New performing arts season offers Broadway musicals, Garrison Keillor, dance companies
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Michael Blachly, director of University of Florida Performing Arts, has announced the line-up for the 2008-09 season. With performers from 16 countries and genres that run the gamut from jazz to dance to musical theater, the season has a little something for everyone.
Among the season’s many productions is Laurie Anderson’s “Homeland” [Sept. 16], which was co-commissioned by University of Florida Performing Arts. Anderson, one of today’s premiere performance artists, is known primarily for her multimedia presentations. In “Homeland,” Anderson uses less technology, focusing instead on music and her voice to weave together a series of stories in a poetic and political portrait of contemporary America.
Musical theater and stage enthusiasts have quite a lot from which to choose. The Broadway gem “The Pajama Game” [Nov. 20] is joined by productions of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” [Jan. 8], Neil Berg’s “101 Years of Broadway” [April 4], “The Drowsy Chaperone” [Jan. 23], and a new production of “The Wizard of Oz,” based on the 1939 MGM movie [Oct. 10 and 12].
When it comes to dance offerings for next season, UFPA will present something old, something new and something snowy. The Limón Dance Company celebrates the 100th anniversary of modern dance master José Limón [Feb. 26]; up-and-coming breakout choreographer Trey McIntyre brings the Trey McIntyre Project to the Phillips Center [March 18]; and the Israel-based Inbal Pinto Dance Company presents their latest work, “Shaker,” which looks at life inside a snow globe [Oct. 22].
Audiences can also travel “around the world” with UFPA’s diverse collection of artists from countries such as India, Ireland, Argentina and Africa. Performers include world-renowned sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar [Oct. 14]; Irish legends The Chieftains [March 1]; red-hot dance company Tango Fire [Jan. 21]; and the magnificent and inspiring voices of The African Children’s Choir [Feb. 8].
Audience favorites will be back as well. The popular chamber group Interpreti Veneziani returns for a third consecutive season to perform at the University Auditorium [Jan. 25]. The Soweto Gospel Choir returns to its “U.S. home” for two uplifting performances perfect for audiences of all ages [Nov. 26 and 28]. Other performers making return appearances next season include the Capitol Steps [Nov. 2 and 3]; Mannheim Steamroller [Nov. 13]; Mr. Jack Daniel’s Original Silver Cornet Band [Dec. 7]; the Ahn Trio [Feb. 14]; and The Peking Acrobats [March 21]. Humorist Garrison Keillor will perform April 22.
Tickets for the 2008-09 Season go on sale at noon June 6. Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or by calling Ticketmaster at 904-353-3309 or toll free at 800-277-1700.
Tickets will also available in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union and all Ticketmaster outlets; and at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group tickets are also available.
For press inquiries, please contact Amy Douglas at 352-392-1900, ext. 324.