Spencer Theater Opens Season With RICH LITTLE AS JIMMY STEWART, Begins 9/25

Jimmy Stewart...the greatest actor, ever! Rich Little...the greatest impressionist, ever! Now the two luminaries come together in a brand new show starring Rich Little as Jimmy Stewart. The one-man tour-de-force premiers at the Spencer Theater on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 at 8 p.m., a definite laugh-riot that kicks-off the Spencer's 13th winter season of shows.

"Rich Little as Jimmy Stewart" is an original comedic homage written and directed by Little, the master of 200 famous voices. Little is not only a great admirer of Stewart's film work (an amazing range from "Vertigo" to "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Harvey to The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance") and service as a Brigadier General in World War II, but Little was also a close, personal friend of the beloved star. And so, by becoming Stewart before our eyes - with his identical distinctively slow drawl, voice patterns, and mannerisms -- Little brings us inside the life of the great Stewart. Part roast, part loving tribute, Little flatters Stewart by acting as Jimmy Stewart in hilarious conversations with 24 fellow leading lights with whom he performed - everyone from Clark Gable, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and even Harvey the Rabbit (dialogues that actually took place).

Little is THE master impresario who has both awed and cracked-up audiences for over 50-years, and his personally selecting the Spencer to premier his new show is a tremendous honor to both the theater and the community-at-large.

"His agent knew of the professionalism of the Spencer, and based on the reviews of fellow performers and the special features of the Spencer - as well as the beauty and hospitality of the community - Mr. Little expressed his interest in making this the site for the debut," says Charles Centilli, the Spencer's Executive Director. "We're thrilled to have such a major artist identify our facility in such a complimentary way. And his show definitely adds legendary luster to our programming, which really is packed with great performances."

Indeed! Little's comedic tribute to Stewart kicks-off another blockbuster season at the beautiful Spencer with Broadway favorites like CATS, Cabaret, Camelot and The Wedding Singer and international sensations like Moscow Festival Ballet, Lord of the Dance and BJÖRN AGAIN. In the mix is top-shelf country and bluegrass music groups, big band, New Orleans jazz, early rock and Texas Swing - altogether a season that's full of uplifting spirits and mesmerizing artistry!

Tickets to the 17-show season starts in August: orders for Public Series Tickets (four or more events) will be processed beginning August 24th. Telephone and single-performance ticket orders will be processed starting August 26th. Log onto www.spencertheater.com or call 575.336.4800/ toll free at 888.818.7872 for information.

WHEN THE CURTAINS GO UP:

SEPTEMBER

Rich Little AS JIMMY STEWART on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 at 8 p.m. ($79 & $76) The master mimic celebrates the life of the legendary actor & American patriot through hilarious conversations Stewart had with 24 celebrities- stars like Clark Gable to Walter Mattthau and Ronald Reagan.

OCTOBER

DAVE ALEXANDER & HIS BIG TEXAS SWING BAND Saturday, October 3 at 8 p.m. ($39 & $36) Multi-award winning musical artist, who previously performed with the Texas Playboys brings his big Texas swing band (fiddles, steel guitar, bass, drums and horn section with trumpets, trombones, clarinet and saxophone), to the hall for a night of musical cowboy magic.

CHERRYHOLMES Tuesday, October 20 at 8 p.m. ($39 & $36) With explosive vocal harmonies and hard-driving instrumentals, this family roots music band has stormed to the top of the music world since winning stacks of Bluegrass awards and Grammy nominations after first hitting the road in 2005.

NOVEMBER

THE WEDDING SINGER Thursday, November 5 at 8 p.m. ($69 & $66) This zesty musical comedy, which is set in the 1980's, is about New Jersey's favorite wedding singer who's good at his job because he's in love with love -- until he's jilted at the alter by his own fiancé. Featuring an original musical score, "The Wedding Singer" stars 20 singers, actors and dancers and an orchestra of 10.

BJÖRN AGAIN Saturday, November 14 at 8 p.m. ($59 & $56) the most popular ABBA tribute in the world celebrates the ABBA phenomenon both visually and through the remarkably accurate reflection of ABBA's stage look, catchy sound, dance steps and humor. Catch the band in all its ‘70's glory in performance of hit tunes like Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Waterloo, Take A Chance On Me and Fernando.

