Betty Buckley & More to Play Centenary Stage in 2013-14 Season

A Broadway legend, international jazz stars, first class ballet performances, and family shows with a magical flair are just a few highlights in Centenary Stage Company's 35th Annual Concert Season. The David and Carol Lackland Center in Hackettstown will be a busy place this season with a selection of entertainment options for everyone to enjoy.

Broadway's legendary leading lady Betty Buckley will kick off Centenary Stage Company's new season with a memorable performance to highlight a grand theatrical celebration. From CATS to SUNSET BOULEVARD, she has dominated the stage like no other, and CSC brings the "Voice of Broadway" to the Lackland Center on Saturday, September 21st at 8 PMfor the 2013-2014 Season Opening Gala. In her new Broadway revue Ah Men! The Boys of Broadway, Buckley sings some of her favorite songs sung by male characters from Broadway shows, including numbers from Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Pippin, Mame and La Cage Aux Folles. The New York Times said of the show, "Ms. Buckley's show is a witty, powerfully sung female occupation of male territory, waged with good humor and gusto." Buckley won a Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella, the Glamour Cat, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, and also starred in Triumph of Love, Sunset Boulevard, 1776, Pippin and many more Broadway hits. She's recorded a dozen albums, including the Grammy-nominated concert recording Stars and the Moon: Betty Buckley Live at The Donmar, and starred in such TV series as Eight is Enough, HBO's Oz and the 2010 miniseries The Pacific.

The Season Opening Gala with Betty Buckley will begin with a pre-show reception at 6:30 PM in the Kutz Black Box Theater of the Lackland Center. This year's reception will include some surprise entertainment to accompany specialty custom brews provided by Hackettstown's own Homebrew University and a selection of New York style hors d'oeuvres. A silent auction will take place throughout the evening lead by the Old Souk Trading Company and a cash bar will be available in the lobby. The performance by Betty Buckley will begin at 8 PMin the Sitnik Theater of the Lackland Center, and a limited VIP "Meet and Greet" with the artist will happen during the on-stage post show reception. CSC representatives will also be selling 50/50 tickets throughout the evening to benefit CSC's Arts Education Programs and the Young Audience Series that tours to schools throughout the state.

Tickets for the performance of Betty Buckley are $40 in the Orchestra and $35 in the Balcony. Tickets for the pre-show reception with Orchestra seating are $60. Special VIP tickets, which include the pre-show reception, the performance with orchestra seating, and the post-show "Meet and Greet" will be offered at $100. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the CSC Arts Education Programs.

The Season Opening Gala with Betty Buckley's Ah Men! The Boys of Broadway is sponsored by Heath Village and Panther Valley Pharmacy and Gifts.

The second annual FAMILY FUN SERIES has been expanded this season to include five exciting performances on SUNDAY afternoons for the younger patrons and their families all in the Sitnik Theatre. Beginning with Spooktacular on Nov 3 at 2 PM, this special Halloween themed magic and variety show will feaure the "Wacky Dracky" Illusionist John Bundy and the "Enchanting Diva of Darkness," Morgan. Then, on Jan 12 at 2 pm, The Catskill Puppet Theatre returns with The Willow Girl, the story of a young Chinese girl with special gifts immigrating to the American Frontier. The Gizmo Guys bring in a comedy juggling act and much more on Feb 2 at 2 PM, with original routines and a quick-witted verbal repartee that adults may also enjoy. The thrilling Michael DuBois' Solo Circus returns, featuring a fast-paced and hilarious show with magic, juggling, mentalism, circus and sideshow stunts and plenty of audience interaction, presented on Mar 16 at 2 PM. And finally after a sold-out show last year, The Illusionary Magic of Brad Ross will perform on Apr 13 at 2 PM with a brand new act. Tickets for the FAMILY FUN SERIES are $20 in advance with discounts for children under 12. Workshops available post-show for all performances for $18.50.
The JANUARY JAZZ FEST will heat things up, beginning with Russia's best touring hardcore jazz ensemble, Igor Butman's Moscow Jazz Band on January 11 at 8 PM. On January 18 at 8 PM, 2011 nominee for "Jazz Group of the Year," the Lao Tizer Band will perform featuring Karen Briggs on jazz violin. The Lao Tizer Band has taken their multifaceted world fusion vibe around the globe and now they're bringing it to Hackettstown. Sammy Figueroa has long been regarded as one of the world's great musicians and he brings his Latin Jazz Explosion to the Centenary Stage. Well-known for his versatility and professionalism, he is one of the few percussionists equally comfortable in a multitude of styles, from R & B to rock to pop to bebop to Latin to Brazilian to New Age. Tickets to the JAZZ FEST concerts range from $22.50 to $30 in advance, with discounts for children under 12.

