New Shows in the New Year

There’s still 30 some hours left of 2011, but at the Fox Cities P.A.C. our sights are set on some great shows headed your way in the first part of 2012. January and February will be exciting months with a great mix of Boldt Arts Alive! Series performances. Plus, Million Dollar Quartet will be here February 7-12! If you’re looking for something to enjoy this winter once the holidays have passed, visit foxcitiespac.com to see what’s headed your way in 2012.

Friday, January 20 – Dailey & Vincent
Dailey and Vincent have been creating a storm of excitement in the bluegrass world, and they’re bringing their own spin on the Statler Brothers’ harmonies and gospel favorites to the Center this January.  


Friday, January 27 – Swan Lake

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia delivers a stellar performance of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, following the story of a young swan maiden under a spell only true love can break.

Wednesday, February 1 – Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

For more than forty years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to create a sound that “gets into the blood.” The Grammy Award®-winning group is making headlines again as their latest release “Songs from a Zulu Farm” has just been nominated for Best World Music CD!

February 7-12 – Million Dollar Quartet

On December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. Now that night has inspired a hit Broadway show with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring a score of rock hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?” and more.

Montana Repertory Theatre's
Doubt: A Parable

Tuesday, February 21 – Doubt: A Parable

Montana Repertory Theatre tackles faith, trust, friendship and the Church with a deft and insightful touch in this Tony® Award-winning play by Pulitzer playwright John Patrick Shanley. 

Sunday, February 26 – Clifford the Big Red Dog – LIVE!

For more than 50 years, Clifford The Big Red Dog has been delighting children with his canine antics and adventures. With help from his friends on Birdwell Island – Emily Elizabeth, Cleo and T-Bone – Clifford finds new adventures in sharing, working together, being kind to others and, most importantly, having fun.

For a full list of events, visit foxcitiespac.com today, and make plans to enjoy 2012 at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center!

Broadway Buzz: How to Succeed on Broadway

Take a few Hollywood movie stars, a television “gleek” and a handful of recording artists, and you’ll see a lot of different actors succeeding on Broadway this season.

The revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying has had a few great months starring “Harry Potter” favorite Daniel Radcliffe, recently named Entertainer of the Year by Entertainment Weekly. But it’s time for a gleek to step into the spotlight! Darren Criss (“Glee”) will be taking Daniel Radcliffe’s role in his Broadway debut starting January 3 for three short weeks. Another familiar face, Nick Jonas (The Jonas Brothers), will be taking over the role after Criss returns to filming for “Glee.” 

Darren Criss as Blaine on "Glee"

A bright spotlight has also been shining on Hugh Jackman’s performance in Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway.  Even though the one man show closes January 1 after a ten-week run, Broadway fans won’t have long to wait before Jackman returns to the big screen as Jean Valjean in the new “Les Misérables” movie. I get chills just thinking about it.

Harry Connick Jr. is currently starring in the revival of the 1965 show On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Harry Connick Jr. plays a psychiatrist who falls head over heels in love, and I don’t think his fans will have a problem falling in love with his charming character.

Out of all your favorite television and movie stars, who would you like to see live on Broadway? 

Happy Holidays from the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center!

Broadway Buzz: War Horse Gallops to the Big Screen

If you’re looking for a fun activity this holiday, catch a great story coming to the big screen on Christmas Day, “War Horse.” Directed by the great Steven Spielberg, “War Horse” will avoid the gore seen in his previous war movies and has a personal tie to the director’s family. Spielberg was inspired to take on the project by his youngest daughter who is a competitive horse jumper (the family owns eight horses). Spielberg saw the Broadway play before committing to the project and was brought to tears by the emotional story.

Based on the 1982 book by Michael Morpurgo recently featured on the Today Show’s Al’s Book Club, the story of “War Horse” follows two friends – a horse named Joey and a young man named Albert. After Albert raises and trains Joey, the two are parted at the beginning of WWI when Joey is sold to be used in the war. Albert cannot forget his friend and sets out to find his horse and bring him home. Even though the story is set during the war, Spielberg said “This is much more a real story about the way that animals can actually connect people together. Joey’s miracles are actually in his great sense of optimism and hope, in the people he encounters, and how he brings something new into their lives.” Read more in the Vancouver Sun.

Photograph by Paul Kolnik

So why are you reading movie tips on a theater blog? Before hitting the big screen this December, “War Horse” made a name for itself as an acclaimed play. War Horse premiered onstage at London’s National Theatre in 2007 and moved to the West End in 2009 after two sold out runs. The show then opened on Broadway in April 14, 2011 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater and won five Tony® Awards including Best Play and is still running. A War Horse national tour was just announced, and the show will be visiting 20 cities in the 2012/13 season. Keep your fingers crossed for an engagement at the Fox Cities P.A.C.!

Photograph by Paul Kolnik

The captivating story is a definite draw to the performance, but so are the horses onstage. War Horse uses amazing puppetry to bring the horses to life in the production, including a young Joey. Each horse puppet is controlled by three people and mimic the movements of live horses, including pinning their ears to show emotion, fluent gaits and carrying a rider.

Shop Local, Think Global at the Fox Cities P.A.C.

Shopping local is a great way to support your community and find some wonderfully unique gifts. While you’re downtown looking for just the right present, stop in at the Fox Cities P.A.C. and get a gift that’s a perfect fit – a Fox Cities P.A.C. gift certificate.

Want to make your gift certificate extra special?

• Plan a night out with dinner at a downtown restaurant 
• Make it a girls' day with lunch and shopping before the show
• Order a t-shirt or CD from one of the Center’s upcoming shows

Gift certificates are available in any amount to fit your holiday budget and can be used to any upcoming performance at the Fox Cities P.A.C. Plus, your giftee gets to pick the show that’s just right for their tastes and their schedule, and best of all, whether your loved one is a fan of musicals or dramas, comedy, dance or the Fox Valley Symphony, your gift this year could open a window to the world right here in the Fox Cities.

P.S. Last minute shoppers, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is open until 4 p.m. on December 23. Visit foxcitiespac.com for ticket office hours or to order online!