June 18, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMPLETE SEASON INFO: www.calpolyarts.org
ALL TICKETS: 805-756-2787
BROCHURE REQUESTS: 805-756-6556
Cal Poly Arts Announces 2008-2009 Season
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA -- "The Drowsy Chaperone," humorist Garrison Keillor, "Sweeny Todd," The Munich Symphony Orchestra, The American Ballet Theatre, singers and musicians Sam Harris, Kris Kristofferson, and Branford Marsalis are just a few of the highlights from Cal Poly Arts' 2008-09 season.
For full season show and ticket ordering information, as well as artist websites, are available online at the redesigned Cal Poly Arts Web site at www.calpolyarts.org.
Cal Poly Arts season ticket holder subscriptions are now underway. Subscription, group and special package ticket sales begin July 5. Single tickets to individual performances go on sale to the public September 2.
Audiences can look forward to encore performances from Central Coast favorite Garrison Keillor, back-by-popular-demand vocalist Sam Harris, prolific Broadway/Hollywood composer Marvin Hamlisch, family favorites "Annie" and "Junie B. Jones," works by iconic choreographer Lar Lubovitch, and the nostalgic 40's "In the Mood" musical that virtually sold out on subscription last season.
Additional Broadway musical comedy offerings will include "Oliver!" and two Central Coast premieres: the smart and clever "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and the charming, effervescent "The Drowsy Chaperone." The musical "Footloose" stops in SLO on its 10th anniversary tour, and the current off-Broadway smash "Altar Boyz" will perform two nights at the Spanos Theatre.
Classical music is a cornerstone in the 08/09 season, with the San Francisco Symphony, the Munich Symphony, Takacs String Quartet, opera's leading baritone, Rod Gilfry, and the continuation of the Forbes Pipe Organ recital series.
World music and dance are well represented by jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis and the Philharmonia Brasileira in a tribute to Heitor Villa-Lobos, as well as by popular Jewish Klezmer group, The Klezmatics, Hapa's Pan-Polynesian sound, traditional Irish music performed by Dervish and eclectic Celtic musicality from Great Big Sea.
Pop/rock, jazz, Oldies, and bluegrass are covered by legendary Kris Kristofferson, jazz chanteuse Sophie Milman, a retrospective showcase of stars you remember in "The Best of Doo Wop," and Nashville's bluegrass favorite, Cherryholmes.
Dance enthusiasts can look forward to the contemporary choreography of American Ballet Theatre II and Compania Nacional de Danza 2 (National Dance Company of Spain), and the technique and theatricality of State Ballet Theatre of Russia's "Cinderella." And if patrons are inclined to Latin groove, they can dance the night away in Chumash Auditorium with the fiery Salsa Party extravaganza.
Drama takes the stage in various forms with "Hamlet," the National Acrobats of China, and the silent film, "The Mark of Zorro" accompanied by the live Paragon Orchestra, featuring the PAC's own pipe organ.
And the popular, affordable Cal Poly Arts Family Event series promises family fun with "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," "The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler," and a crazy range of music and science fun with a Bungee Jumpin' Cows concert.
Cal Poly Arts subscribers and season ticket holders receive priority seating, substantial season ticket discounts, ticket exchange privileges, and advance notification of added events throughout the year. They also have the opportunity to be first to purchase special Center Stage tickets to high-profile shows.
"Cal Poly Arts presents popular performing artists across a wide range of genres, with a particular emphasis this season on major Broadway show tours, more classical music events, contemporary dance and a Russian ballet, popular entertainers, plus our low-cost Family Series," said Cal Poly Arts Interim Director Peter Wilt. "There's something for every fan of live entertainment.”
For the first time, Cal Poly Arts is offering a "Fixed Series" ticket package at a discount of 20 percent off individual ticket prices. Each series has four selected shows, designed to fully appreciate a variety of classical music, dance, popular vocalists, World Music/Dance, Broadway titles, and the Forbes Pipe Organ recitals.
Fixed series subscribers may also add any other season shows to their orders and save 10 percent on those seats.
"Create Your Own" (CYO) subscriptions are available as well – patrons need only order four or more events to qualify as a CYO Subscriber and receive all subscriber benefits plus 10 percent off their entire ticket order.
Also new this season: subscribers can submit their season orders online. To encourage logging on, Cal Poly Arts is entering all patrons with online submissions into a special drawing to win a pair of free tickets to a Fixed Series package of their choice in the 2009-10 season.
For a full-color brochure outlining the 2008-09 performance season, contact the Performing Arts Center Ticket Office from Cal Poly Arts Office.
For Cal Poly Arts new season ticket ordering information, please visit www.calpolyarts.org or contact the Performing Arts Center Ticket Office at 805/756-2787 between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Patrons may also fax orders to 756-6088; stop by or mail orders to the PAC Ticket Office at One Grand Avenue in San Luis Obispo, 93407.
For a new season brochure, please call the Cal Poly Arts administrative offices at 756-6556.
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Editors Please Note: FOR HI-RES PHOTOS of all events, please contact lwoske@calpolyarts.org.