From MSC OPAS:
OPAS officials announced the events coming to the 2018-19 “Raise Your Voice” season on Tuesday, May 29. The lineup of performances to be presented from October 2018 to April 2019 as part of the 46th season includes six events on the Ann Cobb Wiatt Main Stage series, five events on the Intimate Gatherings series, and three Special Events.
Season and priority single tickets are available now at the MSC Box Office (979-845-1234) or online at MSCOPAS.org. Season ticket packages offer savings opportunities ranging from 10-15% off single ticket prices. Tickets to the Boston Pops concert on March 22 will be available for Main Stage package buyers first. Single tickets for that concert will go on sale on Thursday, August 9 at 7 PM. Season ticket package buyers are seated before single ticket buyers. All events will be performed in the Rudder Theatre Complex at Texas A&M University in College Station.
Of the new season, OPAS Executive Director Anne Black states, “Our ‘Raise Your Voice’ season features female vocal powerhouses like Maria from ‘The Sound of Music,’ Anna from ‘The King and I,’ the Soweto Gospel Choir and Celtic Woman. And that’s not all! The most powerful voices in 2018-19 will be on full display during our season opener when we host the United States premiere of The Choir of Man.” Black continues, “The season truly offers something for everyone. The icing on the cake was when we were able to confirm the Boston Pops. This concert is something we’ve been working on for years. We were thrilled when it all came together!”
A team of community and TAMU student volunteers worked with Anne Black to select the performances on the 2018-19 season. This year’s Program Advisory Committee included Committee Chair President-Elect Michael Wesson, Jaime Grunlan, Jan Faber, Jim Lewis, Sandie Murphy, Woody Thompson and TAMU students Carly Hicks and Zach Wood.
The Ann Cobb Wiatt Main Stage will open with an international sensation known as “the ultimate feel-good show”—The Choir of Man (October 2 & 3). The hills are alive with this next program on the series, a brand-new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music (November 6 & 7, Sponsored by Blue Bell Creameries). For the holidays, families are invited to celebrate the season with the celestial voices of multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman as they present The Best of Christmas Tour (December 3 & 4, sponsored by Aggieland Credit Union). Another Rodgers & Hammerstein musical featuring a strong heroine will be in Rudder on the Main Stage series with The King And I (February 5 & 6). Two new musicals – fresh from the Great White Way – will close out the series—Something Rotten! (February 23 & 24) and Finding Neverland (April 11 & 12). All Main Stage events will be performed in Rudder Auditorium at TAMU. Main Stage season ticket packages for all six events start at $149. Broadway 4-Packs (The Sound of Music, The King & I, Something Rotten! and Finding Neverland) start at $110.
Just in time for the midterm elections, the very popular Intimate Gatherings series begins with the return of everyone’s favorite equal opportunity offenders The Capitol Steps (October 11). L.A. TheatreWorks will be back in Rudder with their newest touring production—Steel Magnolias (October 24). Theater is definitely alive on Intimate Gatherings because the next program on the series is the Aquila Theatre’s production of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (February 26). Unforgettable concerts will close out the series with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (March 19) and Lonesome Traveler: The Concert with Guest Star and Folk Legend Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary (April 4). All Intimate Gatherings events will begin at 7:30 PM and will be performed in Rudder Theatre at TAMU. Some performances will include a Q&A with the artists following most performances. The Intimate Gatherings series is sponsored by Exclusive Allstate Agent, Jackie Voss, Sonic, and Comfort Keepers. Season tickets to all six events start at $180.
The new OPAS season includes three Special Events. Affectionately known as “America’s orchestra,” the Boston Pops will perform a concert of John Williams’ selections under the direction of Keith Lockhart (March 22, sponsored by Tom & Mary Kirk of McGregor, TX). Main Stage season ticket buyers have priority access to buy tickets to the Boston Pops before they go on sale to the general public on August 9. Two special events perfect for families will be in Rudder Auditorium with the Soweto Gospel Choir (October 30) and Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure (November 30). Tickets to both events may be ordered now.
OPAS programs are made possible in part through Hotel Tax Revenue funded from the City of College Station through the Arts Council of Brazos Valley. For more information about all of the events coming to the new OPAS season, please visit www.MSCOPAS.org.