Clark State Performing Arts Center celebrates 25th season

For 25 years, the Clark State Performing Arts Center has served as the area’s premiere venue for entertainment and numerous high-profile performers.

To celebrate the upcoming landmark season, PAC Executive Director Adele Adkins has gathered as many entertainment genres as she could find..

Broadway tours, well-known artists, up-and-comers and a familiar favorite will be among the 13 shows in the new season, which opens Sept. 14. Single tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Monday, July 16.

“I’m excited about everything on the program,” said Adkins. “We have a very diverse season, especially in that we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary.”

An example of the way the PAC has grown since its inception is in national tours reaching out. The Illusionists used the PAC for a technical rehearsal its past three consecutive national tours, and will return to perform this season. A technical rehearsal allows a performer to rehearse a show with all of the technical elements in place.

In 2018, the national tour of Jersey Boys will rehearse and tech its show here before opening at the PAC on Sept. 29, which will also be the Circle of Friends 25th Anniversary Gala.

“The Performing Arts Center has a national reputation and this speaks to the visionaries who built this building,” Adkins said.

Other national Broadway tours will include “Rock of Ages” and “The Sound of Music.” The latter is a co-production with the Springfield Arts Council.

While such tours will bring in name recognition, it’s the uniqueness of acts such as The Choir of Man that has Adkins enthused.

An interactive show, it combines nine guys who sing and dance to sing-alongs and popular songs in a working pub setting where real beer will be served and some audience members will be invited onto the stage.

“This show is a perfect fit for us. It’s a party, a party show,” said Adkins. “If I were to recommend someone try to see something new or different, this is the one.”

She also recommends “Cirque Mechanics: 42 Ft.,” which will feature all the trappings of a circus reinvented around mechanics, which Adkins calls one of the most creative and inventive companies on the schedule.

Another standout act is Nobuntu, an all-female a cappella quintet from Africa that performs Zimbabwean songs, Afro jazz and gospel and dancing. Since the group only tours the U.S. two weeks out of the year, it’s unusual having them here.

Part of the season will include outreach programs with various performers.

The Aquila Threatre Company of London will do a master class with three groups including Project Jericho when it presents “Frankenstein.” Aquila was here in 2015 with a Sherlock Holmes show.

Adkins said such shows are not just about programming the best season possible, but providing student experiences since it is part of a college.

As an added feature, Clark State President Dr. Jo Alice Blondin will do a lecture on the novel, “Frankenstein.” It is a throwback to her days as an English professor and she wanted to share her enthusiasm for it.

“There’s an international flair with Aquila that’s exciting to me,” said Adkins.

Even the season’s kickoff show, trumpeter Graham Breedlove, will have a personal touch with his daughter singing. Local talent that will turn the stage into a jazz club.

Additional shows may be added and there will be other celebrations for the 25th year, according to Adkins.

Adkins said the opportunity to collaborate with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Arts Council make having a facility such as the PAC one area residents should discover if they haven’t.

For tickets or more information, go to http://pac.clarkstate.edu/.

Clark State Performing Arts Center 25th Season Lineup

Friday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. Graham Breedlove

Saturday, Sept. 29, 8 p.m. Jersey Boys

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. The Illusionists

Friday, Oct. 12, 8 p.m. Nobuntu

Friday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m. The Choir of Man

Saturday, Nov. 17, 8 p.m. Thompson Square

Thursday, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. Rock of Ages

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m. Sara Goldrick-Rab

Thursday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Frankenstein

Saturday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. CeCe Winans