The Niswonger Performing Arts Center’s 2014-15 season includes (top row, from the left) the Holiday Ice Spectacular, Sinbad, Josh Turner (bottom row) Home Free, Kenny Rogers and Newsboys. (photos submitted)
VW independent/NPAC information
It was a day that many local residents and others were looking forward to: the unveiling of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center’s 2014-15 season. The NPAC along with season sponsors StateWide Ford Lincoln and Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, are bringing stars of yesterday, today and tomorrow to the stage. The 2014-15 season is hand selected to captivate audiences with unparalleled entertainment, education and inspiration!
It all begins on Saturday, October 4. From The Grand Ole Opry to Carnegie Hall, the Community Concert Series takes off with The Annie Moses Band. This musical ensemble known for its virtuosic strings and creative re-imaginings of American classics has a unique musical style that spans classical crossover, Americana, folk, and jazz influences.
Then, Peter Yarrow, of the iconic and much loved folk group, “Peter, Paul, and Mary,” takes center stage on October 9 as he shares stories and song in the very intimate setting of the Niswonger. Joined by his friends, “Mustard Retreat”, will perform music that sooths, as well as reminisce with “Puff The Magic Dragon” and other PPM hits. Yarrow will also share his message on “anti-bullying” with middle school students from the region during the day.
International flavor comes to the Niswonger on October 13 with The Habaneros from Cuba. This unique quintet is comprised of virtuoso clarinetist, Alden Ortuño Cabezas and a string quartet of members from the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba. Rare images of their beautiful Cuban homeland will display throughout the lively performance. Travel the globe in the comfortable confines of the Niswonger.
Make way for Broadway! Broadway’s most revered songs are recreated like never before on October 18 by the powerful vocal collaboration of inspirational quartet Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, paired with renowned Broadway sensation J. Mark McVey from Les Miserables. The event will feature great songs, including “Climb Every Mountain”, “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat”, “Get Happy”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “Bring Him Home”, “Blue Skies”, “I Got the Sun In Morning”, “Blow Gabriel Blow”, “Seasons of Love” and “Old Man River”.
This new show will be an uplifting night for people of all ages and will literally bring the audience to their feet with unimaginable Broadway vocal quality. Broadway Hit after Broadway Hit will make this night a Niswonger experience like no other.
Guard your heart from being stolen on November 1 by the incredibly cute and talented Olate Dogs. This “America’s Got Talent” winner has been touring the nation with a show featuring rescue dogs that can jump rope, ride scooters, balance on wheels, and even do back flips! Led by Richard Olate and his son, Nicholas, the Olate Dogs are a high-energy, fast-paced theatrical act filled with doggie friendly and amazing pet tricks.
Then, it will be a night of celebration on November 7 when Dallas Brass returns triumphantly to the Niswonger stage, joined by Big Band vocalist with Frank Sinatra flavor Bryan Anthony and a stage filled with high school musicians in a huge concert finale.
Known for its entertaining concert selections ranging from Classical to Broadway and Jazz, Dallas Brass will also help the Van Wert Area Performing Arts Foundation honor a very special person on this memorable night.
The Niswonger proudly presents Country’s finest on November 15 with a concert by Josh Turner. This double-platinum-selling singer, songwriter and disciple of traditional country music, a mentor to up-and-coming artists and one of the youngest members of the Grand Ole Opry, has a voice as deep as his commitments.
Turner’s most recognizable hit-makers earned numerous CMA, ACM and GRAMMY nominations since the release of his debut album, Long Black Train, Having sold more than 5 million albums and garnered four No. 1 hits, including “Your Man,” “Would You Go With Me,” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance”, Turner will explode onto stage with his signature voice and light up the season like a “Firecracker”.
Christmas is a treasured time at the Niswonger as families throughout the region steal away from the hustle and bustle and relax together for memory making entertainment from the Niswonger stage of inspiration. The Christmas Season begins with the classic family favorite, The Nutcracker, performed by The Ballet Theatre of Toledo on December 6. This lavish and spectacular ballet choreographed by Nigel Burgoine is legend and will keep the audience on the edge of its seat with some unexpected surprises from the original classic. Delight the family with a night of seasonal artistry filled with “Sugar Plum Fairies” and oh-so-sweet memories.
Get Jazzy this Christmas. It’s a “Peter White Christmas” on December 9. Friend and saxophonist Mindi Abair and smooth jazz trumpet player Rick Braun jam with White to deliver an over-the-top Christmas show that will thrill all ages. White, known as one of the most versatile and prolific acoustic guitarists on the contemporary jazz landscape, combines lyricism and energy for a night fused with jazz, pop and classical guitar that is a Christmas dream come true. The overwhelming reviews of this Christmas show prove that Jazz is for everyone.
