Last modified: Friday, April 27, 2012
IU Auditorium 2012-13 season features Bill Maher, Straight No Chaser, Broadway hits, dance and world music
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University Auditorium has announced its 2012-13 season, which features classic and contemporary Broadway musicals, comedy, popular and classic music, award-winning dance and holiday traditions. The season begins in September and continues through April 2013.
From the comedic standup performance of provocative TV host Bill Maher to classical music from the world-renowned ensemble The Cleveland Orchestra to diverse musicals including "Peter Pan," Green Day's "American Idiot" and "Chicago," the new season will appeal to a wide range of tastes and interests.
"We are excited to present acts never before seen in Bloomington, including Bill Maher and The Silk Road Ensemble featuring Yo-Yo Ma, alongside well-known favorites like smash hit Broadway musical 'Chicago' and 'Peter Pan,' starring Cathy Rigby," IU Auditorium director Doug Booher said. "Each year we ask our patrons what they would like to see, and then carefully select shows that resonate with their refined and eclectic tastes. We know audience members of all ages will relish the opportunity to witness the excellence of the artists and entertainers on the upcoming season."
Patrons can receive the best seats in the house plus other perks by becoming Gold or Silver Subscribers, which can be purchased through a variety of payment options, such as the 50-50 Payment Plan or payroll deduction for IU employees. For more information on subscriber benefits, visit IUauditorium.com or call 812-855-1103.
The 2012-13 season features:
"American Idiot"
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 4 and 5
Cost: General public: $38 to $62; IU Bloomington students: $20 to $41
Note: Mature content
Synopsis: Under the collaboration of Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer and alternative rock band Green Day, the album "American Idiot" meets Broadway in the award-winning musical of the same name. The musical challenges shallow, media-saturated culture and inspires youth to explore life outside of suburbia. The story follows three lifelong friends -- Johnny, Will and Tunny -- who are forced to choose between leaving home to chase dreams and staying in suburbia where they have responsibilities to uphold.
Since its debut at the Berkeley Repertory Theater in New York City, "American Idiot" has won two Tony Awards and a Grammy. The musical features the hits "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "Holiday" and the title track from the 2004 "American Idiot" album. The score also includes several songs from Green Day's Grammy Award-winning 2009 release "21st Century Breakdown," including "21 Guns" and an unreleased love song, "When It's Time." Finally, the hit single "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" ends the musical.
"Chicago"
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 16 and 17
Cost: General public: $38 to $62; IU Bloomington students: $20 to $41
Synopsis: Prepare to be "razzle-dazzled" as the Tony Award-winning musical "Chicago" returns to the IU Auditorium stage. Featuring songs such as "All That Jazz," "Cell Block Tango" and "We Both Reached for the Gun," "Chicago" has won six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and one Drama Desk Award. It was also made into a feature film starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger.
The musical follows the story of vaudeville starlet Velma Kelly and spotlight-thirsty Roxie Hart, who both murder their lovers and wind up behind bars. Desperate to avoid conviction, Roxie dupes the public, the media and rival cellmate Velma by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.
"Dennis James Hosts Halloween"
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26
Cost: General public: $16 to $21; IU Bloomington students/children: $8 to $16
Note: Family friendly
Synopsis: Dennis James returns to IU Auditorium for his annual Halloween celebration -- but this time, he brings the musical mastery of Mark Goldstein to add spookiness to F.W. Murnau's silent film "Faust." Known as the Filmharmonica Duo, James will play the organ and the theremin, an eerie-sounding electronic instrument, while Goldstein further enhances the accompaniment with Buchla Lightning wands, an electronic musical device that emphasizes the devilish counterpoint in the film.
"Faust," Murnau's last film before leaving Germany for the United States, conveys the themes of love and death and good versus evil. When conniving demon Mephisto (Emil Jannings) makes a bet with an Archangel, the devout alchemist Faust (Gösta Ekman) becomes the Devil's ill-fated victim. Mephisto tempts Faust with promises of youth, love, and power. The price? Faust's eternal soul.
