The Hett Announces its 2016-2017 Season
Featuring All-Star Anniversary Gala, Four Freshmen, Author Elizabeth Gilbert
(LEBANON, Ill., June 1, 2016) — The 2016-2017 season at McKendree University’s Hettenhausen
Center for the Arts celebrates the arts with a multicultural line up of performers
hailing from Ireland to Inner Mongolia, as well as a bestselling author and family
favorites.
“’McKendree Presents’ is the premiere arts and culture series in Southern Illinois.
Each year we aim to entertain, move and inspire our audience. Our eleventh season
is no exception,” said Peter Palermo, director of the Hett.
Reserved seats will be available to the public starting on Sept. 6 at noon, however
Friends of the Hett can purchase tickets June 27 at noon. For information on becoming
a Friend of the Hett, visit theHett.com or call 618-537-6863. All events are open to the public and held at the 488-seat
performing arts center on McKendree’s Lebanon, Ill., campus. Ticket prices range from
$5 to $26, with discounts for seniors and students. Many programs are free, including
the film series and student concerts.
Preview the new season online at theHett.com. “McKendree Presents” will feature the
following:
Sept. 23, 8 p.m.: 10th Anniversary Gala, an unforgettable evening of all-star entertainment by McKendree alumna soprano Christine
Brewer, The Peter Martin Quintet featuring clarinetist Anat Cohen, vocalist Brian
Owens, MADCO Dance, and more. Limited seating is available for a pre-show dinner.
Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m.: Arts Midwest World Fest: Anda Union unites the tribal and musical traditions, styles and influences of ethnic nomadic
cultures from Inner and Outer Mongolia, as the Hett continues its participation in
the 10-state World Fest. The band will be in residence Sept. 25-30.
Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m.: The Four Freshmen have changed vocalists over 68 years yet their legendary four-part harmony remains
the same.
Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.: Beyond Glory is a one-man show by stage and screen actor Stephen Lang (“Avatar”), sharing the emotional, heroic true stories of Medal of Honor recipients.
Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.: Danú - A Christmas Gathering: Féile Na Nollag brings traditional and contemporary Celtic music, dance and stories for the holidays
direct from County Waterford, Ireland.
Dec. 7 & 8, 7:30 p.m.: The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America returns with its popular holiday concert on two nights.
Jan. 8, 2017, 7:30 p.m.: Russian National Ballet Theatre “Chopiniana / Romeo and Juliet” combines the enchanting music of Chopin and Tchaikovsky with the story of Shakespeare’s
star-crossed lovers, exquisite dancing, and the courtly elegance of Imperial Russia.
Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m.: The Improvised Shakespeare Company takes one audience member’s suggestion and creates a fully improvised play in Elizabethan
style.
Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m.: Classic Albums Live “Led Zeppelin II” is performed track for track, note for note by world-class studio musicians and vocalists,
followed by a greatest hits set.
Feb. 11, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia: Brown Bear, Brown Bear
and Other Treasured Stories blends puppetry and striking scenic effects, bringing to life storybook favorites
by Eric Carle.
Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m.: Arts Midwest World Fest: Le Vent du Nord is considered a driving force in progressive Canadian folk music.
March 2, 7:30 p.m.: The Willis Clan features 12 singer-songwriter siblings whose breakout performance on “America’s Got
Talent” led to a reality TV show and over 60 performances at Nashville’s Grand Ole
Opry.
March 23, 7:30 p.m.: Philip Fortenberry is a versatile conductor, director and pianist known for his incomparable technique,
featured in the HBO Liberace biopic “Behind the Candelabra.”
April 25, 7:30 p.m.: Parsons Dance is a New York modern dance company hailed for its athleticism, joyfulness and technical
skill.
The Distinguished Speaker Series will present:
March 7, 7:30 p.m.: the idea lab brings together informative and performative speakers for a night of fascinating,
informal discussion modeled after the popular TED Talks. (To apply as a speaker, visit
theHett.com before Sept. 1.)
April 12, 7:30 p.m.: Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” which spent 57 weeks atop The New York Times Bestseller List.
The free Film Art Series will screen “Saving Private Ryan,” Sept. 27; “Macbeth,” Nov. 21; “Do the Right Thing,” Feb. 7; “Dear White People,” Feb. 23; “The Birth of
a Nation,” Feb. 28; and Best Picture nominees to be announced in the spring. All begin
at 7 p.m.
The McKendree University Series showcases a variety of student talent (some dates
may be subject to change):
· Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.: Potpourri Concert
· Nov. 3, 4 & 5, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 6, 2 p.m.: Division of Visual & Performing Arts Musical Production
· Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m.: Concert Band and Wind Ensembles Concert
· Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.: Marching Bearcat Band Concert
· Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m.: Dance Recital
· Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.: Show Choir: Christmas on Broadway
· Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.: Jazz Ensemble Concert
· Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.: Concert Band Christmas Concert
· Dec. 11, 3 p.m.: Choral Concert
· March 30, 31 & April 1, 7:30 p.m.; April 2, 2 p.m.: Theatre Department Play
· April 18, 7:30 p.m.: Chamber Ensemble Concert
· April 21 & 22, 7:30 p.m.: Show Choir Performance
· April 27, 7:30 p.m.: Dance Recital
· May 1, 7:30 p.m.: Jazz Ensemble Concert
· May 4, 7:30 p.m.: Concert Band Concert
· May 5, 7:30 p.m.: Choral Concert
