‘The Marriage of Figaro’ Closes Opera Omaha’s Season

Omaha, NE. – Opera Omaha will conclude its 2022-2023 Mainstage Season with a production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.

The Marriage of Figaro is beloved, one of the world’s most popular and frequently performed operas. Mix-ups, mistaken identities, and secrets fly fast through this iconic tale of love, seduction, and guile. Omaha favorites conductor Steven White (Eugene Onegin, Opera Under the Stars, Faust) and director Dean Anthony (Opera Under the Stars) will join forces once again to lead a stunning cast including Sidney Outlaw in his Opera Omaha debut as Figaro, with Vanessa Becerra (Les Enfants Terribles, Medea) as Susanna, his betrothed.

Friday, March 31, 2023 | 7:30 pm Sunday, April 2, 2023 | 2:00 pm

CREDITS

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte

CONDUCTOR | Steven White
DIRECTOR | Dean Anthony

CAST

Figaro | Sidney Outlaw*

Susanna | Vanessa Becerra

Count Almaviva | Michael Adams

Countess Almaviva | Mary Feminear

Cherubino | Kristen Choi

Marcellina | Victoria Livengood

Dr. Bartolo | Rod Nelman

Don Basilio/Don Curzio | Graham Brooks*

Antonio | Matthew Sommer

Barbarina | Karina Brazas

*Opera Omaha Debut

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Single tickets for Opera Omaha’s 2022/23 Season are priced from $19 to $99.

Visit www.ticketomaha.com for further details or call Ticket Omaha’s Box Office at (402) 345-0606. Ticket Omaha’s Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Opera Omaha performances are held at the Orpheum Theater located at 409 S. 16th Street.

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Hypocrisy’s Bloom

Elaine Alvarez stars in the title role in Opera Omaha’s Suor Angelica

Sister Angelica has been sentenced to a convent by her aristocratic family to atone for the sin of having a child out of wedlock.  Virtually disowned, she yearns for nothing more than to be restored to her family. . .especially to the son she was forced to surrender.  This is the tragic tale of Suor Angelica which is currently playing at the Orpheum Theatre under the auspices of Opera Omaha.

This opera is part of Il trittico, a trio of one acts written by Giacomo Puccini dealing with death.  And death is definitely a prominent theme.  Not just physical death, but also emotional death.  Spiritual death.  The death of hope.  And all of it wrapped in a fetid box of hypocrisy masquerading as faith.  In the midst of all this tragedy and gloom rises that mustard seed of faith which truly does have the power to move mountains and grant true peace.

Keturah Stickann really does yeoman work with this production.  When a show is this short (barely more than an hour), a director doesn’t have the luxury of a methodical build and resolution.  The beats come fast and furious and compel the director to help her or his performers reach emotional highs and lows on the turn of a dime and the spur of a moment.  Stickann does this effortlessly.  Her direction especially shines with the intense meeting between Sister Angelica and her aunt, La Principessa and Sister Angelica’s descent into a depressive fugue.  Stickann even manages to add some humor at the top of the opera with some of the nuns trying to outpious each other with vows of ridiculously demeaning and self-abusing acts of penance for minor “sins”.

Ronnita Miller is an imperious presence as La Principessa.  Miller uses her powerful mezzo-soprano like a sword as she cuts down Sister Angelica with her scorn.  Clearly she holds no love for her niece and is implied to be the force that motivated the family to deposit Sister Angelica at the convent with her litany of atonement.  Even her kindness, such as it is, is wrapped in a terrible cruelty as she shares the status of Sister Angelica’s son with a frigid coldness, albeit a slight reluctance to indicate she truly did want to avoid causing her niece pain.

On Elaine Alvarez’s shoulders rides the weight of this show in the title role of Sister Angelica and she bears that weight with incredible strength and grace.  Alvarez has a crystal-clear soprano with superhuman projection power that always suited each emotional beat from utter joy to complete devastation.  Alvarez also has some formidable acting chops as she strikes just the right note of anger and defiance with her aunt to shedding genuine tears when she learns of the tragedy of her son.

The baton of Judith Yan is a paintbrush creating a beautiful landscape.  From the gentle tolling of a church bell to a nearly audible gasp of realization after poison has been drunk, Yan and her musicians create an almost living presence that serves as the opera’s lifeblood.  S.A. Panfili has designed a simple and effective set highlighted by a chapel and fountain.  Betty Fredrickson’s clerical garb is right on target.  J. Isadora Krech has created some very atmospheric lighting especially in the final scene where a bit of fog and a backlight create a hopeful and heavenly vision.

