2017-18

McLennan Box OfficeBall Performing Arts Center

254-299-8200 boxoffice@mclennan.eduTheatre tickets are $10-12. Senior, student, & alumni

discounts available.For reservations, season

tickets, & more information, please call the McLennan Box

Office at 254-299-8200 and leave a message, or email boxoffice@mclennan.edu. Your call or email will be returned by a Box Office

representative.

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The McLennan Steinway Series presents

Arlington JonesOct. 31

7:30 p.m. Ball Performing Arts Center

Steinway Artist, Arlington Jones is a classically trained jazz piano maestro and prolific composer with an undeniable soulful music heritage. He makes the piano speak through lush harmonies,

impeccable groove, and infectious energy. His music reveals the history of traditional and modern jazz, influenced by ragtime, stride, classical, blues, Latin, funk, and sacred styles. Whether performing solo or with his band, Arlington Jones & The Brethren, he delivers

an unforgettable musical journey – a contagious toe-tapping, finger-snapping, hand-clapping, head-bobbing experience!

Jones holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music composition and performance. He is a recording artist and producer under his label, Zamaria Records. He has multiple album recordings, piano music books, and a music web series. He performs and teaches

internationally and has years of experience as an educator, clinician, adjudicator, and guest lecturer at all levels of education.

Beat DivasFeb. 1

7:30 p.m. Ball Performing Arts Center

Beth Ullman, Mady Kaye, and Dianne Donovan are the ebullient Beat Divas. Three remarkable voices in tight harmony romp through American jazz and pop with a joie de vivre and vocal abandon rarely

heard. Sexy, sassy, and swingin’, their repertoire includes original works, jazz standards, and the best of American pop music jazzed up. From bebop to pop-gone-salsa, the song styling is totally refreshing.

The trio is joined by Jeff Hellmer, director of jazz studies at the University of Texas. Hellmer brings a wealth of experience as an educator and performer to the UT jazz program and maintains

an extremely active performing and teaching profile. He appears frequently on the Central Texas scene as well as throughout the United States at venues ranging from the Litchfield Jazz Festival to the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Twice named a finalist in the Great

American Jazz Piano Competition, Hellmer has performed, taught, and adjudicated jazz throughout the United States.

1400 College Drive • Waco, Texas 76708www.mclennan.edu/theatre

McLennan Community College is an equal opportunity provider and employer (Nondiscrimination Policy, E-XXXIV).

by Arthur Miller

Oct. 5-7 7:30 p.m.

Ball Performing Arts CenterWinner of the 1947 Tony Award for Best Author and Best Director

The year is 1947; we are in the home of Joe and Kate Keller. During the war, Joe and his business partner, Steve Deever, ran a successful manufacturing company that supplied air engine parts to the US Military. Defective parts produced in their factory caused

the death of 21 Allied pilots. Joe was exonerated for his role in the debacle, but Steve went to prison for his crimes. Chris, Joe’s youngest son, disillusioned from his experience fighting overseas

has returned home with hopes of forging a new “American Dream.” Arthur Miller, in his first theatrical success, masterfully weaves a

web of intrigue and deception that unravels itself one fateful day in the backyard of Joe and Kate’s idyllic home and threatens to mar

their family’s past, present, and future.

Nov. 9-127:30 p.m.

Music & Theatre Arts buildingIn a totalitarian police state, a young fiction writer, Katurian, is

being interrogated by two detectives investigating a succession of child murders. The horrific murders bear some similarities to events found in the stories written by Katurian. What follows is a bold sinuous yarn that blurs the lines of reality and fantasy while questioning our perception of society and inhumanity.

McDonagh’s chilling dark comedy won two Tony Awards and the 2004 Olivier Award for Best New Play.

By Martin McDonagh

presents

La Fille duRégiment(The Daughter of the Regiment)

Composer: Gaetano Donizetti Librettists: Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges & Jean-François Bayard

April 6-77:30 p.m.

Ball Performing Arts CenterThis hilarious two-act Comic Opera takes place in the early nineteenth century

during one of the Napoleonic Wars in the Swiss Tyrol (Swiss-Austrian Alps). Composed by Donizetti, a renowned master of the Italian bel canto “beautiful

singing” style, it premièred at the Paris Opéra-Comique theater in 1840. It soon became a hit among Parisian audiences. They loved its patriotic content,

dramatic yet comedic moments, and memorable exciting tunes, including the tenor Tonio’s famous aria: “Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fête!”

(Ah! My friends, what happiness!) with its 9 high C’s. The opera celebrated its 1000th performance in 1908 and remains popular to this day.

The story centers around Marie, a young girl, found as a baby by France’s 21st Regiment. The regiment lovingly raises her as their daughter. Marie begins

secretly dating Tonio, a local young man, after he saves her life. When her “fathers” discover Tonio sneaking around their camp, they arrest him! Marie

comes to Tonio’s aid. Tonio joins the regiment to prove his love and worthiness, but the arrival of the Marquess de Berkenfeld, a noblewoman, changes

everything. She recognizes Marie and claims to be her aunt. She insists that Marie leave the regiment and hurries Marie off to her castle for a makeover and

lessons on how to be a lady. Further plot twists ensue, but all ends happily.The production will be a condensed version in English.

It is appropriate for children in grades 7 and up.

www.mclennan.edu/theatre254-299-8200

boxoffice@mclennan.edu

Feb. 22-247:30 p.m.

Ball Performing Arts CenterMusic by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II,

Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan; Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel

“Tales of the South Pacific” by James MichenerRogers and Hammerstein’s enduring masterpiece unfolds on a remote island paradise under the clouds of the Second World War. A high-spirited and freewheeling nurse, Nellie Forbush,

finds unexpected love in the guise of Emile, a resident expatriate French farmer. Her worldviews and prejudices are challenged after discovering Emile has two children from his deceased

Polynesian wife. Concurrently, a young and dashing lieutenant, Joe Cable, fears a world that questions and judges the love he has for Liat, a beautiful Tonkinese girl. Soaring melodies like

“Some Enchanted Evening” and comedy classics like “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” accompany this progressive drama that stormed Broadway in 1949 winning ten Tony Awards

and the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

April 27-297:30 p.m.

Bosque River StageFamily fun abounds as Kenneth Grahame’s charming storybook tale springs off the page and onto the Bosque River Stage. Mole

postpones his spring cleaning chores in lieu of some fresh air and outdoor excursion. Meanwhile, Mole finds himself at the river where he meets Rat who introduces him to boating and river life. Mole and Rat’s lazy-river days are interrupted by the arrival of the snooty motorcar fanatic, Mr. Toad. Revel in the misadventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and the overzealous

Mr. Toad as they discover the true meaning of loyalty, generosity, and friendship.

by Alan Bennett; Adapted from the book by Kenneth Grahame