2014-2015 Performance Descriptions
Chris Botti
Friday, August 8, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $52
Since the release of his 2004 critically acclaimed CD “When I Fall In Love,” trumpeter Chris Botti has become the
largest-selling American instrumental artist. His success has crossed over to audiences usually reserved for pop
music and his ongoing association with PBS has led to four No. 1 jazz albums, as well as multiple Gold and Platinum
records, and multiple Grammy Awards. He has recorded and performed with the best in music, including Sting,
Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Bublé, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Andrea Bocelli
and Joshua Bell. Most recently, his latest album, “Impressions,” won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album
at the 2013 Grammy Awards. Performing worldwide, and selling more than three million albums, he has found a
form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre.
MICHAEL MCDONALD + TOTO
Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $59
The mixture of great voices, lyrics and music never sounded more pure than when it came from superstars Michael
McDonald or TOTO. Now you can hear them both on one special evening playing their greatest music. McDonald is
the man with the distinctive, soulful voice, who parlayed gigs with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers into a
Grammy-winning, platinum-selling solo career. He continues to release music and tour the world, as well as
moonlight alongside co-horts Donald Fagen and Boz Scaggs, proving himself an enduring force in popular music.
Few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture
than the members of TOTO. With over 35 years together and thousands of credits and accolades to their names,
TOTO remains one of the top selling tour and recording acts in the world. They are the benchmark by which many
artists base their sound and production, and they continue to transcend the standards set by the entire music
community, being simply synonymous with musical credibility.
Chris Isaak
Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
Longevity is a mark by which true artists are measured. “You know, I’ve never tried to jump on a trend, and I’ve
never had to jump off of one,” says Chris Isaak. “I try to do what feels right for each song. So I never have to go,
‘Well, no more disco for me.’” For more than two decades Isaak has been creating music that resonates,
showcasing his stellar songwriting and smooth, dusky baritone (and tender falsetto). All told he has released nine
extraordinary albums and 12 singles, not to mention being nominated for two Grammys. Not one to crave the
limelight, Isaak is always quick to credit the extremely talented people who have worked with him over the years
and speaks of the music in a nonchalant fashion, calling it “Good stuff.” Indeed it is.
Under the Streetlamp with special guest Gentleman’s Rule
Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
Fresh off filming their highly anticipated second PBS special, Under the Streetlamp, America’s hottest new vocal
group, performs an electrifying evening of classic hits from the American radio songbook. Exuding the irresistible
rapport of a modern day Rat Pack, the quartet — recent leading cast members of the Tony Award-winning musical
“Jersey Boys” — deliver an evening of unforgettable entertainment. You’ll hear doo-wop, Motown, old time rock
‘n’ roll and all of your favorite songs from The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Frankie Valli, Etta James, B.B. King and many
others.
Opening the evening is Gentleman’s Rule, an a cappella group whose youthful contemporary style, combined with
timeless harmonies, energizes concert goers with classic ’70s, ’80s, country, Top 40 and even classical music
pieces. This diverse catalog of music exemplifies Gentleman’s Rule’s ability to bridge both genres and generations.
Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir
Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
The Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir was founded in 1950 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization’s Ambassador Artist for Peace, Mr. Julien Jouga (1931-2001). The Choir is now lead by its
Music Director, Mr. Ambroise N'Diong, and is composed of the Cathedral’s chorale, that of St. Joseph’s of Medina,
who each Sunday, in the heart of Dakar’s most working-class neighborhood, interpret Gospel/Negro Spirituals,
traditional African Songs and the magnificent masses that Julien Jouga composed in his country’s four national
languages: Ouolof, Diola, Sérère and Portuguese Creole. The voices – to which drums, guitar and kora are
occasionally added – rise in a local polyphony invented by Mr. Jouga, testifying at the same time not only to his
mastery of language, but to his profound knowledge of his country’s rhythms and music traditions.
Wayne Brady
Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $29
For over a decade, Wayne Brady has been entertaining audiences with his acting, improv, singing and dancing on
television, film and the stage. He began his career working for both the Disney World and Universal theme parks,
but his career took off in 1998 with “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” for which he won an Emmy Award. Brady went on
to host his own syndicated talk/variety show, “The Wayne Brady Show,” winning more Emmys. He has also
appeared on Broadway, the silver screen and various sitcoms and earned a Grammy nod for Best Traditional R&B
Vocal Performance for his single, “A Change is Gonna Come," off his debut musical album “A Long Time Coming.”
