Chances are you are going to find something that appeals to you about the Center for the Performing Arts’ 2019-20 season at the Palladium.
From Johnny Mathis to Gladys Knight to Steve Martin and Martin Short to Lyle Lovett to the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, the schedule covers many different genres.
Great American Songbook Hall of Famer Mathis, known for his songs such as “Chances Are” and “Misty,” will be a romantic treat for fans on Halloween night. He last appeared at the Palladium in June 2013.
Martin and Short are a comedy treat early in the season with a Sept. 26 performance.
“I was a board member before I became president. I think I can honestly say this is our best season yet,” Center for the Performing Arts CEO/President Jeff McDermott said. “There is as much, if not more, name recognition from (previous seasons). We have some of the well-known artist as well as vision artists that we brought. Some of our jazz and classical performers people might not know as well, but I think they are going to be wowed. I’m just excited by the balance of the whole season.
“The ones we are really considering the headliners are Steve Martin and Martin Short. It’s the first show after our gala, which really kicks off our season, but obviously there are several that are headline-quality artists.”
The Center’s Annual Gala and Songbook Celebration, set for Sept. 21, will feature a performance by 2016 Songbook Hall of Fame inductee Dionne Warwick. Paul Williams and Duke Ellington will be inducted into the Songbook Hall of Fame.
McDermott said the Songbook Series is particularly exciting with appearances by Mathis, Rita Moreno and Ben Vereen.
“And Michael Feinstein is a perennial favorite as our artistic director,” McDermott said.
Along with acts such as Knight, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Righteous Brothers, the pop/rock series features violinist Damien Escobar Nov. 21.
“We had Damien here two or three years ago and he has really risen in popularity,” McDermott said. “He has a great style of his own and can play violin like no one I’ve ever seen before. At the end of his performance last time, he literally shattered his bow playing ‘Purple Rain’ as the encore.”
Two country acts, Lovett and Trish Yearwood, are scheduled so far. McDermott said he expects more.
“Country acts tend to announce two or three months before they go on tour, so it’s hard to book a country artist six or eight months out,” McDermott said. “If we get the right country artist, it might be the right fit for our Encore Series.”
The Encore Series are acts that will only be sold separately after the performers have been scheduled.
“These will probably be artists we can book the second half of the year with great name recognition,” McDermott said. “We know we end each year with a bang.”
For instance, Amy Grant and Tony Bennett appeared earlier this month but the concerts were added later.
Subscribers to Classical, Songbook, Jazz and Create Your Own Series (four or more) will have first opportunity at purchasing any concerts listed in the Encore Series.
Among the other special events will be a film screening with Napoleon Dynamite: A Conversation with Jon Heder & Efren Ramirez Dec 5.
“We have an electronic video wall which we can use in a variety of configurations,” McDermott said.
Monty Python’s John Cleese’s appearance Nov. 14 will be another special event, McDermott said.
One that will not be held this season is the New Year’s Eve Extravaganza party, which has been held at the Palladium the previous four years.
“We’re going to give it a year off, analyze it and see if it’s something we’re going to continue with,” McDermott said.
For subscriber and ticket information, visit the thecenterpresents.org.
SONGBOOK SERIES
Songbook Academy Finals, July 20; An Evening with Johnny Mathis: The Voice of Romance, Oct 31; An Evening with Rita Moreno, Dec 6; An Evening with Ben Vereen, Jan 18; 4 Girls 4: Broadway’s Leading Ladies in Concert, Feb 29; Michael Feinstein with special guest, Apr 17
PRINTING PARTNERS CLASSICAL SERIES
Collectif9, Oct 4; Sir James and Lady Galway, Oct 29; NFM Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Jan 23; Siberian State Symphony Orchestra, Feb 28; American Brass Quintet, Apr 24.
KATZ, SAPPER & MILLER POP/ROCK SERIES
Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin: Together on Stage, Oct 20; The Righteous Brothers, Oct 27; An Evening with Gladys Knight, Nov 20; Damien Escobar, Nov 21; Chris Botti, Feb 9; VoicePlay, Mar 6; The Company Men, Apr 25.
COUNTRY SERIES
Lyle Lovett, Oct 11; Trisha Yearwood, Oct 24
DREWRY SIMMONS VORNEHM JAZZ SERIES
Ranky Tanky, Sep 13; Harlem 100: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, Nov 8; Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: Big Band Holidays, Dec 3; Kurt Elling: A Century of Heroes, Mar 21; Brubeck Brothers Quartet: Dave Brubeck Centennial Celebration, Apr 26; Zach Brock Quintet: Snarky Violin, May 15, 2020
PASSPORT SERIES
The Kingdom Choir, Oct 5; The Four Italian Tenors: Viva Italia, Oct 25; Doolin’, Mar 27; Piaf! The Show, Mar 28; George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Mar 29
OLD TOWN COMPANIES FAMILY SERIES
The Fourth Wall: Fruit Flies Like a Banana, Nov 9; Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza, Jan 25; Peking Acrobats, Mar 15; Treasure Island, Mar 28
ASCENSION ST. VINCENT HOLIDAY SERIES
Cantus: Three Tales of Christmas, Dec 7; Postmodern Jukebox Presents: A Very Postmodern Christmas, Dec 13; Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2019, Dec 15
SPECIAL EVENTS
Steve Martin & Martin Short, Sep 26; An Evening with John Cleese, Nov 14; Napoleon Dynamite: A Conversation with Jon Heder & Efren Ramirez, Dec 5; U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, Mar 12; Gaither Vocal Band, May 16, 2020
