CAPA Announces 40th Anniversary Season Lineup

The 2009-10 season marks a milestone for CAPA-its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1969 to save the demolition-bound Ohio Theatre, CAPA established a mission to bring the best performing artists from all over the world to Columbus, and the upcoming 40th anniversary season continues to fulfill that mission. Highlights include the return of 84-year-old blues legend B.B. King and American humorist David Sedaris. Legendary Brazilian band Os Mutantes will make a tour stop at the Capitol Theatre in support of their first album in 35 years, and world-renowned dance company Diavolo will perform their surreal, dramatic works on the stage of the Palace Theatre.

Tickets for most shows on the CAPA 2009-10 season go on sale to the general public on Monday, September 14 (unless otherwise noted) at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000.

Tickets for the Carolina Chocolate Drops, BB King, Os Mutantes, and David Sedaris are on sale now.

CAPA 2009-10 Season

Carolina Chocolate Drops ON SALE NOW

Wednesday, October 7, 8pm

Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.)

Tickets: $25

The Carolina Chocolate Drops, a band of three young and talented musicians, are recognized as leading the revival of traditional string band music. Under the tutelage of Joe Thompson, said to be the last African-American traditional string band player, this trio of Durham-based youngsters strive to carry on this long-standing musical genre from the foothills of North and South Carolina. With Justin Robinson on fiddle, Rhiannon Giddens on banjo and fiddle, and Dom Flemmons on guitar, jug, and harmonica, the Carolina Chocolate Drops are a delightful taste of an old-time art based in the heritage of the antebellum South. Presented in association with The King Arts Complex, this Spectrum Series performance is made possible through the generous support of series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

B.B. King ON SALE NOW

Thursday, October 8, 8pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $50, $45, $40

For more than half a century, B.B. King has defined the blues for a worldwide audience with hits like "The Thrill is Gone," "Ridin' with the King" with Eric Clapton, and "When Love Comes to Town" with U2. He developed and perfected his signature style on his trademark guitar "Lucille," earning him a spot in both the Blues Foundation and the Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. King has been dominating the blues scene for most of his life, and only becomes more cherished and relevant with the passage of time. Special guest will be Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real. This Spectrum Series performance is made possible through the generous support of Univar and series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

Os Mutantes ON SALE NOW

Saturday, October 10, 8pm

Capitol Theatre (77 S. High St.)

Tickets: $25

Os Mutantes records have been passed from musician to musician over the years like cherished gifts, ever inspiring and altering the contemporary musical landscape. As a result, their cut-and-paste, sonic collage approach and tendency for cultural irony is an aesthetic now prevalent in modern music. Formed in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1966, Os Mutantes blended English rock with American psychedelic and traditional Brazilian music to create an entirely new sound reflective of the turbulent times. After disbanding in the early ‘70s, Os Mutantes reunited in 2006 and are now touring to promote the September 8 release of Haih, their first album in 35 years. This Caliente Series performance is made possible through the generous support of series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

David Sedaris ON SALE NOW

Saturday, October 17, 8pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $66.50, $56.50, $51.50, $46.50

With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America's pre-eminent humor writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that Sedaris is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today. Author of Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice, as well as collections of personal essays, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and When You Are Engulfed in Flames, each of which became a bestseller, Sedaris has been nominated for three Grammy Awards including Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album.

Yasmin Levy

Thursday, November 12, 8pm

Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.)

Tickets: $25

In her deep, spiritual, and moving style of singing, Yasmin Levy preserves and revives the most beautiful songs from her Ladino/Judeo-Spanish heritage. With her distinctive and emotive style, Yasmin has incorporated the more "modern" sounds of Andalusian Flamenco and Turkey into medieval Ladino/Judeo-Spanish songs, as well as combined instruments such as the darbuka, oud, violin, cello, and piano. Once heard, Yasmin Levy isn't easily forgotten. This performance is made possible through generous support from the Morris and Fannie Skilken Family Foundation and Congregation Tifereth Israel, with additional support from the Lenore Schottenstein Endowment of the Columbus Jewish Foundation and the Melton Center of Jewish Studies of The Ohio State University.

Shelley Garrett's Beauty Shop 2009

Sunday, November 15, 3pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $57.50, $44.50, $30.50, $26.50, $20.50

America's most successful African-American, musical play is all new for 2009 as the curling irons get hotter, the gossip gets juicer, and the backstabbing goes deeper in Beauty Shop! You'll be rolling in the aisles with laughter and singing along with dynamic vocalists as the cast of hysterical characters and wacky customers navigate the uncontrollable drama of the local gathering place for gossip. This Spectrum Series performance is made possible through the generous support of series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Thanksgiving weekend!

