September
The Millers
Thursday, September 11, 7 p.m.
The Millers are a family that travels the world performing together and have shared the stage with the likes of Alicia Keys, BB. King, Kanye West, Ziggy Marley and Ricky Skaggs. 2006 finalists on AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, The Millers includes 13–year-old phenom, LD, wailing on harmonica. Their charm packs the house, but innate talent and crazy musicianship brings the audience to their feet dancing and applauding. The Millers have musical chops that any blues musician would be proud of–these guys would be astonishing even if they weren’t from the same gene pool!
Sweeney Todd
Monday & Tuesday, September 22 & 23, 7:30 p.m.
This triumphant new cutting edge production of a Broadway tour de force will take your breath away. The winner in 2006 of Two Tony Awards and Four Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical, director John Doyle's Sweeney Todd has stunned theatergoers as never before.
The legendary demon barber, hell-bent on revenge, takes up with his enterprising neighbor in a delicious plot to slice their way through England's upper crust. Justice will be served -- along with lush melody, audacious humor and bloody good thrills.
Innovative, intimate and ingenious, this revolutionary new production of Sweeney Todd “is an event theatergoers will be talking about for years” (The Wall Street Journal).
October
Golden Dragon Acrobats
Sunday, October 12, 3 p.m.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats are proud to represent the very best of the time-honored tradition of acrobats. 2008 will mark the highlight of the Golden Dragons' touring career with their 30th anniversary United States tour. The year will also see the company's home nation of China host the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing with the theme slogan “One World One Dream”. The reflection of that slogan epitomizes the essence and the universal values of what all of us who love the arts hope to foster – Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation and Dream.
Mostar Sevdah Reunion
Saturday, October 18, 7:30 p.m.
To millions of people in the world, Bosnia and Herzegovina is known only for horrible news on violence, ethnical cleansing and war. In the cultural heritage of this country, a special place belongs to the traditional Bosnian music form "Sevdah".
Mostar Sevdah Reunion is an exquisite group of artists sharing the same passion. Some might say that they live for Sevdah and that could be the only cause of their existence.
Diversity in musical backgrounds and individual virtuosity in a collective that never performed two identical gigs in a row makes them unique on the World Music scene.
The Reduced Shakespeare Company
Complete History of America (Abridged), Special Election Edition
Thursday, October 23, 7:30 p.m.
“What the "Daily Show" might be like if it were hosted by the Marx Brothers.” – Boston Herald
600 Years of History in 6000 seconds! From Washington to Watergate, yea verily from the Bering Straits to Baghdad, from New World to New World Order, the three cultural guerillas of the Reduced Shakespeare Company will take you on a ninety minute rollercoaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American History.
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Friday, October 31 – HALLOWEEN NIGHT – 7:30 p.m.
Trail-blazing rockers Joan Jett & The Blackhearts are set to blow the doors off the Gallagher-Bluedorn!
Jett formed the Blackhearts with guitarist Ricky Byrd, bassist Gary Ryan and drummer Lee Crystal. Their first release I Love Rock 'n Roll, became Jett's biggest success thanks to the title track which spent eight weeks at number one.
A string of Top 40 hits soon followed and included her cover of Tommy James's "Crimson and Clover." The hit single reached the Top Ten along with a single of Gary Glitter's "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)." In 1988 Jett released Up Your Alley and found another instant hit with "I Hate Myself for Loving You" and scored a second Platinum LP.
November
Movin' Out
Friday, November 7, 7:30 p.m. & Saturday, November 8, 2 & 7:30 p.m.
Five-time Grammy winner Billy Joel and legendary director/choreographer Twyla Tharp have joined forces to create the spectacular new musical Time declares is "so soul-stirring and exhilarating, it practically bursts out of the theatre!"
Winner of two 2003 Tony® awards, Movin' Out brings Billy Joel's classic hits to electrifying new life as it tells the story of five life-long friends over two turbulent decades.
