Symphony • Community Theatre & Choirs
Celebrating 45 Years
season ticket
packages
2016-17
©Disney
Midland Symphony Orchestra
Center Stage Theatre
Center Stage Choirs
Escape the Ordinary!
HOLIDAY POPS: Cirque de la Symphonie
Midland Symphony Orchestra
Celebrating 45 Years
Escape the
Ordinary!
KEY DATES
APRIL 4, 2016
▶ Season Ticket Packages go on sale
JUNE 8, 2016
Dear Friends,
to take advantage of “half now, half later” payment plan!
Welcome to Midland Center for the Arts’ 45th performance
season! This is my first season with the Center, and I’m
especially excited about the opportunity to experience for
myself the amazing talent found in our region.
▶ Buy by this date for best seats available and AUGUST 12, 2016
▶ Last day to save with a “Mix It Up” Package
AUGUST 15, 2016
▶ Single tickets for entire season go on sale
IT’S EASY TO BUY!
ONLINE
▶ Visit mcfta.org, click on 2016-17 Season Packages and follow the easy steps.
VISIT
▶ Stop by and our Ticket Office staff will be pleased to assist you:
Monday – Friday: Noon – 6 pm
Saturday: Noon – 4 pm
CALL
▶ 800-523-7649 We will be happy to assist you. (see hours above).
MAIL
▶ Send your completed order form with payment to:
Midland Center for the Arts
1801 W. Saint Andrews
Midland, MI 48640
This brochure highlights the incredible wealth of programs
that we produce right here in the Great Lakes Bay Region
using both local talent as well as skilled guest artists. There’s
truly a little something for everyone. Be sure to check out
the Midland Symphony Orchestra’s Cirque de la Symphonie
concert in December for a beautiful combination of music
and aerial acrobatic artistry. There will be madcap fun
onstage during Center Stage Theatre’s January production
of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. And the choirs will wow us
with Earthsongs in March.
If you are a theater or music fan, I hope you will consider
becoming a Season Ticket holder and reaping the many
benefits that a subscription offers. And watch for our
complete season brochure arriving in August and featuring
these great events, along with the museum schedule and
incredible guest artists and events from around the globe.
I look forward to seeing you at the Center!
Terri Trotter
President & CEO
Midland Center for the Arts
Benefits of buying
a season package
Symphony
Community Theatre & Choirs
Become a Season Package Buyer and SAVE!
We’re excited to offer you our lowest prices of the season when you purchase a
Fixed Season Package or create your own Season Ticket Package of any 4 or more
performances!
Did you know that ANY event in this brochure can be added to your Fixed Season
Ticket Package? You’ll get the same great pricing on classical music at its finest,
award-winning community theatre, and exciting choral concerts – and waive the
individual processing fees!
▶
BIGGEST DISCOUNTS
Up to 25% off individual ticket prices. Plus, our one-time Season Package handling
fee means you’ll avoid paying individual processing fees on those tickets.
▶
BEST SEATS
Receive the best available seats – before individual tickets go on sale August 15.
Seating priority is based on donation level, then order date.
▶
FREE EXCHANGES
Plans change? No worries! Apply your ticket value to another MCFTA 2016-2017
season event at no extra charge, no later than 24 hours prior to your event.
▶
NEVER MISS A SHOW!
Make plans for a fabulous night out when you choose the performances that
most interest you, and dates that suit your schedule.
▶
PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS
Available when you order by June 8! See order form for details.
Donors get added benefits! ($100+ donors)
Please make an investment in the arts by including a tax-deductible contribution with
your order. You’ll receive these additional benefits:
▶ Premium seating (priority based on donation level, then date received)
▶ 10% discount on purchases at Intermission the Museum Store
▶ 2 admissions to the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art
▶ Recognition in performance programs
Make a donation on your order form today!
©Disney
Did you know that ticket sales cover only 33% of our operating costs? The remainder
is provided by our generous donors!
