The Hett Announces its 2022-2023 Season
Performing arts, speakers, and more to take place at McKendree University
(LEBANON, Ill., August 8, 2022) – The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts (the Hett) at McKendree University is proud to announce the lineup for its 2022-2023 season,
featuring acclaimed performers and returning favorites.
Reserved seats for all programs may be purchased by the general public starting on
Monday, August 29 at noon. Friends of the Hett will be able to purchase their tickets
beginning on Monday, August 8 at noon. Buy tickets online at theHett.com, the box
office, or by calling (618) 537-6863 (1-800-BEARCAT, ext. 6863). All events are open
to the public and held at the 488-seat performing arts center on campus. Ticket prices
range from $5 for children to $45 for adults, with discounts for seniors and students.
Some programs are free.
“From our season-opening concert with Philip Fortenberry and the spectacular Vampire
Circus to the return of Neil Berg and the appearance of iconic artists including The
Guess Who, Lonestar, and ABBA Mania, this season promises unforgettable moments with
top artists from around the world, all right here at McKendree’s performing arts center,”
said Elizabeth Crabtree, director of the Hett.
Preview the new season online at theHett.com. The 2022-2023 season features the following
acts:
Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m.: Philip Fortenberry, renowned pianist, makes his return to the Hett stage sharing styles that encompass
a wide range of genres.
Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.: ABBA Mania is a rock musical that will take audiences back in time to the disco era, featuring
ABBA’s hits and all their signature costume changes, choreography and big studio sound.
Sept. 28, 7 p.m.: Navy Band Great Lakes Woodwind Quintet Fair Winds is a versatile woodwind ensemble with a repertoire consisting of classical, military
marches and patriotic compositions.
Oct. 5, 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.: Mike Marchal, president of Holland Construction, will lead an interactive session where attendees
will navigate through a series of critical thinking prompts. Along the way, he will
provide guidance using his experience as a successful intrapreneur. The public is
also welcome to stop by the Hett lobby at 8:30 a.m. for Business Over Breakfast, hosted
with the O’Fallon Shiloh Chamber and McKendree Lanter Lecture participants.
Oct. 13, 10 a.m. (Arts Ed., grades K-12): Music of Lewis and Clark, presented in partnership with The Sheldon, follows the amazing adventures of Lewis
and Clark with a musical journey from St. Louis, up the Missouri River, across the
Rocky Mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Oct. 25, 7 p.m.: USAF Band of Mid-America Chamber Recital Series features an evening full of unique programs, which highlight their virtuosity and
creativity.
Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.: Vampire Circus is a heart-pounding mixture of the creative brilliance of Tim Burton and the astonishing
acrobatics of Cirque Du Soleil. This homecoming show will leave audiences amazed,
astounded, and astonished.
Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.: Lonestar’s 1999 album Lonely Grill spawned four number-one hits, including the smash hit “Amazed,” and established them
as music’s preeminent pop-country band.
Nov. 9, 6 p.m.: Steve Burns, the original host of the children’s television program Blue’s Clues, comes to the
Hett stage to present “What Happened to Steve?” as part of the Distinguished Speaker
Series.
Dec. 9, 10 a.m. (Arts Ed., grades K-12); 7 p.m.; Dec. 10, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.: The USAF
Band of Mid-America Concert Band presents a stunning concert that will bring holiday cheer to concertgoers.
Dec. 12, 10 a.m. (Arts Ed., grades Pre-K-3) and 6:30 p.m.: It’s Okay to Be Different,
Stories by Todd Parr with Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia is an hour-long production adapted and staged by Mermaid Theatre that showcases three
of New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Todd Parr’s children’s books.
Dec. 14, 7 p.m.: Christmas Presence, featuring Terry Barber, a classically-trained countertenor who uses his broad range of pitch and color to
breathe new life into holiday favorites.
Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m.: Croce Plays Croce features AJ playing a complete set of classics by his father, Jim, for a very special
50th anniversary of “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim.”
Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.: Blessed Assurance: The Evolution of the Negro Spiritual showcases the growth of spiritual music from the fields of the Agrarian South all
the way to the stage of Carnegie Hall.
Feb. 8, 10 a.m. (Arts Ed., grades K-12): The Jazz Story, presented in partnership with The Sheldon, takes students on a trip through time to experience the story of America’s unique
creation, jazz, from Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday to Dave Brubeck and Herbie
Hancock.
March 4, 7 p.m.: Anita Jackson is a soulful and swinging premier vocalist from St. Louis who will make her debut
on the Hett stage.
March 10, 7:30 p.m.: Tuba Skinny arrives right off the streets of New Orleans and is dedicated to bringing the best
in traditional early jazz swing to audiences around the world.
March 23, 7:30 p.m.: Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll, Part 2 is back by popular demand and ready to take audiences on a musical journey from the
1950s to today.
April 13, 7:30 p.m.: The Guess Who celebrates their 50-year legacy with 14 Top 40 hits including “No Time,” “These Eyes,”
“American Woman,” and “Share the Land,” among others.
Admission for the following Discovery Series performances range from $10 to $25 for
adults and seniors and $5 for children:
Feb. 24-26, 2023: A Masterworks Weekend with Christine Brewer
Friday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m.: Coffee with Christine and Masterworks Chorale
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m.: Master Class with Christine Brewer – FREE
Sunday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m.: Old Time Radio Show with Christine Brewer
April 22, 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m.: Ethereal Visions: A Sight and Sound Creative
Journey with the Belleville Philharmonic is a unique, multi-sensory immersive experience that features artist Gary Karasek
as he creates a monumental painting in real time inspired by the music of the moment
as performed by the Belleville Philharmonic.
-McK-
