Grand Theater Newsletter - May 2016

THE GRAND THEATER’S

ENCORE

May 2016

April Recap 4

Artist Residency 8

Grammy Award Winner Rosanne Cash brings her latest album “The River and The Thread” to Wausau this May! Viewing this publication online? Look for interactive links by hovering your mouse over select pictures.

401 Fourth Street, Wausau 54403

715-842-0988/888-239-0421

www.grandtheater.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER | SEAN WRIGHT As Spring (finally) arrives here in Central Wisconsin, it is amazing that we are reaching the end of the 2015-16 season. What a season it has been—12 sellouts, incredible artist residencies, and the best of a wide spectrum of the performing arts on our stage.

First off, our thanks for being a part of such a successful year…we couldn’t do it without your support as patrons, donors, sponsors and supporters of The Grand.

We hope you’ll mark your calendars for June 7th, as we unveil the 2016-17 season with our annual Preview Party.

You’ll also have your first chance to secure your tickets that night, as well as enjoy food from our good friends

at Thrive Foodery. Between now and then, check out our Facebook page and blog each Tuesday as we unveil a few “teases” from the upcoming season.

Send Your Questions to: askthegrand@grandtheater.org

SAVE THE DATE! June 7th, 2016 Join the Grand Theater for our annual Preview Party and come see what we have in store for you in the upcoming 2016-2017 season!

CONTENTS April Recap Alpin Hong Residency Music Comedy Volunteer Spotlight

4 8 10 11 13

TAKE A

back at our bu

A CLOSER LOOK

usy month of April...

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April Recap

W

SPRING AT THE GRAND |

ith 8 performances, 3 sold out shows, the conclusion of our 15-16 Education Series, and launching of a new website, this April proved to be very busy for The Grand. From balancing bowls to the US Air Force and Big Jazz; country legends to comedy favorites; and artist residencies to presidential candidates...there was something for everyone this month at The Grand!

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Tanya Tucker April 1st

The month kicked off legend Tanya Tucker of her timeless hits su Sparrows In A Hurrica Me Like You Mean It,�

Dawn.�

APRIL RECAP

with country r, singing all uch as “Two ane,” “Love ” and “Delta

Bernie Sanders Rally April 3rd

Thousands lined the 400 Block to see presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speak at the Grand Theater. Filling both the theater and the Great Hall, community members showed their support for the upcoming primary elections.

Cirque Ziva April 8th

Cirque Ziva brought the Golden Dragon Acrobats to Wausau in a truly high flying performance. A sold out crowd, The Grand was filled with young and old who came to see these talented acrobats sore through the air!

5

Ron White April 15th

A Wausau favorite, Ron White sold out two shows that night! He even met some of his devoted fans!

Alpin Hong April 12-14th

In just three days, pianist Alpin Hong touched the lives of over 1,500 people through concerts, workshops, luncheons, and even a Gamer Lounge; spreading his talent and love of music with the community. (Read more on Alpin’s outreach in the next story!)

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Amber Brown is Not a Crayon April 18th

The 15-16 Arts in Education Season conclu this April with the performance of Am Brown is Not a Crayon. A musical rend of the beloved children’s book, the s taught students of change, patience, and meaning of friendship.

Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble April 19th

A true community event, The United State Force brought Big Band Jazz to The Grand Shades of Blue in a free community conc

uded mber dition show d the

es Air d with cert.

The Improvised Shakespeare Company April 21st

The Grand Theater celebrated Shakespeare 400 Wausau with The Improvised Shakespeare Company! This improv troupe created the newest Shakespearean Masterpiece, “Drunk and Disorderly.” Featuring princes, bartenders, pub crawls, and Pirate Queens, it was truly a night to remember!

With April coming to an end, there are still our biggest shows to come! Rosanne Cash will bring the sounds of the American South to Wausau with her “The River and The Thread” tour; followed by the sold out shows of Lewis Black and Blue Man Group.

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Alpin Hong Residency

ALPIN HONG | ARTIST RESIDENCY Alpin Hong, called a “pianistic firebrand” by former New York Times music critic Allan Kozinn, performed at The Grand Theater on Thursday April, 14. American tours and performances across the globe have earned Alpin Hong the reputation as a modern day Pied Piper. From the Walt Disney Hall to the White House, his combination of stunning technique, emotional range, and rare humor continues to bring audiences young and old to their feet.

school districts came t learn the value of workin to produce a city wid Included in the full d students created an art by the Center for the learned the value of m and evoking emotion Hong, and even had opportunity to perform for an audience of almo

Rooted in extensive classical training and a background in extreme sports, martial arts, and video games, Mr. Hong is a creative force unmatched in his vitality and charisma. Called “Classical for the iGeneration,” Hong’s New York City debut played to rave reviews.

