Segerstrom Center Features Audra McDonald, Chita Rivera, et al. in Cabaret Series

Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced the exciting series, performances and special events that will celebrate the 2011 - 2012 Season and the Center's 25th Anniversary. The Center's very first performance was held on September 29, 1986. Now, nearly 25 years later, Segerstrom Center for the Arts will honor its history and tradition of presenting acclaimed artists, renowned companies and exciting shows with performances spanning an array ofdisciplines in each of the venues of its expanded campus.

"We have much to celebrate, and we look forward to welcoming the entire community to the Center throughout the season. Orange County has so generously supported and encouraged us through the years, so it is a particular pleasure to announce an anniversary season that holds an especially exciting and eclectic array of wonderful performances, artists, special events and artistic initiatives that offer something for everyone, " said Center President Terrence W. Dwyer. "We have created a 25th Anniversary Season with premieres, debuts and some adventurous artistic programs. As a special thankyou to our community, we are also proud to announce an ACCESS for ALL initiative, which will make $10tickets available to performances throughout the season to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to join in the celebration. I encourage everyone to visit often and to explore what we believe is a season that celebrates the very best in the performing arts."

Another special initiative of the celebratory season will be the launch of CenterTix, a new mobile app that will allow patrons to explore upcoming performances, buy tickets, and learn more about what's coming to the Center with photos, videos and much more. CenterTix will be available at no charge through Apple's App Store for use on its iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad devices.

Priority renewal information for the 2011 - 2012 Season is being sent to current subscribers. Single tickets will go on sale approximately six weeks prior to individual engagements. Please visit SCFTA.org/25th for more information about the 2011 - 2012 Season. Tickets and additional information may also be obtained by contacting the Box Office at (714) 556-2787 or visiting 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 92626.

25TH ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND CELEBRATION
The weekend of September 30 through October 2 will be a special celebratory weekend, filled with unique performances in the Center's largest two venues and on the Arts Plaza. San Francisco Ballet will offer its acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet in Segerstrom Hall, while the popular National Acrobats of China will perform in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Presentations in the Center's Free for All series will round out the weekend with a recital by renowned organist Cameron Carpenter on Sunday and a free concert as part of Pacific Standard Time, an arts initiative created by the Getty Foundation.

Broadway's biggest hits are headed to Segerstrom Center in our two popular series featuring eight Centerpremieres and the return of the epic hit Les Misérables. Audiences will have the opportunity to see eight shows for the first time ever at the Center - Shrek the Musical, Blue Man Group, White Christmas, Million Dollar Quartet, La Cage aux Folles, Come Fly Away, Traces and American Idiot.

SHREK THE MUSICAL | Center Premiere
October 4 - 16, 2011

BLUE MAN GROUP | Center Premiere
November 8 - 20, 2011

IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS | Center Premiere
December 13, 2011 - January 1, 2012

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET | Center Premiere
April 24 - May 6, 2012

LES MISÉRABLES
June 12 - 24, 2012

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES | Center Premiere
July 24 - August 5, 2012

COME FLY AWAY | Center Premiere
January 31 - February 5, 2012

TRACES | Center Premiere
February 28 - March 4, 2012

AMERICAN IDIOT | Center Premiere
May 29 - June 3, 2012

The Cabaret Series will feature: Audra McDonald (Oct. 15 at 8 PM, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall); Stephen Sondheim and Friends (Oct. 29 at 8 PM, Segerstrom Hall); Chita Rivera (Nov. 10-13, Samueli Theater); Paulo Szot (Dec. 15-18, Samueli Theater); Steve Tyrell (Jan. 5-8, 2012, Samueli Theater); and Andrea Martin, with Seth Rudetsky (Feb. 16-19, 2012, Samueli Theater).

The Center presents a broad range of programming each season for audiences of all ages from
throughout Orange County and beyond, including international ballet and dance, national tours of top Broadway shows, intimate performances of jazz and cabaret, contemporary artists, classical music performed by renowned chamber orchestras and ensembles, family-friendly programming, free
performances open to the public from outdoor movie screenings to dancing on the plaza and many otherspecial events. It offers many education programs designed to inspire young people through the arts.

These programs reach hundreds of thousands of students of all ages with vital arts-in-education
programs, enhancing their studies and enriching their lives well into the future. In addition to the presenting and producing institution Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the 14-acre campus also embraces the facilities of two independent acclaimed organizations: Tony® Award-winning South
Coast Repertory and a site designated as the future home of the Orange County Museum of Art.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is also proud to serve as the artistic home to three of the region's major performing arts organizations: Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and thePacific Chorale, who contribute greatly to the artistic life of the region with annual seasons at Segerstrom.

For a full list of 2011-12 season events, click here.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos

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