Adkins, Pickler, NPAC season highlights

Van Wert independent/NPAC news

Excitement was high as the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio held a noon press conference Wednesday in the First Federal Lecture Hall to announce its 2013-14 season. In attendance were the media, season sponsors, members and curious patrons.

That excitement was justified, as a series featuring Country stars Trace Adkins and Kellie Pickler, as well as Broadway hits, Russian ballet and Contemporary Christian singer Michael W. Smith was announced by NPAC Executive Director Paul Hoverman.

Previous to Hoverman’s announcement, area residents and members of the media enjoyed a light lunch provided by Willow Bend Country Club, as well as a video highlighting some of the series’ shows and concerts.

Before he talked about the upcoming concert, Hoverman said he was amazed that the NPAC will be starting its seventh season in September. “It seems like just yesterday we were fighting to build this place,” Hoverman said.

The season begins September 27 with a lecture by Ceci Wiselogel on freedom, while the concert portion of the season opens October 5 with Contemporary Christian crossover artist Michael W. Smith. Smith is a multiple Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer based in Nashville, Tenn.

October 20 brings another familiar voice to the Central Insurance Stage in Debby Boone. Her show, entitled “Swing This!”, features music her father, Pat, made famous during his time on the Las Vegas strip, as well as music performed by her mother-in-law, the legendary Rosemary Clooney.

November 1 brings four singers from the Broadway show Jersey Boys.  Under the Streetlamp showcases a strong Doo-Wop/Pop/Motown/Rock & Roll sound made famous by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, while the group’s recent PBS special brought national acclaim to the concerts.

This is followed by a rare appearance in this area by The Ohio State University Marching Band, also known as “The Best Damn Band in the Land.” Spirits will soar as TBDBITL brings the sounds of Ohio Stadium to the Niswonger, creating one big skull session of Buckeye spirit!

The premier concert event of the season takes place November 16 as Country superstar Trace Adkins, who also won this year’s “Celebrity Apprentice” reality show, plays the Niswonger. “This season, we are expecting by far our biggest concert we have ever brought in, and we expect to sell out very quickly,” Hoverman said of Adkin’s show.

This “premier” concert is available as a non-discounted event to members, Grand Series and Select Series buyers first, and then, if any tickets remain, to the general public.

The Christmas season kicks off with the Sonos Handbell Ensemble from San Francisco. This talented band of ringers is taking a year off from touring Japan and has made Van Wert a stop on the group’s national holiday tour for a December 1 concert at the Niswonger.

A familiar face and friend of the Niswonger will return December 7. The renowned Tony Orlando brings his Christmas show back following a sold-out show in 2009.  Jazz enthusiasts will be excited when Dave Koz & Friends bring their highly popular Christmas show to the Niswonger on December 10, while Contemporary Christian group Point of Grace rounds out the Christmas season on December 15.  This trio of women has earned 10 prestigious Dove Awards and the “Country Recorded Song of the Year” in 2008. Point of Grace’s Christmas concerts are in great demand.

Starting out the new year will be the beautiful State Ballet Theatre of Russia’s stirring performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet, Cinderella.  A student matinee will be offered, as well as an evening performance by this outstanding ballet production from Russia on January 21.

A few days later, Kellie Pickler, one of Country’s most glamorous female vocalists and the recent winner of “Dancing with the Stars,” takes the stage. Since she was a finalist on American Idol in 2006, Kellie has been in great demand as a Country singer and now as a television personality.

Broadway returns to Van Wert on January 1 when the wacky members of the hit show, The Addams Family, take the stage.  Following a recent run on Broadway, The Addams Family has enjoyed success touring large market areas all over the United States.

An old familiar face from daytime television comes to the NPAC on February 15 as Bob Eubanks, host of “The Newlywed Game” for many years, will bring hilarious clips of the show and actually create the show onstage in the NPAC as part of his “Not So Newlywed Game” show — a great Valentine’s Day Weekend event.

Famed U.S. Farm Report broadcaster Orion Samuelson, a familiar name to all those associated with agriculture, will be speaking and sharing experiences on February 23.

“I’ll Be Around,” “Then Came You,” and “Rubberband Man” are just a few of the familiar songs local residents will think of when The Spinners come to perform on March 1.

On March 9, the beautiful music of Rodgers & Hammerstein will be showcased by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, with two talented local singers, soprano Mary Ann Falk and tenor Jake Wilder, joining the orchestra for that performance.

Kids will love “Dinosaur Train Live!” on March 15.  One of the most popular kids’ shows on PBS television, young children will be excited to see their favorite characters from TV, live on the Niswonger stage.

Highly sought-after motivational speaker Courtnee Carrigan will be speaking on the subject of diversity as one of the Speaker Series presentation on March 19. Her presentation is sponsored in part by Walmart.

And then those crazy Church Basement Ladies return in their latest production: A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement on March 23.

A huge production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera, HMS Pinafore, will be presented on March 29 by New York City’s Gilbert & Sullivan Players. Then get ready for some excitement and fun as “Jungle Jack” Hanna brings a wild assortment of creatures to the stage from the Columbus Zoo on April 5.

And from Fort Wayne, Ind., the Gold Medal-winning Voices of Unity Choir will present a lively and inspirational concert in Van Wert on April 26.

The season comes to a climax on May 11 with one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals of all-time, Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story.  Two big performances highlight the season’s finale for this special Mother’s Day attraction.

Grand Series purchasers may buy tickets beginning June 20.  Those wanting to create their own series of three or more concerts may do so beginning June 26 when Select Series purchasing begins.  Remaining seats will be sold for each individual concert approximately 90 days prior.

Numerous Sponsors and Underwriters were thanked for their support in helping bring such quality performances to Van Wert.  StateWide Ford of Van Wert was again announced as the season sponsor and Steve Munroe, general manager of the local auto dealership, was on hand to talk briefly on the company’s pleasure in sponsoring the upcoming season.

Hoverman also noted that it is due to the support of local and regional supporters that ticket costs remain affordable for everyone who wants to enjoy the quality of artists coming next season to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.