Bill Maher
When: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28
Cost: General public: $44 to $59; IU Bloomington students: $23 to $49
Note: Mature content
Synopsis: Bill Maher, one of America's most provocative comedians and television hosts, is bringing his unflinching honesty and witty satire to IU Auditorium in an unforgettable stand-up comedy routine. His act will mirror the outspoken comedic style of his television show, "Real Time With Bill Maher," utilizing humor to challenge organized institutions and individuals.
Maher's comments always prove bluntly humorous. "The problem is that the people with the most ridiculous ideas are always the people who are most certain of them," he's said. Nominated for 23 Emmy Awards and ranked on Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Standups of All Time, Maher will provide audience members with an evening full of entertainment and thought-provoking conversation.
Straight No Chaser
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1
Cost: General public: $29 to $49; IU Bloomington students: $16 to $45
Synopsis: Sixteen years ago, a handful of talented IU students came together to form the a cappella sensation Straight No Chaser. After performing nationally and internationally, the group returns to its birthplace of Indiana University for a concert of pure entertainment. From songs by the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley, to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, the members perform unadulterated versions of both popular and lesser-known songs.
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"
When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 15 and 16
Cost: General public: $38 to $62; IU Bloomington students/children: $20 to 41
Note: Family friendly
Synopsis: The Grinch, with a heart "two sizes too small," has appealed to generations of families through books and movies, but now the beloved villain-turned-hero will resonate with people of all ages when it comes to life on stage in a new musical. Complete with the Grinch's acrimonious song "I Hate Christmas Eve," the Whos' pleasant ode "Welcome, Christmas," and the popular wily number "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," the musical, based on Dr. Seuss' children's book, tells the story of how the Grinch's selfish actions teach him that Christmas isn't really about fancy gifts.
"Rock of Ages"
When: 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1
Cost: General public: $38 to $60; IU Bloomington students: $20 to $41
Note: Mature content
Synopsis: Director Kristin Hanggi's five-time Tony Award-nominated musical fuses Broadway with famous '80s hair metal in a heartfelt jukebox musical production following two young adults as they move from the Midwest to the rockin' clubs of Sunset Boulevard.
"Rock of Ages" features Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small-town girl from Kansas, both in Los Angeles to chase their dream of one day taking the stage like their rock star music idol, Stacee Jax. After a tumultuous struggle to keep a famous rock 'n' roll club open, the ambitious young dreamers begin to question whether fame and fortune actually lead to happiness.
The musical features songs like Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It." "Everyone had this music in the background somewhere, at their high school dance or as a soundtrack to their first kiss, and you kind of forget that until you hear it, and then you go, 'Oh my goodness, I remember that moment of my life,'" Hanggi says. "You don't even realize how much you know these songs."
Chimes of Christmas
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5
Cost: General public: $14 to $20; IU Bloomington students/children: $11 to $15
Note: Family friendly
Synopsis: Since the 1950s, Chimes has provided family-friendly holiday entertainment with pop tunes such as "All I Want for Christmas Is You," classic songs including "Bogoroditse Devo (Ave María)" and international rhythms like "Betelehemu" (a Nigerian Christmas song).
The holiday favorites are performed by the talented students from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. The Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers perform songs with unparalleled vocal range; the Trombone Choir welcomes audience members with its rendition of a classic carol in the Grand Foyer; and the IU Wind Ensemble accompanies the chorus with internationally recognized musical talent, creating a beloved holiday party.
The Cleveland Orchestra with Joshua Bell
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23
Cost: General public: $38 to $60; IU Bloomington students: $20 to $41
Synopsis: The Cleveland Orchestra, one of the world's top orchestral ensembles, returns for a second time in a recently established residency with Indiana University. Special guest violinist Joshua Bell will perform as soloist with the orchestra. Under the leadership of Music Director Franz Welser-Möst, the ensemble regularly tours nationally and internationally. During their residency in Bloomington, orchestra musicians will once again participate in multiple educational activities with students of IU's prestigious Jacobs School of Music.
