Princess Theatre announces events for new season
The Princess Theatre for the performing arts has announced seven touring arts events in a professional series as well as a variety of special events for the 2011-2012 season.
The new season continues a tradition of quality entertainment in Decatur’s historic theater and one of Alabama’s premier venues.
Season tickets are on sale at the theater box office, providing first choice of tickets and discounts. Single ticket sales begin Sept. 7.
The diverse lineup of artists begins Friday, Sept. 23, with the renowned comedy troupe of Reduced Shakespeare Company’s premiere of “The Complete World of Sports (abridged).” This piece of theater will appeal to the most intractable couch potatoes and sports addicted fans.
Next the Baxter Theatre, the Tony award-winning and longest running equity theater in the nation, presents the musical Civil War Voices on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Written by James R. Harris with traditional music from the period arranged by Mark Hayes, the play tells passionate true stores of people who lived through the greatest conflicts in our nation’s history as told in their own words and woven with traditional music of the period.
One such character was the playwright’s great-great uncle Joe Harris, a cotton planter from Alabama and reluctant soldier, whose diary inspired the play.
In celebration of The Year of Alabama Music, the series presents two concerts featuring Alabama artists. The Secret Sisters duo is scheduled on Nov. 3, followed by a Christmas concert with a group of Shoals singer/songwriters on Dec. 6.
The Secret Sisters are Laura and Lydia Rogers, a pair of Alabama singers from Muscle Shoals. It was the Secret Sisters’ vocals and their love and respect for music and harmony that first caught the attention of T Bone Burnett, who signed on as executive producer and is releasing the album on his new label.
Alabama songwriters Walt Aldridge, Gary Baker and Lenny LeBlanc with Teddy Gentry of the band Alabama will extend their sixth annual acoustic Christmas special outside of the shoals area to Decatur. They will bring the stories and performances of their hit music along with the special music of Christmas.
On Dec. 8 is An Evening with Rick Bragg. The Pulitzer prize-winning author and journalist known for his non-fiction books, especially those on his family in Alabama. He is one of Alabama’s most popular storytellers and decorated writers as well as recipients of the Harper Lee Award.
On Feb. 3, The GRASCALS will present a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Andy Griffith Show. Winners of the 2006 and 2007 IBMA Entertainer of the Year and the 2010-2011 SPBGMA’a Bluegrass Band of the Year, the GRASCALS are among the most beloved and acclaimed bands on today’s bluegrass scene.
Back by popular demand, the Capitol Steps will return to the Princess on March 30. The troupe began as a group of senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. They have recorded 30 albums and have been featured on NBC, CBS and PBS.
A variety of other special events will include the annual Classical-Blues Cabaret on Jan. 28 featuring blues guitarist Microwave Dave, classical guitarists Phil Weaver and Emily Jones, pianist Ingrid Von Spakovsky and Ken Watterson on trumpet. The 19th annual Big Band Bash will showcase the best jazz bands at local schools and other Alabama big bands on April 5. A new free Rotary Family Movie Night will present the classic movie White Christmas on the big screen at the Princess and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War initiative will feature a variety of activities in the community, including lectures, films, exhibits and concerts.