His performance at the theater was the ending of a multi-day residency:

Tuesday

8

– Beginning the week with a City Wide Choral Concert, over 200 middle school students from the DC Everest, Newman Catholic Schools, and Wausau

Wednesday

– The brought a luncheon wit with a collection of d sponsors that had the op meet Alpin, share their e in the arts, learn more artist, and hear a litt

Y

together to ng together de concert. day event, t project led Visual Arts, musicianship from Alpin the unique m with Alpin ost 800.

e next day th the artist, donors and pportunity to experiences e about the tle preview

prior to the performance. The day then ended with an interactive Gamer’s Lounge. With help from local game shop Jonny Cee’s and Gaming Enthusiast Joshua Jager, community members of all ages came to game in the Great Hall and learn more about the musical connection in video game and movie scores. This family fun evening included themed mocktails, board games, 11 different video game stations, and the opportunity to play video games with Professional Pianist, Alpin Hong.

the chance to refocus prior to his performance as he joined the class!

The night closed with Alpin’s performance at the Grand Theater, bringing the audience to a standing ovation. In just these three days, Alpin touched the lives of over 1,500; spreading his talent and love of music with the community.

Thursday

– Alpin visited 8th grade students from DC Everest Junior High Orchestra to motivate, reinvigorate, and inspire them for their year end concert. Students then learned the importance of playing with confidence and playing to evoke emotion from the Julliard Graduate. That afternoon, community members took the opportunity to come relax with a beginner’s yoga class in the historic Grand Theater. Taught by Monica Preisig, the class featured the music of Alpin Hong. It also gave Alpin

This wouldn’t be possible without The Grand’s overwhelming community support!

The arts play such an important role in the community; and thanks to your support, The Grand is able to better serve our community through enhancing our programming to include these outreach programs, such as artist residencies, that better enrich the lives of the entire region.

9

Music

Rosanne Cash

May 8 7:30pm

Celebrating her newest album, Grammy-winning The River & The Thread has critics raving as “the best music of her career.” (The Oxford American)

R

osanne Cash comes to The Grand with a show that celebrates her newest album, The River & The Thread, winner of three Grammys in 2014. One of the preeminent performing songwriters of today. A Grammy-winning singer and composer, Cash has recorded 10

15 albums and is the recipient of numerous awards.

You won’t want to miss Rosanne’s unique sound; drawing from country, blues, gospel, and rock, The River & The Thread is the soulful mix of the American South.

MAY 15 | 7:30 PM - SOLD OUT LEWIS BLACK Lewis Black is one of the most prolific and popular performers working today.

He executes a brilliant trifecta as standup comedian, actor and author. His live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for his audience.

Comedy

He is a passionate performer who is a more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon. Lewis is the rare comic who can make an audience laugh while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world.

TIME CHANGE

JUNE 1 | 8:00 PM - SOLD OUT BLUE MAN GROUP BLUE MAN GROUP is comedy, theater, rock concert, and dance party all rolled into one.

This wildly popular phenomenon delivers an unforgettable multi-sensory experience. It’s an outrageous evening of entertainment you’ll never forget.

It’s the show that has captivated 35 million people worldwide. BLUE MAN GROUP enemy of monotony, remedy for boredom, promoter of overjoy and elation. DARE TO LIVE IN FULL COLOR.

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Volunteer Spotlight

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

The Grand relies on the support and dedication of it’s volunteers.

With April finishing up our volunteer appreciation month, The Grand would like to thank all of its dedicated volunteers.

The Grand has over 150 volunteers that work behind the scenes to help ensure that you have the best experience.

You may only know them as the smiling faces that hold open the doors or help you to your seat, but our volunteers are so much more.

From ushers, to bartenders, to coat checkers, to working in our ticket office... our volunteers are there and ready to help.

Coordinating and scheduling all these volunteers is Cindy Cindy’s dedication for the Kainz, a volunteer for The Grand organization truly helps The for almost thirteen years.

Grand operate smoothly.

Cindy began volunteering for Volunteers are such an the Grand Theater in 2003 as a important role in our organization. volunteer bartender. In 2009 she The Grand would like to especially took on the role of the Volunteer thank those who stepped up Coordinator. during this busy April. We wouldn’t Volunteering part-time in be The Grand without you! the PAF office, she schedules And a special thank you to volunteers for everything from day Cindy for everything she does! and evening performances to delivering posters and Christmas decorating.

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May

Central Wisconsin School of Ballet: Student Showcase Rosanne Cash 8 Tommy Emmanuel 12 Heidi’s Dance Recital 14 Lewis Black - SOLD OUT 15 21-22 DDH Dance Recital 7

June

1 Blue Man Group -SOLD OUT 4 Judy Peterson Dance Recital 16-18 WCT: Rent

Calendar is subject to change. Updates will be found on our website, our social media, and in upcoming newsletters.

Get Your

Tickets!

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