Another semester will bring award-winning Broadway shows, musical acts and family favorites to the IU Auditorium for its new season, which runs from October 2018 to April 2019.
From musicals “Chicago,” “Elf the Broadway Musical” and “Finding Neverland,” to performances by Straight No Chaser and the Cleveland Orchestra, the IU Auditorium has announced 14 productions and acts set to take the stage.
“We at IU Auditorium have the privilege of delivering a variety of world-class arts and entertainment right to Bloomington’s doorstep,” said Doug Booher, the auditorium’s executive director, in a press release.
Chicago
At 8 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11, the Broadway musical “Chicago” will hit the auditorium stage. The musical made its debut in 1966 before going on to receive six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, cementing it as one of the longest-running American musicals in Broadway history, according to the release.
“‘Chicago" has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz, accompanied by one show-stopping number after another,” according to the release.
The musical, set in the roaring 20s, follows two rival showbiz stars as they tumble through the media circus caused by the murders they supposedly committed.
Dennis James Hosts Halloween
Dennis James will return to Bloomington for a special 50th anniversary event at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26.
An orchestra of students from IU’s Jacobs School of Music will accompany the 1925 silent film “The Phantom of the Opera” at the family-friendly event.
Hayden Denesha, staff conductor and youth orchestra director for the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, will direct the orchestra.
Monty Python’s Spamalot
The 2005 Tony Award-winning Best Musical will stop by the IU Auditorium at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31.
The irreverent musical comedy was adapted from the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” It tells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table during the quest to find the Holy Grail.
The musical combines skits and antics with bold Broadway numbers and medieval style set designs.
“Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences worldwide are eating up ‘Spamalot!’” the release said.
Elf the Broadway Musical
The lovable orphan child turned elf, Buddy, will visit IU at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14 for this musical, which was based on the 2003 film “Elf.”
The tells Buddy’s story after he is raised by elves at the North Pole before realizing he is actually human and setting off to find his birth family in New York City.
Chimes of Christmas
The Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers will return to the IU Auditorium on Dec. 1 for “Chimes of Christmas,” its annual concert.
The Singing Hoosiers will perform contemporary songs, carols and choral arrangements, and the concert will also feature performances by Jacobs ensembles.
Straight No Chaser
The a cappella group Straight No Chaser will return to the IU Auditorium stage at 8 p.m. Dec. 13 for performance full of pop hits and holiday favorites.
“SNC’s return to IU Auditorium marks 22 years of perfecting their signature sound and tongue-in-cheek charm,” according to the release. “It is always a special evening when the guys return to where it all began, here at Indiana University."
The Cleveland Orchestra
The orchestra will perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 at 8 p.m. Jan. 23 with soprano singer Joélle Harvey, mezzo soprano singer Sasha Cooke and members of the Jacobs School of Music’s University Chorale.
“In their continuous commitment to educating communities, the Orchestra has always created memorable educational opportunities for Jacobs School of Music students with their biannual residency, teaching and inspiring the University’s top musicians,” according to the release. “This year their commitment to education goes a step further, as our students will be showcased on stage alongside these distinguished musicians."
Rent 20th Anniversary Tour
For its 20th anniversary tour, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical “Rent” will come to the IU Auditorium stage.
The musical recounts a year in the lives of seven struggling artists as they face tragedy, loss and love as AIDS sweeps their community.
Mariachi Los Camperos
The IU Auditorium will present the Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 as part of the Arts and Humanities Council’s Spring 2019 Mexico Remixed festival.
The mariachi group was founded in 1961 and has since released nine albums.
“Their performance will showcase to the Bloomington community the vibrancy and intensity that distinguishes this group as one of the finest mariachi bands in the world,” according to the release.
Something Rotten!
The Broadway hit “Something Rotten!” will makes its way to IU at 8 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28.
Set in 1595, the musical follows two brothers names Nick and Nigel Bottom as they try to write a hit play that turns into the world’s first musical.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will celebrate the human spirit through African American culture and modern American dance at 8 p.m. March 29, according to the release.
The theater, which was born in March 1958 in New York City, has performed at theaters across 48 states, 71 countries and six continents, according to the release.
“Their mission to further the pioneering vision of the choreographer, dancer and cultural leader Alvin Ailey by building an extended cultural community allows them to play a crucial social role using the beauty and humanity of the African American heritage and other cultures to unite people of all races, ages and backgrounds,” according to the release.
Reversible
Montreal-based circus company 7 Fingers will present their newest production, “Reversible,” at 7:30 p.m. April 2 and 3.
The production will combine theater, circus, dance, music and acrobatics.
“‘Reversible" showcases the best of contemporary circus — moments of pure grace yield to rushes of adrenaline as a cast of multi-talented performers travel through time and space,” according to the release. “Audiences are called to peek through the key hole at a ‘Reversible’ world, where everyday life is turned upside down into new spectacular universes filled with beauty, emotion and hope."
An Evening with Branford Marsalis
Instrumentalist Branford Marsalis and the Branford Marsalis Quartet will visit at 8 p.m. April 6.
Marsalis first started out as a saxophonist but is now a musician, composer and bandleader who is known for being musical director of the Tonight Show starring Jay Leno, according to the release. Marsalis also started the jazz group, the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
“Known for the telepathic communication among its uncommonly consistent personnel, its deep book of original music replete with expressive melodies and provocative forms, and an unrivaled spirit in both live and recorded performances, the Branford Marsalis Quartet has long been recognized as the standard to which other ensembles of its kind must be measured,” the release said.
Finding Neverland
Based on the film of the same name, the musical “Finding Neverland” will tell the origin story of the classic character Peter Pan at 7:30 p.m. April 23 and 24 at the IU Auditorium.
“Packed with mesmerizing visuals, irresistible songs and plenty of laughs, ‘Finding Neverland’ tells the story of struggling playwright J.M. Barrie, who finds inspiration in four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother,” according to the release. “Spellbound by the boys enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers.”
The result is Neverland and the characters that live within it.