Brady can be seen weekdays on CBS as the host of the daytime classic “Let’s Make A Deal” and also still stars on
fan favorite “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
Distinguished Speaker Series:
‘A conversation with Senator Olympia Snowe and Senator Joe Lieberman’
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $42
Two giants from the political stage join together (as they were often known to do in bi-partisan fashion) to present
their views and answer questions on topical issues impacting our nation. Senator Snowe’s dedicated work
garnered her nationwide recognition as a leading policymaker in Washington. During her career, she was named
the 54th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes, and Time named her one of the top 10 U.S. Senators.
Senator Lieberman is perhaps best known as the Democratic candidate for Vice President in 2000. During his
Capitol Hill tenure he established himself as a national leader — one who worked across party lines to find
common ground, a person who spoke his conscience and who got things done for the good of all people in
America.
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Sunday, October 12, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $49
Together, with Benatar’s mezzo-soprano vocal range and Giraldo’s trail-blazing work as a guitarist, producer and
songwriter, Pat Benatar and Neil “Spyder” Giraldo have forged one of the most successful partnerships in rock and
roll history. Since their initial collaboration 35 years ago on the debut album “In The Heat of the Night,” they have
sold more than 26 million albums and charted 19 Top 40 singles, earning four consecutive Grammy Awards and
three American Music Awards.
Ziggy Marley
Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
A six-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, humanitarian, singer, songwriter and producer, Ziggy Marley has
released 12 albums to great critical acclaim. His early immersion in music came at age 10 when he sat in on
recording sessions with his father, Bob Marley. Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers have garnered three
Grammys for their music and generated chart-topping hits such as “Look Who’s Dancing,” “Tomorrow People” and
“Tumbling Down.” Ziggy's solo efforts have netted him additional Grammys, and his 2012 live album, “Ziggy Marley
In Concert,” earned him his sixth Grammy for “Best Reggae Album.” To coincide with the release of his latest
album, “Fly Rasta,” Ziggy is putting out his debut children’s book “I Love You Too,” a multicultural picture book
which explores a child’s relationship with parents, nature and the unstoppable force of love.
An Evening with Jerry Lewis
Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $32
Jerry Lewis is a singer, comedian, actor, screenwriter and film producer who hails from Newark, New Jersey. Lewis
was raised in a Russian Jewish family to a piano-playing mom and vaudeville-entertainer dad. At the age of five he
gave his very first performance in New York's Borscht Circuit singing “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” Be
prepared for an evening of feel-good comedy, unforgettable gags, trademark vignettes, big-screen video montages
of his most memorable and hilarious feature film moments and songs that will delight patrons of all ages! This is a
rare opportunity to spend an evening with one of Hollywood’s true entertainment icons.
National Symphony Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, Conductor
Midori, Violin
Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is one of the finest, most visible orchestras in the country. Now in its 84th
season, the fourth under the leadership of Music Director Christoph Eschenbach, who is also the Music Director of
the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Orchestra has played to great acclaim in events of national
and international importance, including state occasions, presidential inaugurations and official holiday
celebrations. Its performances range from bold new works to beloved favorites, chamber music to original
educational programming, as well as innovative pops programming in almost every genre. Founded in 1931, the
Orchestra has, throughout its history, been committed to artistic excellence and music education.
One of today’s finest violinists, Midori’s breadth and quality of work has been internationally recognized, placing
her in the top tier of string virtuosos. Her unbridled enthusiasm and support of music extends beyond the stage, as
evidenced by her work in educational and community settings.
For program information, please visit the performance’s web page.
National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China performing ‘Cirque Peking’
Monday, November 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
For more than 50 years the dazzling company known as the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China
has mesmerized audiences of all ages worldwide with stunning displays of the Chinese martial arts, illusion and
acrobatics, all set to traditional music. From cycling stunts to high-flying acrobatics to extraordinary feats of
balance, this is one of the most influential large acrobatic troupes on the planet. Fun for the entire family, the
Acrobats are a crowd-pleasing form of entertainment!
