Mandy Patinkin, Vanessa Williams and More Headline Scottsdale Center's 2014-15 Season

Tickets for Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts' new 2014-15 season will go on sale to the public on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. Among the offerings are more than 50 live performances of dance, music, theater, comedy and more. Additional events will be announced at a later date.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org or call 480-499-TKTS (8587). Member, group and package discounts are also available.

"The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts brings the stars of today and tomorrow to audiences," remarked Director Cory Baker. "Our intimate 853-seat theater offers the perfect setting for an up-close-and-personal arts experience, whether it's dance, music, theater or comedy. We encourage everyone to explore their passions and discover something new and different this season."

Renowned saxophonist and composer Branford Marsalis will share the stage on Oct. 19 with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia in Marsalis Well Tempered, an evening of Baroque masterpieces, from Bach to Vivaldi. The retro-hip, multilingual 'little orchestra' Pink Martini and its two lead singers, China Forbes and Storm Large, will headline the annual ARTrageous Benefit Gala on Dec. 6. One of the country's best-loved football announcers, sports legends and performers, Terry Bradshaw will take to the stage on Jan. 23 in America's Favorite Dumb Blonde ... A Life in Four Quarters, his autobiographical show of comedy, storytelling and singing. Recognized for bringing traditional Irish music to the world's attention, The Chieftains will give a special St. Patrick's Day concert on March 17. Best-selling jazz trumpeter Chris Botti will perform a concert in the Virginia G. Piper Theater on April 9.

Backed by a full band, original stars from Rent, Wicked, Glee and more, including Telly Leung and Adam Pascal, will perform Seasons of Broadway, an evening of classic pop, rock, jazz and hit songs from iconic Broadway shows, on Nov. 7. One of the most versatile and compelling actors, singers and storytellers of our time, Mandy Patinkin will return by popular demand for three concerts on Feb. 6-8. A fabulous night of stories, song and dance with four dynamic musical stars, 4 Girls 4 will showcase the talents of Donna McKechnie, Faith Prince, Andrea McArdle and Christine Andreas on April 17.

The Virginia G. Piper Concert Series will feature four virtuoso pianists: Joyce Yang on Nov. 16, Conrad Tao on Jan. 25, Andras Schiff making his Scottsdale debut on Feb. 26 and Murray Perahia on March 12. Distinguished pianist Jeffrey Siegel will return for the 36th season of Keyboard Conversations, including: The Miracle of Mozart! on Dec. 2, Rachmaninoff and Friends on Jan. 13, Torment and Triumph: Franz Liszt, Satan or Saint? on Feb. 10 and Chopin and Grieg: A Musical Friendship on March 24. Cellist Yehuda Hanani will return for two Close Encounters with Music concerts: Dvorak Serenade on Jan. 28 with pianist Roman Rabinovich, violinist Itamar Zorman and baritone Mischa Bouvier; and Sergei Rachmaninoff: Russian Orientalia with pianist Vassily Primakov on Feb. 18. Three of the world's most esteemed classical artists - violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, pianist Yefim Bronfman and cellist Lynn Harrell - will come together on April 18 for a special performance of two treasured works of chamber music.

China's internationally celebrated, cutting-edge dance company, BeijingDance/LDTX will perform on Nov. 21. On Feb. 3, New York City Ballet star Wendy Whelan will grace the stage in Restless Creature, a series of dances created by and danced with four top choreographers: Kyle Abraham, Joshua Beamish, Brian Brooks andAlejandro Cerrudo. Based in The Hague, Nederlands Dans Theater 2 will showcase this much-admired dance company's rising young stars on Feb. 28. The dazzling dancer-illusionists of Momix will perform Moses Pendleton's new multimedia masterpiece Alchemia on March 20-21.

Bringing Off-Broadway musical theater to children across the country, Vital Theatre Company will perform Fancy Nancy The Musical, a charming adaptation of the best-selling Fancy Nancy children's books, on May 2. One of Italy's most innovative theater companies, Compagnia T.P.O. will present Bleu!, an interactive, multimedia undersea experience for kids, on June 11-14.

Starring Patti Hannon, Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold will return for a special holiday engagement on Dec. 16-21, as well as Sister's Easter Catechism: Will My Bunny Go to Heaven? on March 31 - April 5. The maestro of mariachi, Jose Hernandez and Mariachi Sol de Mexico will present A Merri-Achi Christmas, a toe-tapping, south-of-the-border musical fiesta, on Dec. 19.

Twenty-time Grammy Award winner and keyboard virtuoso Chick Corea will give a solo concert on Oct. 12. Two New Orleans Legends, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and R&B musician, songwriter and record producer Allen Toussaint, on tour together for the first time, will perform on Nov. 14. One of the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world, Dianne Reeves will share songs from her latest album, Beautiful Life, on Jan. 17. Jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson will give a soulful tribute in honor of Lady Day's 100th birthday in Coming Forth By Day: A Celebration of Billie Holiday on Feb. 21. The Blues Hall of Fame Tour featuring Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton and John Hammond will perform on March 27.

