'Producers' among this year's Encore features
The Encore Series of Performing Arts will feature eight shows in its 2007-08 schedule, its 26th year of artistic excellence at Fort Hays State University.
Opening the year on Oct. 11 will be the Texas swing group, "Asleep at the Wheel." The group is a nine-time Grammy Award winner and has dubbed themselves as the "Kings of Texas Swing." The group formed in 1970 and was given their first record deal after they were mentioned by Van Morrison in an interview in Rolling Stone Magazine in 1971. By 1973, the group released their debut album and won their first Grammy in 1978. On their Web site, www.asleepatthewheel.com, the group describes themselves as a "dance band."
Up next, on Nov. 1, is Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, the Carlota Santana Spanish Dance Company. According to its Web site, www.flamenco-vivo.org, the company describes Flamenco as a multicultural art form. It was developed in southern Spain, where Moorish, Jewish, Spanish and Gypsy cultures inhabited the area for centuries. The art form has been influenced by various rhythms from Northern Africa and South America. Flamenco is a popular Spanish art form due to the intensity of the music and the energy in its dance that reveals pride, honor, passion, love, sorrow and death.
On Nov. 14, Cirque-works' "Birdhouse Factory" visits Hays. The show brings together acrobatics and early 20th century machines. The show uses an assembly line with its own original machines that work to help the circus acts and attempt to build a birdhouse that is better. The show was inspired by the Detroit Industry Murals by Diego Rivera, the film "Modern Times" with Charlie Chaplin and Rube Goldberg's illustrations.
"The 3 Redneck Tenors" visit on Jan. 17 as the first show of the spring semester. The group, comprised of men named Billy Bob, Billy Joe and Billy Billee, includes NASCAR, lite beer and Dixie as they sing to music by Beethoven and Puccini. The show follows the three men from their beginning in Paris, Texas, to their debut in New York City.
A family of concert pianists come to Hays on Jan. 29. "The 5 Browns" feature five brothers and sisters, Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae. Each player has their own distinctive style for playing the piano. The group plays five different pianos, with each one bringing something different to the classical song. The group was named one of the Top Classical Artists of 2005 by "Billboard." The group has made appearances on several television shows, including Oprah and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The group has also been profiled in numerous newspapers and magazines.
The musical production of "The Producers" comes to Hays on Feb. 25. The musical is adapted from the 1968 film by Mel Brooks. The original Broadway production opened on April 19, 2001 and closed on April 22, 2007. During the show's run on Broadway, "The Producers" amassed 12 Tony Awards, which broke a 37 record held by 10-time Tony Award winner "Hello, Dolly!"
On March 25, the Paragon Orchestra visits, playing the soundtrack to "The Mark of Zorro." The soundtrack comes from the original film, which was a silent movie.
The movie contained a Spanish-flavored score, which provides the soundtrack. The movie was set in old Spanish California, and created the prototype for the modern day action-adventure Zorro movies.
The final Encore Series performance of the year will be on April 6, when "Blast!" comes to Hays. Blast was the winner of the 2001 Tony Award for "Best Theatrical Event" and a 2001 Emmy Award winner for "Best Choreography." Beginning in 1984, a drum corps, Star of Indiana, set high standards for excellence among drum corps, bands and color guards. Star of Indiana decided to expand beyond its success as a drum corps and ventured to an on-stage musical performance known as "Blast!"
All programs in the Encore Series are presented in Sheridan Hall at the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the FHSU campus. All 2007-08 performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
Season brochures are available by calling the Center for Student Involvement at (785) 628-4664 or by sending an e-mail to Carol Brock at cbrock@fhsu.edu.