Fall-Winter Season Announced at the Spencer Theater
By: Gabrielle Sierra Aug. 18, 2011
Dating back more than 2,000 years, the tradition of acrobats is to China what ballet and opera is to the west. World renowned as an art form combining both physical and mental acuity, the acrobat's immense athletic strength, balance, and timing is a demonstration of mind and body focus, and inner harmony - the spirituAl Pearl of Chinese philosophy.
For the first time in its 15 year history, the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts in Alto, New Mexico, will be presenting a troupe of China's greatest acrobats in displays of high-flying trapeze, aerial balance, dance, juggling and comedy. Touring their ancient art direct from Beijing, this amazing theatrical display kicks-off the Spencer's 15th winter season of shows, a season (listing below) that includes 16 performances of music, dance, drama and magic. And without question, the feats of the jaw-dropping acrobats, appearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 6, will encapsulate all these disciplines with flamboyance and international flair. Check it out!
Tickets to all season events on sale beginning September 1, with public series sales (four or more events) going on sale August 30! A number of the performances feature pre-performance buffets in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m., two hours before show time. Log onto www.spencertheater.com or call 575.336.4800 toll free at 888.818.7872 for information.
When The Curtain Goes Up:
• Thursday, October 6 at 7 p.m. The National Acrobats of The People's Republic of China. ($69 & $66) Featuring 45 acrobats who will fill the stage with their impeccably choreographed art form, this amazing company has performed throughout the world since being the first troupe officially established by the People's Republic of China in 1950. They are winners of the prestigious International and NationAl Gold Prizes and come direct from Beijing in its inaugural tour of the United States and Canada. A public pre-performance Chinese Buffet will be in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m. Buffet tickets are $20.
• Saturday, October 29 at 7 p.m. Snidow, His Life, His Love, His Passion. ($49 & $46) A spectacular presentation of visual and performing art celebrating the world-renowned historic & contemporary western artist Gordon Snidow, a resident of Ruidoso. Produced by Grace Snidow and Barbara Barleen-Staerkel, Snidow's works will be joined with the musical talents of master musicians George Staerkel and his Arizona Opry Cast in popular and original songs inspired by Gordon's array of works, many of which will be displayed on an overhead screen during the concert. Gordon will be signing a selection of limited edition works for sale in the Spencer lobby with all proceeds benefiting the Spencer.
• Sunday, November 20 at 3 p.m. Blast! ($79 & $76) Winner of the 2001 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event and the 2001 Emmy Award for Best Choreography is a virtual explosion of music, dance and theatre using drum and bugle corps the way Riverdance uses Irish step dancers. It's a virtual potpourri of big band & marching music with trumpets, trombones, choreographed motion, swirling color flags and twirling rifles. Featuring 35, this exuberant production bridges classical, blues, jazz, rock n' roll and techno-pop music. It's like the U.S. Marine Corps Marching Band meets Stomp with Harry James, Tap Dogs and West Side Story in the mix!
• Saturday, December 3 at 7 p.m. Miracle on 34th Street ($79 & $76) It's the story of the year when a nice old man who claims to be Kris Kringle is institutionalized as insane, and a young lawyer defends him in court by arguing that the guy really is Santa Claus. In the meantime, two lost souls find each other and a little girl discovers dreams do come true! This musical adaptation of the favorite 1947 holiday tale features a cast of Equity artists with the famed Barter Theatre Company • Saturday, December 17 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. The Nutcracker Ruidoso Dance Ensemble ($28). Under the artistic direction of Deborah Rogers, this original adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic features gorgeous sets & costumes and outstanding dancers. The rising young talent Simon Pawlek will star as the Cavalier. A delightful Christmas gift for the entire family.
• Wednesday, December 21 at 7 p.m. Flying J Wranglers Christmas Special ($30) Western yodeling, vocals, fiddle and guitars in a program of traditional favorites, spirituals like Go Tell It On The Mountain, Beautiful City and new and classic western/cowboy Christmas songs including Corn, Water & Wood, Christmas For Cowboys, Riding to Ruidoso; instrumentals and homespun comedy.
• Saturday, January 28 at 7 p.m. Stayin' Alive Bee Gees Tribute ($69 & $66). Considered the world's number one Bee Gees tribute band, Stayin' Alive features a gifted trio of singers backed by studio musicians who wholly capture the sound mystique, distinctly blended harmonies, and the immediate experience of the famous brothers live in concert. Blockbuster tunes include Night Fever, Jive Talkin, How Deep Is Your Love, You Should Be Dancin, Nights On Broadway and more.
The same evening, a pre-performance Disco Buffet featuring hot items of the ‘70s disco era like Swedish meatballs, green beans almondine, Green Goddesss Salad, etc. will be provided in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m.; $20 per-person.
• Saturday, February 4 at 7 p.m. The Texas Tenors ($79 & $76). Three ruggedly handsome men in Stetsons who sing tenor, this trio of heart-throbs were first discovered in 2009 winning TV's reality show "America's Got Talent." They now enjoy international repute as powerful entertainers who weave effortlessly from John Denver to Puccini, Merle Haggard to Leonard Bernstein. A public pre-performance Barbecue Brisket Buffet will be in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.