Featuring a remarkable cast of 27 and packed with Billy Joel classics, this brand new musical takes us back to a time we all remember, to the days when almost anything could happen, to the nights when almost everything did. It all adds up to one unforgettable Broadway musical.
Lakota Sioux Indian Dance Theatre
Sunday, November 9, 7 p.m.
Experience the holistic worldview of the Lakota Sioux through their championship Pow Wow dancers, singers and storytellers. The group celebrates the culture of the Lakota people set against a backdrop of spectacular video imagery and accompanied by traditional and sacred songs.
Handel’s Messiah featuring Metropolitan Chorale and local musicians
Sunday, November 23, 2 p.m.
The Metropolitan Chorale, comprised of singers from the Cedar Valley, annually performs two concerts of major choral works with orchestra and soloists in various Waterloo and Cedar Falls venues.
Messiah is Handel's most famous creation and is among the most popular works in Western choral literature.
December
Kathy Mattea
Friday, December 12, 7:30 p.m.
Kathy Mattea, the beloved, Grammy-winning singer of such classics as "18 Wheels and A Dozen Roses," "Where've You Been," and many other hits, will present a holiday concert at the Gallagher-Bluedorn.
January
Ji Yong
Saturday, January 17, 2 p.m.
A truly extraordinary artist, pianist Ji-Yong has both an awe-inspiring technique and a musical depth well beyond his 16 years. The Chicago Tribune raved, calling Ji-Yong “a thorough musician [with] a sound and style that seemed astonishingly mature . . . a gifted, sensitive young pianist who is clearly going places.”
Russian National Ballet–Cinderella
Sunday, January 25, 7:30 p.m.
Filled with gorgeous pas de deux, endearing characters, and many magical moments, this production promises an enchanted experience for young and old. From the Prince and Cinderella's first ballroom duet...to the dramatic strike of the clock at midnight...to the transformation of a shy young woman into a beautiful princess...this engagement of Cinderella promises yet another great ballet performance.
Bobby McFerrin
Saturday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.
Bobby McFerrin is one of the natural wonders of the music world. A ten-time Grammy Award winner, he is one of the world's best-known vocal innovators and improvisers, the creator of "Don't Worry Be Happy", one of the most popular songs of the late 20th century, and a passionate spokesman for music education. His recordings have sold over 20 million copies, and his collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, the Vienna Philharmonic and Herbie Hancock have established him as an ambassador of both the classical and jazz worlds. Yet McFerrin's reach extends well beyond musical circles: he's worked with actor Jack Nicholson, dancer Savion Glover, comedians Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, and audiences around the world.
With a four-octave range and a vast array of vocal techniques, McFerrin is no mere singer; he is music's last true Renaissance man, a vocal explorer who has combined jazz, folk and a multitude of world music influences - choral, a cappella, and classical music - with his own ingredients.
February
Bob the Builder Live
Sunday, February 1, 1 & 4 p.m.
Everyone’s favorite fix-it guy is steamrolling into town and bringing his lovable gang for the ride in Bob the Builder Live! Come to Sunflower Valley and join Bob, Wendy, Scoop the digger, Lofty the crane and the rest of the machine team as they work together and go on exciting adventures in this imaginative new live action show. Bob the Builder Live! is guaranteed to delight, educate and entertain.
Czech Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, February 14, 8 p.m.
Theodore Kuchar, Conductor
The Czech Symphony Orchestra (also known as The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra of Ostrava) was established in 1954 and arose from the Czech Radio Orchestra. In a short time it became one of the foremost symphony orchestras in the country.
Their program will include Dvorak selection of Slavonic Dances from Op. 46 and 72, Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 and Dvorak Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95.
Montana Repertory Theatre –
To Kill a Mockingbird
Sunday, February 22, 7:30 p.m.
