Pictured above is a scene from Disney’s Beauty and the
Beast -- one the many performances that will be showcased
during the 2012-2013 season of the Performing Arts Center at
Kent State University at Tuscarawas.

A full lineup of outstanding performances is being showcased during the 2012-2013 season of the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas. The schedule was announced during the center’s season unveiling on July 21.

“This terrific third season includes several genres — touring Broadway shows, music, comedy and family entertainment,” says Gregg L. Andrews, Ph.D., dean and chief administrative officer at Kent State Tuscarawas. “We are proud to offer the Broadway shows Rock of Ages, Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and the international phenomenon Blue Man Group. Our music series will feature Mannheim Steamroller and a return engagement of The Oak Ridge Boys performing Christmas shows.”

The schedule also includes two encore performances from the inaugural season — pianist Jim Brickman and comedians Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood.

“We are presenting these entertainers again in our spectacular venue due to the large public demand for their return,” says Andrews. “The two events had sell-out crowds in our inaugural season, and notably, they will each present a different show this year.”

The new season features comedic icon Bill Cosby on Aug. 24, whose performance is already sold out.

“The Performing Arts Center has been moving forward to reflect the entertainment preferences of the Tuscarawas and surrounding communities,” says Mike Morelli, general manager of the Performing Arts Center. “We believe this season focuses more clearly on those preferences. As an example, we are fortunate to have The Capitol Steps join us in an election year. Our audience has been clamoring for these masters of political satire who are selling out shows across the country.”

Three of the evening performances are also part of the seven-event, daytime Class Act Series, which is designed for students in grades kindergarten through 12. They include the musical performance of Trout Fishing in America, Gregory Popovich’s World Famous Comedy Pet Theater and the Aquila Theatre Company in Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac.

Other 2012-2013 productions include the popular dance troupe Tap Dogs, mentalist Christopher Carter, the band Red Wanting Blue, VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special, Frank Ferrante in An Evening with Groucho, State Ballet Theatre of Russia’s performance of Cinderella and the impromptu comedy of Baby Wants Candy The Completely Improvised Musical.

More than 300 people attended the July 21 Season Unveiling. The evening included attendees participating in an interactive game where they compiled clues to discover the names of the various performances for the upcoming schedule. The participant who correctly identified the most events won two free tickets to every show on the current schedule. Acrobats Laura Witwer and Christopher Delgado provided entertainment in the lobby prior to the formal unveiling. On stage, Witwer performed a beautiful flying routine with silks, and Delgado amazed the audience with his athletic performance on a German Wheel.

Season packages (four or more events) went on sale July 25, while single event tickets will be available beginning Aug. 1. A complete list of performances and ticket prices are online at www.tusc.kent.edu/pac.

Tickets can be purchased by mail, in person at the Performing Arts Center box office, by calling 330-308-6400 or online at www.tusc.kent.edu/pac. The box office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Free parking is available for all shows. The Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas is located at 330 University Dr. N.E. in New Philadelphia.


Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas 2012 – 2013 Season

Bill Cosby — Friday, Aug. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $49 - $79

Mentalist Christopher Carter — Sunday, Aug. 26, 1 p.m.
Tickets: $5

Red Wanting Blue — Thursday, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10

Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Two Man Group — Saturday, Sept. 15, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35 - $50

Veggie Tales Live! God Made You Special — Sunday, Sept. 23, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 - $30

Trout Fishing in America — Thursday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $18 - $26

Blue Man Group — Monday, Oct. 1, and Tuesday, Oct. 2, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $52 - $72

Aquila Theatre Company in Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac — Friday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30 - $40

The Capital Steps — Wednesday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $27 - $38

Fiddler on the Roof — Saturday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $39 - $56

The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Time’s a Comin’ — Saturday, Nov. 24, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $37 - $56

Tap Dogs — Thursday, Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $37 - $54

Mannheim Steamroller — Wednesday, Dec. 19, 4 p.m. tickets: $41 - $64, 8 p.m. tickets: $51 - $74

State Ballet Theatre of Russia: Cinderella — Tuesday, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $37 - $54

An Evening with Jim Brickman — Saturday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $39 -$59

Rock of Ages — Tuesday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $45 - $66

A Chorus Line — Wednesday, March 6, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $37 - $58

Frank Ferrante in an Evening with Groucho — Saturday, March 9, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20 - $28

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater — Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $26 - $37

Baby Wants Candy The Completely Improvised Musical — Thursday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $13 - $18

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast — Wednesday, May 15, and Thursday, May 16, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $48 - $70