Frampton, ‘Mama Mia!’ coming to NPAC

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Broadway hits, rock and pop music icons, Country superstars to be, Christian and jazz musicians, magic, a children’s show and interesting speakers, including former Ohio State Buckeye football great Chris Spielman. In short, another great season coming at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

NPAC Executive Director Paul Hoverman announced the 2015-2016 season to a standing-room crowd in the performing art center’s First Federal Lecture Hall on Wednesday. Season sponsors StateWide Ford Lincoln and Van Wert Federal Savings Bank were also honored, along with event and supporting sponsors.

Headlining the coming season is rock icon Peter Frampton and pop artists Air Supply and B.J. Thomas, while the season will also include smash Broadway hits Mama Mia; Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Million Dollar Quartet, featuring the music of legends Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash; magician Mike Super and Christian artist Natalie Grant.

The season begins with Country sensation Scotty McCreery on September 20, while Spielman will speak September 28 on behalf of the Stefanie Spielman Foundation, created to honor his first wife, who died in 2009 of breast cancer. Illusionist Mike Super will appear on the NPAC stage on October 10.

On October 17, Lloyd Webber’s rock musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the Niswonger stage, while rock legend Peter Frampton will entertain on October 24. VeggieTales Live! will entertain young and old alike with a show on November 10, while The Midtown Men brings four original cast members of Broadway musical The Jersey Boys, featuring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, to Van Wert.

On November 24-25, the Broadway smash hit Mama Mia! will entertain audiences with music of the Swedish pop group ABBA for two shows.

Christmas will also be special this year at the NPAC, with smooth jazz musician Dave Koz & Friends here December 6 for a concert, Country a capella group Home Free providing a Christmas concert on December 12 and Christian artist David Phelps at the NPAC on December 13.

Leading off the new year will be Country artist Craig Wayne Boyd, winner of the 2014 season of “The Voice,” on January 23, while Broadway’s The Million Dollar Quartet will follow on January 31.

Romantic pop duo Air Supply will perform on February 13, while B.J. Thomas (“Hooked on a Feeling”) will perform February 27 with the Lima Symphony Orchestra.

On March 6, Luke Zamperini will talk about his father, Olympian and World War II POW Louis Zamperini, the inspiration for Laura Hillenbrand’s book Unbroken, and the subsequent movie. On March 20, Christian singer Natalie Grant will appear on the NPAC stage, with unique singing group Libera appearing on April 3.

This year’s season will end April 30 with smooth jazz pianist Brian Culbertson.

The season also includes five Community Concert Association concerts. Those include musical prodigy Ethan Bortnick on November 1, the Depue Brothers Christmas on December 17, the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra on March 3, 2016, Riders in the Sky (Salute to Roy Rogers) on April 15, 2016, and The Texas Tenors on April 17, 2016.

Sales for the 2015-16 season begin now for NPAC members (find out more about becoming a member by calling 419.238.6722 or at the Niswonger website: www.NPACVW.org. The entire Grand Series can be purchased for as low as $400, beginning July 1, while the Select Series (bundles of three or more events) can be purchased, starting July 8

NPAC season catalogs will be mailed out this month, while those wanting more information can also access the NPAC website above.