Music icon and legendary storyteller Kenny Rogers brings his soulful voice to the Niswonger audience this Christmas on December 12. Rogers, known for sweetly raspy vocals and an extraordinary ability to vividly inhabit each song he performs, has sold more than 120 million records worldwide and recorded more than 65 albums during his storied 52 years in show business. His long list of timeless classics includes an impressive 24 No. 1 hits. For over five decades, the gifted singer, songwriter, musician, producer, actor, photographer and entertainer has delivered memorable songs, drawing fans from many different backgrounds.
The first ever holiday ice show will captivate on December 15. The Holiday Ice Spectacular is guaranteed cool family fun. This fast paced variety show is as glamorous as it is hilarious! The Holiday Ice Spectacular delivers chills and thrills that only an ice show can. The show is a “snow globe come to life”, where there is a little something special for audience members of all ages. Give the holiday a special thrilling edge.
The Christmas season culminates in a soulful way with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. on December 19. This dynamic musical duo has enjoyed monumental success through the years as recording artists, performers and authors. Receiving seven Grammy Awards and earning 15 gold and three platinum records, Marilyn and Billy have also enjoyed starring roles on television and stage and have performed to sold-out crowds around the world. Combining the hits from their 40 years in the entertainment industry with harmonized Christmas classics that set hearts on the meaning of the season, Christmas is complete.
Polar obsessions take center stage on January 25 when Paul Nicklen, National Geographic explorer, Canadian biologist and photographer, brings his life expeditions to the stage. Nicken has captured global attention with his daring explorations. Whether he is ice diving among leopard seals in Antarctica, covering hundreds of miles of terrain in minus 40-degree Fahrenheit temperatures, or mastering aerial shots from his ultralight plane, Nicken has specialized in photographing polar regions since 1995. He has worked for National Geographic for 15 years, producing 15 features, but has also shared in hundreds of other publications around the world.
Home Free, the world’s first country music vocal band and Season 4 winners of NBC’s “The Sing Off”, will be coming to the NPAC on January 31. This five-man a cappella sensation has wowed audiences around the nation and will bring its high-energy show, peppered with quick-witted humor, that meshes Nashville standards with pop hits dipped in country flavor to the NPAC stage.
Get your funny on February 7 at the Niswonger when actor and comedian Sinbad arrives with a “hit ‘em in the face” style of comedy that has kept audiences laughing in the aisles for the past two decades. Family friendly and wicked funny, the basis of Sinbad’s humor comes from everyone he’s met, everything he’s seen and everything he’s done.
Ranked by Comedy Central as one of the top 100 stand-up comedians of all time, this night will keep the audience laughing for all the right reasons.
Broadway’s Anything Goes sails into the Niswonger on February 15 with nightclub singer Reno Sweeney en route from New York to England. Her pal Billy Crocker has stowed away to be near his love, Hope Harcourt, but the problem is Hope is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Joining this love triangle on board the luxury liner are Public Enemy No. 13, Moonface Martin, and his sidekick-in-crime Erma. With the help of some elaborate disguises, tap-dancing sailors and good old-fashioned blackmail, Reno and Martin join forces to help Billy in his quest to win Hope’s heart. Bring the whole family out for some musical fun and comedy in this fast-paced, farcical show that goes overboard with riveting Broadway vocals and dance.
Swing it with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on February 21. This contemporary swing revival band from Southern California, made famous with notable singles like “Go Daddy-O”, “You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight”, and “Mr. Pinstripe Suit”, is known for its swinging styles from the Forties and Fifties, complete with Rat Pack lingo and zoot suits. The group’s unique creation of swing- and jazz-oriented sound appeals to a wide audience of listeners looking for that zing-filled edge of something different.
Two of TV’s all-time biggest stars share an evening with the Niswonger audience on March 8. Barbara Eden of “I Dream of Jeannie” and Hal Linden of “Barney Miller” star in the modern American classic Love Letters. A.R. Gurney’s beloved play about two people who grow up in love with each other’s writing is as much a celebration of the power of the written word as it is to love itself. Poetic, elegant, funny and profoundly touching, Love Letters shows that, despite how things seem, what divides us is rarely as powerful as what connects us. Experience the personalities that kept us riveted to our TV screens and laughing through the years.
