Community Concert Series announced

VW independent/submitted information

Okuley Unverferth Dentistry presents Big Time Entertainment, Big Time Fun, and Big Time Value in the Community Concert Series for 2016-17 as part of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio’s “10 Years of Impact” season.

Insanely funny, dynamically diverse, and musically masterful, the series is completely filled with, not a little bit, but a lot of everything.

The series will have the audience dancing down memory lane with American classics and back again with Broadway’s finest and man’s best friend.

The Community Concert Series includes the following shows:

Guy & Ralna: Sunday, September 18, 2 p.m.
– Since their days on “The Lawrence Welk Show” from 1970-82, they have become one of the most endearing couples still touring and spreading good, wholesome music throughout the United States. Their fans love them and area audience members will too as they relive those memorable moments on the Welk show. People can still see them each week on the very popular rebroadcasts of “The Lawrence Welk Show” on PBS station WBGU-TV. And now they can enjoy them live at the Niswonger.

Doc Severinsen & His Band: Sunday, October 23, 7:30 p.m.
– The incomparable Doc Severinsen from the golden age of television as Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show band leader, brings his Big Band back out on the road in Once More with Feeling. Named after his best-selling recording, the show features the amazing vocalist Vanessa Thomas performing When You’re Smiling and Singing in the Rain. Doc still brings his trademark wit, incredible trumpet playing and flamboyant fashion statements to the stage performing all of his favorite tunes backed up by his incredible Big Band.

Included will be hits like “Bugle Call Rag”, “In a Sentimental Mood”, “Singing in the Rain”, “Georgia on My Mind”, “Sing, Sing, Sing” and “12 O’Clock Jump”.

Broadway & Broad, featuring J. Mark McVey: Saturday, March 18, 7:30 p.m. –
Internationally famed singer and Broadway performer J. Mark McVey joins the Heartland Vocal Artists in a tribute to the American musical theater tradition and the American songbook. The show includes features from musicals such as Wicked, West Side Story, A Little Night Music, Candide, and Les Miserables, as well as songs by American composers such as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Marvin Hamlisch, and more.

Audiences will delight in the artistry of McVey, whose stage credits include over 3,268 performances singing the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, coupled with the Heartland Vocal Artists and Pops Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Robert Nance, make this show an experience to remember!

Mutts Gone Nuts & Robert Post Theater: Sunday, April 30, 3 p.m.
– “I laughed until I wept!” exclaimed former First Lady Barbara Bush. You won’t believe your eyes at this comedy magic spectacular variety show, “Mutts Gone Nuts.”  The whole family from kids to grandparents will love these cuddly canines.

For added fun, the Niswonger has added Robert Post, a seasoned comic who has toured the world bringing his own style of laughter inducing humor to audiences from Japan to the United States. This will be an afternoon filled with non-stop laughter from beginning to end.

The Hitmen: Saturday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.
– The 2016-17 Community Concert Series comes to a rousing end with the legendary performers of all the music you love: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Carole King, Tommy James, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Vanessa Williams, Chicago, and many, many more!  It will be a night of memories as you hear many of the voices who actually made the hits you know and love come alive on the Niswonger stage. This full stage production experience with video and music will be a trip right down musical memory lane.

Since 1953, the Community Concert Series has entertained thousands. Get to know this value packed musically acclaimed series that will deliver Big Time entertainment throughout the year for as low as $75

Become a member of the Community Concert Association and receive reserved seating, advanced ticketing, a Truly D’Vine member reception invitation prior to each event and VIP opportunities to meet the stars! Member sales begin on Monday, April 18, at noon. General Series subscriptions for as low as $75 for all five concerts begin Monday, May 5, at noon.

Delicious and delightful, and back by popular request is the Willow Bend Country Club Community Concert Series buffet dinner package. The Niswonger and Willow Bend have partnered to bring five outstanding dinner and a show combinations packaged together for extraordinary value.

The buffet dinner package includes five separately themed buffets prior to each event. Patrons can dine in style and be entertained. The dinner package of five dinners for $60 is available online or by contacting the box office.

To purchase tickets, call or visit the Box Office at 419.238.NPAC or visit the Niswonger website at NPACVW.ORG. The Niswonger is located at 10700 Ohio 118 on the south edge of Van Wert.