Country-music star Lee Ann Womack will perform on Oct. 17. One of the most respected and multifaceted performers in entertainment today, Vanessa Williams will give an intimate concert, backed by a trio, on Jan. 18. The Hit Men featuring former stars of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons will take audiences on an unforgettable journey through rock 'n' roll history on March 28. Known for her wit, wacky humor and creativity, singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb will perform a family-friendly concert under the stars on April 25.

Direct from D.C., the irreverent singing comedians of the Capitol Steps will poke fun at politicians with songs from their latest album, How to Succeed in Congress Without Really Lying, on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 28-29. Actress Patti Hannon will star as Sister in the sinfully funny comedies Late Nite Catechism and Late Nite Catechism III: Til Death Do Us Part on Jan. 9 - March 28. New Zealand's Indian Ink Theater Company will present The Elephant Wrestler (aka Guru of Chai), an inspiring tale of a humble street vendor confronting the mysteries of love, tragedy and joy, on Jan. 24. British actor Julian Sands will star in A Celebration of Harold Pinter, an intimate portrait of the Nobel-winning playwright, on Jan. 30.

Renowned for its grace and stunning costumes, The Royal Ballet of Cambodia will perform magnificient ceremonial dances on Oct. 30. The groundbreaking Red Poppy Ladies Percussion, China's first all-female drumming ensemble, will reinterpret the ancient tale of Mulan on Nov. 1-2. The Montreal circus company 7 Fingerswill present its newest creation, Sequence 8, featuring jaw-dropping acrobatics and theater, on Feb. 13-14. Known throughout the world for their exceptional martial-arts prowess, the Shaolin Warriors will bring the remarkable skill, stunning movement and spectacular imagery of kung fu to the stage in Voices of the Masters on Feb. 19-20. Collaborating for the first time ever, the pioneering vocalist Zap Mama and Brooklyn-based band Antibalas will come together on Feb. 24 in a vivacious fusion of Afrobeat, pop and world rhythms. Celebrating more than 50 years of joyous, uplifting music, the all-male South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform on March 15.

The 2014-15 Discovery Series will explore the arts of Spain and Portugal. Portuguese fado singer Ana Moura, Mexican-born jazz singer Magos Herrera and Spanish flamenco guitarist Javier Limon will perform on Nov. 13. Spain's world-famous dance troupe, the Ballet Nacional de Espana will bring two of its productions to Scottsdale on Dec. 13. The internationally acclaimed Companhia Portuguesa de Bailado Contemporaneo will perform choreographer Vasco Wellenkamp's new workFado on March 6. The most authentic flamenco touring company in the field today, Noche Flamenca with dancer Soledad Barrio will perform Antigona on April 24-25.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present the 45th Scottsdale Arts Festival on the weekend of March 13-15. Additional events will include the sneak-preview film series Talk Cinema, San Francisco Opera's Grand Opera Cinema Series, ASU Concerts at the Center, Detour Company Theatre, Brazilian Day Arizona anda diverse variety of free community programs such as La Gran Fiesta: A Celebration of Hispanic and Latin Cultures, Sunday A'Fair, Native Trails, OrigiNation: A Festival of Native Cultures and more.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale, two blocks south of Indian School Road and three blocks east of Scottsdale Road. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to enhance audience members' experience, including: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live audio description with two weeks advance notice. Assistive-listening devices and wheelchair seating are always available. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org or contact the Patron Services Box Office at (480) 499-TKTS (8587) [TDD: (480) 874-4694] for further details. Please inquire about services when ordering tickets.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of ticket discounts for members at the Duet level and above, groups of 10 or more and those purchasing packages to four or more events in one order. The Center also provides free tickets to selected events for eligible students and veterans, and 50-percent off tickets to selected events for patrons 29 and under.Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org or call 480-499-TKTS (8587) for more information.

The Store at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a unique selection of art-related merchandise, including artist-made jewelry, imaginative toys, decorative objects from around the world, furnishings for home and office, and music, books and greeting cards. Members receive a 10-percent discount, and gift-wrapping and shipping also are available. Purchases are tax-free and support the programs of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The Store is open seven days a week: Monday -Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.; and throughout most evening events. Phone: (480) 874-4644.

One of the premier performing-arts halls in the Western United States, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts showcases a diverse season of dance, music, theater and film from around the world. More than 1,000 indoor and outdoor performances, educational programs, festivals and other events are presented and hosted by the Center each year serving approximately 250,000 participants and contributing substantially to Scottsdale's high quality of life and reputation as a vibrant arts destination. The Center's education and outreach programs reach nearly 20,000 children and adults each year. Most events take place in the state-of-the-art, 853-seat Virginia G. Piper Theater, recognized for its intimacy, acoustics and comfort. Additional venues include the 137-seat Stage 2 and neighboring 1,800-capacity Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located on Scottsdale Civic Center Park, a 21-acre urban oasis next to the city's Old Town and gallery districts.

The nonprofit Scottsdale Cultural Council is contracted by the City of Scottsdale to manage the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art.

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