“Mark Twain Tonight!” is just one of the shows that will be featured at the Ford Center during the 2014-15 season
OXFORD, Miss. – The Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts has announced its programming for the 2014-15 season, a lineup includes dance programs, Broadway hits and a performance by the Russian National Ballet.
Iconic contemporary jazz artist Ramsey Lewis is set to kick off the new season with a Sept. 11 show. Ticket sales for all shows begin Aug. 18.
“We continue to focus our efforts on providing premier programming for our audiences across north Mississippi and right here in our Oxford and campus communities,” said Norman Easterbrook, Ford Center director. “The upcoming season will again include performances that provide our students, faculty and alumni opportunities to participate, while others will delight in the mix of high-quality Broadway productions and musical performances.”
Performances by banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck and the Knights, and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins are part of the lineup. Straight from successful runs on Broadway, productions of “Anything Goes,” “Jekyll & Hyde” and “Sister Act” provide a wide range of entertainment options. Hal Holbrook will make his third Ole Miss appearance and his second at the Ford Center in his one-man play “Mark Twain Tonight!”(Holbrook’s first appearance on campus was in October 1962.)
Introduced during the 2013-14 season, “Campus Connections” productions feature faculty-led student ensembles or involve themes that are of particular importance to students. A highlight of the upcoming season has the Ford Center partnering with the UM Opera Theatre ensemble to produce “Hamlet: Prince of Denmark.” Composed by alumna Nancy Van de Vate and based on Shakespeare’s classic play, the opera will feature faculty, students and alumni. The world premiere of Van de Vate’s opera, under the direction of Julia Aubrey, UM associate professor of music, is set for April 18, 2015.
New for this season is an upgraded online ticketing system, which will more easily process season and single-ticket purchases, including discounts for UM faculty, staff, students and retirees.
“We have researched ticketing software used by performing arts centers across the country and have selected what we believe is an easy-to-use, convenient online ticket purchase package for our patrons,” said Kate Meacham, director of marketing for the Ford Center.
The Ford Center will continue its numerous community programs, including the ever-popular Gingerbread Village, held each December.
Dates for each performance, as well as information about season and individual ticket sales, are available online. For the latest updates, visit http://FordCenter.org, and follow the Ford Center on Facebook and Twitter. Also, download the Ford Center’s app for iPhone in the App Store and for Android on Google Play.
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