were on the Capricorn Records label. During the 90s, the MTB scored four hit singles on Billboard's country chart and one on Billboard's gospel chart. Their music has also been featured on the soundtracks of movies such as Smokey and the Bandit, Blow, The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper, Shipwrecked, Crank 2, Don’t Mess with Zohan, Stop Loss, Swing Vote, Taking Chance and many others as well as many television shows.
Julie Fowlis - Turner Studio Theater, Club Kuss Series
Friday, October 6 at 8 p.m.
It is little wonder that when Disney was searching for the perfect, authentic singing voice to feature in the Oscar and Golden Globe winning "Brave," their worldwide hit animated film set in the highlands of Scotland, their research led them to one of the Western Isles' true contemporary treasures.
Black Violin
Saturday, October 14 at 8 p.m.
Black Violin is returning! In addition to their performance, they will be giving a workshop with members of the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra and Urban Strings from Columbus. The youth will then perform on stage with Black Violin for the encore.
Kinky Boots - National Broadway Tour
Thursday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.
KINKY BOOTS is Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit! With songs by Grammy® and Tony®-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper.
ELF
Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Based on the beloved movie hit, ELF features songs by Tony Award®-nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Tony Award®-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin.
The Illusionists
Saturday, December 9 at 8 p.m.
Direct from Broadway, the world’s best-selling magic show is coming back again. This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of five of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. THE ILLUSIONISTS LIVE FROM BROADWAY has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions. The group will be back for an entire week of rehearsals and two performances before launching their US tour.
Cabaret - National Broadway Tour
Wednesday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m.
As part of their 50th Anniversary Season, the critically acclaimed and award-winning Roundabout Theatre Company is proud to present SAM MENDES (Skyfall, American Beauty) and ROB MARSHALL’S (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Tony Award®-winning production of CABARET.
Cristina Pato, Turner Studio Theater, Club Kuss Series
Saturday, January 27 at 8 p.m.
A pop star of the ‘gaita’ (the Galician bagpipe) in her native Spain, she moved to New York to attain her Doctorate in collaborative piano and push her career in an entirely different direction. Pato daringly skirts the boundaries of jazz, classical and world music, and in her recent album LATINA, she and her band The Cristina Pato Quartet delve into the musical genre of Latin music.
Diavolo, Club Kuss Series
Friday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Diavolo is gravity-defying performance that will stir audiences into a frenzy of excitement. Combining lyrical movement with risk-taking athleticism and large architectural objects.
Rogers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA
Friday, February 23 at 8 p.m.
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA is the Tony Award®- winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who’s ever had a wish, a dream… or a really a good pair of shoes!
Celtic Woman
Saturday April 21 at 8 p.m.
The 2017 Grammy nominated Celtic Woman returns to the Performing Arts Center as the headliners for the annual Circle of Friends Gala. Celtic Woman is a female vocal ensemble that performs a mix of Celtic, new age and adult contemporary music. Often compared to such artists as Clannad, Enya and Loreena McKennitt, Celtic Woman first rose to acclaim with an energetic stage show that shared much in common with similarly minded productions like Riverdance.