08/16/11 jgm

HAYS, Kan. -- Musical ensembles, dance talents and theatrical musicians will all light up the stage in Fort Hays State University's 2011-2012 Encore Series.

All performances, except where otherwise noted, are at 7:30 p.m. in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall on the FHSU campus.

Featuring trampoline acrobatics, "Boom Town" will open the season on Monday, Oct. 17. Set in the 1860s small frontier town of Rosebud, an unlikely discovery sets off a series of explosive events, exciting brawls, an unexpected romance and a lucrative discovery. Reserved tickets are $30 for the public, $28 for senior citizens and children under 18, and $21 for FHSU students. Unreserved tickets are $26, $24 and $17, respectively.

Showcasing the extraordinary versatility of African-American tenors, "Three Mo' Tenors" is Thursday, Dec. 1. "Three Mo' Tenors" starts with classical opera and goes on to feature nine more musical styles that span 400 years of music including jazz and Broadway, all in one entertaining evening. Reserved tickets are $30 for the public, $28 for senior citizens and children under 18, and $21 for FHSU students. Unreserved tickets are $26, $24 and $17, respectively.

Set in 1869 Kansas, this century's new holiday tradition, "Prairie Nutcracker" is Saturday, Dec. 17, with a special performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18. "Prairie Nutcracker" is the perfect heartwarming American celebration for the heartland's holiday season. Reserved tickets are $30 for the public, $28 for senior citizens and children under 18, and $21 for FHSU students. Unreserved tickets are $26, $24 and $17, respectively.

John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt" will be on Wednesday, Feb. 5. "Doubt" opens with charismatic young Father Flynn beginning a sermon by asking "What do you do when you're not sure?" Audiences soon learn that little is certain in Shanley's brilliant play. Reserved tickets are $30 for the public, $28 for senior citizens and children under 18, and $21 for FHSU students. Unreserved tickets are $26, $24 and $17, respectively.

"My Fair Lady," the Broadway musical adapted from Greek mythology in 1913, is Tuesday, Feb. 21. The musical centers on a phonetics professor's efforts to refine the speech and manner of a Cockney flower girl for life among the gentry. The show's 1956 Broadway production was a smash hit, setting a new record for the longest run of any major theatre production in history. Reserved tickets are $40 for the public, $38 for senior citizens and children under 18, and $31 for FHSU students. Unreserved tickets are $36, $34 and $27, respectively.

America's "most romantic piano sensation," Jim Brickman, will perform Saturday, March 10. Brickman has received international acclaim as a concert performer and has revolutionized the sound of solo piano with his pop-style instrumentals and star-studded vocal collaborations. Reserved tickets are $30 for the public, $28 for senior citizens and children under 18, and $21 for FHSU students. Unreserved tickets are $26, $24 and $17, respectively.

The Italian Saxophone Quartet brings together four of the most established soloists in their field, who will perform in Hays on Tuesday, April 24. In 1984 and 1985, the quartet won several chamber music competitions and were awarded first prize in the "Premier Ancona" by Goffredo Petrassi. Reserved tickets are $30 for the public, $28 for senior citizens and children under 18, and $21 for FHSU students. Unreserved tickets are $26, $24 and $17, respectively.

The Broadway musical "In the Heights" is Wednesday, May 2. "In the Heights" tells the story of a vibrant community in Manhattan's Washington Heights -- a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It's a community on the brink of change. Reserved tickets are $40 for the public, $38 for senior citizens and children under 18, and $31 for FHSU students. Unreserved tickets are $36, $34 and $27, respectively.

Through the presentation of varied forms of performing arts, the Special Events Committee strives to educate, inspire, invoke thought and entertain. Special hearing aids and large-print programs are available at all performances at no cost.

Season tickets are available for reserved seats at $165 for the public, $145 for senior citizens, $100 for children ages 6-17, and $60 for FHSU students. Unreserved tickets are $140, $120, $75 and $50 respectively.

For more information about the Encore Series or to purchase tickets, visit the website at http://bigcat.fhsu.edu/perf_arts/Encore1112, visit the Student Service Center in the Memorial Union or call 785-628-5308.