University News

Olivia Newton-John Headlines Bureau of Cultural Affairs 2006-07 Lineup

June 21, 2006

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MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University’s Bureau of Cultural Affairs (BCA) 2006-2007 season lineup includes 16 shows from Broadway musicals to prime time opera to Chinese acrobats to a headliner who crossed over into the superstar category with the 1978 production of “Grease.”

BCA season headliner Olivia Newton-John is scheduled to perform Wednesday, Oct. 18 in Western Hall. She received her first Grammy Award as Best Country Vocalist and was honored by the Academy Of Country Music as the Most Promising Female Vocalist with her 1973 U.S. album debut and first top-10 single, “Let Me Be There.” She won three more Grammys as well as numerous Country Music, American Music and Peoples Choice awards; had five No. 1 hits, including “Physical,” which had a 10-week run on top; and had 15 top-10 singles.

Also appearing in Western Hall will be ChinaÂ’s Golden Dragon Acrobats who combine acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes and ancient and contemporary theatrical techniques to entertain audiences. The Golden Dragon Acrobats are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway hit “RENT” is back by popular demand for a Sunday, Oct. 29 show; the East Village Opera Company, which features a five-piece band, a string quartet and two vocalists who turn classic opera into modern rock, take the stage in Western Hall Tuesday, Nov. 14; and a perennial Broadway favorite, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” returns to Macomb Wednesday, April 25.

The BCA season kicks off Friday, Sept. 15 with legendary jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis and his trio in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall. Marsalis' visit is in conjuction with Macomb's Fifth Annual Al Sears Jazz Festival Sept. 13-17.

The series of four Wednesday Faculty Chamber Recitals scheduled in the COFAC Recital Hall begins Oct. 4, featuring WesternÂ’s Camerata Woodwind Quintet and two special ensembles. It continues with the Hopper Jazztet Nov. 1; the music of Francaix, Sibbing, Caldwell, Gregson and four special ensembles Feb. 7; and concludes with the Julstrom String Quartet, baritone Paul Kreider and clarinetist Eric Ginsberg April 4.

The COFAC Recital Hall will also be the venue for the American Brass Quintet, Monday, Nov. 6; Prime Time Opera, including arias, duets and trios featured in movies, television and commercials, Thursday, Jan. 25; vocalist Adam Pascal, an original cast star of “RENT,” who will present a concert of Broadway favorites and his own popular music; and the Faculty Solo Showcase, featuring five solo masterpieces performed by some of Western’s best musicians, Wednesday, April 18.

University Union Grand Ballroom performances will include jazz vocalist and saxophonist Curtis Stigers with his trio performing jazz standards and popular pieces Tuesday, Oct. 10; and Jim WitterÂ’s Piano Men, a multimedia presentation and life performance of Billy Joel and Elton John music, Tuesday, March 6.

All shows being at 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.

Patrons may renew their ticket subscriptions through July 15. New series subscriptions for the 2006-07 season will be on sale to the public Monday, July 17 through Friday, Sept. 1.

BCA patrons design their own performance packages by selecting individual events. Also this year FlexBooks, which can be used as voucher tickets toward any of the shows, may be purchased at any time during the season. These may be purchased in books of six or 12 vouchers which can be exchanged for tickets throughout the year.

WIU students can join the Top Shelf Society for a $10 membership fee which then entitles them to purchase $5 zone three tickets to Western Hall events, get invitations to Performing Arts Society receptions after events and get discounts at several Macomb restaurants.

To request a brochure of WesternÂ’s BCA season lineup, which comes with a DVD that provides audio and video clips of all events, call Christi Steelman, cultural events coordinator, at 309/298-3571. Tickets may be purchased using the brochure order form or through the Browne Hall Hainline Theatre Box Office, which is open noon-5 p.m. weekdays, telephone 309/298-2900. Individual tickets will be on sale approximately two weeks prior to each performance.

The 2006-2007 BCA season by venue:
(Individual ticket prices; seniors are 62 and over; youth are 17 and under)

Western Hall


  • Tuesday, Oct. 3 - Golden Dragon Acrobats ($25, 20, 10 public; $23, 18, 10 senior; $20, 15, 10 youth)

  • Wednesday, Oct. 18 - Olivia Newton-John ($45, 35, 25, 10 public; $33, 23, 10 senior; $30, 18, 10 youth)

  • Sunday, Oct. 29 - “RENT” ($35, 25, 10 public; $33, 23, 10 senior; $30, 18, 10 youth)

  • Tuesday, Nov. 14 - East Village Opera Company ($35, 30, 10 public; $30, 26, 10 senior; $28, 23, 10 youth)

  • Wednesday, April 25 - “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" ($35, 30, 10 public; $30, 26, 10 senior; $28, 23, 10 youth)



College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall


  • Friday, Sept. 15 - Ellis Marsalis, jazz pianist with trio ($20 public, $17 senior; $12 youth)

  • Wednesday, Oct. 4 -Faculty Chamber Recital I – Camerata Woodwind Quintet ($10 public, $8 senior; $5 youth)

  • Wednesday, Nov. 1 - Faculty Chamber Recital II – Hopper Jazztet ($10 public, $8 senior; $5 youth)

  • Monday, Nov. 6 - American Brass Quintet ($15 public, $12 senior; $10 youth)

  • Thursday, Jan. 25 - Prime Time Opera ($10 public, $8 senior; $5 youth)

  • Monday, Jan. 29 - Adam Pascal ($15 public, $12 senior; $10 youth)

  • Wednesday, Feb. 7 - Faculty Chamber Recital III – Four Special Ensembles ($10 public, $8 senior; $5 youth)

  • Wednesday, April 4 - Faculty Chamber Recital IV – Julstrom String Quartet, Paul Kreider and Eric Ginsberg ($10 public, $8 senior; $5 youth)

  • Wednesday, April 18 - Faculty Solo Showcase ($10 public, $8 senior; $5 youth)



University Union Grand Ballroom


  • Tuesday, Oct. 10 - Curtis Stigers, jazz vocalist with trio ($15 public, $12 senior; $10 youth)

  • Tuesday, March 6 - Jim WitterÂ’s Piano Men ($15 public, $12 senior; $8 youth)

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing