at FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY 2020–21 SEASON SPONSORS DIAMOND LEVEL 20/21 TAYLOR/BLACKBURN FAMILY PLATINUM LEVEL RON SACHS & GAY WEBSTER-SACHS GOLD LEVEL HERB & KEN KATO MARY & NAN NAGY FSU License Plate JERVIS SILVER LEVEL LINDA J. LEE SMITH, PHD HINKLE BERNADETTE & ROGER LUCA MIKEY BESTEBREURTJE & WILSON BAKER TERESA BEAZLEY WIDMER MARSHALL & KIMBERLY CRISER BRONZE LEVEL CHARLES JIM & LARRY & & SUSAN BET T Y ANN JO DEEB STRATTON RODGERS Architects Lewis + Whitlock SALLY STEFANIE & KARIOTH ERWIN JACKSON IN-KIND SPONSORS, GRANTS & ENDOWMENTS LAURIE & KELLY DOZIER ENDOWMENT SPONSOR SUPPORT DOES NOT INDICATE ARTISTS’ ENDORSEMENT OF ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE. 2 | 2020–21 OPENING NIGHTS Performing Arts Return he 2020–21 Season boasts a mix of well-known and Our website will be your best source of the most up-to-date emerging artists representing all genres. A special information regarding dates, times and locations for T attraction this year is the “Florida’s Finest” series performances this season as well as for health and safety featuring talented artists from the sunshine state. protocols. All CDC and state guidelines will be followed. The lineup presents an eclectic series of 22 performances, Performances will be held off campus at locations where seating can be arranged to allow for social distancing. The including music, comedy, spoken word and visual arts. Music health and safety of our patrons remains our priority. genres such as roots, bluegrass, vocals, jazz, singer-songwriter, pop, Celtic, rock, country and holiday are represented. This In the next week or so you will receive information about year, there is really something for everyone’s interest! when sponsors, members and the general public may purchase tickets. The season begins with the free virtual presentation “I Have a Song to Sing, O!” by New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors and members who This virtual performance represents a collection of the theatre have kept the arts alive through their support. Thank you for company’s favorite songs from a variety of its productions. believing in the power of the performing arts and in the future of Opening Nights. Live, in-person performances begin on December 5 with “Florida’s Finest” Marvin Goldstein who will create a festive Stay safe and the Opening Nights team looks forward to mood with his holiday performance. Due to the pandemic, seeing you soon. we have spread out our performances, capping off the season on July 27 with great pop phenomena ABBA The Concert. The key word for this season is flexibility. Changes due to COVID-19 may continue to occur. We will keep you updated Michael Blachly on any adjustments that need to be made. Director, Opening Nights at Florida State University OPENINGNIGHTS.FSU.EDU | 3 2020–21 SEASON CALENDAR O’Connor Lee OCTOBER FEBRUARY New York Gilbert & Mutts Gone Nuts 2 6 Sullivan Players family musical theatre, virtual 7 PRISM classical, jazz, marching band, pop DECEMBER 9 Keb’ Mo’ roots, blues, singer-songwriter 5 Marvin Goldstein, piano instrumental, holiday 14 The King’s Singers vocal JANUARY 23 Ricky Nelson Remembered Starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson rock & roll 21 Chris Hillman Time Between: An Evening of Stories and Songs featuring Herb Pedersen The King’s Singers photo by Rebecca Reid & John Jorgenson folk, roots, singer-songwriter 4 | 2020–21 OPENING NIGHTS MARCH 4 Max Weinberg’s Jukebox rock & roll 6 Jeanne Robertson humorist 27 Streetlight Cadence folk, pop, punk-folk APRIL 1 Máiréad Nesbitt Ensemble Celtic, instrumental 15 Michael Rosato: Chain of Parks Art Festival Presenting Artist spoken word, visual arts 16 Sons of Mystro crossover, reggae, pop, hip-hop Mutts Gone Nuts photo by Eric Forberger MAY 2 Edwin McCain Trio JUNE singer-songwriter, indie rock 8 Matthew Whitaker 10 Veronica Swift jazz, instrumental jazz, vocal 21 O’Connor Lee 17 An Evening with Billy Dean Americana, bluegrass country, singer-songwriter 27 Old Salt Union bluegrass JULY 27 ABBA: The Concert pop DATES, TIMES AND PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE Cover: Keb’ Mo’ OPENINGNIGHTS.FSU.EDU | 5 TICKET WINDOWS20/21 For the 2020–21 Season, there will be three ticket purchasing periods: Winter, Spring and Summer. WINTER (Performances in December, January and February) SPONSORS Monday, October 12 at 11 a.m. MEMBERS Producer’s Circle: Monday, October 26 at 11 a.m. Associate: Thursday, November 12 at 11 a.m. Partner: Monday, November 2 at 11 a.m. Debut: Monday, November 16 at 11 a.m. Friend: Friday, November 6 at 11 a.m. Solo: Thursday, November 19 at 11 a.m. GENERAL ON SALE Monday, November 23 at 11 a.m. SPRING (Performances in March and April) SPONSORS Monday, January 11 at 11 a.m. MEMBERS Producer’s Circle: Tuesday, January 19 at 11 a.m. Associate: Wednesday, February 3 at 11 a.m. Partner: Monday, January 25 at 11 a.m. Debut: Monday, February 8 at 11 a.m. Friend: Thursday, January 