CONCERT SERIES

With performances virtually every week throughout the season, the calendar will include many of the traditional individual concert events, beginning with the return of the New Jersey Ballet with two very different performances. On Saturday, Oct 26 at 8 PM, the NJ Ballet will highlight two legendary choreographers who helped set the course of ballet in America in a Balanchine/Robbins Evening. And on Oct 27 at 2 PM, CSC will present one of NJ Ballet's most Popular Productions for kids & families, Cinderella. This two-act romp through the well-known fairy tale has wickedly funny stepsisters, the hours of the clock coming to life, a pumpkin turning into a coach, and is accompanied by their hallmark narration promising magical moments for every spectator. Ticket prices are $25 in advance with discounts for children under 12.

The New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet will also return with the family classic, the Nutcracker to usher in the holiday season, with performances on Dec 20-22.

CSC's first music concert of the season is the New Trad Octect with their Tribute to Sousa on Nov 2 at 8 PM. This group brings new arrangements of the music of John Philip Sousa, the most popular American musician at the turn-of-the-20th-century. His music from the early days of American life is given a brand new sound with the joyful rhythms of modern Haitian "Kompa" tying modern American culture, with its many Caribbean influences. Ticket prices are $22.50 in advance with discounts for children under 12.
Back by popular demand on Feb 8 at 8 PM CSC welcomes Bishop Townsley's Jubilee. This entertaining, high octane group of performers was the most talked about event of the 2011 season. They have a repertoire including African Chants, Spirituals, and Jubilee Songs as well as Pop, Broadway, Hip Hop music of today and jazz favorites like Duke Ellington. Ticket prices range are $25 in advance with discounts for seniors and children.

Hall of Famer, Rio Clemente is back for his annual Valentine's Day Concert on February 16 at 2 PM in The Little Theatre. From Manhattan's famed Birdland to Carnegie Hall, anyone who has listened to Rio Clemente play piano, comes away in awe. This master pianist adds an amazing sense of creativity and nearly always produces a standing ovation and cries for "more." All tickets are $20 in advance.
This St. Patrick's Day, audiences can celebrate at the Lackland Center with Lúnasa on Mar 15 at 8 PM. This virtuoso ensemble is internationally acknowledged as being the finest Irish instrumental band of recent times. The band has appeared at internationally renowned venues such as The Hollywood Bowl, National Concert Hall, Dublin, the Sydney Opera House and even the White House. All tickets are $25 in advance.
Blues Bash will fill the town of Hackettstown with great Americana and Blues music March 21-22 of 2014 featuring last year's popular headliner Samantha Fish with a line-up of talent on the Centenary stage and at different locations throughout Hackettstown.

The spring at CSC will bring a return of the successful DANCE FEST, first offered in the 2011-12 season, sponsored by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. In addition to performances by several dance companies, this week long celebration of dance includes workshops for the public, led by special guest artists, as well as seminars and talk-backs with artists. The Festival will begin with a performance by the virtuosic and dynamic Lustig Dance Theatre, on Mar 30 at 2 PM. The Art of Motion Dance Theatre creates stunning visual pictures with their original dance pieces performing on April 5 at 8 PM. The series will conclude on April 11 at 8 PM with the return of the contemporary and experimental Moe-tion Dance Theater. A Flex Pass for all three performances is available for $37.50. Tickets for individual performances will be $20 in advance, with discounts for seniors and children.

CSC will offer several "Flex-Pass" options to patrons this season, which may be applied to performances throughout the season. Honoring its reputation as "the best deal in the state", CSC will offer A Golden Flex Pass, which includes all 25 events for $276 (concerts & theatre performances & including the Gala). The Pick Ten Flex Pass is offered at $200, the Pick Seven Flex Pass is $147, and the Pick Three Flex Pass is $66. Tickets may be purchased online at www.centenarystageco.org, at the CSC Box Office located in the David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave in Hackettstown, or by calling 908 979 0900. The Box Office is open 1-5 PM Monday through Friday, and 2 hours prior to performance times.

The 2013-14 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, and CSC sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, The Holiday Inn in Budd Lake, and Fulton Bank, Bronze Sponsors The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and Wells Fargo Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.

Other local businesses helping to sponsor events in this concert season include Panther Valley Pharmacy and Gifts, Home Instead Senior Care, New Jersey School of Dance, and New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet.