Grand 1894 Opera House Sets 2014-15 Performing Arts Season - 'Celebrate with The Grand!'

The 2014-15 Performing Arts Season of The Grand 1894 Opera House promises countless opportunities to "Celebrate with The Grand!"

It's a banner year for The Grand, celebrating its 40th consecutive performing arts season, following the purchase and initial restoration of The State Theatre which began in 1974 and the 120th anniversary of The Grand's historic opening January 3, 1895.

Artistically, 2014-15 features exceptional presentations -- among them 13 Grand Debuts -- including a diverse mix of musical events, an abundance of Broadway, and an exceptional assortment of theatre, silent film, children's fare, and holiday performances. Plus, two of this season's storied performers mark significant artistic milestones: singer-songwriter-activist Arlo Guthrie joins us on his Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour; and the incomparable Hal Holbrook will be playing The Grand during his 90th birthday tour.

Subscription Packages are available now. Contact The Grand's box office at 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or visit The Grand's website at www.thegrand.com. Single Ticket sales begin August 4. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Grand 1894 Opera House is located at 2020 Postoffice Street in Galveston's historic downtown Cultural Arts District, and is recognized as "The Official Opera House of the State of Texas." All major credit cards accepted.

THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE, PERFORMING ARTS SEASON 2014-2015:

MUSIC

Sat., Sept. 13: SEASON OPENER -The Pointer Sisters - 8pm
The Pointer Sisters lit up the '80s with an abundant succession of high-octane hits. Join us for an exuberant evening of musical fireworks as Ruth Pointer, Anita Pointer, and Ruth's granddaughter Sadako open an exciting new season at The Grand! Celebrate with stirring hits including "He's So Shy," "Slow Hand," "I'm So Excited," "Automatic," "Jump (for My Love)," "Neutron Dance," and "Dare Me." Grand Debut!

Sat., Sept. 20: The Official Blues Brothers Revue - 8pm
Postponed last winter by airport-closing snowstorms, this much-anticipated performance is finally here! You won't want to miss Wayne Catania (as"Jake"), Kieron Lafferty (as "Elwood"), and an awesome eight-piece Rhythm & Blues Revue Band as they recreate the passion, precision, and fun of the original Saturday Night Live Blues Brothers, live on stage at The Grand! Fewer than 100 tickets remain, so contact us right away! Grand Debut!

Tues.-Wed, Oct. 21-22: Willie Nelson - 8pm/8pm
Willie's "On the Road Again" and his performances at The Grand are sure to be a highlight of the season. Recognized worldwide as a singer, songwriter, actor, and activist, Willie has penned more than 2,500 songs and released close to 300 albums. His five-decade career has included countless Grammys, and American Music Awards, and Country Music Awards. Don't be "Crazy" - order your tickets today!

Sun., Oct. 26: Voca People - 3pm
If you love music, comedy, and audience participation, this is the show for you! Quirky, playful, imaginative, and fun, this eight-member ensemble (chicly dressed as intergalactic aliens!) reproduces the sounds of an entire orchestra with an amazing variety of beat box vocals and a cappella singing. Join the Vocas for a masterful journey through our own music history - from prehistoric to present day - including classical, rock, pop, blues, rap, and movie themes. Great fun for all ages! Grand Debut!

Sat., Nov. 1: The Phantom of the Opera (1925) - silent film classic with live music by Rob Landes - 8pm
In the heyday of silent films - before the age of digital sound and computerized special effects -musicians provided live accompaniment to enhance the romance, comedy, adventure, and horror portrayed by actors who uttered not a single word! Return with us to those early days of movie magic, as we view this Lon Chaney masterpiece shown with evocative organ accompaniment, improvised live by the marvelous Rob Landes on the Allen Organ.

Sat.-Sun., Jan. 24-25: The Oakridge Boys - 7:30pm/3pm
Our annual reunion with The Oakridge Boys is always a cause for celebration! Their music industry achievements are legendary: twelve gold, three platinum, and one double platinum album; plus one double platinum single, more than a dozen Number One singles, and over 30 Top Ten hits! And, their amazing four-part harmonies and memorable stage shows are among the most exciting anywhere.

Sun., Mar. 1: Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant 50th Anniversary - 5pm
The career of veteran singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie exploded in 1967 at the Newport Folk Festival, when he
performed his quirky protest song, "Alice's Restaurant." The song was credited with helping to foster a new
generation's commitment to social awareness and activism. As a member of American folk music royalty, Guthrie revisits those classic, inspirational songs and shares timeless anecdotes from a life campaigning for social justice. Grand Debut!

Sun., Mar. 22: The Rob Landes Trio: Beatles, Bacharach, and Beyond - 4pm
"What the World Needs Now is Love"... and perennial Galveston favorite Rob Landes, playing music from the '60s. From "Yesterday," "A Summer Place," and "I Can't Stop Lovin' You" to "This Guy's in Love with You," and Stop! In the Name of Love," you'll be transported back to one of the most tuneful eras in contemporary popular music!

