It’s hard to believe that we are kicking off MCPA’s fifth season this fall! Just five short years ago this wonderful community performing arts center was a construction site and the stage was empty. But it is certainly empty no more.
As word of MCPA spreads throughout the region and the performing arts industry, the shows we present get better and better. I’m excited about the artists coming to Findlay next season as well as our expanded education and community offerings. I hope you are too.
The entire season line up can be found at MCPA.org and there’s a Spotify playlist too, but here are a few highlights of what’s to come:
We are featuring two “spotlight shows” in the 2019/2020 season. These performances stand out as the biggest productions of the year; the “don’t miss” shows; the ones you’d normally have to travel to a large city to experience.
On December 4 we kick off the holidays with Celtic Woman in The Best of Christmas Tour. Accompanied by the Lima Symphony Orchestra and featuring both contemporary and traditional Christmas music from around the world, this all-female ensemble is the must-see show of the holiday season.
We will wrap up the season with the first national touring production of SpongeBob the Musical on June 8. The perfect show for Broadway lovers, families and anyone who grew up watching the beloved Nickelodeon TV series, this Tony Award nominated musical is full of heart, humor and pure theatricality.
The rest of our mainstage season offers a little bit of everything, and something for everyone.
If “oldies” are your jam, you won’t want to miss the pioneers of psychedelic soul The Family Stone on September 14, folk icon Arlo Guthrie on November 15 or Motown hit machine The Four Tops on May 5. From Woodstock to Detroit, with a quick stop at Alice’s Restaurant, each of these artist are legends in their respective genres.
Speaking of oldies, Postmodern Jukebox (here on October 20) is a collection of musicians focused on making the new sound old with their versions of current hits remade as songs from vintage genres. Think swing-style Brittney Spears and Bon Jovi reimagined as a jazz tune.
Realty television has produced some of today’s hottest stars like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry. Fans of America’s Got Talent will get their fix this season as we present three alums of the popular show.
The first is Puddles Pity Party from season 12. This 7-foot melancholy clown with a golden voice brings his sulking serenades to MCPA on November 9.
William Close and the Earth Harp Collective brings his Season 7 standout performance to Findlay on May 2. The body of this massive harp rests on the stage while the strings stretch up to 1000 feet in length over the audience and attach to the back of Donnell Theater, encompassing every space within the instrument.
Classically-trained and extremely versatile, with a repertoire that spans the gamut from patriotic and country to Broadway and classical, The Texas Tenors from season 4 appear on May 17. The Tenors are one of only two acts from AGT to star in their own PBS special, for which they won 3 Emmy awards.
“Sunshine of Your Love” and “(They Long To Be) Close to You” are songs that inhabit opposite ends of the musical spectrum, yet both Cream and The Carpenters have amassed huge followings and inspired generations of musicians. And both of these fan favorites will be honored on our stage next season.
Featuring the talented sons of original band members Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce along with Eric Clapton’s nephew, The Music of Cream 50th Anniversary Tour resurrects one of classic rocks all-time great bands on October 25.
Then on December 19, Michelle Whited shares her note-perfect renditions of Karen Carpenter’s classics from “We’ve Only Just Begun” to “Merry Christmas Darling” in A Very Merry Carpenters Tribute Christmas.
Film buffs and blues fans will want to break out their sunglasses and stock up on dry white toast on March 20 for The Official Blues Brothers Revue. Jake, Elwood and their powerhouse band perform hits from the film — including “Soul Man” and “Sweet Home Chicago” — in the only tribute to the classic movie sanctioned by Dan Ackroyd and the Belushi Family.
On the more classical side, the 2017 Cliburn competition audience award winner Rachel Cheung bestows her immense talents on our beautiful Bösendorfer piano on October 27. The National Ballet Theatre of Odessa returns with their production of Romeo and Juliet on January 28 and Chanticleer – a stellar all-male vocal ensemble whose repertoire includes everything from madrigals to sea shanties – comes on March 1.
We celebrate diversity in our community and Findlay’s biennial Japan Week with Yumi Kurosawa on October 17. A master of the koto, the national instrument of Japan, Yumi is joined by an eminent Indian tabla player Anubrata Chatterjee.
Across the hall from Donnell Theatre, the Live @ Armes series is back with five intimate shows.
From country music prodigy EmiSunshine (March 5) and bluesman Albert Cummings (April 4) to the exuberant Americana of The Way Down Wanderers (November 21) and folk duo The Small Glories (January 18) — with a detour to Central America with Radio Free Honduras (December 12) — these listening room-style concerts are quickly becoming the hottest ticket in town.
This is just a taste of what MCPA has to offer next season. A visit to mcpa.org will give you access to camps and school shows, community theater and civic choirs, flower arranging workshops and book talks, visual art exhibits and family performances… the list goes on and on.
Tickets for all the shows above are on sale now to MCPA donors and become available without a donation on June 25. Season tickets, series subscriptions and packages are available too.
It’s going to be an exciting year and we look forward to having you join us at MCPA!