LORD OF THE DANCE Monday, November 23 at 8 p.m. ($79 & $76) Michael Flatley's world-famous Celtic dance sensation staring a cast of 40 dancers and musicians whose passions ignite in a love story of dramatic leaps and turns against a backdrop of exhilarating Celtic rhythms.

DECEMBER

RONNIE KOLE TRIO CHRISTMAS Fri Dec 4 at 8 p.m. ($49 & $46) Famed New Orleans jazz pianist Ronnie Kole appears with his Trio for a night of Kole styled Christmas classics and traditional jazz standards.

THE NUTCRACKER Ruidoso Dance Ensemble Saturday, December 19 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. ($28) RDE's original adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic featuring gorgeous sets & costumes and outstanding student & professional dancers. A delightful Christmas gift for the entire family.

FLYING J WRANGLERS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Tuesday, December 22 at 8 p.m. ($29 & $26) Western yodeling, vocals, fiddle and guitars in a program of traditional favorites, spirituals (Go Tell It On The Mountain, Beautiful City) and new and classic western/cowboy Christmas songs (Yuletide Yodel, Christmas For Cowboys, Riding to Ruidoso), instrumentals and homespun comedy.

JANUARY

MOSCOW FESTIVAL BALLET'S "CINDERELLA" Saturday, January 30 at 8 p.m. ($59 & $56) More than 50 dancers from throughout the Russias star in Prokofiev's ballet classic about unjust oppression and triumphant reward. Sponsored by Don & Jean Brewer.

FEBRUARY

Lee GreenWOOD Saturday, Feb 13 at 8 ($79 & $76) This award-winning God Bless The USA singer/songwriter also won distinction for country hits like I.O.U. Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands, Hearts Aren't Made To Break (They're Made To Love), It Turns Me Inside Out, Somebody's Gonna Love You). He appears at the Spencer with his multi-instrumental band and songs of pride, love and beauty.

GUILD VALENTINE SOIREE Sunday, February 14 at 6:30 p.m. ($35) 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.

CAMELOT Saturday, February 20 at 2 p.m. ($49 & $46) & 8 p.m. ($59& $56) Lerner and Loewe's Tony winning musical set in a land where honor and chivalry reign, Camelot follows the love triangle of King Arthur, his Queen Guinevere and the young Lancelot with a hauntingly romantic score. Starring 30 singers and actors and a touring orchestra of 10, this will be a day full of majesty!

MARCH

CATS Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m. ($79 & $76) & Sunday, March 7 at 1 p.m. ($76 & $73) Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece, winner of 7 Tony Awards, three Grammys, six Oliviers, a Golden Globe, Oscar & an International Emmy is "the musical of the century," Starring a cast of 20 singers, dancers and actors plus an orchestra of 10.

CABARET Saturday, March 13 at 8 p.m. ($69 & $66) the Tony winning musical story of a night club singer's romance with an American writer set against the background of a crumbling Germany on the eve of Nazism is packed with decadence, romance and intrigue - and great songs: Cabaret, Money (Makes The World Go Around), Wilkommen... Starring a cast of 20 singers, dancers and actors plus an orchestra of 10.

APRIL

BIG BAND BROADCAST Thursday, April 8 at 8 p.m. ($59 & $56) Holly Larocque & the 13-piece Mark Ferguson Orchestra sing & dance us back to the golden age of radio broadcasts in performance of 1940's classics like Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree, Stardust, In the Mood, And the Angels Sing. Sponsored in part by Fran Redinger.

THE LEGENDARY DRIFTERS Saturday, April 24 at 8 p.m. ($59 & $56) The 1950's doo-wop/rhythm & blues vocal group of lore: There Goes My Baby, Under The Boardwalk, Up On The Roof, On Broadway, This Magic moment, Please Stay, (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay among other classics.

Orders for Public Series Tickets (four or more events) will be processed beginning August 24th. Telephone and single-performance ticket orders will be processed starting August 26th.

WAYS TO ORDER/ BUY Winter Season 2009-10 Tickets (public series & public single ticket sales)

GO TO THE BOX OFFICE: at the theater at 108 Spencer Road, Airport Highway 220, Alto, NM. Business hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. No phone orders are accepted for series sales. 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.