Moonlight Presents, part of the City of Vista's Cultural Arts Program, announces its inaugural line-up for its 2016 season at the Moonlight Amphitheatre. As part of its focus to turn the Moonlight Amphitheatre into a year-round arts and entertainment destination, Moonlight Presents was created to augment the popular summer musical theatre season of its sister brand Moonlight Stage Productions. The first season will offer ten concerts in three different series: the Moonlight Variety Series, the Moonlight Live! Series and the previously announced Moonlight Cabaret Series.
"Our first series offers an eclectic mix of established artists, family friendly acts, and up-and-coming performers some of who are making their San Diego debuts," said Moonlight Presents Producer Daniel Kays. "The Variety series offers acts with cutting edge theatrics and storytelling that will appeal to a wide variety of audiences. The Live series offers concerts and I'm pleased to be able to present Jo Dee Messina as the first act in that series. Our Moonlight Cabaret series, which has been on sale since the Spring, has had a phenomenal reception and we have added an additional concert date due to demand for That's Life: A Toast to Sinatra."
Ticket information for Moonlight Variety and Moonlight Live! will be announced this fall. Ticket packages for those series will go on sale January 23, 2016 and single tickets will go on sale Saturday, March 5, 2016. Tickets for Moonlight Cabaret are on sale now at moonlightpresents.com or by calling 760.724.2110.
MOONLIGHT VARIETY SERIES
The Jason Bishop Show
April 16, 2016 at 8pm
As America's hottest illusionist, Jason Bishop mystifies with stunning and original state-of-the-art magic, award-winning sleight of hand, and one-of-a-kind grand illusions delivered with a totally modern energy and an outstanding rock soundtrack. One thing that distinguishes Bishop is his virtuosity. Each show features exclusive grand illusions and close-up magic projected onto a huge movie screen. No other touring illusionist showcases such a diverse array of talents. Bishop is an international award-winning illusionist who was the youngest person to win the Magician's Alliance of Eastern States Stage Award and one of the youngest people to compete in the Society of American Magicians World-Class competition.
The Intergalactic Nemesis Live-Action Graphic Novel presents Target Earth
May 7, 2016 at 7:30 pm
After being featured on Conan O'Brien, National Public Radio and a smash run on Broadway, The Intergalactic Nemesis Live-Action Graphic Novel is in its third touring season in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. This one-of-a-kind all-ages show is not to be missed. Three actors, a Foley artist and a pianist perform all of the voices, sound effects and music while more than 1000 blow-your-mind comic book images are blasted onto a large screen. The premise of the show is simple: it is a period adventure story about a reporter, her assistant and a mysterious librarian as they face the most serious threat Earth has ever known: an impending invasion of sludge monsters from the planet Zygon.
Lightwire Theatre presents A Very Electric Christmas
December 3, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Your holidays will brighten with Lightwire Theater's A Very Electric Christmas. Audiences of all ages will treasure this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope that's performed in complete darkness and set to timeless holiday hits including Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey and Tchaikovsky. In this wonderful story, Santa's helpers are putting the final touches on presents as a young bird named Max and his family head south for the winter. When Max gets blown off course during a snowstorm, he ends up alone and lost at the North Pole. As he tries to make his way home, his adventure begins when he encounters friendly caroling worms, dancing poinsettias, Nutcracker soldiers, mischievous mice and an evil Rat King. Lightwire Theater is known for its signature brand of dazzling visuals and storytelling incorporating a combination of dance, puppetry and technology. There will be a special snow area for kids to play in before the performance!
MOONLIGHT LIVE! SERIES
May 27, 2016 at 7:30 pm
The multi-platinum, award-winning country singer and songwriter hits the Moonlight stage with a blend of her classic music, familiar hits and songs from her most recent album Me. With her descriptive storytelling, warm audience interaction and her beautiful voice, no country music fan will want to miss this unforgettable evening. Debuting in 1996 with the hit single Heads Carolina, Tales California, Messina has racked up nine number one singles, 16 Top 40 Singles and sold more than 5 million records worldwide. Opening act is The Lazy Brad Lewis Band.
Craig A. Meyer is Almost Elton John in Remember When Rock Was Young
October 28, 2016 at 7 pm
Remember When Rock Was Young stars the multiple award winning, multi-talented singer/actor/pianist Craig A. Meyer. In addition to his numerous credits with roles in film, television and on Broadway, Meyer has toured internationally and recorded with music legends including Frankie Valli and Barry Manilow. He is considered to be the best Elton John tribute artist performing today whose strong vocals, striking resemblance and amazing talent on the piano has audiences everywhere remembering when rock was young. This spectacular show is a musical journey celebrating the decades of chart topping hits of Sir Elton John, including: Benny and the Jets, Philadelphia Freedom, Crocodile Rock, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Candle in the Wind. A celebration of the character, costumes and charisma of the famed pianist and singer, Meyer's fully produced show has captivated audiences throughout the United States and internationally.
Tim Hockenberry
November 19, 2016 at 7 pm
Tim Hockenberry gained national fame when he performed and made it to the semi-finals on America's Got Talent in 2012. Hockenberry is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter and well-known as a gifted interpreter of well-known cover songs. Hockenberry's voice is reminiscent of Ray Charles, Joe Cocker and Tom Waits, but one only need to hear a few bars of his rendition of I Left My Heart in San Francisco to understand that he is an artist with a refreshingly authentic approach to songs. He has shared the stage with such artists as Bonnie Raitt, Steve Miller and Robert Cray. He's also toured with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead and made headlining festival appearances including the Robert Mondavi Summer Concert Series, the Clearwater Jazz Festival and the Mill Valley Arts Festival.
MOONLIGHT CABARET
Susan Egan: The Real Housewife of Broadway
January 15, 2016
With the popularity of Glee, American Idol and Hollywood's latest musical blockbusters, Broadway has reached a new Golden Era. Susan Egan, one of Broadway's and Disney's most celebrated performers (she originated the role of Belle in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast), is bringing it all together into one concert. Susan takes you on a musical journey from Belle to babies and beyond, with hilarious personal anecdotes that rival any top-rated reality show!
That's Life: A Toast to Sinatra
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Friday, February 12, 2016 - SOLD OUT
Lee Lessack vocalist
Scott Coulter vocalist
John Boswell musical director
Ol' Blue Eyes, The Voice, The Chairman of the Board. Call him what you want, but there is no denying the legacy of Frank Sinatra. He was the iconic voice of a generation and one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Celebrate his hits: Strangers in the Night, Fly Me to the Moon, All the Way, My Way, New York, New York and many more!
Laura Ellis: In a Jazz Mood
March 11, 2016
With her velvety voice and singular song-styling, Laura Ellis transports you to a time when lyrics and melody reigned supreme and one note could change the whole mood of a song. Join Laura and her Jazz Noir band for an evening of vintage jazz, from your favorite melodies of the past and rarely heard musical gems including That Old Black Magic, I Could Have Danced All Night, The Heat Is On, Route 66, I've Been Kissed Before and many more.
The Cabaret series will be presented on the enclosed stage at the Moonlight Amphitheatre with audience seating at tables offering dinner and bar service. Each concert is $80 and includes the performance and dinner. Menus are available at moonlightpresents.com.
Moonlight Presents is produced in partnership with its non-profit fund-raising partner the Moonlight Cultural Foundation which raises funds through donations, corporate sponsorship and grants.
Announced in the fall of 2014, Moonlight Presents is part of the City of Vista's Cultural Arts Program and is the sister brand of Moonlight Stage Productions. Starting in January 2016, the Presents program will offer new concert and entertainment programming at the Moonlight Amphitheatre helping to make the City-owned venue a year-round destination. For more information, call 760.724.2110 or visit moonlightpresents.com.
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