Greenville's Peace Center Announces 09-10 Season

The Peace Center has announced its 2009 - 2010 season, and the schedule includes some of the world's most celebrated performers.

This year's Greenville News Broadway Series includes Chicago (August 18 - 23), South Pacific (November 17 - 22), Wicked (January 27 - February 14), Spring Awakening (March 16 - 21), and Riverdance (May 21 - 23). Broadway tickets are on sale by subscription only until August 24, except Wicked, which will not go on sale until October 3rd. Subscribers take advantage of the best seats, priority notices for new shows, ticket exchange privileges, and more. In addition, Broadway Subscribers and Peacekeepers receive preferred seating at all Peace Center productions.

The 2009 - 2010 season includes the following presentations:

Frank Warren (October 1): When Frank Warren started the PostSecret blog, he could not have anticipated the phenomenon it would become. Ordinary people sharing their deepest secrets...in a cathartic, life-changing, inspirational environment. Join this New York Times best-selling author, as he shares the stories behind the secrets.

Kathy Griffin (October 15): Bold, fearless, and hilarious, comedienne Kathy Griffin takes no prisoners when it comes to her favorite target...celebrities. You've seen her on shows like "My Life on the D-List," "The View," and "Suddenly Susan," now catch this Emmy Award®-winning star, live on stage.

The Doobie Brothers (October 23): Through four decades, the Doobie Brothers have constantly introduced new, fresh sounds to radio fans and live audiences. Famous for their high-energy, musically-tight live shows, these Grammy-winning favorites have given us songs like "Black Water," and "Takin' It To The Streets." And they're bringing it to The Peace Center.

Itzhak Perlman (October 26): To put it simply, Itzhak Perlman is the greatest living violin virtuoso. You've heard him on movie soundtracks. He has performed for heads of state...earned 15 Grammys®...and amazed audiences for half a century. You'll be enchanted by his unmistakable tone, power, and outright joy.

Bluegrass at Peace 2009 (October 30 - November 1): Bluegrass is back! Some of the top stars in traditional, Newgrass, and Bluegrass. Headline acts feature Grammy winners and International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Award winners, including:

Del McCoury (October 30): Del McCoury has won nearly 40 IBMA Awards and a Grammy®. From Merlefest and Bonnaroo to Carnegie Hall and The Grand Ole Opry...Del has played them all. Artists from Vince Gill to Phish acknowledge his influence. And he has achieved all this with an uncompromisingly traditional sound.

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (October 31): Ricky Skaggs has done more to introduce the genre to new audiences than anyone since Bill Monroe. Before returning to his Bluegrass roots, Ricky was a country superstar-winning 5 Grammy Awards. With Kentucky Thunder, he's won 6 more! In fact, the band has been nominated for each of their nine albums. This promises to be a bluegrass treat.

Rhonda Vincent and the Rage (November 1): The Wall Street Journal calls Rhonda Vincent "the new queen of bluegrass music." With the release of her latest CD, Destination Life, Rhonda Vincent and The Rage took their sultry, soulful, gospel-tinted style to a new level. A great ending to a perfect Bluegrass weekend.

Steve Miller Band (November 14): These rock'n'roll heroes are back on the road to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their landmark album, Fly Like an Eagle! "We just love to play," says Miller. "This show is a blend of everything...." Hits like "The Joker," "Rock 'N Me," "Take the Money and Run,"...and maybe some surprises.

George Winston (November 27-Holiday Show): This Grammy®-winning piano pioneer has become an instrumental icon with his melodic rural folk style. Now, he crafts an evening of beautiful melodies in this special holiday performance. Rolling Stone calls this celebrated pianist, "a musician of luminous grace."

The Brian Setzer Orchestra CHRISTMAS ROCKS! Extravaganza (December 7-Holiday Show): The joint will be jumping when the "Guitar Slinger" comes back for another Christmas Rocks Extravaganza! All swingin', all rockin'-this raucous yuletide joyride will get you on your feet and right into the holiday spirit.

