Nazareth College Arts Center 2016-2017 tickets on sale Tuesday, May 31, 2016

ROCHESTER, NY (05/20/2016)(readMedia)-- The Nazareth College Arts Center is pleased to announce its 2016-2017 Season, including exciting new work from local partners Rochester City Ballet and Garth Fagan Dance; two New Year's Eve shows by Rochester favorites The Capitol Steps; Webster native Kate Lee and her acoustic duo Wisewater; and a mix of visiting artists presenting world-class dance, family programming, music, and more-many brought back by popular demand. Tickets on sale Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at naz.edu/artscenter or 585-389-2170.

For additional photos, visit the Arts Center Newsroom.

FEATURED PERFORMANCES

Rochester City Ballet

Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10, 8 p.m.; Sunday, September 11, 2 p.m.; single tickets: $37–$47

For his first full-season for Rochester audiences, artistic director David Palmer brings international choreographer Danny Rosseel's steamy Slightly Sinful to stage. Choreographed to the music of Thomas Oboe Lee, this dramatic work won multiple awards in Europe, and Rochester City Ballet will give the work its New York premiere. Also on the bill, Palmer's Mist: using Philip Glass' Violin Concerto, Mist's bold choreography powers through the mysteries of a mythical and gothic setting. A critic wrote at the premiere: "the dancers took to highly charged currents like doves sent flying by cathedral music."

VoicePlay

Saturday, October 22, 8 p.m.; single tickets: $15–$35

As seen on NBC's The Sing-Off, VoicePlay began as a street-corner barbershop act that has evolved into an internationally acclaimed touring sensation that recreates the orchestrated sound of an entire musical production using nothing but the human voice. VoicePlay has re-imagined the timeless sound of vocal music as a full stage show: amazing harmonies pepper the singers' music-without-music sound across the breadth of the musical landscape. Enjoyed by all ages, VoicePlay last perfored at the Arts Center as 42Five in 2012. Sponsored by Larry and Nancy Peckham.

Ailey II

Sunday, October 30, 7 p.m.; post-show Q&A in the theater; single tickets: $35–$50

For more than 40 years, Ailey II has merged the spirit and energy of the country's best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of outstanding choreographers. Started in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II embodies Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs to all. The critically acclaimed company has a diverse and distinctive repertory that includes innovative works by dance masters and rising choreographers alike. Ailey II last performed to rave reviews during the Arts Center's 2001-2002 season. Sponsored by Helga and Paul Morgan.

Garth Fagan Dance

Wednesday, November 30, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 1, Friday, December 2, Saturday, December 3, 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 3, Sunday, December 4, 2 p.m.; single tickets start at $25

Enjoy premieres from Bessie Award-winners Garth Fagan and Norwood Pennewell, as well as spectacular revivals from the company's 46-year history. "Garth Fagan Dance should be required viewing for the human race! Yes, that's a brash statement, but the troupe is joy made palpable...Virtuosity, stamina and love of life, not to mention technique to burn..." (FjordReview.com).

Vital Theatre Company: Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas

Saturday, December 10, 2 p.m.; sensory friendly performance for children with autism spectrum disorder: 11 a.m.; suggested for children ages 2+ and their families; 60 minutes with no intermission; single tickets: $17–$20

What could be fancier than Christmas? Elegantly wrapped presents! Festive decorations! And the tree! This year, Nancy is especially excited: after selling some of her gowns and accessories, she finally has enough money to buy a brand-new, sparkly tree topper. But when things don't turn out as planned, will Nancy's Christmas still be splendiferous? In this merriest of stories based on the bestselling book by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, Nancy proves once again that a little fancying up can go a long, festive way!

The Capitol Steps

Saturday, December 31, 2 and 6:30 p.m.; live jazz prior to both performances and during intermission featuring students from the Nazareth College Music Department; single tickets: $45–$75

The Capitol Steps return to the Arts Center for a New Year's Eve tradition of politically based satire ripped from current headlines-just weeks before the inauguration. The troupe has recorded more than 30 albums-including their latest, What to Expect When You're Electing, featuring the greatest hits of the 2016 campaign-and has been featured numerous times on primetime TV and their popular National Public Radio specials. Adamantly bi-partisan, The Capitol Steps put the "mock" in democracy while skewering the greatest political foibles of the day. Sponsored by Margaret R. Colacino and Jim and Flower Leo.

Wisewater

Friday, January 20, 8 p.m.; single tickets: $15–$35

Nashville-based Americana duo Wisewater is Webster native Kate Lee (vocals, fiddle) and Forrest O'Connor (vocals, mandolin, guitar), son of famed country fiddler Mark O'Connor. Since its inception in 2013, the duo has earned praise from such legends as Alison Krauss, Rosanne Cash, Mary Gauthier, and others for their refreshing roots, country, rock, and acoustic music. Wisewater has performed at notable music venues and festivals across the country, and their Arts Center show will feature the duo's acoustic music.

Rochester City Ballet: Green Eggs & Ham

Saturday, February 4, Sunday, February 5, 2 p.m.; single tickets: $17–$20

Rochester City Ballet brings artistic director David Palmer's Green Eggs & Ham to the stage. This witty, innovative retelling of the classic Dr. Seuss tale will include narration and sign language interpretation to open the world of ballet to the youngest of new theatre goers.

Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue

Sunday, February 12, 7 p.m.; Pre-show talk in the Peace Theater with the performers: 6 p.m.; single tickets: $20–$50

Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue explodes with the sounds and spectacle of Bollywood, in an East-meets-West, classical-meets-modern fusion of film, dance, and music that takes audiences on a live, cinematic journey through Indian culture. The Bollywood Musical Revue combines action, comedy, melodrama, and romance into a glittery celebration of modern pop music, Bollywood culture, and deep traditions-featuring award-winning talent from Mumbai in 2,000 colorful costumes on a lavish set. Sponsored by Dr. Dawn Lipson.

Rockin' Road to Dublin

Saturday, February 18, 8 p.m.; pre-show talk in the Peace Theater with the performers: 7 p.m.; single tickets: $35–$50

Rockin' Road to Dublin is reviving classic Irish art forms to create a fresh show inspired by the spectacles that came before it. Choreographer and lead male dancer Scott Doherty (Riverdance and Lord of the Dance) has teamed up with veteran Celtic rocker Chris Smith (American Rogues) to produce a fusion of music, movement, and culture with a modern twist: RRTD is a breathtaking display of classic Irish tunes, jigs, and reels accented by rock riffs, contemporary costumes, and a dynamic light show. Sponsored by Alan Cameros.

Lightwire Theater: Moon Mouse A Space Odyssey

Sunday, March 19, 2 p.m.; suggested for ages 5+ and their families; 55 minutes with no intermission; single tickets: $17–$20

A family favorite during the Arts Center's 2013-2014 Season, Lightwire Theater returns with its latest glow-in-the-dark creation-a cosmic adventure about celebrating differences! Marvin the Mouse wants to be popular. Bullied and picked on by the cool rats-who label him a loser and geek-he retreats into his science books and a world of fantasy, where he longs to be a hero. Join Marvin on the adventure of a lifetime: a trip to the moon on his homemade rocket, where he meets a strange cast of misfit creatures, learns of infinite peril, and discovers awesome beauty.

Russian National Ballet Theatre: Romeo & Juliet and Carmen

Saturday, March 25, 8 p.m.; single tickets: $50–$65

The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow in the late 1980s-during Perestroika-when many of the Soviet Union's great dancers and choreographers used their new-found creative freedom to launch vibrant companies, and invigorate classical Russian ballet by incorporating outside influences. The company now boasts more than 50 dancers dedicated to upholding the grand traditions of staging major works and developing new talent. Always popular, the Russian National Ballet last appeared at the Arts Center in 2012. This visit will feature two perennial favorites: Romeo & Juliet and Carmen. Sponsored by Susan and Steve Eisinger.

The Police Experience

Saturday, April 29, 8 p.m.; single tickets: $20–$50

The Police Experience is the world's most authentic tribute band performing the music of the Grammy Award-winning new-wave band, The Police-having even been joined on stage by Stewart Copeland, the original band's drummer. The trio has been the subject of an award-winning documentary, a BBC story on tribute bands, and performed at numerous parties surrounding The Police's 2007 reunion concerts at Fenway Park. The Police Experience performs worldwide, transporting audiences back to the 1980s with such hits as "Roxanne," "Walking On The Moon," "Every Breath You Take," "Don't Stand So Close to Me," and more!

Chris Perondi's Stunt Dog Experience

Saturday, May 6, 7 p.m.; single tickets: $15–$35

Since 1999, this cast of two- and four-legged performers has delighted audiences of all ages with some of the most incredible stunts ever performed-including amazing tricks, big air maneuvers, comedy antics, dancing, and agility and athletic feats-and plenty of audience participation! The show's stars were rescued from pounds and shelters, and have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Late Show With David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more. Sponsored by Jim and Flower Leo and Larry and Nancy Peckham.

TICKETS

Discounted, subscription series tickets and full-price, single tickets go on sale to the general public Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at naz.edu/artscenter or 585-389-2170.

The Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office is located on campus, at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14618. Box Office summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

SEASON SPONSORS

The Arts Center is a non-profit institution. The Nazareth College Arts Center's 2016-2017 subscription series is sponsored by M&T Bank.

THE NAZARETH COLLEGE ARTS CENTER

Since 1967, the Nazareth College Arts Center (naz.edu/artscenter) has served as a venue and educational resource for students, educators, artists, and audiences of all ages to create, study, and experience the visual and performing arts. The Arts Center's touring shows and K-12 school performance series provide area residents of all ages with opportunities to experience world-class dance, multi-cultural entertainment, family programming, music, and more, and complement the College's highly regarded academic programs in the visual and performing arts. The departments of Art, Music, and Theatre & Dance present exceptional productions, recitals, and exhibitions-all open to the public-while preparing students for successful careers in arts-related fields. The Arts Center is the performance home of the Rochester City Ballet and world-renowned Garth Fagan Dance, and home to the Bach Children's Chorus.

###

Posted Friday May 20, 2016 at 08:00 pm by Nazareth College Arts Center