My only disappointment is that the story takes a back seat to its themes.  A lot of crucial story elements are implied rather than explicitly stated and it seemed there was a fuller story waiting to bloom.  Still, the music, acting, and singing serve to fill in those gaps mighty well and make for a more than effective tragedy.

Suor Angelica has one more performance on Feb 26 at 2pm.  Tickets range from $19-$99 and can be purchased at www.ticketomaha.com.  The Orpheum Theatre is located at 409 S 16^th St in Omaha, NE.

Photo Credit: Opera Omaha–Casey Wood

Opera Omaha to Present ‘Suor Angelica’

Omaha, NE—Opera Omaha will continue its 2022-2023 Season with a production of Suor Angelica.

Composed by Giacomo Puccini, notable composer of Madama Butterfly, La bohème, and Tosca, this lesser-known opera explores grief and hope through the eyes of Sister Angelica. After being forced by her aristocratic family to join a convent and give up the child she birthed out of wedlock, Angelica’s trauma returns when an unexpected arrival leads her to wrestle with endurance in the light of lost hope. Puccini’s glorious music captures the profound emotion of a mother’s love and loss of that which is held most dear.

Originally produced in 1918 as part of Puccini’s Il trittico, a trio of one-act operas dealing with death, this will be Opera Omaha’s first staging of the classic piece. Lead by an entirely female production team and cast, Suor Angelica discourses on womens’ agency in an unlikely backdrop. Conductor Judith Yan and soprano Elaine Alvarez will make their Opera Omaha debuts in this poignant production also featuring Ronnita Miller (2022 X, the Life and Times of Malcolm X) and directed by Keturah Stickann (2018 Opera Outdoors).

SUOR ANGELICA

Friday, February 24, 2023 | 7:30 pm Sunday, February 26, 2023 | 2:00 pm

CREATIVE

CONDUCTOR | Judith Yan*

DIRECTOR | Keturah Stickann

SCENIC DESIGNER | Wally Coberg*

COSTUME DESIGNER | Betty Fredrickson*

LIGHTING DESIGNER | J. Isadora Krech*

WIG & MAKEUP DESIGNER | Ronell Oliveri

CAST

SISTER ANGELICA | Elaine Alvarez*

LA PRINCIPESSA | Ronnita Miller

THE ABBESS | Deborah Nansteel*

THE MONITOR | Kelly Guerra*

MISTRESS OF NOVICES | Hilary Ginther

SISTER GENOVIEFFA | Jennifer Cherest*

*Opera Omaha Debut

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Single tickets for Opera Omaha’s 2022/23 Season are priced from $19 to $99.

Visit www.ticketomaha.com for further details or call Ticket Omaha’s Box Office at (402) 345-0606. Ticket Omaha’s Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Opera Omaha performances are held at the Orpheum Theater located at 409 S. 16th Street

Flash! Bam!! Alakazam!!

The Wicked Witch of the West is one of the most iconic villains in both literature and film.  But, what if we’ve all been fed a line about her evil?  What if the official history was simply a lie?  Discover the true story of the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked which is currently playing at the Orpheum Theatre.

I’m definitely of two minds about this show.  I was entertained.  The show is beautifully sung and strongly acted.  But the story lacks a certain punch.  The idea is definitely intriguing, but Winnie Holzman’s script based off the novel by Gregory Maguire fails to hit a home run and has to settle for a double. The first act tends to drag a bit though the developing friendship between Elphaba (Wicked Witch) and Glinda helps to sell it due to the work of the leading actresses.

The story picks up considerable steam in the second act once Elphaba has been deemed the Wicked Witch and an enemy of Oz.  The script introduces multiple storylines and even wraps them all up, but some storylines aren’t developed enough and are just bluntly ended.  However, there is some considerable skill with the way the story weaves in the characters of The Wizard of Oz where it’s clear that that story isn’t a complete lie, but a version manipulated by the true powers in Oz. 

Joe Mantello gets as much out of the script as is humanly possible.  From a technical standpoint, the show is solid as a rock.  The pace is on point.  Cue pickups tight as a drum.  The actors have been coached into strong performances and each has a well-developed character.  Mantello has a real gift for duet scenes as some of the show’s strongest moments are when just two characters are interacting and they can be full of tension and pain or dripping with tenderness and sweetness.