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones (December 8-Holiday Show): A little bit bluegrass, a little bit jazz, and a lot of free-wheeling improvisation-the world's most celebrated banjo artist and his band have played with popular artists like the Dave Matthews Band and Branford Marsalis. Now these musical geniuses are here for a night of holiday hits from their Grammy®-winning album, Jingle All the Way.

Chris Botti (January 7): One of music's best-selling instrumentalists, trumpet superstar Chris Botti fuses the sound of contemporary jazz with pop music style. This virtuoso talent has become a much sought-after performer and composer-working with artists like Frank Sinatra, Sting, and Yo-Yo Ma.

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy (January 19): This fiery husband and wife duo takes the stage in a whirlwind of Celtic trademark fiddle-driven music, dance, and song. The gleefully energetic MacMaster "dances as exuberantly as she plays...a curly-haired ball of perpetual motion," cheers the Washington Post.

The Opera Show (January 23): Brace yourself...this is not just another night at the opera. It's a mind-blowing combination of opera's greatest hits set to a dazzling visual feast. The Opera Show lit up the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival-mixing the power and grandeur of opera with flamboyant design and daring choreography.

Gladys Knight (February 19-Gala Performance): A seven-time Grammy®-winner and true living legend, Gladys Knight became a Motown star with soulful R&B hits like "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "I've Got to Use My Imagination," and "Midnight Train to Georgia."

Time for Three (February 25): A self-described "classically trained garage band" that has performed in celebrated venues like the Kennedy Center, this scorching young trio enthusiastically takes on Bach, The Beatles, and everything in between. "Blistering pyrotechnics...high-octane playing from first note to last," raves the Washington Post.

Shawn Colvin (March 4): One of folk rock's most celebrated singer/songwriters, Shawn Colvin broke through with the hit song, "Sunny Came Home." Known for honest, emotional lyrics, this three-time Grammy®-winner has collaborated with artists like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lisa Loeb, and Bruce Hornsby.

Max Raabe & Palast Orchester (March 8): Travel back to the roaring 20s with a brassy big band celebration the New York Daily News calls, "one of the smoothest treasures ever to hit Carnegie Hall." Cabaret cool, smooth, and wryly funny-Max Raabe charmingly commands the stage and croons the audience back to a bygone era.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (April 6): Recognized worldwide for their breathtaking athleticism, these innovators of movement have done more to spread the splendor of modern American dance than any other company. Through elegant kinetic artistry, you will be transported, transformed...your eyes opened to the world of dance.

TAO (April 8): A pulsating percussion powerhouse in the tradition of Asian drumming groups like Kodo, TAO is an exhilarating treat for the eyes and the ears. "Extraordinarily talented...incomparable muscular zeal," applauds the Chicago Tribune. Don't miss this acclaimed #1 hit of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Alexander McCall Smith (April 23): Author of the wildly popular "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" books and other novels, Alexander McCall Smith is also a leading expert on medical law and bioethics, and the co-founder of "The Really Terrible Orchestra." Come experience a spellbinding evening with this endlessly fascinating storyteller.

Calder Quartet (May 8): This exciting chamber ensemble dares to push boundaries-transcending genres to work with alternative rock bands and recently performing on "The Tonight Show" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The Los Angeles Times declares, "Calder takes its place as one of America's most satisfying-and most enterprising-quartets."

Sharon Isbin (May 9): "The pre-eminent guitarist of our time," raves Boston Magazine. You've heard this Grammy®-winner on NPR and featured on the soundtrack for The Departed. She sells out music's most hallowed venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Now, this world-class musician is coming to The Peace Center.

Tickets to 2009 - 2010 Peace Center presentations are on sale now. Broadway shows are offered through subscription only until August 24. For tickets, call The Peace Center's Box Office at 864-467-3000 or 1-800-888-7768 or order online: www.peacecenter.org.

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