Bursting on the scene on March 21 is the wildly popular Christian recording artist Newsboys! Hot off their “God’s Not Dead” project, where the song “God’s Not Dead” became a national sensation despite already being No. 1 radio hit on the Billboard AC Monitored chart two years ago prior. The “God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion)” soundtrack is now counted among an elite list of Christian tracks ever to secure such pop status. Newsboys has found an expanded audience, thanks to the film’s massive exposure. But this Australian band is not new to music, having released 16 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold. Newsboys keeps the audience energized and the spirit moving with its rock energy and bold faith. Experience what “Roaring Like A Lion” means with the Newsboys!
What do you get when you cross a bodybuilder with a concert pianist? The answer is Leon Bates, an extraordinary world-touring pianist who is a favorite of audiences throughout the U.S. Bates found his love for music at the age of 6 and has followed his talent all the way to Carnegie Hall. He has soloed with orchestras, including the Philadelphia Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Leon Bates performs on the NPAC’s own Baldwin SD10 concert grand for this beautiful concert and will also be conducting a master class for piano lovers and a seminar on the incredible contributions of African American composers to American music.
Direct from its smash hit Broadway run and a triumphant 55-city North American tour, the multi award-winning musical Memphis will bring breathtaking Broadway to the Niswonger stage on March 28 and 29. In the underground nightclubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, the soul of a new era is dawning as the first incredible sounds of rock ‘n’ roll, blues and gospel are emerging into the mainstream. Falling in love with a beautiful club singer, one young man’s vision to bring her voice and her music out of the clubs and onto the airwaves of America will fly in the face of cultural divides and spark a music revolution that will shake the world. Memphis will leave audience members exhilarated by its explosive blend of electrifying music, soaring emotion and roof-raising energy.
Hey kids! Something furry this way comes on Sunday, April 12. “The Berenstain Bears Live! in Family Matters, the Musical” brings everyone’s favorite bear family to life in a thrilling theatrical experience that kids as well as their parents will treasure for many years to come. As always, Bear Country is not without its complications: Brother Bear’s grades are slipping, Sister Bear still has a few things to learn about making new friends, and Papa Bear just can’t stop eating junk food. Thankfully, the family can always depend on Mama Bear and her loving patience to help set things right. The newest Off-Broadway musical for mamas, papas, and young cubs in NYC, “The Berenstain Bears LIVE!” will give boys and girls of all ages the chance to fall in love with these characters, just as their parents did when they were growing up.
The StepCrew fills the stage with excitement and energy on April 14 as the group performs Irish stepdancing, Ottawa Valley stepdancing, and modern tap. These six dynamic performers excel in traditional forms of dance and create brand new, modern fusions of all three styles. As if dancing weren’t enough, The StepCrew boasts three world-class fiddlers backed up by an amazing five piece ensemble comprised of some of the most talented and respected musicians in the Celtic music scene today. Audiences rave that the StepCrew is a brilliant visual and musical display of the most talented dancers seen. It’s refreshing to see a performance of this style based on pure ability! This crew will be sure to get you out of your seat with their dazzling energy!
They’re back! On April 19, the NPAC travels back to 1979 with those Church Basement Ladies in The Last (Potluck) Supper! It is the day of the church’s centennial celebration, and past parishioners have gathered to share hot dishes and stories from the last 100 years. As the women work in the kitchen, these shared memories burst into life through a series of flashbacks. And, once again, your favorite church basement ladies dis it all up with grace, hilarity, and some brand new musical numbers that are sure to get your toes tapping. Don’t miss this final performance from the Ladies who have come to feel a bit like family.
They sing for “All The People”. The 2014-15 season would not be complete without the iconic music of The Temptations on April 25. As members of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and listed as one of the top 50 bands of all time in Rolling Stone magazine, The Temptations have four Grammy Awards, 18 No. 1 Billboard singles, 23 Top 10 singles and 10 Top 10 albums. With great songs, and a 15-piece band, the live stage show is an experience that continues to “wow” audiences around the world. The Temptations constantly enlist new fans as they continue to deliver their “Motown” vocal sound that made them famous. “Get ready, cause here they come”.
Season tickets go on sale as early as June 19. Members are first to select their event tickets and reserved seats. The Grand Series, including all shows at a 20 percent discount, goes on sale July 1-3, while the Select Series (bundling three or more events and saving 10-15 percent) goes on sale July 8 . Individual events go on sale approximately 90 days prior to the event date. New this year is a Friend Membership that has access to individual event tickets one week prior to release date.
Contact the Box Office at 419.238.6722 or visit NPACVW.ORG to find out more about membership and ticket sales and savings opportunities.