KU Presents! Announces 2024-25 Season of Music, Magic and Theater
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Since 1988, Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium has been the venue for a wide range of performances, from jazz to classical, from dance to theater, and KU Presents! is pleased to announce another season of magical offerings for adults and families.
The 2024-25 season will open Tuesday, Oct. 8 with “Shamilton!,” an improvised parody musical presented by the internationally recognized musical improv group, Baby Wants Candy. Founded in 1997, with alumni including Saturday Night Live’s Aidy Bryant and 30 Rock’s Jack M. Brayer, the company specializes in improvising musicals based on audience suggestions – including a live band and dancers. “Shamilton,” inspired by the epic hip-hop musical “Hamilton,” will ask the audience to choose a celebrity from history to create a show on the spot.
“Don’t Stop Believin’: The Journey Tribute by E5C4P3” will be coming two weeks later, Thursday, Oct. 24, for a high-energy performance of the legendary rock band’s music from the 1980s. E5C4P3 founder Jason Kelty will be the lead singer, impersonating Journey’s lead singer, Steve Perry, during the height of its popularity from 1978 to 1987. Journey, a spin-off from Santana, is one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time, with 25 gold and platinum albums.
Those who love the music of Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven will be delighted to hear their music performed on a fortepiano, the predecessor to the modern piano. Pianist Daniel Adam Maltz, renowned for his expertise in Viennese classicism, will culminate his solo performance with Haydn’s Concerto in D Major with the KU Orchestra Thursday, Nov. 7.
Audiences of all ages can celebrate the holiday season Friday, Dec. 6 with Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez in “Home for the Holidays,” featuring the KU Choir and Berks Youth Chorus. Gonzalez originated the role of Nina Rosario in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway show “In the Heights,” and starred as Elphaba in “Wicked” from 2010-11, and Angelica Schuyler in “Hamilton” from 2016-22. In 2017, she released a solo album, “Fearless.”
The season will continue in 2025, beginning with the Barron Ryan Trio performing Ryan’s “There Arises Light (in the Darkness)” Wednesday, Feb. 12. Ryan, a pianist/composer from Tulsa, Okla., was commissioned to write this piece to commemorate the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. His style is influenced by classical, jazz and other contemporary music.
“Through the Years” with The Kenny Rogers Band, featuring singer/songwriter Don Gatlin, will be performed by the late Rogers’ band, who supported him for 50 years. Gatlin, a close friend of Rogers, will sing a retrospective of hits and fan favorites Wednesday, March 12.
Two-time Grammy-winning singer Kurt Elling will celebrate the music of the renowned jazz fusion band Weather Report to wrap up the season Wednesday, April 9 during Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. Founded in 1970 by keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, Weather Report continued to innovate until it disbanded in 1986. This performance will feature one of the band’s alumni, drummer Peter Erskine, in an epic evening of jazz.
KU Presents! Family Series
The Family Series, held Sundays at 2 p.m., allows younger children and their families to enjoy quality entertainment at affordable prices. It will begin Sunday, Nov. 17 with “Pinkalicious: The Musical,” the touring production of the show based on the popular children’s series by Berks County’s own Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, who also wrote the book and lyrics, with music and some lyrics by John Gregor.
Puppy Pals LIVE!, performing Sunday, Feb. 2, is an interactive show with many stunts executed by dogs, most of them rescues. Originated by Wesley Williams, the show will also include improv comedian/clown Kenny Mikey; clown/juggler Walter Dootson and dancer/performer Megan Fee, for an afternoon of laughter and surprises.
The series will end with Bill Blagg Family Magic, Sunday, March 2, with amazing illusions, including Blagg teleporting himself across the theater, shrinking his six-foot body to six inches and passing through the blades of an industrial fan. He always leaves audiences wondering what just happened.
For complete information on the KU Presents! 2024-25 season and to order tickets, visit www.KutztownPresents.org or call the KU Presents! Box Office 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 610-683-4092.