A
Musical
2016 - 2017
Midland Symphony
Orchestra
Mosaic
Photo by Mark S. Cox
Bohuslav Rattay, Music Director
Opening Night
ALL ABOUT THAT BASS
October 1, 2016 • 7:30 pm
Edgar Meyer, bass
Sibelius Finlandia
Meyer Double Bass Concerto No. 1
Bottesini Concerto No. 2 for Double Bass
Elgar Enigma Variations
Grammy® Award-winning bassist and composer Edgar Meyer is known for
his wide range of musical styles including bluegrass, classical and jazz. As the
most remarkable virtuoso in the history of the instrument, he’s collaborated
with superstars like Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile and James Taylor.
Closing the evening, the riddle Elgar built into his Enigma Variations remains
unsolved, but no answer is needed to appreciate this witty masterpiece.
Sponsored by
CLASSICAL JOHN WILLIAMS
November 5, 2016 • 7:30 pm
Kurt Civilette, horn
Bernstein Overture to Candide
John Williams Horn Concerto
R. Strauss Der Rosenkavalier Suite
Popular film composer John Williams steps outside the silver screen with his
purely classical concerto, a symphonic poem that explores a variety of colors
and moods. MSO’s own Principal Horn Kurt Civilette takes on this technically
demanding work. Strauss' romantic suite from his opera, Der Rosenkavalier,
ends the evening on a comic note.
A treat for eyes and ears!
HOLIDAY POPS: Cirque de la Symphonie
December 10, 2016 • 7:30 pm
"The ushers helped me pick my jaw up off the floor…" ~ DC Metro Theater Arts
Experience the magic of the holidays, the wonder of cirque, and the beauty
of live orchestra! Cirque de la Symphonie is a unique and elegant fusion
of cirque and orchestra with awe-inspiring performances by aerial flyers,
acrobats, contortionists and dancers, choreographed to some of the holiday’s
best traditional and popular music. Celebrate the season with the MSO and
cirque’s astounding feats of human strength and grace.
Sponsored by
A Musical Mosaic promises something for everyone, with a variety of musical offerings that appeal
to audiences of all ages. This headlining, eclectic mix of accessible, easy-to-listen-to shows and
crowd-pleasing favorites creates a rich and colorful mosaic of musical styles and genres. Each artist
and each colorful performance adds its own unique piece to A Musical Mosaic, creating a season-long
composition of classical entertainment that only gets more beautiful as the season goes on.
BRAHMS DOUBLE
February 11, 2017 • 7:30 pm
Amanda Wang, violin; Patrick Owen, cello
Debussy Afternoon of a Faun
Brahms Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn
Brahms Double Concerto
The orchestra serves up a double dose of Brahms with Haydn Variations,
showcasing Brahms’ skills as a composer; and Concerto for Violin and Cello, his
final work for orchestra. Cellist Patrick Owen returns to his hometown with
violinist Amanda Wang to perform the powerful and sincere double feature.
Sponsored by
MSO SEASON PREVIEW
April 7, 2017 • 7:30 pm
Music Director Bohuslav Rattay and the MSO offer a sneak peek at next
season’s highlights with added commentary from MSO musicians. After the
performance, the orchestra welcomes the audience to come up on stage for a
reception in celebration of the coming season.
Sponsored by
Merrill Lynch
Bank of America Corporation
e Iles Schropp Group
TCHAIKOVSKY & GRIEG
April 29, 2017 • 7:30 pm
Gabriela Martinez, piano
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor
From the crashing opening chords to the boisterous final movement, Grieg’s
Piano Concerto has enchanted listeners for over a century. Venezuelan guest
pianist Gabriela Martinez joins the MSO to perform this enduring favorite
with panache and poetry. The program opens with Tchaikovsky’s Fifth
Symphony, self-doubtful yet showcasing his undisputed mastery of melody.
Sponsored by
mcfta.org | 989.631.8250 | 800.523.7649
2016 - 2017
Center Stage
Choirs
Power of the
Live Voice!
Straight from New York City!
THE MANHATTAN DOLLS: Sentimental Journey
October 15, 2016 • 7:30 pm | October 16, 2016 • 3 pm
Hop aboard the “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and join The Manhattan Dolls on a
“Sentimental Journey” through the music of the 30s and 40s. The Dolls blend
beautiful ballads with your favorite toe-tapping tunes, and in classic USO
fashion take time to honor our brave men and women in the military. From
boogie-woogie to the blues, The Manhattan Dolls celebrate the best of the
Great American songbook!