Some strong supporting performances come from John Bolton who plays the Wizard.  He’s more (or should I say less) than a weak man.  He’s a power addict responsible for most of Oz’s problems.  Jake Pedersen excels as Boq, a Munchkin doomed to a dire fate due to his fawning over Glinda and his angering of a powerful foe.  Lisa Howard is downright sinister as Madame Morrible, the power behind the throne.  Kimberly Immanuel has a wonderful arc as Nessarose, the crippled sister of Elphaba who seems sweet, but hides a vindictive nature that makes her worthy of her never revealed title of Wicked Witch of the East.  Michael Genet is sympathetic as Dr. Dillamond, the last animal allowed to teach at the university and a tragic victim of the elite’s desperation to hold on to power.

There’s a lot under the surface of Jordan LItz’s Fiyero.  Fiyero puts on a good front of being a lazy gadfly, but it hides a tortured unhappiness.  Litz is wonderful as he comes off as a not overly intelligent jock until an act of kindness towards a lion cub starts to peel back his layers to reveal the honorable and heroic man lurking beneath the façade.  Litz has a beautiful tenor and knows how to act through the numbers and can be delightfully humorous when he sings about “Dancing Through Life” or heartfelt and loving as he pledges love to Elphaba in “As Long As You’re Mine”.

Jennafer Newberry shines brightly as Glinda.  Newberry does a remarkable job showing us the true Glinda.  She isn’t good.  She’s a rich, stuck-up, vapid airhead used to getting her own way with a bent for malapropisms.  But it’s a joy to see how her friendship with Elphaba helps her to truly become a better person and to inspire her to overthrow the true wickedness in Oz.  Newberry also has a stunning soprano which she can use to comedic effect evidenced by “Popular” where she tries to help Elphaba fit in or use to tug your heartstrings in “I’m Not That Girl” and “For Good”.

Lissa deGuzman is stunning as Elphaba.  She is brilliant at portraying the outcast who hides her pain under the mantle of responsibility as she cares for her sister.  It’s a treat to watch her slowly work her way out of her awkwardness until she claims her role as the Wicked Witch of the West (though not in the way you may think).  deGuzman has a stunning lower soprano and she nails the show’s hallmark song “Defying Gravity” to the floor.

Evan Roider and his orchestra never miss a note in their performance.  Susan Hilferty’s costumes recall the film version of the story with its fantastical clothes and characters.  Chic Silber’s special effects add that crucial bit of magic to the show.  Tony Meola’s sounds help bolster the show with sounds of magic and raging storms.  Eugene Lee’s sets are very impressive with the ever present clock and gears and the homunculus used by the Wizard to seem all powerful.  Kenneth Posner has a good use of lights especially when acts of magic are enacted.  James Lynn Abbott’s choreography is solid, but lacks any huge moments.

In spite of the story not quite being all it could be, Wicked is definitely a pleasant evening of theatre with strong musical performances and splendid acting.  It is also certain to enthrall the kids and the kids at heart.

Wicked runs at the Orpheum Theatre through May 15.  Performances are Tues-Sat at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 1pm and 6:30pm.  Tickets range from $43.50 to $188.50 and can be obtained at www.ticketomaha.com.  The Orpheum Theatre is located at 409 S 16^th St in Omaha, NE.

It’s Going to be ‘Beautiful’

BROADWAY’S NEWEST SMASH HIT

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

TICKETS GO ON SALE DECEMBER 9 FOR OMAHA’S ORPHEUM THEATER PREMIERE APRIL 4-9

OMAHA, Neb. (November 16, 2016) – Producers Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing have announced that the Tony® & Grammy® Award-winning Broadway hit Beautiful—The Carole King Musical, will make its Omaha Premiere at the Orpheum Theater, April 4 – 9, 2017 as part of Omaha Performing Arts’ Broadway Series. Tickets for the musical, about the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter, go on sale December 9. To purchase tickets, visit TicketOmaha.com, call 402.345.0606 or visit the Ticket Omaha* Box Office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Ticket prices start at $30.

“Carole King might be a native New Yorker, but her story of struggle and triumph is as universal as they come – and her music is loved the world over,” producer Paul Blake said. “We know that audiences throughout the country will embrace this show just as Broadway and London audiences have.”

Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice.  Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. Beautiful features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song.

For more information and a video sneak peek, please visit www.BeautifulOnBroadway.com

www.beautifulonbroadway.com

www.twitter.com/beautifulonbway

www.ticketomaha.com

ABOUT OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS

Omaha Performing Arts is dedicated to providing the best Broadway, jazz, blues, dance, comedy, family and popular entertainment to the citizens of Omaha at the Orpheum Theater, Holland Performing Arts Center and beyond. As Nebraska’s largest arts organization, we also provide education opportunities and free community events to expand arts appreciation.  Ticket Omaha is our official ticket provider. We are grateful for support from the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Omaha and Douglas County. We also rely on corporate sponsors, donors and foundations.

ABOUT BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA is part of The John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com and is operated by John Gore (Owner & CEO).BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 38 markets. Current and past productions include Beautiful, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray, On Your Feet!, The Producers, and Shuffle Along.  Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com

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Home for the Holidaze

“CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE”

AN ICONIC HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACULAR

300 COSTUMES, 20 ACTS & 30 PERFORMERS LIGHTS UP THE ORPHEUM THEATER

3 SHOWS ONLY DEC 6, 7 & 8

DIRECTED AND CONCEIVED BY CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR NEIL GOLDBERG TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 AT 10AM!

OMAHA, NEBRASKA – (September 13, 2016) — CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE lights up the 2016 holiday season with its iconic holiday stage spectacular at the Orpheum Theater, December 6, 7 & 8 for three unforgettable performances presented by 35 Concerts and Olympia Entertainment. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 16 for this show that’s not to be missed….it’s a Cirque show…Broadway musical…holiday spectacular…and family show all in one. From the creators of the groundbreaking Broadway hit CIRQUE DREAMS JUNGLE FANTASY, CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE is “so full of energy it could end our dependence on oil” according to the New York Daily News and “a delicious confection of charm, sparkle and talent by the sleigh load.” The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle raves, “even the Grinch would be impressed with this Christmas wonderland.” “Stuffed with so much holiday cheer and audacious acts, Scrooge would exit with a big ol’ smile on his face,” hails the Erie Times News about this “Broadway-worthy spectacle.” “The perfect way to come in from the cold, forget the holiday stresses and find the magic of the season” proclaims The Oakland Press. Don’t miss this international sensation that “Dazzled…at The Kennedy Center” according to the Washington Post.

Tickets, starting at $35 each, go on sale Friday, September 16. They are available online at TicketOmaha.com, by phone at 402.345.0606; or at the Ticket Omaha* Box Office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center, 12th and Douglas. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by calling 402.661.8516 or toll-free at 866.434.8587.

In CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE, Broadway director Neil Goldberg re-imagines the holiday season with over 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 performers from 12 countries showcasing an endless variety of imaginative, heart-pounding and gravity-defying feats you have to see to believe. Experience gingerbread men flipping mid-air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires along with snowmen, icemen and penguins, balancing, jumping and spinning in disbelief. The show celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with singers, choreography and exciting production numbers. Performers and costumed ornament characters twirl, bounce and soar through the air to original music and seasonal favorites brought to life within a stage setting of gigantic gifts, colossal candy canes and 30-foot towering trees & soldiers creating a larger than life wonderland of amazement.

Says Creator/Director Goldberg, “Cirque Dreams Holidaze celebrates our brand with its more than 20-year tradition of spectacular family entertainment presented in hometown cities across the country. There aren’t enough shows today where mom and dad can bring the kids and grandparents, make it a date night, fun time for teens and entertain so many generations with…’how did they do that’, ‘wow’ and ‘amazing’. This holiday celebration is a gift for everyone.”

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE is affordably priced from $35 – $65. There will be three shows at the Orpheum Theater, Tuesday, December 6, Wednesday, December 7 & Thursday, December 8. All performances are at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the Ticket Omaha box office, at TicketOmaha.com or at (402) 345-0606.

For more information, visit: www.TicketOmaha.com or www.cirqueproductions.com.

‘Cabaret’ Coming to Orpheum Theater

“One of musical theatre’s GREATEST TRIUMPHS!” -Houston Chronicle

“Gutsy staging and bold characterizations! CABARET arrives like a KNOCKOUT PUNCH.”

– Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Five stars! WILLKOMMEN HOME. A Broadway jewel returns in all its glittering glory.”

– Time Out New York

“Truly unmissable! Even if you saw it last time, you are strongly advised – no, URGED – to return.”

-USA Today

ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY’S TONY AWARD® -WINNING PRODUCTION OF CABARET COMES TO OMAHA’S ORPHEUM THEATER OCTOBER 11-16

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (September 7, 2016) — Direct from Broadway, Cabaret, the musical masterpiece comes to Omaha’s Orpheum Theater. As part of their 50th Anniversary Season, the critically acclaimed and award-winning Roundabout Theatre Company is proud to present the National Tour of Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall’s (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Tony Award®-winning production of Cabaret, playing Tuesday, October 11 through Sunday, October 16 at the Orpheum Theater as part of Omaha Performing Arts’ Broadway Series.

Tickets, starting at $30 each, are available online at TicketOmaha.com; by phone at 402.345.0606; or at the Ticket Omaha box office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center, 12th and Douglas. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by calling 402.661.8516 or toll-free at 866.434.8587.

John Kander and Fred Ebb, best known for their legendary musical, Chicago and Joe Masteroff’s Tony®-winning musical features some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time.” Cabaret is set in the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles, and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd––and to leave their troubles outside.

The North American Tour of Cabaret features the original Broadway direction by Sam Mendes and original co-direction and choreography by Rob Marshall. Tour direction is under the helm of BT McNicholl (Spamalot) and choreography is recreated by Cynthia Onrubia (Victor/Victoria). The design team includes set design by Robert Brill (Assassins), costume design by William Ivey Long (Chicago), lighting design by Peggy Eisenhauer (Ragtime) and Mike Baldassari (Nine), sound design by Keith Caggiano (The Radio City Christmas Spectacular) based on the original Broadway design by Brian Ronan with hair and wig design by Paul Huntley. Cabaret features orchestrations by Michael Gibson (The Boy From Oz), music supervision and vocal arrangements by Patrick Vaccariello (On Your Feet) and music direction by Robert Cookman (Legally Blonde). M·A·C. is the Official Makeup Partner for the production. Cabaret is based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

Roundabout Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of Cabaret first opened on Broadway on March 19, 1998 starring Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson and won four Tony® Awards including Best Revival of a Musical. Cabaret went on to play on Broadway for six years and 2,378 performances before finishing its run on January

4, 2004. Cabaret returned to Broadway and the infamous Studio 54 with performances beginning March 21, 2014 with Alan Cumming reprising his Tony®-winning role as the Emcee. The production featured Michelle Williams, Emma Stone and Sienna Miller in the role of Sally Bowles and played 423 performances through March 29, 2015.

Cabaret premiered on Broadway in 1966 and won eight Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, in addition to the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, the Outer Critics’ Circle Award, the Variety Poll of New York Critics, and London’s Evening Standard Award. The original Broadway production played 1,166 performances.

Cabaret will play Omaha’s Orpheum Theater Tuesday, October 11, Wednesday, October 12 and Thursday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, October 14 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, October 15 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 16 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

For more information on Cabaret go to http://www.ticketomaha.com or http://www.cabaretmusical.com http://www.roundabouttheatre.org. Follow ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY on Twitter: RTC-NYC and on Facebook. Follow Cabaret on Twitter: Cabaret_Musical and on Facebook.

A Night of Laughs with Ron White & Josh Blue

COMEDIAN RON “TATER SALAD” WHITE RETURNS TO OMAHA WITH SPECIAL GUEST JOSH BLUE

Saturday, July 9, 2016 Tickets On Sale Now!

Omaha, Neb. (June 20, 2016) – Comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White, best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the “Blue Collar Comedy” phenomenon returns to Omaha with his new stand-up show, Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 7:00 PM in Slosburg Hall at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Comedian Josh Blue will open for Ron White at this performance. Blue is a winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. His 2011 special “Comedy Central Presents: Josh Blue,” received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. The special was named one of the best for that year on the Comedy Central Network. He has appeared twice on the “Ron White’s Comedy Salute to the Troops” and has been featured on a number of TV shows.

Tickets, starting at $46.75, are currently on sale through Ticket Omaha by phone at 402.345.0606, online at TicketOmaha.com or in-person at the Ticket Omaha office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center at 13th and Douglas Streets. This program is for mature audiences.

