MAC Announces 2018-2019 Season

Today, the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) announced its 2018-2019 season, its fifth season since the venue's grand reopening in 2014 at 425 Fawell Blvd. on the campus of the College of DuPage. In recent years, the MAC has been attracting more than 100,000 patrons annually to more than 200 performances, solidifying its position as an essential source of arts and entertainment for DuPage and surrounding communities. The MAC 2018-2019 season programming reflects this broad appeal with an eclectic mix of music, dance, theater, comedy, film and family entertainment from September 2018 through June 2019. Given its commitment to fostering the sense of community, the MAC is introducing a new series of post-show "Common Ground Conversations" and continues its popular MAC Chats and VIP receptions.

"The sense of community our patrons feel here is tremendously rewarding. I believe the arts' ability to bring people together is remarkable, and, in a very polarized climate, every organization has a role in the conversation," said Director Diana Martinez. "The MAC staff discussed this and we decided we wanted to be a catalyst to help bring people together. We felt bringing people together to connect to new ideas and cultures through the arts is as important as getting together to just have a laugh. With this in mind, we created a free new series called 'Common Ground Conversations,' which will take place for select thought-provoking presentations. These moderated conversations will relate to the artists' work with the goal to encourage and foster new perspectives and cultural understanding. Our free MAC Chats, hosted by experts in the field and COD faculty, will bring audiences closer to the artists and art forms as well. For more light-hearted social interaction, we are having a Season Kick-Off Party Sept. 14 and a Halloween Party before 'Snake Oil's Tribute to Rock's Biggest Stars of the '80s' show, and we will continue to host VIP receptions throughout the season. Whether our patrons are participating in these activities or simply enjoying the shared experience of seeing a show, all of these community connections are invaluable and I am thrilled that the MAC makes them possible."

Highlights of the MAC's 2018-2019 Season include:

• Season openers Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood of "Whose Line is it Anyway" in "The Scared Scriptless Tour"
• Christopher Cross ("Sailing," "Arthur's Theme," "Think of Laura")
• Bassem Youssef, known as "the Jon Stewart of the Arab World"
• Jazz artists Dee Dee Bridgewater, Take 6 and "Take Me To the River: New Orleans LIVE"
• World premiere of "The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation-Live!" created at the MAC by Griffin Theater, under the direction of William Massolia.
• Dance events including Pilobolus' "Shadowland: The New Adventure" and Ballet Hispanico
• World music and dance performances including Compania Flamenca Eduardo Guerrero, Bollywood Boulevard, direct from an appearance at Lincoln Center, and Celtic Nights
• PBS favorites the Annie Moses Band, The Texas Tenors and The High Kings

The full season line-up is attached to this release. The just-announced artists in the MAC's Performance Series complement the previously announced seasons by resident companies New Philharmonic and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. The MAC is also the host to more than 60 COD College Theatre, Music and Dance performances and recitals which are affordable and exceptional entertainment experiences. The MAC cultivates young audiences through educational SchoolStage performances for pre-school through high school students.

Subscriptions are on sale now. To become a subscriber and receive a discount and access to the best seats, a patron must purchase tickets to three or more shows, by calling the MAC Box Office at 630.942.4000.

Tickets go on sale to the general public in person at the MAC Box Office Saturday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. with a festive Tickets On Sale Party featuring tours of the theater, giveaways, gifts for the first 100 buyers, free food and more; online tickets go on sale at AtTheMAC.org Sunday, Aug. 5 at noon and by phone at 630.942.4000 on Tuesday, Aug. 7 at noon. Parking for MAC events is always free.

The MAC prides itself on offering free programming for the community throughout the year with events including:

• "Music Fridays at Noon" on select Fridays during the school year, curated by COD Music Department head Lee Kesselman, featuring performances by local artist faculty and students
• The free international film series "Global Flicks" in February
• Seven exhibitions at the Cleve Carney Art Gallery
• The Summer 2018 lakeside Pavilion Summer Series of concerts and movies, July 12-Aug. 10.

Patrons are reminded that the park will not open until 6 p.m. and there will be no early arrivals for security reasons.

Visit AtTheMAC.org for more information about these and other events.

Photo by Mark-Higashino

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