Friday, November 27, 7:30pm

Saturday, November 28, 2pm & 7:30pm

Sunday, November 29, 2pm & 7:30pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $32, $27, $22

A Columbus tradition for more than 30 years, the Nebraska Theatre Caravan returns with the national touring production of A Christmas Carol. Capturing every detail of the Dickens classic, from the spine-chilling ghosts and gorgeous renditions of traditional British carols to crotchety Scrooge and lovable Tiny Tim, Columbus audiences have come to love Charles Dickens' enchanting story and this treasured holiday event. This Family Series performance is made possible through the generous support of Bob Evans Farms and series sponsor AEP.

Dave Koz and Friends

A Smooth Jazz Christmas 2009

Sunday, December 6, 7pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $62.50, $47.50, $37.50, $27.50

The 2009 tour features a special reunion of the original lineup. Rick Braun, David Benoit, Peter White, and Brenda Russell will be joining multi-Grammy nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz on the road this holiday season. The five friends, who recorded "A Smooth Jazz Christmas by Dave Koz & Friends" in 2001, will perform hits from their respective catalogues and join together on a variety of holiday standards. This performance is made possible through the generous support of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants and Univar.

Skaggs Family Christmas featuring Ricky Skaggs and The Whites

Friday, December 11, 8pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $40, $34.50, $27.50, $22.50

Virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Ricky Skaggs, celebrated musical clan The Whites, and their families perform Christmas classics and brand new holiday gems, bringing together the love of family and the beauty of song. Skaggs Family Christmas offers the music variety you'd find at any holiday gathering of friends and relatives-each person has his or her own unique personality and taste, yet their different vocal and instrumental talents flow into a single statement of love, friendship, and faith.

Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile

Saturday, February 13, 8pm

Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.)

Tickets: $25

Composed of five young and fiercely talented musicians-Chris Thile (mandolin), Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Chris Eldridge (guitar), Noam Pikelny (banjo), and Paul Kowert (bass)-the band has captured the attention of music lovers across genres. As The San Francisco Chronicle asks, "Why didn't someone think about mixing bluegrass, jazz, and classical music together sooner? Chris Thile...is doing it with his new outfit, Punch Brothers, and the result is totally mind-blowing." Formed in 2006, the group's first album, How to Grow a Woman from the Ground, received a Grammy Award nomination, and 2007's Punch-which features Thile's ambitious four-movement chamber suite, The Blind Leaving the Blind-has received tremendous critical acclaim.

The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess

Friday, February 19, 8 pm

Saturday, February 20, 2 pm & 8 pm

Sunday, February 21, 2 pm

Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.)

Tickets: $65, $55, $35

A groundbreaking opera by George and Ira Gershwin, this national tour of Porgy and Bess weaves a tale of prejudice, love, and tragedy. Incorporating a wealth of blues and jazz into the classical art of opera, Gershwin considered Porgy and Bess his finest work with songs such as "Summertime" and "It Ain't Necessarily So." Presented in association with The King Arts Complex, this Spectrum Series performance is made possible through the generous support of Univar and series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

Peking Acrobats

Tuesday, February 23, 8pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $42.50, $32.50, $30, $25

The Peking Acrobats, a troupe of China's most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, and gymnasts, bring their 2,000-year-old tradition of acrobatics to Columbus. Complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments, a Peking Acrobats performance offers the opportunity to view a rich and ancient folk art tradition wrapped in the pageantry and spectacle of a modern Chinese theatrical circus.

Ailey II

Saturday, February 27, 8pm

Capitol Theatre (77 S. High St.)

Tickets: $35, $25, $20

Ailey II's exceptional modern ballet dance company merges the spirit and energy of the country's best young talent with the passion and creative vision of today's most outstanding choreographers. The dancers are the most gifted of their generation, translating strength, agility, and grace of body and soul into stirring, powerful performances. Ailey II will perform an exhilarating and diverse repertoire that includes Alvin Ailey's timeless classics as well as new works by both dance veterans and celebrated emerging choreographers. Presented in association with The King Arts Complex, this Spectrum Series performance is made possible through the generous support of series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

The Second City's 50th Anniversary Tour

Friday, March 5, 8pm

Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.)

