Looking Ahead: PAC’s 2012-13 Season Loaded with Entertainment
By NANCY HERMANN
MARY POPPINS: Disney’s charming and colorful production will win hearts when it plays at the PAC Nov. 13-18, presented by Celebrity Attractions.
Courtesy Tulsa PAC
To everything there is a season. That is particularly true of the arts in Tulsa, and especially reflective of the business we do and the shows we promote at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
We are currently putting together our 2012-13 brochure, comprising all that is scheduled for the performance season ahead. Judging from what is booked so far, it’s going to be a superb year for arts and entertainment.
Celebrity Attractions customarily begins its run of shows in the fall, but this year 100 Years of Broadway opens Celebrity’s season Aug. 21-26. Do you love Les Miz? Are you a fan of Phantom? You can relive moments from Jersey Boys and get a taste of the upcoming Jekyll & Hyde in this Broadway revue, sung by veteran Broadway talent.
Also on Celebrity’s season is Mary Poppins (Nov. 13-18). This colorful and charming Disney production will win many hearts. Jekyll & Hyde takes the stage Jan. 22-27, 2013. I think it’s composer Frank Wildhorn’s finest. Seething. Sexy. Dark and dangerous. And the music is great, too. I was following American Idol when contestant Constantine Maroulis was deposed way too early. He stars in this touring version of Jekyll & Hyde along with Canada’s R&B star, Deborah Cox. If you don’t know her, find her on YouTube. She’s beautiful and has a powerhouse voice.
Coming March 5-10, 2013 for Celebrity is Cathy Rigby in Peter Pan. A Tony-nominated actress and former Olympic gymnast, Rigby is forever young in this role. The song “Neverland” from Peter Pan is one of my very favorites from any show or songbook. I would go just to hear that melody.
West Side Story plays April 30 to May 5, 2013. The musical is a collaboration of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, two giants. Of course they would produce a landmark art piece — a Romeo and Juliet story set in New York. The dancing is always a big part of this show, along with tunes that are timeless: “Maria,” “Tonight,” “One Hand, One Heart,” “I Feel Pretty,” “Somewhere,” and others.
It’s not too late to purchase season tickets for Celebrity Attractions’ main series. Call the ticket office and talk to our staff, 918-596-7109. Tickets for individual shows go on sale to the public about 30 days prior to the opening night for the show’s run. Added to Celebrity’s season subscription series are three more events. There is the interactive comedy Late Nite Catechism — in town for one-night only, Sept. 28. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas makes the holiday season last a little longer on Dec. 30. And, a spectacular add-on show to Celebrity’s season next year is The Lion King, June 4–30, 2013.
Theatre Tulsa celebrates 90 years this season. Wow! The Performing Arts Center welcomes them back to our stages. The company has put together a winning season beginning Aug. 31 through Sept. 8 with Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. It’s the story of mismatched roommates who have clashing ideas about housekeeping, among other things. Tony Schneider (Oscar) and Jeff Huston (Felix) star, along with a great ensemble of theatre veterans. I’ve seen Tony in half a dozen productions with various groups here in town. He’s one of the best we have.
Theatre Tulsa revisits the haunting story of the Prince of Denmark Oct. 26-Nov. 4. This Hamlet will be a cool collaboration with Odeum Theatre Company. I am so pumped about this production. First of all, it’s Hamlet. Then, there is the combination of the brains and talent at Odeum with a rejuvenated Theatre Tulsa. It will be Christmas in October for me. Only better.
How to describe the work of Tulsa actor Tom Berenson? You may have seen him in The Gin Game, or as Santa Claus, or in one of his many comedic roles. I have so much respect for this actor, and I can only imagine what he will do with Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays With Morrie, Jan. 10-13, 2013. This is the uplifting story, with touches of humor blended through, of Albom’s time spent with his dying former professor.
Theatre Tulsa also offers “more,” thank you, with the musical Oliver! March 15-23, 2013, and the French farce, Boeing-Boeing, May 10-18, 2013. The latter is about a ladies man’ who is romancing his French, German and American fiancées in his Paris apartment — a situation fraught with possibilities and humor. You can purchase the entire season now from Theatre Tulsa, 918-587-8402.
Celebrity Attractions and Theatre Tulsa are only two of the 12 performance groups with season offerings at the . We’ll chat about the rest as the year rolls on. In the meantime, enjoy a live performance in any one of several performance venues in our city. Creative energy abounds in Tulsa! We want you to be part of it.
Nancy Hermann is Director of Marketing at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
Updated 08-13-2012
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