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(Article by Astra NG, communications specialist)

            Shawnee State University’s Vern Riffe Center for the Arts and the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association announces the schedule for the 2008-2009 season.
            “This is a great line-up of shows for the next season,” said Carl Daehler, executive director of the VRCFA. “It has something for everyone and many family-friendly programs. We expect a great response from our subscribers and the public.”
            Ten shows have been lined up starting September 18 with the performance by Cherryholmes, a family group that promises to offer an exciting brand of Bluegrass with a contemporary twist. The group was recently honored with their second Grammy Award nomination for their latest album release, “Cherryholmes II, Black and White.”
            On October 16, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra returns for the third time under the direction of Junichi Hirokami. He will conduct the acclaimed orchestra in a concert featuring Igor Stravinsky’s “The Firebird,” Ralph Vaughan-Williams’ “Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus” and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings.”
            On December 8, the Canadian Brass will perform a holiday concert including works from Bach, Purcell, Glenn Miller and Fats Waller. They have been featured on “The Tonight Show”, “Today”, “Entertainment Tonight” and numerous PBS special programs.
            On January 2, a performance of the legendary “Sweeny Todd,” a “demon barber” set on revenge who takes up with his neighbor in a delicious plot to “slice” their way through England’s upper crust, will come to life on the VRCFA stage. On February 5, The BalletMet of Columbus will perform the groundbreaking fusion of dance and music in “Jazz Moves.” The electrifying program features commissioned dance works and music by renowned artists from around the country that touch on legendary figures of the 1950s and the unstoppable energy of today’s artists.
            The Broadway show, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” will be performed on March 1. It all starts when a die-hard musical-theater fan plays his favorite cast album on his turntable and the musical literally bursts into life in his living room and on stage. It is a tale filled with mobsters and marriages, movie moguls and monkeys, sweethearts and songs, and Latin Lotharios with lavish dance numbers.
            Then on March 24, The Romeros will be performing. They have been called, “The Royal Family of the Guitar,” because of the beauty of their artistry and passage of talent from generation to generation. Today, the group represents Romero’s third generation of continuing in tradition of excellence.
            “To Kill a Mockingbird,” comes to the VRCFA stage on April 7. The play is based on Harper Lee’s classical novel of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer and father, defending a black man.
            On April 21, “Hairspray,” the winner of eight Tony Awards will be performed on the stage of the VRCFA. This splashy musical features Tracy Turnblad, who dreams to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show, and is transformed from a social outcast to a sudden TV star.
            The Ohio State University’s Men’s Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. Robert J. Ward, will perform on May 5 with music that has been shared by the OSU campus and community since 1875. The group has actively tailgated at home football games, performed concerts on and off campus and has made frequent concert trips both in the United States and abroad.
            Discounts are available for seniors and SSU students, faculty, staff and alumni. Also, receive ten shows for the price of nine. With the purchase of a full season subscription, a ticket for the play “To Kill a Mockingbird” will be included at no extra charge. Subscription renewals will be accepted until July 7 and single tickets will go on sale starting August 25.
            Beginning July 1, all ticketed VRCFA events will be available for sale on Ticketmaster’s world-wide Internet and ticket outlet sales network. When using the Ticketmaster services, additional Ticketmaster charges may be added to the cost of the ticket.
            For more information, contact the McKinley Box Office at (740) 351-3600, or visit info@vrcfa.org or www.sopaa.org.