The event is perhaps best captured in the words of an audience member at the orchestra's previous concert at IU Auditorium: "The audience of more than 2,000 people was truly captivated by the unbelievable sounds." Bloomington has a vast understanding of and appreciation for music, and IU Auditorium is honored to host The Cleveland Orchestra, one of the world's most sought-after ensembles, for another breathtaking performance.
Taylor 2
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1
Cost: General public: $20 to $35; IU Bloomington students: $10 to $30
Synopsis: Drawing on the innovation of Paul Taylor, one of the most critically acclaimed choreographers in the world, dance troupe Taylor 2 will perform choreography that communicates personal stories and sensual themes at IU Auditorium. Taylor 2 is made up of six talented dancers, allowing them to easily travel the world showcasing unrivaled modern dance technique. This beautifully transcendent performance combines the fearlessness and skill of the gifted dancers with Paul Taylor's unrivaled ingenuity, under the direction of Ruth Andrien.
Traces
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16
Cost: General public: $28 to $48; IU Bloomington students/children: $16 to $38
Note: Family friendly
Synopsis: With no safety nets, no strings attached and no inhibitions, Traces will push the human body to its limits in an award-winning, high-energy, urban acrobatics routine at IU Auditorium. The production opens in a warehouse where a group of survivors communicates the story of rebuilding through expressive acrobatics, music and dance.
Traces combines the energy and makeshift innovativeness of "Stomp" with the fluidity and death-defying movements of Cirque du Soleil but adds a touch of intimacy and individuality to create the in-demand show that Time magazine placed on its "The Top 10 Everything of 2011" list.
"Peter Pan"
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 26 and 27
Cost: General public: $38 to $62; IU Bloomington students/children: $20 to $41
Note: Family friendly
Synopsis: Discover the magic all over again with this two-time Emmy Award-winning and two-time Tony Award-nominated production, starring Cathy Rigby as the boy who refuses to grow up. The Auditorium stage will transform into the magical world of Neverland as Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys face the infamous Captain Hook and his band of misfit pirates.
"Peter Pan" is a unique, family-friendly attraction of spectacle and fantasy. The thrill of flying, timeless magical moments and a captivating Hook will mesmerize young and old alike.
"Spamalot"
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6
Cost: General public: $38 to $62; IU Bloomington students: $20 to $41
Synopsis: Back by popular demand, the quest for the Holy Grail returns to the IU Auditorium stage in Monty Python's "Spamalot," the hit musical that spoofs famous historical events and pokes fun at classic Broadway musicals.
In "Spamalot," King Arthur and his assistant, Patsy -- who trails behind Arthur banging two coconuts together to make it sound like he is riding a horse -- wander the lands recruiting Knights of the Round Table and searching for the Holy Grail. The Knights run into hysterical characters and astounding oddities appropriate only for a Monty Python creation. Audience members will find themselves laughing out loud throughout the musical.
The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma
When: 8 p.m. Monday, March 18
Cost: General public: $38 to $60; IU Bloomington students: $20 to $41
Synopsis: The Silk Road Ensemble, a symbol of social and political harmony, and world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will transcend cultural boundaries in an orchestral concert in the spring. The Silk Road, a series of trade routes that crisscrossed Eurasia for nearly 2,000 years, inspired Ma to form The Silk Road Ensemble in 2000 to promote sharing and learning across cultures, art forms and disciplines.
The ensemble combines the musical talent of artists from nearly 20 countries, who perform live as well as record new music and multimedia pieces. Audience members will delight in the unique sounds produced by distinctive international instruments, including the Persian kamancheh and the Armenian duduk.
"Dreamgirls"
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, April 23 and 24
Cost: General public: $38 to $62; IU Bloomington students: $20 to $41
Synopsis: Motown's beautiful talents take the stage in a new production of "Dreamgirls," a musical that showcases powerful vocals, lively characters and a spectacular repertoire of profound songs. With numbers such as "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "One Night Only" and "Listen," "Dreamgirls" tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s singing girl group and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune.
The musical debuted on Broadway in 1981 and won five Drama Desk Awards, six Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards. As the glitz and glamor of fame are punctured by heartache and disappointment, audience members will find themselves cheering for the success of the talented Dreamettes.