Songs that stand the test of time!
INDIVISIBLE: With Liberty and Justice for All
November 6, 2016 • 3 pm
The Center Stage Chorale and Bella Voce singers continue their exciting
tradition of saluting our great country with rousing renditions of America’s
favorite songs selected from the different ethnic traditions that make
our country a magical place of different sounds and cultures. Share the
excitement and sing along, as we inspire and recognize those who have
contributed so much to our country!
Directed by James Hohmeyer
Back by popular demand!
JINGLE: A Holiday Extravaganza
December 17, 2016 • 7 pm
Share the excitement of December with a joyous holiday show featuring the
combined 200 voices of the Chorale, Camerata, Men of Music, the Bella Voce
singers and contemporary vocal jazz ensembles! Back by popular demand: a
heart-warming story time sure to cheer listeners of all ages. And, brighten a
needy child’s holiday by bringing an unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army’s
toy drive!
Directed by James Hohmeyer & Grace Marra
Sponsored by
Spilling secrets of song and stage
ROAD WARRIORS:
The (Mostly) True Tales of Two Old Theatre Guys
Photo by Bradford Studio
January 27 & 28, 2017 • 7:30 pm | January 29, 2017 • 3 pm
Join Choral Director James Hohmeyer, Managing Director Dexter Brigham
and a myriad of talented friends as they swap questionable war stories about
smoky backstage shenanigans, onstage hijinks and other tales of a misspent
youth, all while regaling their adoring crowd with song!
Directed by James Hohmeyer and Dexter Brigham
I am so excited about next season’s choral offerings! Our choirs have gained an
international reputation through participation in the 2014 World Choir Games in
Latvia, and the 2016 Spittal Festival in Austria. In this, my final year as director
of Center Stage Choirs, I hope to see you in the audience so you can experience for
yourself the amazing power of the live voice as we present thrilling works – some
well known and some waiting to be discovered! See you at the concert!
~ James Hohmeyer, Director of Choral Programs
One world, many voices!
EARTHSONGS
March 4, 2017 • 7:30 pm
The Chorale and Bella Voce singers explore songs from across the globe
featuring the human voice in thrilling, remarkable and unforgettable ways.
The perfect evening for any musical theatre lover!
LULLABIES OF BROADWAY
April 22, 2017 • 7:30 pm
Come on along and listen to the Lullabies of Broadway! No, they won’t put
you to sleep, but they are the stuff that dreams are made of. Members of
our Center Stage Choirs and Theatre groups perform some of Broadway's
most enduring, foot-stomping classics, from the early days of the Great
White Way through the golden age of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and
into today’s Broadway of Stephen Sondheim and Stephen Schwartz. Hear
the thrilling, soaring melodies of the Great White Way, performed on the
Auditorium stage by our own local talent and orchestra.
This event will feature a farewell tribute to Midland's esteemed conductor,
James Hohmeyer, who will be retiring this season.
Directed by James Hohmeyer
Wholesome fun for the entire family!
MEN OF MUSIC Spring Show
April 28 & 29, 2017 • 8 pm | April 29, 2017 • 2 pm
The always-entertaining Men of Music will tickle your funny bone with
costumed skits and wholesome fun for the entire family!
Directed by Grace Marra
Exceptional vocal talent!
CAMERATA SINGERS June Concert
June 25, 2017 • 7 pm
The Camerata Singers, the elite vocal ensemble of Center Stage Choirs,
presents a unique repertoire. From the Renaissance to contemporary
choral music, the sound of the human voice raised in song is a uniquely
memorable experience.
Power
of
t he
Live
Voice
Season sponsors
RE/MAX of Midland
Wayne & Karen Crosby
mcfta.org | 989.631.8250 | 800.523.7649
2016-2017
Center Stage
Theatre
Love
of Theatre!
For the
Winner of 5 Tony Awards®!
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
September 24 & 30, October 1, 7 & 8, 2016 • 7:30 pm
September 25, October 2 & 9, 2016 • 3 pm
Start with two lovers, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright
hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an
intoxicated chaperone. Then add a generous splash of glitz, glamour and
drama. The result is a loving send-up of the Jazz age musical featuring one
show-stopping song-and-dance number after another!
