WVU Arts & Entertainment announces 2017-18 season of University Arts Series

Subscription packages for the 2017-18 University Arts Series presented by University Toyota are on sale now. The season includes: two performances of Mountain Stage with Larry Groce; concerts by Stephen Stills and Judy Collins, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Foreigner, Wycliffe Gordon and Straight No Chaser; as well as the nationally-touring musicals Dirty Dancing, Elf the Musical and Cinderella. This season also features the return of RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles and Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker plus a performance by magician Adam Trent.

University Arts Series subscribers receive priority seating and choose which events they want to see. Subscription packages begin at four events. Order forms are available for download at events.wvu.edu.

Mountain Stage with Larry Groce / Sept. 10 and Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s beloved Mountain Stage features five artists who perform music ranging from folk, blues and country to indie rock, synth pop and more. The show is taped before the live audience at the Creative Arts Center and later aired on more than 150 National Public Radio stations across America. The Sept. 10 performance will feature Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors who are touring in support of their acclaimed new studio album, “Souvenir.” The band recently sold out two shows at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium.

Stephen Stills and Judy Collins / Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Folk icons Stephen Stills and Judy Collins are celebrating the golden anniversary of their love affair that was immortalized in Crosby, Stills & Nash’s classic “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” Stills is known for his work with Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills & Nash; and as a solo artist. Collins is known for her eclectic work as a solo artist who fuses folk, rock, classical and jazz music into a singular sound all her own. For this once-in-a-lifetime concert, the two will perform songs from their rich catalogs as well as debut songs from their joint album due for release this summer.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra / Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform “Shostakovich Triumphant,” which will include Beethoven’s “Overture to Egmont,” Bruch’s “Violin Concerto No. 1” and Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5.” The critically-acclaimed orchestra will be led by guest conductor Krzysztof Urbanski and feature violinist Ray Chen. Urbanski is in his sixth season as the music director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Chen is the winner of the Queen Elisabeth (2009) and Yehudi Menuhim (2008) Competitions.

Dirty Dancing / Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage promises an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing. The show tells the story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different backgrounds who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

Elf the Musical / Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.

Elf the Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls in Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Buddy is unaware that he is actually human and his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. Buddy then embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to be a hit with the entire family.

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker / Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition at the WVU Creative Arts Center. It returns this season on its 25th anniversary tour to once again delight audiences of all ages with lavish costumes and exquisite artistry. The company boasts 40 classically-trained dancers and award-winning principal dancers who will bring the classic story to life against Tchaikovsky’s famous score.

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles / Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Club Band!” by bringing the historic album to life in its entirety for the first time in a psychedelic multimedia spectacular. This performance will take audiences back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that will also include some of the Beatles’ early favorites.

The Illusionist present Adam Trent
Adam Trent, the breakout star of the world’s bestselling magic show “The Illusionists,” brings his signature brand of magic and illusion to the CAC in a 90-minute spectacle. Trent’s production is an immersive entertainment extravaganza of magic, comedy and music perfect for the whole family.

Foreigner / March 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Foreigner changed the rock ‘n’ roll landscape forever with their electrifying brand of blustery blues and impeccably crafted pop. The legendary band will perform their unforgettable hits, including “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Juke Box Hero,” “Hot Blooded” and more!

Wycliffe Gordon and His International All Stars / March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Wycliffe Gordon is a highly-acclaimed trombonist best known for his work the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis. Gordon can scat, multi-note, slide and plunge just like he stepped out of the 1930s. His arrangements and compositions range in style from Louis Armstrong to hip-hop laced with Deep South jazz roots soul.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella / April 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This Tony Award-winning production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the beloved moments – the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more. It also includes some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most loved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Imposssible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.”

Straight No Chaser / April 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Straight No Chaser defies the typical image of an a capella group. SNC has emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fan base, numerous national TV appearances and CD releases. Straight No Chaser captivates audiences with the sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music.

The deadline to purchase a University Arts Series subscription packages is June 30. The Mountainlair and CAC box offices are open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist with orders and to answer questions. WVU Student discounts are available through the box office. All University Arts Series events will go on sale as single events July 17 at 10 a.m.

The University Arts Series produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment and presented by University Toyota. Stay connected with the latest event updates through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @wvuevents.

-WVU A&E-

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