Frampton, others live on NPAC stage

Peter Kenneth Frampton became known to America in a huge way with his record breaking album in 1976, Frampton Comes Alive!  I was a junior in high school at the time and Peter Frampton had quickly become to my generation what Sinatra, Elvis, and The Beatles had to earlier generations.

With the release of Frampton Comes Alive! he became an instant success in the rock music genre.  The album was on the Billboard 200 for 97 weeks, of which 55 were in the top 40, and 10 weeks at the top.  His singing, songwriting, and amazing guitar riffs became a huge hit with stadium and arena crowds all over America.  There probably isn’t a music fan alive from the 70’s or 80’s who doesn’t instantly recall their days with Peter Frampton.

Recently, this rock legend decided he would create a short 12 city tour featuring a portion he always really enjoyed performing in his big rock shows; that being his acoustic set which he calls the Peter Frampton Raw Acoustic Tour.  Interestingly enough, this 12 city tour which takes him through the East Coast of the United States, begins and ends at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.  He opened his tour at the Niswonger PAC in Greenville, TN and will finish it at the Niswonger PAC in Van Wert.  I guess we could call this the Niswonger tour with Peter Frampton.

Fewer than 50 tickets remain for this finale concert in Van Wert, featuring one of Rock’s most influential singer-songwriter-guitarists of all time.  Frampton will be at the Niswonger in Van Wert this Saturday night beginning at 7:30 p.m.  As a special feature, his son, Julian will be opening the concert.

Peter Frampton actually has some Ohio ties, living several years in Cincinnati before recently moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where he currently resides.

Those of you who saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat now know what I was talking about last week.  We are still hearing rave reviews from those in attendance.  It may have been the most extraordinary Broadway Show to have ever graced our stage.  Kudos to our crack staff and volunteers who set the stage for this amazing show.

Next up on the Van Wert Broadway tour is Mamma Mia! on November 24 and 25.  The show on the 24th is sold out, but you can still get in on the 25th.  This is the day before Thanksgiving.  If you can dress the turkey in time, you can bring the entire family to the Niswonger for the most fun you’ve ever experienced before Thanksgiving.  Of course, Mamma Mia! features some of the best dance music ever created by the Swedish pop music group ABBA.

Following Mamma Mia! on our Broadway series will be Million Dollar Quartet on January 31. What a great Christmas gift these tickets would make!

For the kids and grandkids, don’t miss Bob, The Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and all their veggie friends as they bring their show, “Little Kids Can Do Big Things” to Van Wert.  This faith-based show is entertaining and morally appropriate for any child.  Don’t let your kids miss this one!  It happens on November 10 for one show at 7 p.m. — a half hour sooner than our normal evening shows.

Frampton, Mamma Mia!, and dancing and singing vegetables all come alive on the Niswonger Stage in the next few weeks. Don’t miss them!

FINÉ.