Ron White has achieved three Grammy® nominations, a Gold Record, two of the top rated one-hour specials in Comedy Central history, a book that appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List, and CD and DVD sales of over 10 million units.

Mannheim Steamroller is Coming for Christmas

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS

By Chip Davis

Orpheum Theater

Thursday and Friday, December 22 and 23, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (May 17, 2016) – Mannheim Steamroller will present the best the holiday has to offer this season. The group will perform live for two performances only at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater on Thursday and Friday, December 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Monday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. exclusively through www.TicketOmaha.com, (402) 345-0606, or at the box office located at 13th and Douglas streets. Ticket prices range from $38.25 to $78.25.

This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the Christmas tour and release of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, an album that revolutionized the holiday season music category.

Grammy Award® winner Chip Davis will direct and co-produce the tour performances with MagicSpace Entertainment. The show features classic Christmas hits from Mannheim Steamroller and dazzling multimedia effects in an intimate setting. The spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.

In addition to being a holiday tradition for many families, the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas tour regularly attracts repeat attendance from multi-generational guests and is one of the longest running tours in the music industry. This year’s tour includes many of the performances in a PBS special broadcast airing this year, “Mannheim Steamroller 30/40 Live,” featuring the group’s legendary concert.

Mannheim Steamroller has sold more than 40 million albums, 28 million in the Christmas genre. Their holiday albums have become synonymous with Christmas and consistently occupy top spots on Billboard’s Seasonal Charts every year.

With 19 gold, eight multi-platinum and four platinum-certified records, Chip Davis is among an elite group of artists that include U2, Jay-Z, and The Beach Boys with such certifications.

About Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller

From his longtime home in Omaha, Neb., Mannheim Steamroller creator Chip Davis makes innovative music inspired by the sounds of another age. This former teacher and jingle writer founded the music industry’s largest independent recording label, American Gramaphone, in 1974 when industry executives said Davis’ innovative 18th century instrumental rock sound would never sell. In addition to a Grammy Award®, Davis is largely credited with establishing the New Age music category. He went on to revolutionize the making and marketing of holiday music. His first Christmas album was released in 1984; the album’s success made Christmas records a “must do” for all music artists. With more than 40 million total records sold including 28 million Christmas albums, Mannheim Steamroller founder Chip Davis is the #1-selling Christmas music artist of all time. Davis, one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the music industry, offers a rich array of lifestyle products on www.mannheimsteamroller.com including hot chocolate, food, apparel and novelty items. His latest achievement is creating a cutting edge psychoacoustic technology that is being used in major medical institutions such as Mayo Clinic.

About MagicSpace Entertainment

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis is produced by MagicSpace Entertainment. The company is headed by Lee D. Marshall, Joe Marsh, John Ballard, Steve Boulay, and Bruce Granath and has been producing and presenting national tours, Broadway shows, concerts and museum exhibits worldwide for over 30 years. Consistently one of the top promoters in North America, MagicSpace Entertainment typically produces and presents more than 250 events in 75 cities per year. They have offices in Park City and Salt Lake City, UT. www.magicspace.net

It’s BAAaack: ‘Book of Mormon’ Returns to Omaha

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (May 11, 2016) – Back by popular demand, The Book of Mormon, returns to Omaha for a limited engagement Tuesday, May 31, through Sunday, June 5 at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Tickets, beginning at $35 are available at the Ticket Omaha Box Office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th and Douglas streets, online at TicketOmaha.com; or by phone 402.345.0606. Group orders may be placed by calling 402.661.8516.

The Book of Mormon features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy® Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series, South Park. Tony® Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, Avenue Q. The musical is choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker.

The Book of Mormon is the winner of nine Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Book (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Direction (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker), Best Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the 2011 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album; four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.

The Book of Mormon features set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and sound design by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. Music direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording for The Book of Mormon, winner of the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.

The Book of Mormon will play at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., Tuesday, May 31, through Sunday, June 5, with performances on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit http://www.TicketOmaha.com, or visit the official The Book of Mormon website: http://www.BookofMormonTheMusical.com. Follow The Book of Mormon on Twitter and on Facebook. Follow Omaha Performing Arts on Facebook: OmahaPerformingArtsorg; Twitter: @OPerformingArts or You Tube:  youtube.com/OmahaPerformingArts.