Tickets: $30, $25

Celebrating an anniversary of epic comedy proportions, The Second City is taking the party on the road with a very special 50th anniversary comedy tour. In this hilarious history lesson, they take you through what the world has been laughing about for half a century with material from the very best comic minds of our generation-Alan Arkin, Robert Klein, Bill Murray, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and more. With a look at the individual events in each decade that shaped our national conversation, The Second City's 50th anniversary show is a comedy timeline through every scandal, war, and dalliance that made headlines and fodder for the comic geniuses of The Second City. This performance is presented in association with Mental Health America of Franklin County.

A Song for Coretta

By Pearl Cleage

Co-presented with The Ohio State University Department of Theatre

Directed by Lesley Ferris

Friday, March 5, 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 6, 3 pm & 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 7, 3 pm

Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.)

Tickets: $18

Inspired by the long line of mourners at Ebenezer Baptist Church paying their respects to Mrs. Coretta Scott King, this play introduces five fictional African-American women, aged 17 to 57, who find laughter and hope while waiting in the rain to say good-bye. Experience the impact Mrs. King had on the lives of these women, and the connections they build with one another through her memory and legacy. Presented in association with The King Arts Complex, this Spectrum Series presentation is made possible through the generous support of series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

Simply Sinatra

Friday, March 12, 8pm

Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.)

Tickets: $35, $30

Steve Lippia pulls his audience back in time with a remarkable combination of his own musical interpretation and the influence of the greatest singers of an incredible era in American music. In Simply Sinatra, he expertly delivers standards permanently engraved in music history including "I've Got You Under My Skin," "The Lady is a Tramp," "Mack the Knife," "Just the Way You Are," and "That's Life." The great entertainers of the time are honored with sincerity and style as Steve Lippia performs a show stopping repertoire of popular Big Band and classic American pop. A modern Sinatra, a gifted performer, and a special performance... He does it his way. This performance is made possible through the generous support of Univar.

A Special Family Show with They Might Be Giants

Sunday, March 14, 3pm

Capitol Theatre (77 S. High St.)

Tickets: $22

Brooklyn's legendary alternative rockers They Might Be Giants are now recognized among the foremost creators of cool kids' albums. Billboard calls them "the ultimate fan- and now family-friendly rock act." The band's most recent disc, Here Come the 123s, won them the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Children's Album. The show will feature hits from previous kids' albums, as well as music from the new album, Here Comes Science, released September 1. This Family Series performance is made possible through the generous support of series sponsor AEP.

Altan

Sunday, March 14, 7pm

Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.)

Tickets: $30, $25

With their exquisitely produced, award-winning recordings and heartwarming, dynamic live performances, Altan has captivated audiences from Donegal to Tokyo to Seattle. Throughout, there has been the unwavering commitment to bring the beauty of traditional music, particularly that of the Donegal fiddlers and singers, to contemporary audiences in a way that brings out all its qualities and destroys none. In fact, Altan has always believed that Irish traditional music is a modern music in every sense and its growing influence and popularity have proved them right.

Diavolo

Friday, March 19, 8pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $34.50, $27.50, $17.50

Diavolo company members are dancers, gymnasts, actors, athletes...and always teammates. Under the guidance of artistic director and founder Jacques Heim, they have collaboratively developed works on oversized, surrealistic sets and structures. Everyday items such as doors, chairs, and stairways provide the backdrop for dramatic movement-leaping, flying, twirling-to create metaphors for the challenge of relationships, the absurdities of life, and the struggle to maintain our humanity in the shadow of a technological world. This performance is made possible through the generous support of Univar.

Eddie Palmieri

Saturday, March 20, 8pm

Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.)

Tickets: $35, $30

Nine-time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri is widely regarded as an explosive, unpredictable lion of the keyboard. His gift for broken meters and chromatic passages led critics to dub him "The Latin [Thelonius] Monk." Since the 1960s, he has refreshed Latin dance music by introducing rock licks, urban poetry, and elements of tango, cumbia, waltz, and the folkloric musics of his beloved Puerto Rico. Whether working with his jazz octet or a full Latin dance band, Eddie's music gets audiences on their feet.

Presented in association with The King Arts Complex, this Caliente Series performance is made possible through the generous support of series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

Playhouse Disney Live!

Saturday, March 27, 3:30 pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $57.50, $44.50, $30.50, $26.50, $20.50

Celebrate with your Playhouse Disney pals when Playhouse Disney Live! comes to your hometown! In this brand new live show, you're invited to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as Mickey plans a spectacular music party for all his friends. The Little Einsteins set off on a musical mission around the world to find a song for the party - with the help of Rocket, of course! Pooh, Tigger, and Darby spring into action to search for music in the Hundred Acre Wood, and Handy Manny and his team of tools find the perfect party beat. Laugh, sing, and play along, 'cause your favorite Playhouse Disney pals are live on stage, and you're invited to join the party! This Family Series performance is made possible through the generous support of series sponsor AEP.

