Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming and Lisa Fischer Set To Perform at Portland Ovations

Portland Ovations announced their 2016-17 season at Portland's Masonic Temple on Wednesday night to a crowd of just over 150 Members and guests at its Annual Preview Party. Attendees enjoyed food and cocktails before being treated to a special glimpse of the new season, composed of over 30 performances at five different venues, and opening with Tony and Emmy Award-winning chanteuse Kristin Chenoweth on September 29th at Merrill Auditorium.

Chenoweth leads a powerhouse roster that also includes master pianist Emanuel Ax, returning to the series for the first time in nearly two decades; Tony and Olivier Award-winner Alan Cumming; thundering vocalist Lisa Fischer, who might be best known for her legendary duet with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" as well as starring in the hit documentary 20 Feet from Stardom; and Guster's Adam Gardner performing with his band The LeeVees.

Broadway lovers will rejoice at news that no less than five national tours will grace the Merrill stage between November and May. With titles as varied as RENT, on its 20th Anniversary Tour; ONCE, winner of eight Tony Awards; the disco extravaganza Saturday Night Fever; the family classic, Annie; and Pippin, featuring the breathtaking acrobatics by Les 7 Doigts de la main, there is something for everyone.

Other highlights include Celtic super-group The Gloaming; Brooklyn's pioneering eight-piece band Red Baraat playing North Indian Bhangra with elements of go-go, rock and jazz; the incredible acrobatics of Cirque Mechanics' Pedal Punk; contemporary dance by Philadelphia's Ballet X and L.A.'s BodyTraffic; monologist and Mainer Mike Daisey; the Handel and Haydn Society performing a program of Italian Baroque music; and Boston's Grammy-nominated, self-conducted chamber orchestra A Far Cry joined by the preeminent clarinetist David Krakauer.

Offered for the youngest art audiences in mind is the Portland Ovations Family Series that includes the return of Nova Scotia's Mermaid Theatre in Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Other Treasured Stories by Eric Carle, and the Kennedy Center's latest commission, Elephant and Piggie's We Are in a Play!, a rollicking musical adaptation of Mo Willems' beloved children's books.

"This is one of my favorite and most anticipated nights of the year. We love sharing a new season and hearing the immediate response of our closest supporters," states Executive Director, Aimée M. Petrin.

Visit the Portland Ovations website (portlandovations.org) to view the entire 2016-17 season. Check back regularly as Ovations Offstage activities are added throughout the season, providing several ways to understand more about each performance as well as connect with the artists, including pre-performance lectures, masterclasses and residencies.

Ovations' Members get "first dibs" at tickets starting on Wednesday, June 1st, while tickets go on sale to the general public on June 20th. If you are not a Member and would like to buy tickets early, you may become a Member at anytime or buy a pre-sale or Broadway bundle of four or more performances at your initial purchase. Tickets may be purchased by contacting PortTIX at 207-842-0800, visiting the box office window at Merrill Auditorium or going online towww.portlandovations.org.

The full Portland Ovations 2016-17 season:
Kristin Chenoweth, September 29 at Merrill Auditorium
Red Baraat, October 6 at Port City Music Hall
"Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Other Treasured Stories by Eric Carle",October 15 at Merrill Auditorium
Ballet X, October 20 at Merrill Auditroium
Cirque Mechanics: "Pedal Punk", October 27 at Merrill Auditorium
"Rent" 20th Anniversary Tour, November 5 at Merrill Auditorium
A Far Cry featuring David Krakauer, Novemebr 15 at Merrill Auditorium
Mike Daisey: "Khan and the Whale: The Wrath of Moby Dick", November 18 at Hannaford Hall
The LeeVees, December 18 at Port City Music Hall
The Jones Family Singers, January 20 at Merrill Auditorium
JCT Trio, January 22 at Merrill Auditorium
Vocalosity, Janaury 26, at Merrill Auditorium
Yuval Ron Ensemble featuring Dervish Aziz: "Seeker of Truth", February 4at Hannaford Hall
"Once", Febraury 8 and 9 at Merrill Auditorium
Handel and Haydn Society "Glories of the Italian Baroque", Febraury 11 at Hannaford Hall
"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs", February 18 at Merrill Auditorium
Jenny Scheinman: "Kannapolis: A Moving Portrait", March 10 at Hannaford Hall
BodyTraffic, March 18 at Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Philharmonia Quartett Berlin, March 19 at Hannaford Hall
Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton, March 25 at State Theatre
"Saturday Night Fever", March 31 at Merrill Auditorium
Golden Dragon Acrobats, April 6 at Merrill Auditorium
Ragamala Dance Company: "Sacred Earth", April 13 at Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Emanuel Ax, April 15 at Merrill Auditorium
The Gloaming, April 20 at State Theatre
"Annie", April 27 at Merrill Auditorium
Elephant and Piggie's "We Are In a Play", May 7 at Merrill Auditorium
"Pippin", May 13 at Merrill Auditorium

Each year since 1931, Portland Ovations brings a dynamic season of exceptional performing artists from around the world to Maine including classical music, jazz, dance, theater, and Broadway national tours. In addition to live performances, Ovations brings the exhilaration of the performing arts out into our community with season-long educational and outreach activities known as Ovations Offstage. A Maine-based non-profit, Portland Ovations contributes to the cultural, social and economic well-being of our community by presenting an array of high quality performing artists from around the world and creating diverse educational experiences that bring the enjoyment, energy and enrichment of the arts to all.

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