IU Auditorium season brings musicals, comedy for 2005-2006

From comedian David Spade to the popular musical "The Producers" to children's favorite "Clifford the Big Red Dog," the 2005-2006 IU Auditorium's season features a variety of performers and productions.\nThe process of choosing the schedule began last September, when Director Doug Booher and the rest of the Auditorium staff began to find out which shows would be available for the upcoming year. People at the Auditorium compiled these options into a list, which was then sent out to students and non-student ticket buyers, who then voted on which shows they wanted to see, Booher said. \nThe staff used this information combined with their own knowledge of the quality of the show and technical constraints, such as whether the Auditorium stage is large enough to hold the production, to choose the upcoming season, Booher said.\n"It's a pretty intricate dance between the show and their agency and the auditorium," Booher said. "Because basically we're negotiating between three parties to make it work."\nBooher has been negotiating with about 10 different agencies representing the various shows about issues such as ticket prices and dates. All of the season's shows have been finalized since March. \nSome shows have been reserved more than a year in advance, such as "Mama Mia" and David Spade as well as "The Producers." These productions showed great popularity among IU students based on their market research, Booher said.\nSpade launched his career in the 1990s on "Saturday Night Live" and has starred in comedies "Tommy Boy," "Joe Dirt" and "Black Sheep." The performance will start at 9 p.m. to give IU students and fans time to see the football game Sept. 17. \nThe Count Basie Orchestra then will visit the Auditorium for a Sept. 30 performance. The orchestra, named after the jazz performer William "Count" Basie, created more than 60 years the band has made its name performing jazz tunes by the great Count Basie. \nBlast! will return to Indiana, its home state, Oct. 7 through 9. The show began in Bloomington as an outgrowth of the Star of Indiana drum and bugle corps, and it won the 2001 Tony Award for "Best Theatrical Event" and an Emmy Award for Best Choreography. It combines 37 brass, percussion and visual performers in music and theater. \nIra Glass, named "Best Radio Host in America" by Time magazine, will come to the IU Auditorium for an Oct. 15 performance. Glass is host and producer of the documentary program "This American Life," which attracts 1.7 million listeners each week. The program, which follows everyday situations and turns them into comedy has won the highest honors in journalistic excellence, including the Peabody, DuPont-Columbia and Robert F. Kennedy awards. \nJosé Porcel has performed flamenco dancing all over the world, and he will bring his act to the Auditorium Oct. 22. \n"The Producers" remains the biggest Tony Award winner in Broadway history. Bloomington will have the chance to see the production Nov. 18 through 20, with direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman.\nThe Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hans Graf and featuring violinist Sarah Chang performs Dec. 3. PSO has tapped musicians from five continents and music schools throughout the world, including the IU School of Music. \n"(PSO is the first) full-scale professional orchestra performing on campus since 1991," Booher said.\nThe Chimes of Christmas will be around again for the holiday season Dec. 7 and will feature the IU Wind Ensemble, Trombone Choir and the Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers.\n"Clifford the Big Red Dog Live!" will come to the Auditorium Jan. 22. In this all-new story, Clifford and company enter a contest to create a play on Birdwell Island -- the winners get the lead spot in the "Birdwell Island Day Confetti Parade." This musical features characters including Emily Elizabeth, Cleo, T-Bone, Jetta and Charlie.\n"Chicago," -- the musical which became a 2002 Academy Award-winning movie -- will play Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. The production follows the lives of fame-hungry murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, who find themselves on death row together.\nThe group The Black Watch, named for the tartan they wear, perform Scottish songs with bag pipes and drums. The performance will give Bloomington audiences a chance to see a part of the rich culture of Scotland Feb 6. \n"Thoroughly Modern Millie" will be performed Feb. 8 to 9 at the Auditorium and is the winner of six 2002 Tony Awards. The musical bring the roaring '20s to life as cast members dance the Charleston to big band jazz. The musical is based on the story of a Midwestern girl Millie Dillmount making her way to New York City in search of love and a "modern marriage." \nUrban Bush Women is a Brooklyn-based, all-woman performance ensemble founded in 1984 which will come to Bloomington Feb. 28. The group produces dance theater based on women's experiences, African-American history and experiences of the African Diaspora.\n"Hair Stories," about black women and their hair, and "Girlfriends," a sassy tribute to female bonding are just a few of the works presented by the group that makes a living out of retelling stories of the African American plight. \n"Tap Dogs" will combine athleticism and power with the precision and talent of tap dancing in a performance March 22. \n"Mama Mia" will use the songs of Abba to propel its story April 11 through 16. The story involves a mother, a daughter, three possible dads and a trip down the aisle. \nDawn Upshaw, named a modern-day muse, has inspired numerous composers to create pieces for the masses. She has the final IU Auditorium performance of the season on April 19. Popular among music students, the singer's repertoire spans centuries and ranges from Bach and Mozart to Sondheim and Gershwin.\nBooher said he also has the help of students who intern at the auditorium, and a marketing team.\n"I'm excited about the breadth of programming," he said. "It provides an opportunity for students to experience part of the performing arts that they may not have had the chance to experience in the past."\nFor more information on times and ticket prices, visit the IU Auditorium's Web site at www.iuauditorium.com.