New Orleans Legends featuring Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Allen Toussaint
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $32
Preservation Hall was founded in 1961 to promote traditional New Orleans jazz in all its authenticity. Legendary
players like George Lewis, Sweet Emma Barrett and Kid Thomas Valentine, all rooted in the formative years jazz,
were its original stars and performed nightly in a tiny space located in the historic French Quarter. While that
generation is long gone, the hall is still in business, the music is still performed and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
continues to tour the world. Fronting the band at this time is Allen Toussaint, one of the most influential figures in
New Orleans R&B. An American musician, songwriter and record producer, Toussaint has crossed many paths with
many of music’s greats in his illustrious 40-year-plus career (Paul McCartney, Irma Thomas, Paul Simon, Etta James,
Elvis Costello, etc.).
Martha Graham Dance Company
Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $37
As the oldest and most celebrated modern dance company in America, the Martha Graham Dance Company
created and still embodies a timeless and uniquely American style of dance that has influenced generations of
artists and continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The pioneering choreographer and her dancers radically
expanded dance’s vocabulary of movement, rooting it in social, psychological and sexual ideas, forever altering the
scope of the art form. Always a fertile ground for experimentation, the Martha Graham Dance Company has been
an unparalleled resource in nurturing many of the leading choreographers and dancers of the 20th and 21st
centuries, including Merce Cunningham, Erick Hawkins, Pearl Lang, Pascal Rioult and Paul Taylor.
An Evening with Natalie Cole
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $53
Daughter of one of America’s most beloved entertainers, multiple Grammy winner Natalie Cole has built a
phenomenally successful career spanning 35 years. She just released her first Spanish-language album, “Natalie
Cole en Español,” which is a salute to the pioneering, bilingual legacy of her legendary father, and spotlights the
most romantic songs of the great Spanish-language composers. With this effort, she hopes to reintroduce a new
generation of fans to many of Latin Music’s most romantic standards — with both new interpretations of Spanishlanguage classics previously recorded by Nat King Cole, and Natalie’s own personal selections of songs that have
touched her heart and make this album truly her own. Join us for an exceptional evening and a timeless
performance by one of the finest R&B/pop vocalists of our time.
An Evening of Storytelling with Garrison Keillor
Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $32
Every week, millions of Americans tune in to “A Prairie Home Companion” and are magically transported to “Lake
Wobegon,” where they are regaled by the wise, laid-back reflections of radio personality, author and humorist
Garrison Keillor. With his touching and often hilarious yarns about growing up in the American Midwest, the aging
process and late-life fatherhood, he is one of the most popular storytellers of all time. Keillor is out with a new
book, “The Keillor Reader,” a single volume which brings together the full range of his work: monologues from “A
Prairie Home Companion,” stories from The New Yorker and The Atlantic and excerpts from novels and newspaper
columns. With an extensive introduction and headnotes, photographs and memorabilia, “The Keillor Reader” also
presents pieces never before published, including the essays “Cheerfulness” and “What We Have Learned So Far.”
Jekyll & Hyde
Friday, November 14, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $42
Glamorous, sexy and deliciously wicked, “Jekyll & Hyde” is the enthralling musical based on Robert Louis
Stevenson’s classic story about a brilliant but obsessive scientist whose alter ego wreaks havoc across Victorian
London. An evocative tale of two men — one a doctor, passionate and romantic — the other, a terrifying madman;
and two women — one, beautiful and trusting — the other, beautiful and trusting only herself. Both in love with
the same man and both unaware of his dark secret.
Featuring a thrilling pop rock score including the unforgettable hit, “This Is The Moment” from multi-Grammy and
Tony-nominated Frank Wildhorn, and double-Oscar and Grammy-winning Leslie Bricusse, “Jekyll & Hyde” has
mesmerized audiences the world over.
“Lush, appealing and genuinely moving” proclaims the New York Daily News. “Jekyll & Hyde” is back. Don’t miss it!
Beyond Glory starring Stephen Lang
Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 3 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
“Beyond Glory” presents the stirring stories of eight veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, rendering
first-hand accounts of valor that resulted in the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Adapted from
Larry Smith’s stirring book, the moving stories are brought to light by award-winning playwright, stage and screen
star Stephen Lang in a one-man show that will reach into your very soul and keep you thoroughly spellbound. The
oral histories of these eight men are brought to life through Lang’s commanding performance, with a backdrop of
video screens which occasionally evoke the turmoil of combat. Lang subtly moves through each man’s story with a
slight alteration of posture and vocal coloring to suggest a new personality.
