A wonderful variety of musicals, plays, dance, and instrumental music make up the 2016-2017 season of the Encore Performing Arts Series at Fort Hays State University.
“For the past 36 years, the Encore Series has been a cultural gem of western Kansas,” said Jacob Ternes, chair of the Special Events Committee. “This is going to be a season to remember. Patrons can expect New York City-caliber performances right here on the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center stage. Patrons should plan to purchase season tickets, as we expect several individual shows will sell out.”
Ternes said this year’s series has a show for all audiences. The season will open with “An Evening with Molly Ringwald.” Ringwald starred in three iconic teen movies from the 1980s: “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink.” She is now touring her concert act celebrating her first jazz album, “Except Sometimes.”
Additional shows include “Fame,” “Barefoot in the Park,” “Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue,” and “PIPPIN.”
Season tickets for the 2016-2017 Encore Performing Arts Series are now on sale. Fort Hays State students, faculty and staff, along with senior citizens and youths, receive discounts. For more information call the Memorial Union Student Service Center at 785-628-5306 or visit www.fhsu.edu/encore. Previous season ticket holders will receive the series booklet in the mail within the next few weeks.
All performances for the 2016-2017 season start at 7:30 p.m. in Beach/Schmidt, in Sheridan Hall on the FHSU campus.
Performances for the 2016-2017 season include:
An Evening with Molly Ringwald
Friday, Oct. 7
Molly Ringwald acts, writes books, and sings jazz. She tours a crowd-pleasing concert act with her quartet to venues worldwide. Ringwald and her band have performed more than 200 concerts in seven countries since her debut jazz album on Concord Records was released in April 2013.
Houston Ballet II
Tuesday, Oct. 18
Houston Ballet II is the second company of Houston Ballet, America’s fourth largest ballet company. Comprised of a stellar array of ballet students, Houston Ballet II travels the world with both classical ballets and fresh choreography in a wide array of dance works including excerpts from contemporary works to great classics such as “The Sleeping Beauty,” “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker.”
Fame
Tuesday, Oct. 25
Fame -- The Musical is a full-throttle journey traversing the struggles, fears, and triumphs of young artists navigating the worlds of dance, music and theatre. Conceived from the unforgettable Academy Award-winning film and subsequent Emmy Award-winning television series, this unmistakable title has been brilliantly transformed into musical theatre.
Under the Streetlamp
Friday, Dec. 2
Exuding the irresistible rapport of a modern day Rat Pack, the quartet -- featuring recent leading cast members of the Tony Award-winning musical “Jersey Boys” -- deliver an evening of entertainment with doo-wop, Motown and old time rock ‘n’ roll, including hits from the Drifters, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, and more, including a salute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Barefoot in the Park
Monday, Feb. 13
Corie and Paul Bratter are newlyweds living in New York City. Corie is an impulsive, independent free spirit. Paul is a level-headed, conservative young lawyer. As the honeymoon ends and reality sets in, the bliss of marriage turns to comical discord. In the midst of all the craziness and quarreling and misunderstanding, the young couple learns to live together, and meet each other halfway. “Barefoot in the Park” is a warm, hilarious comedy, beloved by critics and audiences alike.
Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue
Wednesday, March 29
Taj Express explodes with the sounds of India and Bollywood, capturing the vibrant, expressive spirit of the world of Bollywood movies that have been entertaining billions of people in India for generations. The production is a high energy celebration of new India’s pop music, Bollywood culture, and deep traditions that feature colorful costumes, joyful dance, and thrilling live music.
Matt Haimovitz: The Bach Suites -- A Moveable Feast
Saturday, April 22
Renowned as a musical pioneer, cellist Matt Haimovitz has inspired classical music lovers and countless new listeners by bringing his artistry to concert halls and clubs, outdoor festivals and intimate coffee houses -- any place where passionate music can be heard. He brings a fresh ear to a familiar repertoire, champions new music and initiates groundbreaking collaborations as well as creating innovative recording projects.
PIPPIN
Sunday, April 30
“PIPPIN” is a high-flying, death-defying hit Broadway musical. Full of extraordinary acrobatics, wondrous magical feats and soaring songs from the composer of “Wicked,” “PIPPIN” lifts audiences up and leaves them smiling.
About the Special Events Committee
Through the presentation of varied forms of performing arts, the Special Events Committee strives to educate, inspire, evoke thought and entertain. The goal is to promote artistic expression, cultural understanding and social awareness at Fort Hays State University and throughout western Kansas through the presentation of diverse, high-caliber performing arts programs. Many special events, such as Encore Series and the Sebelius Lecture Series, are large in scale and have associated costs. Information can be found at www.fhsu.edu/encore.
For more information, contact Jacob Ternes at 785-628-4664 or by email to jaternes@fhsu.edu.