Sun., May 3: Chris Botti - 4pm
This Grammy Award-winning trumpeter has become the largest-selling American jazz instrumental artist. He's had four No. 1 jazz albums since the release of his 2004 CD, When I Fall in Love, and has sold more than three million albums worldwide. Don't miss Chris' memorable performance of jazz classics and music from the American songbook! "With his romantic bent and beautifully honed technique, this chart-topping trumpeter never has a problem wooing audiences with a classic pop melody..." The Washington Post

BROADWAY

Sat. - Sun., Oct. 18-19: Smokey Joe's Cafe - 8pm/3pm
From novelty songs ("Charlie Brown," "Yakety Yak") and romantic ballads ("Spanish Harlem," "Fools Fall in Love") to infectious melodies of the '60s ("There Goes My Baby," "Love Potion No. 9," "Poison Ivy," "On Broadway"), the music of songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller lives on. This Grammy winning musical revue, featuring The Coasters, showcases 39 Leiber-Stoller pop standards. Bet you'll be singing along!

Sat., Oct. 25: Sister Act - 3pm/8pm
This "divine" Broadway musical comedy follows a street-smart, wannabe diva who hides out in a convent after witnessing a crime. While a "handful" to the Mother Superior, Deloris enchants her fellow sisters, helping then find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. Featuring original music by eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), Sister Act is a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship! Grand Debut!

Fri. - Sat., Jan. 3: Flashdance - 3pm/8pm
With electrifying dance at its core, this Broadway musical delight is the unforgettable story of Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh steel mill welder by day and bar dancer by night, who dreams of one day becoming a professional performer. When romance with her steel mill boss threatens to complicate her ambitions, Alex learns the meaning of love and its power to fuel the pursuit of her dream. Grand Debut!

Sat., Jan. 31: Guys and Dolls - 3pm/8pm
Based on Damon Runyan's colorful characters with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, Guys and Dolls is one of Broadway's most enduring musicals. Colorful gamblers, their dance-hall "dolls," and upright members of the "Save-a-Soul" Mission find they have more in common than the sidewalks they share in 1940s New York. And, oh, those wonderful tunes - "Luck Be a Lady," "If I Were a Bell," "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," "A Bushel and a Peck," and more!

Fri. - Sat., Feb.20-21: Jekyll and Hyde - 8pm/8pm
Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, this intriguing Broadway musical is the story of a genial English doctor whose lab experiment inadvertently transforms him into an evil alternate version of himself. Can Dr. Jekyll save himself and the people he loves, or will Mr. Hyde continue his spree of violence and destruction? Don't miss this hit show, live at The Grand!!

Sat., Mar. 14: Neil Berg's 102 Years of Broadway - 8pm
If you love Broadway musicals, we've got the show for you! Award-winning producer, lyricist composer, and arranger Neil Berg is joined by an ensemble of former Broadway cast members who light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred - including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Evita, CATS, Wonderful Town, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Fiddler on the Roof. You'll relive the biggest moments from the finest shows of the century, including some of Broadway's newest hits. Now, that's entertainment!

Sat., May 9: Peter and the Starcatcher - 3pm/8pm

Winner of five Tony Awards, this swashbuckling grownup's prequel to "Peter Pan" will have you hooked from the moment you let your imagination come out to play! A dozen brilliant actors play more than 100 unforgettable characters. Incorporating ingenious stagecraft, adult humor, and just the right amount of stardust, "Peter and the Starcatcher" takes you on a whimsical journey to answer the century-old question: "How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Never Grew Up?" Grand Debut!

Friday/Saturday, June 20-21: Million Dollar Quartet - 8pm/3pm/8pm
This electrifying Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. The hit score includes "Fever," "That's All Right," "Sixteen Tons," "Great Balls of Fire," "Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "Hound Dog." Put on your "Blue Suede Shoes," and get ready to party! Grand Debut!

THEATRE

Sat, Oct. 11: Cannoli, Latkes & Guilt, The Therapy Continues! - starring Steve Solomon - 8pm
Comedian and master dialectician Steve Solomon (My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish...) brings us another hilarious chapter in the life and times of his wacky multi-ethnic circle of family and friends. Steve portrays 20 of these delightfully offbeat characters in an evening made for laughter and fun.

Sat., Nov 15: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo - 8pm
Reserve your seats today for the much-anticipated return of this world-renowned company of male professional
dancers who delight audiences with their loving knowledge of dance, their comic theatrical approach, and the astounding fact that men can, indeed, dance en pointe without falling flat on their faces! "With impeccable timing, madcap sensibility, and disciplined elegance ... the Trocks are frolicsome guides to the quirks that inhabit classical ballet and modern dance." The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Fri. - Sat., Nov.28-29: Maid Marian in a Stolen Car - starring Jaston Williams 8pm/2pm/8pm
Greater Tuna creator and master storyteller Jaston Williams brings you his one-person show about life in the theatre. Hear about a San Antonio production of Hamlet that mimicked the Battle of the Alamo. Learn why you can't do "trust exercises" with a multiple personality. And see him recreate the wildest Maid Marian since they chopped down Sherwood Forest. Grand Debut!