DanceBrazil

Tuesday, April 13, 8pm

Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)

Tickets: $30, $25, $20

For more than thirty years, DanceBrazil has thrilled audiences across the US and throughout the world with its dazzling artistry inspired by the cultural tapestry of Brazil. Whether in the streets or on stage in the most prestigious theaters, the dancers and musicians of DanceBrazil never fail to enthrall audiences with their unique fusion of Afro-Brazilian movement, contemporary dance, and Capoeira, the traditional dance/martial arts form that had its origins in Africa and evolved in colonial Brazil as a means of fighting enslavement. This Caliente Series performance is made possible through the generous support of the Hyatt on Capitol Square and series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

 

The 5 Browns

Thursday, April 15, 8pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $32.50, $27.50, $22.50, $17.50

The 5 Browns-Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae-are delivering on their dream to wake up classical music by introducing it into the lives of people everywhere. Whether performing a duo or complex five-piano arrangement, the 5 Browns reveal a deep connection to the intent of their material while bringing a fresh energy and dynamic character to the color and tonal spectrum of their sound. They are an unprecedented concert attraction-a singular quintet of world-class concert pianists, performing on five pianos and various ensemble combinations. Flawless in precision and steeped in passion, they invariably stun critics and shatter the preconceptions of those who think classical music inscrutable or intimidating.

Yellowjackets

Wednesday, April 28, 8pm

Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.)

Tickets: $31

A performance by the Yellowjackets-purveyors of innovative, eclectic jazz for nearly three decades-is an experience that has as much to do with sight as it does sound. Any given performance on any given night by this seasoned quartet brings with it a degree of spontaneity and expression-on an individual as well as collective level-that can be best appreciated by seeing these four highly skilled musicians in front of a live audience.

Poncho Sanchez

Sunday, May 2, 8pm

Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.)

Tickets: $35, $30

Poncho Sanchez learned from the masters. As a youngster, he played alongside Cal Tjader, Claire Fisher, and Mongo Santamaria. Now as a bandleader for almost two decades, he has unswervingly preserved a bedrock style of Afro-Cuban Latin jazz pioneered half a century ago by his heroes, while infusing it with his own fresh and engaging interpretations. Presented in association with The King Arts Complex, this Caliente Series performance is made possible through the generous support of Univar and series sponsors David and Mo Meuse.

Pilobolus

Thursday, May 6, 8pm

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

Tickets: $34.50, $30, $25

The gravity-defying, visually astounding choreography of the modern dance company Pilobolus has captivated audiences around the globe for nearly four decades with their remarkable and bizarre creative collaboration which applies no boundaries to the human form. Featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The Late Show with Conan O'Brien," and the 2007 Annual Academy Awards, the company's singular choreography infused with a sense of play and comic timing has been entertaining and amazing audiences worldwide as they blur the line between dance and sheer acrobatics.

The Four Bitchin' Babes present

Diva Nation... Where Music, Laughter, and Girlfriends Reign!

Featuring Sally Fingerett, Debi Smith, Nancy Moran, and Deirdre Flint

Sunday, May 23, 7:30pm

Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.)

Tickets: $37.50, $27.50

With their whimsical, hip, and sophisticated girl-group harmonies, these hysterically funny and multi-talented musicians let loose on how the new millennium has, in some cases literally, changed the face of The Diva! Let your sense of humor be your ticket to a magical place where chocolate is a vegetable, wine is in the food pyramid, shopping for shoes is medicinal, and a girl can safely admit that she wears 100% cotton underneath it all! It's not just a musical revue, it's a state of mind!

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, education excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. CAPA also appreciates the support of The Abigail Simpson, Grace K. and Robert L. Rohe, and Martha G. Staub Funds of the Columbus Foundation, assisting donors and others in strengthening our community for the benefit of all of its citizens, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council, supporting the city's artists and arts organizations since 1973.

Owner/operator of downtown Columbus' magnificent historic theatres (Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, Southern Theatre) and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex, Lincoln Theatre, Valentine Theatre (Toledo, OH), and the Shubert Theater (New Haven, CT), CAPA is a non-profit, award-winning presenter of national and international performing arts and entertainment now celebrating 40 years of service. For more information, visit www.capa.com.

 

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