Twenty extraordinary performances compose the sixth season of the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas. The 2015-16 season includes concerts, dance, touring Broadway shows, comedians and family entertainment.

“This year’s all-star lineup definitely offers something for everyone,” says Brad Bielski, Ph.D., dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State Tuscarawas. “Highlighting this season’s concerts is the multiplatinum selling country singer and songwriter, Sara Evans. We expect a great demand for tickets to her concert. Also on our stage this year will be the beloved Broadway musicals Annie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Returning to the Performing Arts Center stage, due to overwhelming demand, will be MAMMA MIA! and the iconic Oak Ridge Boys, both back for their third performances. Also, on stage for a second time will be Franc D’Ambrosio.

“Response to Franc D’Ambrosio’s June concert was so overwhelmingly positive that we added his Christmas in New York show to our upcoming season,” Bielski says. “He is famed as the longest-running Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning musical Phantom of the Opera. Christmas in New York incorporates favorite holiday songs. A unique and interesting point about D’Ambrosio’s performance is that he will record his Christmas in New York album in our theatre in September. The album will then be ready for sale at his December performance here. We are honored that he has chosen our world-class venue for his recording.

“We are excited about a second holiday show – An Irish Christmas, which will feature phenomenal Irish music, song and dance. The performers are from the Kerry Dance Troupe led by Scott Doherty from Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, the Kerry Records voice squad and Irish actor Sheelagh Cullen.”

The cabaret series features Joan Ellison in Love Finds Judy Garland; the “human jukebox” Mike Petrone; blues-rock musician from Massillon, Patrick Sweany; and blues musician Wallace Coleman. Tickets for each of the four events are $45 and include dinner.

Family programming includes Cirque Zíva performed by The Golden Dragon Acrobats, KamiKaze FireFlies and the internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes. The KamiKaze FireFlies skillfully combine juggling, hula hoops, German wheel, whip cracking and many tricks never seen anywhere else for a comedic show with a circus feel. The Cashore Marionettes is a humorous production that features artistry, grace and refinement of movement, redefining the art of puppetry.

There are three popular, stand-up comedians – Jeff Allen, Ralphie May and Craig Ferguson. Allen’s rapid-fire routine centers on marriage and living with teenagers. He frequently performs at churches and has been seen on many cable comedy shows. May and Ferguson are well-known for their uncensored remarks containing mature language and content. Both of these performances are for adult audiences only.

Rounding out the season is Guitar Phenom Shaun Hopper, The Australian Bee Gees Show -- A Tribute to the Bee Gees and Late Nite Catechism, a long-running play about a fictitious nun. It is a hilarious, interactive comedy.

“We are fortunate to have three major sponsors this year,” Bielski says. “As we previously announced, Michael Taylor Insurance and Financial Inc. is the first season sponsor for the Performing Arts Center. Additional new sponsors include AquaBlue Inc., the Cabaret Series sponsor, and the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation, sponsor of our Broadway Series. We are fortunate to have the support of these major businesses. Their partnerships with the Performing Arts Center enable us to keep our ticket prices affordable.”

Bielski says programming for this sixth season was developed through the use of a community survey and four active focus groups, which successfully programmed events for the Broadway, music, comedy and family/variety genres.

Tickets for the 2015-2016 season go on sale Aug. 10. A complete list of performances and ticket prices are online at www.kent.edu/tusc/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.kent.edu/tusc/pac. The box office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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.

Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center 2015-2016 Season:

2015

The Cashore Marionettes	Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.
Netflix Ralphie May Unruly Tour	Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m.*
Love Finds Judy Garland Featuring Joan Ellison	Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
Sara Evans	Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Mike Petrone	Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.
KamiKaze FireFlies	Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.
Craig Ferguson, The New Deal Tour	Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.*
Mamma Mia!	Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Wallace Coleman	Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
Franc D’Ambrosio Christmas in New York	Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
An Irish Christmas	Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

2016

Jeff Allen	Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat	Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
The Australian Bee Gees Show	Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Patrick Sweany	Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.
Cirque Zíva	Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Annie	Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Guitar Phenom Shaun Hopper	March 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The Oak Ridge Boys	March 5 at 3 and 8 p.m.
Late Nite Catechism	April 1 at 7:30 p.m.

*Contains Mature Language and Content