The Hett Announces its 2014-2015 Season

Lebanon, Ill. — The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts’ 2014-2015 season presents local and returning favorites and some well-known performers and speakers making their Hett debut. All programs are open to the public and held at the 488-seat performing arts center at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill.

“Many programs always sell out early so I always advise that you mark your calendar and plan to purchase your tickets early,” said Peter Palermo, director of The Hett. Reserved seats for all programs will be available Sept. 3 online at theHett.com, at the box office on weekday afternoons, or by calling 618-537-6863 (1-800-BEARCAT, ext. 6863).

Many programs are free, including the Distinguished Speaker Series, films and several concerts. Ticket prices for select shows range from $15 to $35 for adults and from $5 to $10 for children, with discounts for seniors and students.

A season preview video is online. The new season will feature the following:

Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m.: Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway returns by popular demand with an all new musical revue of show tunes.

Oct. 5, 3 p.m.: Soprano superstar Christine Brewer returns to her hometown with friends Craig Terry of the Chicago Lyric Opera and baritone Hugh Russell in a concert to celebrate Lebanon’s bicentennial.

Oct. 19, 3 p.m.: Brian Owens and the Music of Marvin Gaye with the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.: Classic Albums Live: Abbey Road recreates the Beatles’ hits from one of the world’s greatest albums track for track, note for note.

Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.: Cantus: All is Calm recalls the remarkable events of December 1914, when German and Allied soldiers met in no man’s land for a Christmas truce during World War I. Using new arrangements of European carols and war songs for a cappella voices, joined by the actors of Theatre Latte Da, to bring this moving moment in history to life.

Dec. 8 and 9, 7:30 p.m.: U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America salutes the holidayswith two nights of free concerts.

Jan. 3, 2015, 7:30 p.m.: Russian National Ballet Theatre: Swan Lake is lavish production of the magical tale of Odette, full of courtly splendor, celebrates Russia’s great national ballet heritage. The instantly recognizable music of Tchaikovsky is set against the wonderfully dark story of good against evil in one of the most famous and beloved of all ballets.

Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.: The 5 Browns are The Juilliard School’s quintet of siblings, all virtuoso pianists.

March 4, 7:30 p.m.: John Lithgow: Stories By Heart features the well-known actor in hiscritically acclaimed, one-man theatrical memoir.

March 11, 7:30 p.m.: Mummenschanz, a Swiss performance troupe, captivates audiences without words, using ordinary materials to create a surreal, comic universe. A playful and uniquely memorable experience!

April 12, 3 p.m.: The St. Louis Brass Band brings the sound of the traditional English brass band to the Hett.

Nov. 17 and March 30, 7:30 p.m.: Saint Louis Symphony Mondays feature chamber ensembles of Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra musicians.

The George E. McCammon Memorial Distinguished Speaker Series will host the following guests:

Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m.: Callie Crossley, a Boston journalist and radio host who addresses audiences nationwide about race, gender, politics and the media.

Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.: Marjane Satrapi, an Iranian born graphic novelist and filmmaker who rose to international prominence for her acclaimed autobiographical work, “Persepolis.”

Feb. 26, 2015: Paul F. Tompkins, comedian, writer and actor (“Mr. Show,” “Real Time with Bill Maher”), will join a panel discussion at 6 p.m. and perform stand-up comedy at 8:30 p.m.

April 15, 7:30 p.m.: Carl Bernstein,bestselling author, CNN contributor and investigative journalist who broke the Watergate scandal with Washington Post colleague Bob Woodward.

The Hett’s free Film Art Series will explore the art of communication with four award-winning films, all at 7 p.m.: “Persepolis,”Sept. 30; “The King’s Speech,” Oct. 29; “Shakespeare in Love,” Jan. 22; and “All the President’s Men,” March 3.

Actor John Lithgow is among the performers coming to The Hett in 2014-15.