Tritt, Cole among headliners for 2006-07 Norton season

DANVILLE, KY—The 2006-2007 schedule for Centre College's Norton Center for the Arts will be full of dance, song, performance and spectacle.

Kicking off with a celebration of the music of Ray Charles, the season promises to be an exciting one. The Norton Center has been often been thought of as "Kentucky's home for the stars" and this year's offerings won't disappoint.

One highlight is the return of the Southern Nights series, featuring the talents of such renowned artists as Michael McDonald and Travis Tritt. In addition to these special performances, audiences will be able to see such favorites as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, The Marriage of Figaro, Natalie Cole, the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Click here for a full Current Season Calendar.

Special events:

Enjoy A Halloween Treat as concert organist David Briggs performs such "scary" selections as Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D Minor, and his unique improvised accompaniment to The Phantom of the Opera. Tuesday, Oct. 31.

The perennial holiday favorite The Nutcracker will be presented by the Moscow Classical Ballet on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

The Coasters, Drifters, and Platters are back by popular demand to deliver their memory-filled concert one hit after another. The concert will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27.

Newlin Hall Series:

I Can't Stop Loving You, the celebration of the genius of Ray Charles, launches its North American tour at Norton. Fresh from a smash-hit season in London's West End, see what London Times called "Electrifying!" and hear such hits as "Georgia on My Mind," and "Hit the Road Jack." Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22 and 23.

Direct from Buenos Aires, Tango Fire, Argentina's hottest Tango show, brings brilliant musicians, singers, and 10 torrid dancers in a dazzling even of earthy passion.  Monday, Oct. 30.

Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra, America's favorite orchestra presents a holiday concert (its only Kentucky performance) on Saturday, Dec. 2.

Thomas Hampson, baritone, dubbed the "Ambassador of American Song" brings an evening of American Music that draws on works from Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Charles Ives and others. Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Man of La Mancha.  The revered theatrical adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, this Tony Award winning musical comes to captivate and inspire audiences.  Tuesday, Jan. 23.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents Cinderella, the beloved tale of Cinderella winning the heart of her Prince Charming.  Tuesday, Feb. 6. 

The Marriage of Figaro presented by the Bulgarian State Opera. Monday, March 5.

The Parsons Dance Company brings you one of the hottest tickets in contemporary American dance. Tuesday, April 24. 

Show Biz Series:

Blood Sweat & Tears brings their musical talents along with Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, to perform hits such as "Spinning Wheel" and "God Bless the Child." Saturday, Sept. 30. 

Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida was the winner of four Tony Awards and a Grammy. Now the hit that lasted almost five years on Broadway makes its way to Norton Center. Monday, Oct. 16. 

Natalie Cole brings her Grammy Award-winning talent to Newlin Hall. Saturday, Oct. 21. 

Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway brings you memorable songs from the actual stars of hit Broadway shows. Thursday, Jan. 18.  

Luma uses darkness as a canvas and light as a brush to create dazzling, dancing images that tell stories, conjure surreal worlds, and spin a visual magic that never fails to evoke awe and wonder. Monday, Feb. 12.

Les Folies Russes, featuring 50 classically trained dancers and 20 numbers, is a spectacle not to be missed. Thursday, March 1.

Meet the 3 Redneck Tenors—Billy Bob, Billy Joe and Billy Billee—as a new breed of tenor. Mixing NASCAR with La Boheme, lite beer with Carmen, you'll laugh your way through their humble beginnings to their rise to fame.  Tuesday, March 27.

Southern Nights:

Michael McDonald, the winner of five Grammy Awards, makes his way to Newlin Hall. With his beginnings in Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, McDonald is sure to impress with his passionate voice and stream of memorable songs. Thursday, Nov. 9.

Travis Tritt brings his bluesy Southern rock to the Norton Center.  With a string of platinum albums and Top Ten singles, along with three number one hits, Tritt will blow you away on this final Southern Night.  Saturday, Nov. 18.

Musica Da Camera (chamber music series):

The American Spiritual Ensemble features superb voices brought together from throughout America. Exploring the Black experience through classic spirituals, jazz, and Broadway selections, the ensemble will be sure to thrill audiences.  Sunday, Oct. 8.

Anonymous 4, four women who announced their retirement from touring come to Weisiger to promote their new album Gloryland of early American hymns.  Monday, Nov. 20

Laura St. John, violin is one of classical music's ascending stars. Described as "something of a phenomenon" by The Strand magazine, her performance will be sure to impress. Monday, March 12.

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will present a full weekend of concerts for the Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass. The focus of this year's festival is "Music and Romanticism."  Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27.

The College’s Norton Center for the Arts, in its 33rd season, is an internationally acclaimed performing arts center that annually brings to Centre a series of noteworthy musical groups, Broadway shows, individual performances and other works from the performing arts. A complete series schedule and subscription information can be found here: http://www.centre.edu/nc/. For more information, call the Norton Center box office at (859) 236-4692 or toll free 1-877- HIT-SHOW (448-7469).  Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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