Music & lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison | Book by Bob Martin & Don McKellar
Directed by Dexter Brigham | Choreographed by Rita Gnida
World premiere of original drama
“HOMETOWN” ~ ANONYMOUS
December 8 & 9, 2016 • 7:30 pm | December 10 & 11, 2016 • 3 pm
anonymous
Tell us your story.
The artists of Center Stage Theatre are proud to unveil a new play, developed
from stories submitted by members of our community, and woven into a
revealing narrative that honors America’s legacy as a nation of immigrants.
Immigration is a powerful issue in America today, but one experienced
almost entirely through the lens of the media. Hometown Anonymous seeks
to make that discussion local, to bring friends and neighbors together to
experience our shared story, our journey from a far-off land.
Directed by Keeley Stanley-Bohn
Madcap tour de force!
Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS
January 13, 14, 20 & 21, 2017 • 7:30 pm | January 15 & 22, 2017 • 3 pm
Hitchcock’s classic 1935 film of mystery and suspense comes to life on the
stage to hilarious effect as the entire film script is faithfully reenacted by
just four actors, complete with high-speed chases, daring escapes and the
occasional stabbing. This audience favorite is an absurdly enjoyable, gleefully
theatrical riff on the Master of Suspense’s spy tour de force!
Adapted by Patrick Barlow | Directed by Bill Anderson, Jr.
2017 Cornerstone Series selection
LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT
February 18, 2017 • 3 pm* | February 19 & 26, 2017 • 2 pm
February 25, 2017 • 7 pm
A single day in the home of the Tyrone family reveals deep bonds of love
damaged by addiction, blame and resentment. Eugene O’Neill’s explosive,
semi-autobiographical Pulitzer Prize-winning drama reveals a family mired
in the dark recesses of a bitter, troubled past.
Written by Eugene O’Neill | Directed by Matt Hutchinson
Sponsored by Midland Area Community Foundation and Neil & Annmarie Hawkins.
*Long Day's Journey into Night's February 18 performance: Act 1 will begin at 3 pm;
Act 2 will begin at 7 pm. There is an optional dinner between acts for an additional fee.
Center Stage Theatre is raising the bar every time we raise the curtain! During the
upcoming year, our local theatre artists will write and present a world premiere, continue
our exploration of the American cornerstone plays and, as always, knock your socks off
with big, bold, ambitious musicals. I can’t wait for opening night of the season to arrive,
just so we can unveil what might be the best season ever at Center Stage Theatre!
~ Dexter Brigham, Managing Director
Sizzling dark comedy!
VENUS IN FUR
March 10 & 11, 2017 • 7:30 pm
A casting call for an actress to play the lead in an adaptation of the classic
sadomasochistic tale Venus in Furs turns up an actress utterly unsuited for the
part. However, as director and actress work through the script, they blur the
line between play and reality, entering into an escalating game of submission
and domination only one of them can win.
Venus
in Fur
This play is Center Stage's entry into the 2017 AACTFest Competition, and will
be performed in that format: a one-hour, self-contained production with an
audience talkback immediately following.
Adult language and subject matter.
Written by David Ives | Directed by Susie Polito
The ultimate family adventure!
Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Disney’s beloved musical returns in all its splendor! Belle’s attempt to rescue
her father leads to her capture by the Beast, a fearsome monster transformed
by an enchantress. For the Beast to become human again, he must learn to
love before a magical rose loses its petals. The Beast’s enchanted household –
including Mrs. Potts and little Chip – wait anxiously for Belle and the Beast to
confess their love before it’s too late. Featuring songs such as “Be Our Guest,”
“Something There” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
©Disney
March 25, 31 & April 1, 2017 • 7:30 pm | March 26 & April 2, 2017 • 3 pm
Music by Alan Menken | Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice | Book by Linda Woolverton
Originally Directed by Robert Jess Roth | Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions
Directed by Tommy Wedge
Sponsored by
Demented humor, as horrifying as it is hilarious.
