By Melissa M. Farenish
WILLIAMSPORT — The Community Arts Center shows this season will challenge the audience to “think outside the box,” according to Robert Steele, executive director of the theater for more than three years.
Highlights of the 2009-2010 season include “The Rock Tenor” on Sept. 26, a mix of Broadway and classical music combined with the rock music of bands such as The Beatles, Meatloaf, The Police, The Rolling Stones and Journey. The season also has a roster of “world class entertainment” such as Ron White, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Jigu-Drums of China, Vienna Boys Choir, Eileen Ivers and the Tchaikovsky Ballet Company Production of “Sleeping Beauty,” Steele said. All this provides for a unique mix of entertainment options.
“… Our season offerings are uniquely devoid of tiresome headlines, sitcom laugh tracks, gun shots, chase scenes and annoying commercials. Please let us help you get off the couch and into the magical world of live performance,” Steele said.
New for this year is the National Geographic speaker series. Beginning Sunday afternoons in late winter, three National Geographic researchers and photographers will speak about their experiences exploring wildlife habitats. Mireya Mayor, a two-time Emmy Award-nominated correspondent for National Geographic Channel, will talk about her experiences studying and discovering a new species of lemur in Madagascar. National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry will share his method for capturing the essence of a person through the art of portraiture. David Doubilet, another photographer, will discuss his journeys exploring coral reefs underseas.
For children, this year’s season includes “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “Strega Nona” and “Romeo and Juliet.” In the past three years, the theater has expanded their offering of student shows in order to expose area children to the arts and enhance educational opportunities. The book-based shows in this season’s line-up will allow students to “reinforce their theatre experience with some quality time in the pages of a book,” Steele said.
In recognition of the tough economic times, ticket prices this year “are, on average, half of what they were a year ago,” Steele said. The theater paid particular attention to the pricing of family shows, and 16 shows have $5 student tickets.
Those who want first dibs on seats will benefit from obtaining a series membership. To become a member, one must pick five shows from the season brochure, which is mailed in mid-July. Potential members can contact the box office for the brochure, or sign up on the theater’s web site. When selecting shows, members may pick from the best available seats and can sit in the same seat (if available) for all shows selected. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Aug. 7.
The theater, now in its 16th year of operation as a performance center, “has truly become a vital part of our community,” Steele said, being one of the few theaters in the area that bring high quality theatrical shows and quality children’s entertainment together under one roof.
“…There is absolutely no substitute for the escape provided by an evening of live entertainment in our beautiful theater. Given the choice between analog, digital, LCD, Plasma, CRT or living, breathing and amazingly engaging live entertainment – the choice is clear,” Steele said.
Additional information is available by calling the box office at (800) 432-9382 or by visiting www.caclive.com.
