By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Fort Hays State University Encore Series has four shows left, and there's still plenty of time to get tickets.
The series is offering a special spring season ticket package. Reserved adult tickets are $115 and as little as $55 for children's unreserved seats for the four remaining shows.
You can purchase tickets at www.fhsu.edu/encore/. You can also purchase tickets by calling 785-628-5306. You can purchase tickets in person at the FHSU Memorial Union in room 208. The Beach / Schmidt Performing Arts Center box office will be open 45 minutes prior to each performance for ticket sales if any tickets are remaining.
The remaining shows include Peking Acrobats on Monday, Feb. 13; National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine on Wednesday, March 1; Forbidden Broadway on Tuesday, March 7; and singer-songwriter Steve Dorf on Saturday, April 1.
Peking Acrobats
Single tickets are on sale now for the Peking Acrobats.
Edith McCracken, special events committee chairwoman, said the Encore series has tried to book an acrobat troop for some time.
The Chinese acrobat troupe Peking Acrobats has been thrilling audiences for 31 years through daring maneuvers atop a pagoda of chairs, trick-cycling, tumbling, juggling and gymnastics, according to the acrobat's biography.
The acrobats have made numerous TV performances and set a world record in 1999 for the human chair stack, the biography said.
The acrobats are currently also partnered with the Shanghai Circus.
The Encore Series in cooperation with the Hays Arts Council will offer a Peking Acrobats school show for area second- and third-graders on Feb. 13.
National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine
The 83-member National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine is based in Lviv, Ukraine. Although war has raged in that country for more than a year, Lviv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located away from the bulk of the fighting.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written a letter that is being read at the orchestra's performances as it tours internationally.
"This is the first time in quite a while that we've had an orchestra on the Encore Series," McCracken said.
The orchestra was formed in 1902. Since 2018, the orchestra has been cooperating with the famous American conductor of Ukrainian origin Theodore Kuchar, according to the orchestra's website.
Listeners can expect pieces from Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonin Dvorak and Johannes Brahms.
"It's a mix, but we're excited," McCracken said. "The committee listened to different tracks because we had some options on selecting the program. We tried to pick the one that would most appeal to our audience, but we also have some more modern-sounding pieces mixed in."
Kaley Klaus, member of the special events committee, said she has never attended a performance of such a large orchestra.
"I think it is going to be a really powerful experience. Knowing what Ukraine as a country is going through right now will make it all the more meaningful," she said.
'Forbidden Broadway'
"Forbidden Broadway" is a comedy troupe that performs spoofs of famous Broadway shows, including "Hamilton," "Dear Evan Hansen" and "Moulin Rouge."
"Forbidden Broadway" has been part of the Encore Series before, but it has been years ago. The show is back with "Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation," which includes spoofs on newer musicals, McCracken said.
Steve Dorff
You might not know Steve Dorff's name, but you have likely heard his music.
Dorff has written music for Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Anne Murray, George Strait and Garth Brooks, according to his website.
Some of the songs Dorff has authored include "Through The Years," "I Just Fall In Love Again," "Heartland," "Every Which Way But Loose," "Hypnotize The Moon" and "I Cross My Heart," according to Dorff's website.
He wrote the theme song for "Growing Pains." His film contributions include songs and scores for "Bronco Billy," "Rocky IV," "Pure Country," "Tin Cup" and "Honky Tonk Man."
Dorff is working on two pieces for musical theater, including "Josephine" (The Josephine Baker Story) and "Pure Country" (The Musical), according to his website.
Dorff will perform pieces from his extensive catalog as well as offer stories behind the music, McCracken said.
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The Encore Series' first season was during the 1981-82 school year. The series moved to Beach / Schmidt during the 1990-91 season.
The special events committee is already planning for the 2023-24 season. That lineup should be released in April.
The series is driven by donations and ticket sales. McCracken said sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2022-23 season. Opportunities will be opening soon for the 2023-24 season.
These sponsorships allow the Encore Series to keep ticket prices affordable. McCracken said local audiences are able to see the same shows for less than audiences in Kansas City, Wichita or Denver.
Donors interested in supporting the series can contact McCracken at 785-628-5305.
Klaus said she has been attending the Encore Series since she was a student at FHSU.
"It is something good to do to add a little bit of culture and fun in a town that doesn't always have a wide variety of entertainment available, especially during the winter" Klaus said. ... "Not a lot of towns our size have opportunities like this."
Wonder Women League members are volunteering this season as ushers for all of the Encore shows.
"It's been a huge help to us," McCracken said.