If your New Year’s resolution was to immerse yourself in more live entertainment, Ohio University’s Performing Arts and Concert Series has you covered. From a concert with a former member of The Eagles to a play that will reignite the child in every adult, the lineup slated for spring semester has something for everyone to enjoy.
Performing Arts Series
The second half of the 2018-19 Performing Arts series kicked off on Jan. 22 in OHIO’s Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium during “Finding Neverland.” Directed by visionary Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award winning film, “Finding Neverland” told the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan.
The Performing Arts Series continues through April with four musical performances including:
L.A. Theatre Works: “Steel Magnolias”
Saturday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
Steel Magnolias remains one of the greatest stories of female empowerment and resilience. The L.A Theatre Works national tour features a diverse cast of six extraordinary women. Both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching, the play reveals the strength of the human condition and our shared need for companionship.
Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
At the center of every circus rests a 42-foot ring of thrills, laughs and excitement. “42FT – A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels,” is the latest invention from the creative minds of Cirque Mechanics. The company dares us to leap into the circus ring and experience the timelessness of this evolving art form. Cirque Mechanics, inspired by modern circus, finds its roots in the mechanical and its heart in the stories of American industrial ingenuity.
Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
Come be a part of this live radio experience. For more than 35 years, Mountain Stage has established a long tradition of featuring national and international acts in almost every style of music. The two-hour radio show is produced in West Virginia and distributed by National Public Radio weekly on more than 150 stations across America and around the world via NPR Music and mountainstage.org. The show, which is recorded before a live audience, features performances by seasoned legends and emerging stars in genres ranging from folk, blues and country to indie rock, synth pop, world and alternative music and beyond.
Concert series
The 2018-2019 Concert Series resumes at 8 p.m. on Jan. 26 with multi-platinum MCA Nashville recording artist Josh Turner and special guest Raquel Cole. One of country music’s most recognizable hit-makers, Turner’s rich, deep voice and distinctive style has led him to sell more than 8 million units. He’s known as a disciple of traditional country music and is one of the youngest members of the esteemed Grand Ole Opry.
Other spring semester Concert Series performances include:
Kip Moore: Room to Spare Acoustic Tour
Friday, March 22 at 9 p.m. at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
Singer-songwriter Kip Moore with special guest Muscadine Bloodline will grace the stage for an evening of country music jams. Moore has been recognized by NPR, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, UpRoxx and many other outlets. Moore’s current Top 20 single, “Last Shot,” is the second taken from his revered third studio album “SLOWHEART” and follows his fourth No. 1 hit, “More Girls Like You.”
Don Felder – formerly of The Eagles
Saturday, March 30 at 9 p.m. at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
Don Felder is renowned as a former lead guitarist of The Eagles, one of the most popular and influential rock groups of our time. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1998, Felder served as a member of The Eagles for 27 years, putting his mark on numerous Eagles milestones. He originated the music and co-wrote The Eaglesʼ biggest hit — the iconic, Grammy-studded smash “Hotel California” – along with fan favorites like, “Victim of Love” and “Those Shoes.” He is currently touring worldwide in support of his new CD, “The Road To Forever,” which features some of the best musicians in the business, including Crosby, Stills & Nash, Tommy Shaw (from STYX) and Randy Jackson from American Idol.
Special add-on performances
There are also several special add-on performances slated for spring semester by the Performing Arts and Concert Series. The first is The Passing Zone at 8 p.m. on Feb. 1 which is a part of Ohio University’s annual Sibs Weekend. The Passing Zone has been finalists on America’s Got Talent, they have performed at the White House and they hold four Guinness World Records. Their combination of comedy, dexterity, danger and hilarity has audiences on their feet all around the world. Whether your favorite part will be the stun gun, the chainsaws, the superhero capes, or the ping pong balls — save the date and bring along a sibling or two, because there’s nothing more important than saving the world.
Other special add-ons this semester include:
Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m at Baker Center Theatre
Boyd Meets Girl pairs Australian classical guitarist Rupert Boyd with American cellist Laura Metcalf. The duo performs an eclectic and engaging range of repertoire, from the baroque though modern day, including many of their own arrangements. Boyd Meets Girl has toured throughout the USA, Australia, India and Nepal, including appearances at the Newport Music Festival (Rhode Island), the Gharana Music Festival (Kathmandu, Nepal) and the Monsoon Music Festival (Kolkata, India).
Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
In just a few short years, the group — Wilbus, fellow horn player Wenzl McGowen, and drummer James Muschler — has gone from playing on New York City subway platforms to touring with the likes of Beats Antique, They Might Be Giants, and Lotus, as well as selling out their own headline shows in major venues around the country. On “Red Sky,” their third and most adventurous album to date, the band uses everything they’ve learned from their whirlwind journey to push their sound to new heights, bringing together the raw, transcendent energy of their live performances and the sleek sophistication of their studio work into a singular, intoxicating brew that blends elements of virtuosic jazz, groovy funk, and pulse-pounding electronic dance music.
Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Baker Center Theatre
The internationally-acclaimed Cashore Marionettes redefine the art of puppetry through unmatched artistry, grace and refinement of movement. Characters of depth, integrity and humanity are portrayed in a full evening unlike anything else in theater today. The performance is a series of scenes taken from everyday life and set to beautiful music by composers such as Beethoven, Vivaldi, Strauss and Copland. The show is highly recommended for adults; it is suggested that children be no younger than 8 years old.
Tuesday, Feb. 26, and Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s “RENT” continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. A re-imagining of Puccini's La Bohème, “RENT” follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters: love.