ASSASSINS
May 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20, 2017 • 7:30 pm
May 14 & 21, 2017 • 3 pm
Bold, original and disturbing – Assassins lays bare the lives of nine individuals
who tried to assassinate the President of the United States. From John Wilkes
Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, this musical journey bends time and space; a
nightmarish roller coaster ride in which assassins from different historical
periods inspire each other to harrowing acts in pursuit of glory and fame.
“Every
nd then
now a
ntry
the cou
little
goes a
"
wrong
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Book by John Weidman
Directed by Michael Wisniewski
mcfta.org | 989.631.8250 | 800.523.7649
Tomorrow's
2016-2017
Center Stage
Peanut Gallery
& Youth Choirs
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Stars
Adventure into the creative possibilities of the mind!
THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
November 11 & 12, 2016 • 7:30 pm | November 12 & 13, 2016 • 3 pm
Follow Milo's adventures into the Land of Wisdom, where an argument
between King Azaz and his brother, the Mathemagician, has led to the
banishment of Princesses Sweet Rhyme and Pure Reason. Milo embarks on an
amazing journey to rescue the princesses and returns home realizing that his
attitude toward learning will never be the same again.
Peanut Gallery | Performed by 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
Written by Susan Nanus
Based on the book by Norton Juster
Directed by Cheryl & Larry Levy
Start your family holiday celebrations with a smile!
CENTER STAGE YOUTH CHOIRS
Holiday Concert
December 14, 2016 • 7 pm
Nothing brings holiday cheer as quickly as children's voices raised in song!
Join the Center Stage Youth Choir ensembles as they present a delightful
one-hour program of holiday favorites to start the seaason with a smile.
Directed by Heather DeGroot, Tracey Kempsell & Jillian Seamster
Talented local performers!
CENTER STAGE YOUTH CHOIRS
Spring Concert
April 19, 2017 • 7 pm
Midland's premier choral program for young singers will welcome the
coming warm weather by wowing your family in this one-hour concert
showcasing talented local performers, and featuring over 100 young
musicians.
Directed by Heather DeGroot, Tracey Kempsell & Jillian Seamster
Wonderland
DorothY
Harness the power of imagination when you introduce the children in your
life to the magic of live entertainment! They’ll discover a world of clever
wordplay, storybook excitement, and an honest look at the struggles of youth.
DorothY
in
Wonderland
A musical theatre mash-up!
DOROTHY IN WONDERLAND
Wonderla
June 15, 16 & 17, 2017 • 7:30 pm | June 17 & 18, 2017 • 3 pm
The worlds of Oz and Wonderland collide in this fantastically fun musical
romp! When a whirlwind whisks Dorothy, Toto, the Lion, Scarecrow and Tin
Man away to Wonderland, they encounter all of Alice’s most famous friends,
eventually teaming up with them against the wicked Red Queen.
DorothY
in
Wonderland
Peanut Gallery | Performed by 4th, 5th, and 6th graders
Book by Brian Taylor | Music by Bill Francoeur | Lyrics by Scott DeTurk
Directed by Bill Heeschen
Sponsored by
Compelling tale of youth looking to belong
THE OUTSIDERS
August 3, 4 & 5, 2017 • 7:30 pm
THE
THE
OUTSIDERS
Ponyboy Curtis is caught up in battles between the rich kids and his tough,
underprivileged "Greaser" friends in this classic coming-of-age tale that
offers adolescents an authentic voice, and forever changed how Young Adult
fiction is written.
Interim Theatre | Performed by 13- to 21-year-olds
Book by S.E. Hinton | Adapted by Christopher Sergel
OUTSIDERS
THE
OUTSIDERS
THE
OUTSIDERS
THE
OUTSIDERS
THE
OUTSIDERS
THE
OUTSIDERS
OUTSIDERS
THE
mcfta.org | 989.631.8250 | 800.523.7649
Celebrating 45 Years
1801 W. Saint Andrews
Midland, MI 48640
mcfta.org
YOU
Belong
HERE.
Postmaster: Please deliver between April 4 and April 11, 2016
early bird
THE
DOES GET
THE WORM!
Subscribe today and save up to 25%!
Plus all the perks! Best seats, best prices,
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mcfta.org | 989.631.8250 | 800.523.7649