August 17, 2012
† † The Whatley Center for the Performing Arts at Northeast Texas Community College recently announced the lineup for the 2012-2013 season. Individual ticket sales begin Monday, Aug. 20. Season ticket packages are also available.
† † "We have scheduled some amazing shows for our upcoming year of entertainment. I strongly recommend that people purchase tickets well in advance. We have already had a huge response about some of these performances," Carolyn Franks, Director of the Whatley Center, said.
† † The Entertainment Series, which is included in the season ticket packages, includes four shows. The Cast of Beatlemania will kick off the season with a performance on Saturday, Nov. 10. This well-known Beatles tribute group will transport the audience back to the 1960s. Beatlemania is sponsored by Guaranty Bond Bank.
† † The Texas Tenors will also return to the Whatley stage as part of the Entertainment Series. The hugely-popular trio of America's Got Talent fame will perform a Christmas-themed show on Tuesday, Dec. 4. The Texas Tenors are sponsored by Cypress Bank.
† † "We were thrilled to host the Texas Tenors a couple of years ago and have received many requests to have them back. This group is very in-demand and has performed all over the country since then. We can't wait to see them again," Franks said.
† † Celtic Crossroads will dance in the new year with their high-energy Irish spectacle on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. This show, sponsored by Charlie and Helen Hampton, features an energetic blend of Celtic dance and music. La Catrina String Quartet will perform on Thursday, March 7, 2013 to round out the season. Their unique blend of Latin-American and standard classical music have been praised by greats such as Yo Yo Ma.
† † Season ticket packages range from $250 for two reserved seats to all of the Entertainment Series shows to $1,500 for four reserved seats to the Entertainment Series plus all special events. Individual tickets to the Entertainment Series are $30 each for adults and $10 for students.
† † The Whatley Center will also host four special events during the 2012-2013 season. The first will be classical guitarist Jason Vieaux on Tuesday, Oct. 2. This virtuoso will is known as one of the youngest stars of the guitar world.†Another virtuoso, Thomas Pandolfi, will return to the Whatley stage on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. This pianist performed last year to rave reviews. Thomas Pandolfi is sponsored by Texas Heritage National Bank. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for students for both Vieaux and Pandolfi.
† † "Each year we try to interject a classical element into our program. Both of these young men are masters of their crafts and bring a unique, fresh perspective to the music world," Franks said.
† † The NTCC Foundation will host comedian Jeanne Robertson on Friday, March 22, 2012. Robertson's quirky southern charm is a hit with audiences nationwide. Tickets for this event range from $5 for students to $40.
† † The final event of the season will be Shakespeare's†As You Like It, presented by The Acting Company. This New York based theatre group travels the country presenting professional shows. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for students. The performance is sponsored by J.T. and Kaye Brison.
† † "I feel that this lineup truly offers something for everyone. We hope that the community will come out to support the Whatley Center and enjoy the amazing talent that will grace our stage," Franks said.
† † To purchase tickets, please call the Whatley box office at 903-434-8181. For more information, visit ntcc.edu/whatley.
