UCO Announces 2006-2007 Performing Arts Season

August 2 , 2006

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “State Fair,” the Oklahoma premiere of modern dance pioneer Eleanor King’s signature solo, “Air,” and the North American premiere of “Heritage” will be among the featured productions of the University of Central Oklahoma’s College of Arts, Media & Design’s 2006-2007 performing arts season.

The season opens in September with “Heritage,” a play about two young lovers who brave their families’ differences by daring to be together. Charlotte Headrick, a visiting professor from Oregon State University, will guest direct this poignant drama, which is under contract to be made into a film.

In October, the university’s award-winning dance department will stage the Oklahoma premiere of, “Air,” dance pioneer Eleanor King’s signature solo, which is performed without music.

Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Saturday Night,” will delight audiences in November with its smooth, catchy melodies. The story follows a guy from Brooklyn and his friends who want nothing more than to have a date for Saturday Night.
UCO’s Music Theatre students will also stage a spring musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “State Fair.” This musical have proven to be so popular that it has spawned three film versions.

March will feature a unique Broadway Tonight production. Broadway star, Franc D’Ambrosio, the longest running performer of the “Phantom” on Broadway, will sing hits from “Phantom,” “Jekyll and Hyde,” and “Les Miserables.” He will perform with the UCO Symphony Orchestra.

In April, world-renowned UCO Artist-in-Residence Valery Kuleshov will once again demonstrate his command of the piano in a single performance.

Also in April, UCO’s Theatre students will present the experimental, “scholarly” version of the hilarious Shakespeare comedy “Much Ado about Nothing.”

Finally, returning this season are three popular events from the UCO School of Music: The annual holiday revue at the Jazz Lab in December, the “Jazz & Romance” Valentine’s Day fundraiser at the Jazz Lab and “MAC by Moonlight,” a fundraiser for the School of Music held at Edmond’s Multi-Activity Center.

New this year will be “MAC by Twilight,” a more casual October fundraising event at the MAC featuring an outdoor concert on the lawn performed by UCO’s best music ensembles.

For a more detailed description of each of these events, including dates, times and ticket prices, call the Mitchell Hall Box Office at (405) 974-3375 or visit camd/ucok.edu/events.

Page updated 8/4/06