Dancing The Night Away

Story By Kara Mautz Photos Contributed By The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center

As we approach the holiday season, we are reminded of the importance of slowing down, taking a break from the hustle and bustle of life and spending much needed time with friends and family.

This year, the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University has a perfectly curated array of shows planned to ring in the holidays through music and dance.

Jonathan Osborne, director of communications and marketing for the Gogue Center, said that the center’s two main performances planned for the 2022 season are “A Very Postmodern Jukebox” by Scott Bradlee and “The Nutcracker”, presented by Variations Dance Studio.

“This year, in celebration of the holidays, we’re welcoming Scott Bradlee’s ‘Postmodern Jukebox’ back to the Woltosz Theatre,” Osborne said. “‘Postmodern Jukebox’ were featured in our inaugural season lineup, and they were a huge hit. This time around, the group will perform a selection of classic holiday hits, both old and new, in their signature retro-remixed style.”

A week later, on Dec. 9 and 10, Variations Dance Studio is set to present its annual holiday performance of “The Nutcracker” at The Woltosz Theatre.

Osborne said that while it is impossible to say what he is most excited for audiences to see this year, he is thrilled at the variety of performances scheduled for the 2022-23 season.

“Our 2022-23 season has something for everyone, it really does,” Osborne said. “From Broadway and comedy to country, chamber music and dance.”

The Gogue also offers a “Family Series,” especially tailored for young audiences.

“We also have some amazing performances included in our Family Series this season, like Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh,” coming Tuesday, Jan. 31,” Osborne said. “Tickets for all Family Series performances are only $10 each, too.”

The first event of this holiday season at the Gogue is the “Postmodern Jukebox” holiday show, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2.

“Postmodern Jukebox” was founded in 2011, when New York City pianist Bradlee created the group out of a basement in Queens, New York, with the goal of reimagining classic songs throughout the past few decades.

“His goal was simple: to remake the pop hits of today into the classic sounds of the legends of yesterday,” the official “Postmodern Jukebox” website states. “Miley Cyrus became The Platters, Bruno Mars became Frank Sinatra, The Spice Girls became The Andrews Sisters, Guns ’n’ Roses became Bessie Smith.”

Dubbed the “Saturday Night Live” for singers, “Postmodern Jukebox” offers a unique experience of featuring guest

musicians and vocalists, such as Haley Reinhart, Shoshana Bean and Wayne Brady.

While the group is widely known for posting videos of their covers on online media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, this will be a great opportunity to catch a one-of-a-kind show right here in Auburn.

The Gogue Center will also be showcasing “The Nutcracker”, peresented by Auburn-based Variations Dance Studio.

Per the official Variations website, “This December, experience the magic and join Clara as she travels to the Land of Sweets in ‘The Nutcracker’. This classic holiday ballet will feature the company dancers of Variations Dance Studio, alongside many community members playing hundreds of fun and exciting roles.”

Variations performs “The Nutcracker” each year, enlisting the members of its dance company to perform the key and supporting roles in the show.

Osborne said the process of choosing which acts and performers to showcase in a season at the Gogue Center is well thought out and designed to represent many different genres.

“So much goes into curating a performing arts season, a lot of thought, time and a lot of back and forth with artists and managers,” Osborne said. “All the pieces have to fit just right. But it’s not just about who or what is touring at the moment, it is much more than that.”

Osborne described the process as being similar to air traffic control, playing a game of Jenga and a jigsaw puzzle all rolled into one.

“Our executive director is very careful to select acts that we feel the community will respond to and artists who will inspire and entertain,” Osborne said. “It’s all about creating a wellrounded mix with a little something for everyone.”

It seems that they have done just that, with shows this season ranging from musicals like “Legally Blonde” and “Hairspray,” to comedians such as Jay Leno, to singers like Smokey Robinson, David Foster and Katharine McPhee and much more in between. So, this holiday season, consider taking your family and friends to a show at the Gogue, for the perfect mix of music, dance and holiday spirit.

Tickets to holiday-specific engagements and all other performances at the Gogue Center are available online at www. goguecentertickets.auburn.edu, by telephone at 334-844-TIXS (8497) or in person at the box office, located at 910 S. College St. in Auburn.