“…Beyond Glory allows the voices of servicemen to be heard without the filter of the conventions of drama or the
prerogatives of deadline-driven journalism. Its sobriety, simplicity and lack of histrionics are the show’s signal
strengths.”
—Charles Isherwood, The New York Times
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas By Chip Davis
Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $52
Experience the Magic! Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday
tradition and this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the group’s annual tour. Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis
has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling
multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. The spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound
of Mannheim Steamroller music. Join in the 30th Anniversary celebration of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas.
Don’t miss this ultimate holiday tradition from the #1 Christmas music artist in history!
A Christmas Carol
Sunday, November 30, 2014 at 2 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
A powerful story of redemption, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has enchanted audiences the world over
with its simple message of selfless giving. Ebenezer Scrooge, a most unrepentant, miserly fellow, is made to see
the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own Christmases: Past, Present and
Future. This new adaptation of Dickens’ ever popular classic fills the stage with veteran Broadway actors, lush
costumes, stunning sets, music, dance and a timeless message. With beloved traditional carols of the season
included, A Christmas Carol is an enchanting way to begin the holiday festivities with your family!
Mark O’Connor’s ‘An Appalachian Christmas’
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
Mark O'Connor’s “An Appalachian Christmas” album (2011) made the top 15 on Billboard’s Classical Album,
Crossover and Bluegrass Album charts. It was hailed by critics from The Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times
as the top album of the holiday season. O’Connor is a Grammy-winning composer and violinist who tackles
Christmas classics creating a wondrous mixture of Christmas carols, fiddling, bluegrass and other traditional
American music. Concert goers are treated to fresh takes on traditional songs in what feels like an “off-the-cuff
performance for family and friends.” His renditions are playful and joyous, but can be strikingly earnest too.
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2014
with special guests Jonathan Butler, Christopher Cross and Maysa
Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $44
While jolly ol’ St. Nick is busy making his list and checking it twice, Santa Koz is coming to town. Multi-Grammy
nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz has become synonymous with the season, thanks to his highenergy holiday tour, which celebrates its 17th anniversary this year. “Dave Koz = Christmas,” said the El Paso Times,
and Examiner.com assured readers, “There really is a … Santa Koz,” calling the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas
Tour “a must-see show.”
The Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2014 will feature Koz along with three special guests: Jonathan Butler,
who has earned accolades in the R&B, contemporary jazz and gospel fields, plus two artists who are new to the
run; Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Christopher Cross, known for such Top 10 hits as “Sailing,” “Ride Like the
Wind” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do);” and Soul Train award winner/Grammy nominee Maysa, who
has released 10 solo albums and collaborated with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan to Incognito and
Angela Bofill. The high-energy holiday show will feature the quartet’s fresh takes on holiday classics as well as
other selections that beautifully capture the spirit of the season.
The Tallis Scholars
Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
The Tallis Scholars were founded in 1973 by their director, Peter Phillips. Through their recordings and concert
performances (Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Center, the Sistine Chapel) they have established themselves as the
leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music throughout the world. Phillips has worked with the ensemble to
create, through good tuning and blend, the purity and clarity of sound which he feels best serve the Renaissance
repertoire, allowing every detail of the musical lines to be heard. It is the resulting beauty of sound for which The
Tallis Scholars have become so widely renowned, earning wide acclaim for their supple clarity and tone of their
vocal lines.
Smokey Joe’s Café featuring The Coasters!
Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 16, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $32
Welcome to the hottest joint in town! The Coasters are headlining and it’s always a party at Smokey Joe’s Café!
This Tony Award-nominated and Grammy Award-winning salute to legendary songwriters Leiber and Stoller is a
raise-the-roof, song-and-dance celebration of some of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest hits! Get ready for songs like “Hound
Dog,” “Stand By Me,” “Yakety Yak,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Spanish Harlem,” “On Broadway,” “Kansas City,” “Love
Potion No. 9,” “Fools Fall In Love” and many more. The New York Daily News calls Smokey Joe’s Café “wildly
infectious” and Time magazine says, “it sails and soars!”
“A hit parade … Leiber and Stoller are the Rodgers and Hammerstein of rock ‘n’ roll!”
—The New York Times
Johnny Mathis
Friday, January 23, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $64
One of North America’s most popular entertainers, the legendary Johnny Mathis returns to the Concert Hall stage
to perform your favorites in his trademark velvety voice. Known for his smooth vocal skills and celebrated ballads,
his hit songs include “Chances Are,” “The Twelfth of Never,” “Wild Is The Wind,” “Come to Me” and “Misty.”
