2018-19 Performing Arts Series Season

Tickets are now on sale for West Shore Community College’s Performing Arts Series 2018-2019 season.

The season opener, on Sept. 20 and 21, features the “Best of The Second City,” straight from Chicago’s legendary sketch and improv comedy theater.

This must-see show features the best sketches and songs from The Second City’s history made famous by superstars like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and more–as well as their trademark improvisation. The performances are recommended for ages 16 and up.

Also a part of this year’s season will be a performance by bluegrass sensation Billy Strings at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, in Manistee, on Nov. 21.

Accordion virtuoso Julian Labro and the Chanson Experiment will perform in the college’s Center Stage Theater on March 15, and the internationally regarded and award winning Western Michigan University Gold Company jazz vocal ensemble will appear on April 5.

For theater enthusiasts, the season will open on Oct. 25, with a WSCC production of “And Then They Came for Me,” directed by Michelle Kiessel.

Part oral history, part dramatic action, part direct address, part remembrance, the ensemble-driven multimedia play that combines videotaped interviews with Holocaust survivors Ed Silverberg and Eva Schloss with live actors recreating scenes from their lives during World War II. Auditions for “And the They Came for Me,” will be on Sept. 5 and 6.

The series’ second theater production will be the sci-fi Broadway smash, “Little Shop of Horrors,” opening Feb. 22, and directed by Michelle Kiessel.

“Little Shop of Horrors” has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin”) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world. The performances are recommended for ages 13 and up.

Rounding out the series will be performances by WSCC’s Concert Choir, Gold Coast Chorale, Wind Symphony, Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble.

“Our team is extremely excited to offer an outstanding array of talent to our audiences and a wide variety of programming in the coming year.  Our goal is to ensure we select performances that entertain, enrich and reach out to area PK-12 schools, our college students, and the surrounding communities,” says Ted Malt, director of the Performing Arts Series and professor of music studies.

For more information on all of the performances and to purchase general admission tickets, visit the college’s web site.

Customers can also call 231-843-5507, or stop by the box office located in Schoenherr Campus Center. Visa, Master Card, Discover credit cards are accepted.