GPAC Announces 2009-2010 Season
4/27/09

The Germantown Performing Arts Centre announced its 2009-2010 Subscription Season at the April 25 performance of Yefim Bronfman. A spectacular season is planned with performances in dance, world music, classical music, jazz, musical theatre, and family programs. Two Special Events are on GPAC's calendar of events for the new season - the boisterous political humor of the Capitol Steps on September 19 and an evening with the hilarious author of When You Are Engulfed in Flames, David Sedaris, on April 22.

GPAC's motto "Bringing You the World One Season at a Time" is at the forefront this season with the 2009-10 World Stage offerings. The 80-member Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company leaps onto the GPAC stage on October 18 in a program filled with colorful costumes and vibrant folk dance. On February 20, the world-acclaimed Soweto Gospel Choir will fill the hall with the voices of Africa. The Japanese group TAO fuses rhythm, artistic discipline and spectacle, as TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming explodes on stage on March 5.

GPAC expands on its classical music offerings with four extraordinary performances. Cellist Lynn Harrell (GPAC audiences will remember his passionate performance of the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto with IRIS during the 2007-08 Season) performs with pianist Victor Asuncion on October 22. Spring brings two of the most acclaimed and respected chamber groups in the world: Chamber Orchestra Kremlin on March 6 and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Orchestra on April 13. A special treat awaits on April 29 as GPAC presents the new Gold Medalist from the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Over the past few seasons, GPAC has become a showplace for jazz music in the Memphis area, bringing world famous artists to its main stage Jazz Series, and introducing rising stars in the jazz arena through its popular Jazz in the Box performances. The 2009-10 Season continues this tradition, presenting Dee Dee Bridgewater in a Valentine's Day salute to Billie Holliday on February 14 and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on March 12. Jazz in the Box will again offer six concerts on the third Friday of the month featuring saxophonist Benny Reid, singer-songwriter Alyssa Graham, Kermit Walker & The Jazz Prophets, pianist Tamir Hendelman, vocalists Sachal Vasandani and Sara Gazarek, and Memphis' own Rene Koopman.

GPAC's growing reputation as a presenter of exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance will be well-served in the 2009-10 Season. The Moscow Festival Ballet returns to the GPAC stage with Coppelia, one of the triumphant comic ballets of the 19^th century. With a story by E.T.A. Hoffman (The Nutcracker) and musical score by Leo Delibes, Coppelia is considered one of the happiest ballets in the classical repertoire. At the contemporary end of the dance spectrum, GPAC presents Parsons Dance in a special project with the East Village Opera Company called Remember Me. The show features famous opera arias set to a rock beat and performed by two singers from EVOC who are immersed in the evocative choreography of David Parsons. Remember Me garnered rave reviews from audience and critics alike at its world premiere at the Joyce Theater in New York City this spring.

Musical theatre proved popular with GPAC audiences this season, so two musical reviews are on tap for 2009-2010. On January 29, Neil Berg and his quintet of golden-throated Broadway singers return in Neil Berg's 101 Years of Broadway. Last season's 100 Years of Broadway was such a huge success that GPAC has brought them back to sing more of those Broadway songs that we love. GPAC closes the season with a tribute to Las Vegas' four favorite sons, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop, affectionately known as "the Rat Pack." Written and produced by Sandy Hackett, (son of legendary comedian Buddy Hackett) The Rat Pack is Back recreates one of the famous "Summit at the Sands" hotel shows with hits including Fly Me to the Moon, That's Amore, Mr. Bojangles, and many more.

For family fun, GPAC presents Raggs and the Kids Club Band in their Live Dance Party Tour. The five colorful canines, Raggs, Pido, B. Max, Trilby and Razzles, will perform a program of their award-winning songs, so bring the kids and rock out with Raggs!

Subscriptions for the 2009-10 Season are currently on sale, and this year, GPAC offers the popular, build-your-own Flex Subscription package. With Flex, subscribers may choose five or more concerts from the Jazz, Dance, Classical Music, World Stage, Musical Theatre or Family Programs categories and receive a 20% discount for all concerts purchased. Additional subscriber benefits include advance ticket purchases for Special Events, as well as the ability to exchange tickets for a different performance in the event of a schedule conflict. Subscribers who wish to purchase the entire season of performances receive a 30% discount. For additional information, contact the GPAC Box Office at 901-751-7500 or visit the GPAC website at www.GPACweb.com.

2009-2010 GPAC Season

September 19 Special Event The Capitol Steps

October 18 Dance Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company

October 22 Classical Music Lynn Harrell, cello & Victor Asuncion, piano

October 25 Dance Remember Me - Parsons Dance & EVOC

January 3 Dance Moscow Festival Ballet - Coppelia

January 29 Musical Theatre Neil Berg's 101 Years of Broadway

January 31 Family Programs Raggs and the Kids Club Band

February 14 Jazz Dee Dee Bridgewater - Lady Day

February 20 World Stage Soweto Gospel Choir

March 5 World Stage TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming

March 6 Classical Music Chamber Orchestra Kremlin