Mathis has sold more than 350 million records and is one of only five recording artists to have Top 40 hits spanning
each decade since 1955. Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame not once but twice, he is also the recipient of the
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Zap Mama & Antibalas
Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Music & Theatre Hall
Tickets: $47
Zap Mama and Antibalas bring the Afrobeat world-music sound to the Ferguson Center in a concert like you’ve
never heard or felt before! Known to her fans as Zap Mama, Marie Daulne began as the leader and founder of a
female vocal polyphonic quintet that succeeded worldwide and has since evolved into a variety of configurations
approaching Urban, Jazz, American Soul and Afro-Pop music styles. Using the organic tone of the human voice, Zap
Mama has developed her sound for over 20 years, inspiring diverse audiences around the world.
Antibalas was originally conceived by founder and baritone saxophonist Martín Perna. It started as a cross
between the New York City, Latin-funk grooves of Eddie Palmieri, Harvey Averne and Mandrill, and the jams of the
late Fela Kuti. Over time the music gradually shifted toward the Fela side of the equation. They are routinely
considered Afrobeat’s premier second-wave ensemble.
Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México
Enrique Bátiz, Music Director and Chief Conductor
Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
In 1971, the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México was founded to promote music as a means of union and
identification among Mexicans. The Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México has performed in many cities around
the world with a large number of featured guest conductors and soloists. Foreign conductors who have led the
Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México include Léon Barzin, Kurt Woess, José Iturbi, Piero Gamba and Joel Levi.
The Orchestra has performed in countries such as Spain, Germany and France, and their current extensive tour in
the United States has met with great success with audiences and critics. Both the Orchestra and its Artistic Director
have received the Annual Award from the Mexican Union of Theatre and Music and an honorable invitation to
represent the Spanish-American musical culture in the Festival of Music and Dance in Spain.
For program information, please visit the performance’s web page.
Motown Live: Martha Reeves
Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $32
It was 1962 when Martha Reeves, singing under the pseudonym “Martha LaVaille,” brought audiences to their feet
at Detroit’s famed 20 Grand Nightclub. After some stand-in gigs, Martha (along with Rosalind Ashford and Annette
Beard) backed Marvin Gaye on his first three releases and sang with him on stage. Soon, however, Martha and the
Vandellas emerged from the shadows with “Come and Get These Memories,” followed by an enviable string of
hits: “Heat Wave,” “Nowhere to Run,” “Jimmy Mack,” and, of course, the Motown anthem, “Dancing In The
Street.” Over her career, she sang rock, jazz, country, gospel, blues and classical. After a four-year run as a member
of the Detroit City Council, she is back on the road full time, making sure that no one ever forgets the Motor City!
In The Mood: A 1940s Musical Revue
Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 3 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
This retro 1940s musical captures the sound that moved a nation’s spirit and helped win a war. In the Mood is a Big
Band Theatrical Swing Revue that brings to life the era when America’s greatest generation was listening and
dancing to the likes of: Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James,
Erskin Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters and other greats. The company of 19 includes In the Mood Singers and
Dancers and the sensational String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra. Now touring in its 21st season, In The Mood has
become a phenomenon all across the U.S. and overseas, having played Canada, Europe, New Zealand and
Australia. It’s as authentic as it gets!
River North Dance Chicago
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $32
Celebrated for creating vital connections between dancer and audience, as well as presenting gutsy and
entertaining repertoire, River North Dance Chicago presents dynamic works that combine athletic prowess and
artistic perspective with bold, theatrical flair. River North Dance Chicago was founded in 1989 and has since grown
to become an internationally acclaimed company. Under the artistic direction of Frank Chaves, River North Dance
Chicago demonstrates depth and sophistication with a commitment to creating an accessible, enriching experience
for audiences. Chaves aims for audiences to feel the complete spectrum of human emotions in a single evening,
and leaves them feeling joyful and exhilarated at the end of each program.
Distinguished Speaker Series:
‘Coach Bob Knight: Stories from a Coach and Mentor’
Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $42
In college basketball, the name Bob Knight is synonymous with greatness and winning. Coach Knight is among the
youngest in his field to have won 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 career games. He was the first men’s
college basketball coach to have reached 900 wins and until recently was the only member of this exclusive club.
