NICEVILLE — The Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College promises a glorious tapestry of stage entertainment for the 2014-15 season.
Great musical events and dazzling Broadway spectacles combine on the Mainstage for a season that makes the most of NWFSC’s prime location on the Southern Tier touring show route.
Musical events include the humor and athleticism of “Recycled Percussion,” doo-wop sounds of the “Midtown Men,” familiar themes from “The Music of Marvin Hamlisch,” and the swinging big band beat of “In the Mood.”
Touring Broadway productions include the fantasy of “Camelot,” one of the Great White Way's most beloved classics, and “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a contemporary Tony winner that’s “a grown-up prequel to ‘Peter Pan.’”
For sheer variety, this is one baker’s dozen audiences won’t want to miss.
Sept. 12: Upright Citizens Brigade. The renowned New York improvisational theatre presents a night of improv comedy. $12
Oct. 6: Mike Huckabee. An evening with the Fox News chat show host, former presidential candidate, and bass guitar player, who’ll perform with the Northwest Florida State College Jazz Ensemble. Free for people age 18 and younger; $15 for adults. VIP/reception tickets, $65. Benefits NWFSC scholarships.
Oct. 10: "Camelot." The grandeur of Lerner & Loewe’s beloved musical envelopes the spectacular retelling of the tales of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot with some of Broadway’s most memorable show tunes. $47
Nov. 5: Recycled Percussion. The group, made famous on NBC's “America’s Got Talent," has been rocking the Las Vegas Strip with extreme percussion, humor and athleticism. $37
Jan. 6, 2015: "Menopause: The Musical." Never has “the change” been so funny; the show sold out when it played the Mattie Kelly Center in 2012. $47
Jan. 22, 2015: "Midtown Men." The four original Broadway cast members of “Jersey Boys” present a show of 1960s pop favorites with tight choreography and harmonies. $47
Jan. 26, 2015: "Celebration on Ice." Real ice and real skaters present spectacular precision skating and sparkling costumes. $37 adult; $22 youths.
Feb. 2, 2015: "Million Dollar Quartet." When Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins came together to make music, they also made history. This smash-hit-filled musical recreates the event. $47
Feb. 7, 2015: "One Singular Sensation: The Music of Marvin Hamlisch." Celebrate the music of the legendary Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar-winner. $37
Feb. 10, 2015: "Peter and the Starcatcher." Laughter and fantasy fill the stage in this hilarious “adult prequel to ‘Peter Pan.’" $47
Feb. 20, 2015: "In the Mood." The brassy, bold big band sounds of Glenn Miller, The Andrews Sisters, Benny Goodman and Ol’ Blue Eyes recreate the music of The Greatest Generation. $37
March 10, 2015: "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." The classic MGM movie musical, with all its boisterous romance, bursts to life. $47
March 14, 2015: Cirque de la Symphonie. Acrobats, jugglers, contortionists, equilibrists and strongmen perform to classical masterpieces performed by the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. $37
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Mattie Kelly Arts Center Broadway and Artists Season tickets
WHEN: Priority ticket sales for season holders and sponsors start Aug. 8; General public season package sales start Aug. 15; single-show online sales start Aug. 29; phone and in-person sales start Sept. 2
WHERE: Mattie Kelly Center Box Office, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville campus
NOTES: Box Office sales available at 729-6000 or www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org. Prices listed include $2 box office processing fee.
Email News Bulletin Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: PREVIEW: 2014-15 Mattie Kelly season offers Broadway, musical treats