Published fifty years ago, To Kill a Mocking Bird proves to be as moving, poignant and resonant as when it first burst upon the American literary landscape. This classic American tale of justice, acceptance, growing up and forgiveness lives from generation to generation as we pass on the tale of Atticus, Scout, Tom and Boo Radley to new audiences. Having produced To Kill a Mocking Bird a decade ago, The Montana Rep is delighted to be revisiting this powerful play while continuing to explore the heart of the American character.
Ronald K. Brown Evidence
Saturday, February 28, 7:30 p.m.
Discovered by Judith Jamison, commissioned by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and recognized by the New York Times as “one of the most profound choreographers of his modern dance generation,” Ronald K. Brown and his dance company Evidence blend African, modern ballet and hip-hop stylings to tell stories about what matters to the human experience.
March
The Pajama Game
Sunday, March 1, 2 & 7 p.m.
Bright and riotously funny, this all-new production of the Tony Award winning, Broadway smash hit, The Pajama Game is contemporary musical theatre comedy at its very best. In this fast-paced, frisky tale, feisty employee representative, Babe Williams and handsome factory superintendent, Sid Sorkin are on opposite sides of heated negotiations when they suddenly find themselves also having to negotiate the racy affair that is quickly heating up between them! The high-energy score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross brims with popular hits and musical theatre standards such as “Hey There,” “Steam Heat” and the hilarious “Hernando’s Hideaway” that will keep you humming all the way home!
Great Big Sea
Thursday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.
Newfoundland folk-rockers Great Big Sea baptize listeners in a tide of melody, poignant lyricism and buoyant, bracing rhythm. The band creates a complex sound that melds modern pop and rock influences with the gallantry of traditional folk music.
RAIN The Beatles Experience
Sunday, March 15, 7 p.m.
Experience what Beatlemania was all about! From Ed Sullivan to Abbey Road! They look like them and they sound just like them! “The next best thing to seeing The Beatles,” raves the Denver Post. All the music and vocals are performed totally live! RAIN covers the Fab Four from the earliest beginnings through the psychedelic late 60s and their long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days. RAIN is a multi-media, multi-dimensional experience...a fusion of historical footage and hilarious television commercials from the 1960s lights up video screens and live cameras zoom in for close-ups. Sing along with your family and friends to such Beatlemaniac favorites as “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude,” “My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Come Together” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
 Cantus
Sunday, March 29, 3 p.m.
Cantus is gaining recognition as one of America’s finest professional male vocal ensembles. The group’s performances are met with praise for its blend of youthful vitality and polished nuance. Their repertoire spans many periods and genres, including Gregorian chant, Renaissance motets, contemporary sacred works, art songs, world music, spirituals, and pop. Cantus was founded in 1995 in Northfield, Minnesota.
April
Salzburg Chamber Soloists
Sunday, April 5, 3 p.m.
Austria’s ensemble of 18 world-class string musicians performs chamber orchestra repertoire with the freedom of soloists. “Vigorously led by violinist Lavard Skou-Larsen, this very modern group of Salzburgers [bring] to their music-making a youthful dynamism and volcanic energy…” (Canada’s Calgary Herald).
Their scheduled program includes Villa-Lobos Bacchiana Brasileira No.9, Mozart Sinfonia concertante for violin, viola and orchestra in E-flat Major, KV 364 and Haydn Sinfony in f-minor, No. 49.
The Drowsy Chaperone
Tuesday & Wednesday, April 7-8, 7: 30 p.m.
A rare combination of unprecedented originality and blinding talent, The Drowsy Chaperone is a new Broadway musical that boldly addresses a great unspoken desire in all of our hearts: to be entertained. If you've ever sat in a darkened theatre and thought, "Dear Lord in heaven, please let it be good," this is the show for you.
It all begins when a die-hard musical-theater fan plays his favorite cast album on his turntable, and the musical literally bursts to life in his living room, telling the rambunctious tale of a brazen Broadway starlet trying to find, and keep, her true love.
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