Bob Knight is his own man, one who represents high principles, expectations and demands for his players, his
coaching staff and, most of all, himself. No other coach can cite NCAA and NIT championships and Olympic and Pan
American gold medals among his achievements, and only two have won more than the three national
championships he has. In 1991 he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2011
was voted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
New York Polyphony
Friday, February 13, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Pope Chapel
Tickets Starting at $37
New York Polyphony is regarded as one of the finest vocal chamber ensembles in the world. Praised for a “rich,
natural sound that’s larger and more complex than the sum of its parts” (National Public Radio), the four men
apply a distinctly modern touch to repertoire that ranges from austere medieval melodies to cutting-edge
contemporary compositions. Their dedication to innovative programming, as well as a focus on rare and
rediscovered works, has not only earned New York Polyphony critical acclaim and a devoted following, but also
helped to move early music into the classical mainstream.
Billy Ocean
with special guest Ambrosia
Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $42
Billy Ocean is one of the most prominent R&B stars to hail from the UK, selling over 30 million records in his
lifetime. Born in Trinidad, Billy settled in London’s East End at just seven years old. The calypso-crazy kid was
influenced by soul singers like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, as well as pop groups like The Beatles and The Rolling
Stones. Multiple Gold and Platinum records included hits like “Red Light Spells Danger,” Grammy winner
“Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)” and “Get Outta My Dreams; Get Into My Car.” California rockers
Ambrosia open the evening. The group scored five Top 40 hit singles between 1975 and 1980 with songs such
as “Biggest Part of Me” and “You're the Only Woman (You & I).”
Jersey Boys: The True Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 20, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 1 p.m.
Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $32
“Too good to be true!” raves the New York Post for JERSEY BOYS, the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning
Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and
Nick Massi. This is the true story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music
history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide — all
before they were 30! JERSEY BOYS features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh, What a
Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
The JERSEY BOYS creative team comprises two-time, Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff, book writers
Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, composer Bob Gaudio, lyricist Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.
“The most exciting musical Broadway has seen in years.”
—Chicago Tribune
“The crowd goes wild!”
—The New York Times
Warning: JERSEY BOYS contains mature content and is recommended for audiences aged 12 and up.
Tango Buenos Aires
Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
Prepare to be energized … Tango Buenos Aires is one of Argentina’s great cultural exports, known throughout the
Americas, Europe and the Far East as the most authentic and uncompromising representative of the Tango.
Created for the “Jazmines” Festival at the famous Buenos Aires cabaret “Michelangelo,” by renowned composer
and tango director Osvaldo Requena, the company has been met with unabridged critical acclaim while touring the
globe many times over. This tour, led by music director Julian Vat (considered Argentina’s most prolific composer
and its leading musician), is titled the “Song of Eva Perón,” a Tango dance and music presentation inspired by the
most important feminine character in Argentinian history, Eva Perón. Tracing her epic life – from her ascent to
fame in the 1930s to her death in 1952 – this is a sparkling and poignant spectacle that is not to be missed.
Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 7 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $39
Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” may not have intended it, but their band Creedence Clearwater Revisited has taken
on a life of its own. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rhythm section (bass and drums respectively) from the
legendary group Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) launched the Creedence Clearwater Revisited in 1995 to once
again perform live CCR hits — touchstones of a generation. “We never really had any intention of playing for the
public,” says Stu. “But a friend wanted to promote a couple of concerts. We got talked into it…” Since then, the
reaction to Creedence Clearwater Revisited’s concerts has been astounding, and driven in part by a generation of
kids who, as Cosmo says, “weren’t even born when the music came out.”
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $39
Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and 2012 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Mary
Chapin Carpenter will embark on a unique series of intimate, acoustic performances this fall. Carpenter will be
joined on stage by longtime friends Jon Carroll (piano) and John Doyle (guitars, bouzouki). Carpenter has spent the
past year performing alongside world-renowned orchestras since the release of her debut orchestral album, Songs
From the Movie (Zoë /Rounder), which was conducted and arranged by six-time Grammy Award winner Vince
Mendoza. Over the course of her career, Carpenter has sold over 13 million records. She has won five Grammy
Awards (with 15 nominations), two CMA awards and two Academy of Country Music awards for her vocals. Her
songs speak to the most personal of life’s details and the most universal.