Fri., Feb. 27: Hal Holbrook's Mark Twain Tonight - 8pm
Happy Birthday to one of America's most revered actors! Hal returns to The Grand - just 10 days after celebrating his 90th - to reprise his magnificent portrayal of legendary American author, humorist, and storyteller Mark Twain. Don't miss this evening of true star power, as Mr. Holbrook begins his 61st year in his most memorable role.

Sat., Mar. 7: Montana Repertory Theatre - The Great Gatsby - 8pm
The beauty and poetry of F. Scott Fitzgerald's powerful snapshot of the Roaring Twenties comes to life on stage for a new generation of theatergoers. The story of the young, mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his passion for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan explores the idealism, decadence, social upheaval, and excesses of the Jazz Age. A powerful night of theatre!

Sun., Apr. 12: A Conversation with Garrison Keillor - 7pm
A solo performance perfect for The Grand! The acclaimed host of A Prairie Home Companion shares hilarious
anecdotes about growing up in the American Midwest, the people of Lake Wobegon, and "late-life fatherhood."
With a wonderfully dry sense of humor (and sometimes with music), Keillor captivates audiences using his unique blend of comedy, class, charisma, and wisdom. Grand Debut!

HOLIDAY EVENTS

Sat., Nov. 22: An Irish Christmas - 8pm
Journey to Bethlehem with "The Little Drummer Boy." Celebrate the great tradition of butter- making. Chase the wren on St. Stephen's Day and "draw down the half door" for spectacular dance. This superb evening of Christmas carols, storytelling, and dance will have you dusting off the cares of the world and dancing home with joy in your heart! Grand Debut!

Sun., Nov. 30: The Irish Tenors - Ronan Tynan, Finbar Wright & Anthony Kearns - 7pm
Each of these amazing tenors has made a solo appearance at The Grand. Now's your chance to celebrate the holiday season with all three! Our wonderfully intimate theatre is the perfect setting for an evening with The Irish Tenors, including superb Christmas gems from their best-selling We Three Kings album and selections from their wide-ranging musical catalogue. Grand Debut!

Fri., Dec. 5: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - 8pm
The miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is made to see the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own Christmases: Past, Present, and Future. This new adaptation of Dickens' ever-popular classic fills the stage with veteran Broadway actors, lush costumes, stunning sets, music, dance, and a timeless message. With beloved traditional carols of the season included, an enchanting evening for the entire family!

Tues., Dec. 16: Michael Martin Murphey's Cowboy Christmas - 8pm
Gather 'round the campfire for cowboy poet "Triple M's" yearly yuletide show! Enjoy many of Murphey's
memorable hits, including "Carolina in the Pines," along with cowboy poetry, and tales of Christmas cheer and
wonder. A heartwarming experience for all ages.

Sat., Dec. 20: Robert Earl Keen - Merry Christmas from The Fam-O-Lee - 8pm
Country legend Robert Earl Keen, along with his guitar, his great backup band, and plenty of holiday decorations, brings you a sleigh full of holiday music and daffy family memories, inspired by one of his most popular songs, "Merry Christmas From The Fam-O-Lee." Said one reviewer: "The show offers a vision of drunken family members, awkward interactions, and flipped breakers. Sounds hilariously familiar!"

Sun., Dec. 21: Houston Children's Chorus - Holiday Pops Show - 4pm
Founded in 1989, this youthful choir is made up of more than 100 talented performers ranging from ages 8 to 13 years, selected by annual audition. Conducted by Founder and Director Stephen Roddy, their joyous concert appearance at The Grand showcases holiday songs from around the world, representing the diverse cultures of the Houston area.

Sat., Dec. 27: Jerry Jeff Walker - 8pm
He's been called "Mister Bojangles," "The Gypsy Songman," and "The Jimmy Buffett of Texas." One of the Lone Star State's most popular musical ambassadors returns to The Grand as Galveston prepares to ring in 2015! Jerry Jeff delivers another memorable evening, filled with heart-tugging ballads, spirited melodies, and down-home fun!

Sun., Dec. 28: Manhattan Transfer Christmas Show - 4pm
Enjoy favorite holiday songs performed with spectacular four-part harmonies, swinging rhythms, and jazzy arrangements to ring in the holidays as only the Grammy Award-winning Manhattan Transfer can. One of the biggest success stories in the history of American jazz, Manhattan Transfer has sold millions of albums and won dozens of Grammy Awards. You'll also enjoy Transfer classics including "Java Jive," "Tuxedo Junction," and "Birdland." Grand Debut!

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