• Sunday, February 12 at 6 p.m. Guild Valentine Soiree ($50). Taking place on the elegantly decorated stage of the Spencer Theater, the celebration includes a gourmet three-course dinner, a complimentary cocktail and dancing to the Michael Francis Trio.
• Thursday, February 23 at 7 p.m. Damn Yankees, The Home-Run Broadway Musical ($79 & $76). Home-runs, hit songs and a sizzling siren named Lola have made Damn Yankees a musical comedy favorite for years. Winner of 8 Tony Awards, this musical featuring 30 singers, dancers and orchestra musicians is about a young 1950s baseball zealot who sells his soul to the Devil to help his favorite team win the pennant only to realize there's more to life than homeruns. Filled with hit songs like Whatever Lola Wants and You Gotta have Heart.
A public pre-performance Stadium Dogs Buffet featuring Omaha Beef dogs and 21 condiments (everything you'd find at a professional ballpark), nacho salad, crabby fries with Old Bay Seasoning, etc, will be in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m.; $20 per person.
• Saturday, March 3 at 7 p.m. Las Cruces Chamber Orchestra ($59 & $56). Under the artistic direction of Maestro Lonnie Klein, the orchestra performs Mozart's Violin Concerto #5 in A Major K 219 with featured soloist Eva León on violin; Mozart's Symphony #35 in D Major "Haffner" K 385 among other grand works.
• Friday, March 16 at 7 p.m. Marty Stuart & The Fabulous Superlatives ($79 & $76). Barn-burning honky tonk and hillbilly rock is the hallmark country roots sound of Marty Stuart, the four-time Grammy winning star who first became a chart-topper in the 90s. Performing with his rustic The Fabulous Superlatives band on vocals, banjo, steel, upright bass, drums & guitar, Stuart will share some of his greatest hits like Tempted, Honky Tonker, Arlene, Hillbilly Rock, The Wiskey Ain't Workin' and This One's Gonna Hurt You.
The same evening, a public pre-performance Fried Chicken Buffet will be provided in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m.; $20 per person.
• Saturday, April 14 at 7 p.m. Country Royalty: Jason Petty & Carolyn Martin Pay Tribute To Hank Williams & Patsy Cline ($69 & $66). Jason Petty, the 2003 Obie Award winning star of Hank Williams: Lost Highway joins forces with Carolyn Martin, the 2008 Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year in tribute to two of country music's greatest legends. A public pre-performance Short Ribs Buffet will be in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.
• Saturday, April 21 at 7 p.m. Spencers Theatre of Illusion ($59 & $56) Honored as the International Magicians of the Year and the Performing Arts Entertainers of the Year, the mind-boggling Spencers brings a new twist to magic that infuses amazing illusions with high-technology lighting and music, a magnificent set design and dramatic theatrical elements. A public pre-performance Roast Turkey Buffet will be in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m.; $20 per person.
• Saturday, April 28 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Coppélia Ruidoso Dance Ensemble ($28) A true marriage of romance and hilarity, Coppelia is a full-length, heart-warming story about two young lovers and a romantic toy-maker who thinks he has magical powers. This original adaptation by RDE features gorgeous sets & costumes and outstanding dancers.
• Saturday, May 5 at 7 p.m. Gary Puckett & The Union Gap ($69 & $66). A major force on the airwaves starting in the 60s, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap forged a series of massive chart-topping ballads with earnestness and melodrama. They garnered six consecutive gold records and 10 top Billboard hits for Young Girl, Woman Woman, Lady Willpower, Over You and This Girl Is A Woman Now. Expect these songs and other hits at Puckett's gig at the Spencer.
That same evening, a publicv pre-performance Angus Burger Buffet will be in the Crystal Lobby at 5 p.m.; $20 per person.
Get your season tickets now! Call the Spencer Theater at 575.336.4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com. (The site allows for secure ordering). You may also request a brochure with show descriptions be mailed to your home or business.
WAYS TO ORDER/ BUY Winter Season 2011-12 Tickets (public series & public single ticket sales)
GO TO THE BOX OFFICE: at the theater at108 Spencer Road, 108 Spencer Road, Airport Highway 220, Alto, NM. Business hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For tickets or information call (575) 336-4800 or toll free at 888.818.7872.
ON THE WEB: www.spencertheater.com. The site offers secure ticket ordering.
BY FAX: series and single tickets can be ordered by fax at (575) 336-0055.
BY E-MAIL: single tickets may be ordered at boxoffice@spencertheater.com.
BY MAIL: Donna Clarke, Box Office Manager, Spencer Theater, 108 Spencer Road, Alto, NM 88312.
Spencer Theater is a world-class performance hall located in the Sacramento Mountain settlement of Alto, about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso. Unique architecture, outstanding acoustics, intimate seating, and excellent artistry are the Spencer's celebrated features. The elegant, award-winning hall, which first raised its curtains in 1997, seats 514, with no seats farther than 67 feet from the 4,770 square-foot stage. The Spencer also has a 964 square-foot outdoor stage that can seat 1,500. From its Spanish mica-flecked limestone face to the crystal lobby, the building itself is a work of art. Free public tours are offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year.
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