‘Over the Rainbow’: A Musical Tribute to the Artistry of Judy Garland Featuring Hilary Kole and Big Band
Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
Relive and encounter anew the timeless wonder of the music made famous by an American treasure. The
remarkable Hilary Kole conjures the spirit and beauty of Judy Garland in stunning arrangements. Featuring
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “The Trolley Song,” “As Long As He Needs Me,” “Look for the Silver Lining” and
other great songs made famous by the singer Fred Astaire called “the greatest entertainer that ever lived.” Hailed
by Rex Reed of The New York Observer as a “musical marvel!,” Kole continues to engage audiences throughout the
world since beginning her professional career at the legendary Rainbow Room as the youngest singer ever to grace
that stage. She now graces ours performing the songs of one of the greatest voices ever!
The Russian National Ballet
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Sleeping Beauty at 3:00 p.m.
Giselle at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow during the transitional period of Perestroika in the
late 1980s. Many of the great dancers and choreographers of the Soviet Union's ballet institutions began to
exercise their new-found creative freedom by starting vibrant companies dedicated not only to the timeless
tradition of classical Russian Ballet, but to invigorate it as the Russians began to accept new developments in global
dance. Today, the Russian National Ballet Theatre is its own institution, with over 50 dancers of singular instruction
and vast experience, many of whom have been with the company since its inception. Legendary Bolshoi principal
dancer Elena Radchenko serves as artistic director.
Women of Ireland
Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
Women of Ireland is an innovative and exciting full stage concert production which showcases the next generation
of Ireland’s leading female performers. The show demonstrates the wealth of talent that exists within Ireland’s
traditions of music, song and dance. The common theme inherent in all performances is the presentation of the
most revered qualities of Ireland’s ethnic music which will be transported from the Irish fireside to the
international concert hall platform. In addition, special significance is placed on depicting the pure qualities of Irish
music in a contemporary setting.
Distinguished Speaker Series:
General Colin Powell:
‘Leadership: Taking Charge’
Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $52
For over 50 years, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) has devoted his life to public service. Having held senior
military and diplomatic positions across four presidential administrations, Powell’s deep commitment to
democratic values and freedom has been felt throughout the world. The son of Jamaican immigrants, Powell
attended the City College of New York where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. It was not until
he joined the Army ROTC program at CCNY that he discovered his calling and launched his incredible military
career. He served three presidents and oversaw 28 crises to include the Panama intervention of 1989 and
Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf War. His awards and medals are too numerous to
mention. Powell currently serves on numerous business and non-profit boards.
The Inspiration of Broadway
Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 7 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
The Inspiration of Broadway will be a wonderful evening of vocal music featuring J. Mark McVey from
“Les Miserables” and the inspirational quartet styles of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. A musical evening,
featured songs include: “Climb Every Mountain,” “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat,” “Get Happy,” “Sunrise,
Sunset,” “Bring Him Home,” “Blue Skies,” “I Got the Sun In Morning,” “Blow Gabriel Blow,” “Seasons of Love” and
“Old Man River.” This new show will be an uplifting night for people of all ages.
Kodo One Earth Tour: Mystery
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
Kodo, the “taiko” drumming pioneers from Japan's remote and inspiring Sado Island, have powerful mastery over
their instruments. Since 1981, the group has roused and moved audiences around the globe. “Kodo One Earth
Tour: Mystery” brings a wondrous and sacred realm to the stage using the "mystery" created by folk arts since
ancient times, presenting a world of darkness, light and reverberations with theatrics and new forms of expression.
“Mystery” fuses Kodo’s dynamism of taiko expression with the beauty and true charm that lie within ancient
Japanese traditions. Be prepared for a voyage to the extraordinary, to a mysterious realm that lies in the beyond,
through this stunning spectacle and vibrant expression of artistic excellence.
The Joffrey Ballet
Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $37
For more than a half-century, The Joffrey Ballet’s commitment to taking world-class, artistically vibrant work to a
broad and varied audience has created a solid foundation that continues to support the company’s unprecedented
capacity for achieving important dance-world milestones. Classically trained to the highest standards, The Joffrey
Ballet expresses a unique, inclusive perspective on dance, proudly reflecting the diversity of America. Its repertoire
includes major story ballets, reconstructions of masterpieces and contemporary works. Founded by visionary
teacher Robert Joffrey in 1956, guided by celebrated choreographer Gerald Arpino from 1988 until 2007, The
Joffrey Ballet continues to thrive under internationally renowned Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and Executive
Director Greg Cameron. The Joffrey Ballet has become one of the most revered and recognizable arts organizations
in America and one of the top dance companies in the world.
Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra
Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $22
For musician Sherrie Maricle, her drum set is a real-life metaphor for her career. Just as playing the drums requires
coordinating four limbs at the same time, Maricle’s career coordinates successes as a jazz artist, composer, music
director and teacher. And it is from behind the drums that she leads The DIVA Jazz Orchestra. With her band, she
has performed at many of the world’s most acclaimed music venues and major jazz festivals throughout the United
States and abroad. DIVA has been featured on “CBS Sunday Morning” with Charles Osgood and was presented on
the televised “25th Anniversary of the Kennedy Center.”
Indigo Girls
Friday, April 17, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $42
Twenty years after they began releasing records as the Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have politely
declined the opportunity to slow down with age. With a legacy of releases and countless U.S. and international
tours behind them, the Indigo Girls have forged their own way in the music business. After signing to Epic Records
in 1988, the Indigo Girls released their critically acclaimed eponymous album to thunderous praise; it remained on
the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for 35 weeks, earned double platinum status, received a Grammy nomination for “Best
New Artist” and won “Best Contemporary Folk Recording.” Having sold more than 14 million records, Amy and
Emily are still going strong and remain the only duo with top 40 titles on the Billboard 200 in the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s
and ’10s.
“Along with Simon & Garfunkel and The Everly Brothers, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers rank at the very top of all-time
great duos. The sublime music-making-machine-skewering “Making Promises” is one of their finest rockers.” – The
Boston Herald
BBC Concert Orchestra
Keith Lockhart, Principal Conductor
Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
One of the United Kingdom’s most versatile ensembles, the BBC Concert Orchestra performs regularly at Queen
Elizabeth Hall, London, and Watford Colosseum. The Orchestra was proud to perform at The Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee Concert in 2012. Principal Conductor Keith Lockhart works alongside Principal Guest Conductor Johannes
Wildner and Conductor Laureate Barry Wordsworth. Lockhart has been Conductor of the Boston Pops for 18
seasons and Wildner brings over a decade’s experience with the Vienna Philharmonic. Arranger and jazz trumpeter
Guy Barker has recently been appointed as the orchestra’s Associate Composer. The Orchestra is also dedicated to
working with schools, colleges and local communities, and since 1952 the Orchestra has been the house orchestra
for BBC Radio 2’s “Friday Night is Music Night.”
For program information, please visit the performance’s web page.
Menopause The Musical
Friday, April 24, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $27
Come join our sisterhood! Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra AND
memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more! This hilarious musical parody set
to classic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles! See what millions of
women worldwide have been laughing about for 13 years!
It’s the Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change!
Distinguished Speaker Series:
Brad Meltzer:
‘What’s Your Legacy?’
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets starting at $37
Being a writer isn’t easy — #1 New York Times best-selling author Brad Meltzer had his first novel rejected 24
times. Not to be deterred, he penned a second, “The Tenth Justice,” which became an instant New York Times
bestseller. “Dead Even” followed a year later and also hit the bestseller list, as have all eight of his novels. In
addition to his fiction, he’s written three non-fiction books, comics and TV scripts. Meltzer also hosts “Brad
Meltzer’s Decoded” on the History Channel. Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of
Michigan and Columbia Law School. His newest book, “The Fifth Assassin,” is about a serial killer re-creating the
crimes of all the presidential assassins from John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald. His first novel sits on a shelf
at home, published via a copier store.
The Spinners & The Contours
Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Tickets Starting at $37
Timeless music is the hallmark of The Spinners. Their classic group sound and approach has maintained its
universal appeal across generations. Throughout the years they acquired 12 gold records with hits on top of both
pop and R&B charts (“Working My Way Back to You” and “Can’t Shake This Feeling”) and they are one of the few
groups who can boast four lead singers.
In 1962, The Contours hit the jackpot when Berry Gordy himself penned “Do You Love Me.” Within two weeks of
release it became the No. 2 record in the nation as well as the group’s first gold record. More hits followed: “Shake
Sherrie,” “Can You Jerk Like Me” and “First I Look at the Purse.” Sylvester Potts & The Contours are in their fifth
decade in show business, and are not content to rest on past laurels; they stand ready to entertain fans old and
new alike.