NICEVILLE — Here’s what’s coming to Northwest Florida State College's Mattie Kelly Arts Center in 2015 and 2016:
BROADWAY SHOWS
1. 'Flashdance: The Musical': Oct. 18. The classic 1983 film that celebrated welding, dancing and leg warmers is now on Broadway.
2. 'Aïda': Feb. 11. Giuseppe Verdi’s opera is the tale of a kidnapped Ethiopian princess in love with the Egyptian commander about to invade her country. Presented by the Teatro Lirico D’Europa.
3. 'Annie': Feb. 16. It’s a hard-knock life for Little Orphan Annie until she gets to spend Christmas with a local millionaire.
4. 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat': March 13. Sirs Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 15-minute class project that grew continues to evolve into a stunning musical production as colorful as Joseph’s famous coat.
ARTIST SERIES
5. Mutts Gone Nuts: Nov. 6: It’s canine cabaret to delight the whole family as a pack of a dozen rescue dogs runs through their hilarious paces to the occasional frustration of their human handlers.
6. Peking Dreams: Dec. 1: The National Acrobats and Circus of the Peoples Republic of China dazzle and delight with feats of contortion, equilibrium and acrobatics.
7. Live From Nashville: Jan. 13: Celebrate Music City USA and country music with this performance of fancy footwork, fiddlin’ and dynamite vocals.
8. MADCO Dance: Jan. 28: The Modern American Dance Company presents an eclectic program of professional dancing.
9. Jeffrey Tambor: January date TBA: The actor and voice actor shares insight on his diverse roles in shows including “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Arrested Development.”
10. MJ Live: A Tribute to Michael Jackson: Feb. 27: Tribute artists recreate the atmosphere of the King of Pop’s electrifying concerts in one of Las Vegas’ top shows.
NATIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS
11. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Band: Sept. 17. Jeff Carlisi of 38 Special; Billy Joel musician Liberty DeVitto; Ricky Byrd of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts; Peter Frampton musician Rob Arthur; and Jeff Adams of Starship rock the Amphitheatre.
12. 'Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles': Oct. 24. The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra backs up a Fab Four tribute band for a night of classic Beatles music. Ticket sales benefit the NFSO.
13. 'The Dukes of Dixieland': Jan. 23. This hot night of Dixieland jazz performed by one of the Crescent City’s hottest traditional bands benefits the NFSO.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
14. French Accents: Sept. 19. Featuring Harpist Katie Ott and 19th-century French music traditions.
15. Recital: Victor Rosenbaum, Piano: Oct. 3. Featuring the New England Conservatory piano department's former chair.
16. Pianopalooza: Nov. 24. Guest pianists perform works by Gershwin, Beethoven and Tschikovsky.
17. Holiday Pops: Dec. 11. The Symphony Chorale joins the NFSO in its annual performance of Christmas favorites.
18. Recital: Tomer Gewirtzman, Piano: Feb. 6. Featuring the 64th Wideman International Piano Competition first-place prize winner.
19. The Magic of Mendelssohn: April 9. Guest artist Philippe Stäudlin joins the NFSO for works including “Incidental Music to a Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
20. Stars of Tomorrow Meet Beethoven: May 13. The 29th annual Concerto Competition's youth winners perform works including “Overture to the Creatures of Prometheus” and the “Eroica Symphony.”
21. Recital: Michael Lewin, Piano: May 21. The Liszt International Competition top prize winner and soloist with multiple world orchestras performs.
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WANT TO GO?
Tickets are available as follows:
•National special events and Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra season tickets, on sale now
•Broadway and Artist Series season package tickets, on sale Aug. 17
•Broadway and Artist Series single tickets, online sales, on sale Sept. 4
•Broadway and Artist Series single ticket, all sales, on sale Sept. 8
Box office phone and in-person sales: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 729-6000. Online sales www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Broadway, Beatles and Beethoven: 2015-16 Mattie Kelly Arts season announced