28 at 11 a.m. Solo: Thursday, February 11 at 11 a.m. GENERAL ON SALE Monday, February 15 at 11 a.m. SUMMER (Performances in May, June and July) SPONSORS Monday, March 1 at 11 a.m. MEMBERS Producer’s Circle: Monday, March 8 at 11 a.m. Associate: Tuesday, March 23 at 11 a.m. Partner: Thursday, March 11 at 11 a.m. Debut: Monday, March 29 at 11 a.m. Friend: Tuesday, March 16 at 11 a.m. Solo: Thursday, April 1 at 11 a.m. GENERAL ON SALE Monday, April 5 at 11 a.m. To become a member visit: Give.fsu.edu/OpeningNights OCTOBER 2nd VIRTUAL The New York Gilbert PERFORMANCE & Sullivan Players I Have a Song to Sing, O! An exclusive video celebration of timeless Gilbert and Sullivan favorites! A cast of seven principal performers of New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players explore repertoire from seven Gilbert and Sullivan operas in this creative and entertaining concert. Filmed this ARTIST PAGE summer from locations throughout the United States, you’ll delight in the fun and variety of the performances, and the opportunity to see and hear everything up close and GENRE personal. The concert features recognizable favorites from The Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, and The Mikado, as well as lesser performed gems from Patience, Ruddigore, musical theatre Iolanthe, and The Yeomen of the Guard. I Have a Song to Sing, O! Is a great introduction to Gilbert and Sullivan for new audiences and a treat for die-hard Savoyards. OPENINGNIGHTS.FSU.EDU | 7 DECEMBER 5th FLORIDA’S FINEST Marvin Goldstein, piano Internationally acclaimed Marvin Goldstein is a piano performer, arranger, music producer, composer and entertainer. He began his music training at the age of 9 and at 18, he was awarded a music scholarship to Tel Aviv University School of Music in Israel. His studies continued at the famed “Mozarteum” of Salzburg, Austria, and he completed Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Florida State University. In six-decades of performing, Marvin has traveled extensively performing in places such as Jerusalem, Denmark, ARTIST PAGE England, and throughout Canada and the United States. His greatest passion is to pull varied cultures together through musical performances, fostering peace that only music can bring. He has recorded over 50 CDs in genres including popular music, patriotic GENRE melodies, show tunes and love songs. Marvin has a unique ability to draw an audience into the music with the emotions a particular piece may invoke. He truly makes the instrumental, holiday piano come to life. Marvin will perform selections of holiday music for an enjoyable evening for all. 8 | 2020–21 OPENING NIGHTS JANUARY 21st Chris Hillman Trio Time Between: An Evening of Stories and Songs featuring Herb Pedersen & John Jorgenson Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Country Rock pioneer Chris Hillman has been making music for six decades. Through his work and co-founding of notable bands such as The ARTIST PAGE Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas and The Desert Rose Band, Hillman has carved a permanent niche in the history of contemporary American music. His work has granted him induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, four Country Music GENRE and GRAMMY® awards and the Americana Music Association Lifetime Achieve Award folk, roots, among many others. Chris Hillman’s repertoire translates impeccably to the concert stage, enhanced by his vocals and gifts as a musician. Joined by the founding members singer-songwriter of The Desert Rose Band, Herb Pedersen and John Jorgenson, this acoustic performance highlights the trio’s remarkable talent with Hillman on mandolin and guitar combined with Pedersen playing rhythm guitar and banjo and Jorgenson on guitars and mandolin. Their singing and harmonies make for a magical night of music. OPENINGNIGHTS.FSU.EDU | 9 FEBRUARY 6th Photo by Eric Forberger by Photo Mutts Gone Nuts Expect the unexpected, as canines and comedy collide in a smash hit performance ARTIST PAGE that leaves audiences everywhere howling for more! From shelters to showbiz, these amazing mutts unleash havoc and hilarity in a breathtaking, action-packed, comedy dog spectacular, featuring some of the world’s most talented four-legged performers. Among GENRE them are Chico, the first performing dog of Mutts Gone Nuts; Feather, who has the unofficial world record for highest jump by a dog; Charli, who makes wire-walking look family easy; and Geronimo, who has received belly rubs from Whoopi Goldberg and David Letterman! Deemed “A Must See” by The Washington Post, these dogs are sure to steal your heart and then your socks! SPONSORED BY RON SACHS & GAY WEBSTER-SACHS 10 | 2020–21 OPENING NIGHTS FEBRUARY 7th Photo by Bill by LaxPhoto PRISM A Collaboration with the Florida State University College of Music Featuring students from Florida State’s top-ranked College of Music, PRISM offers a wide array of entertainment from Chamber Winds, Symphonic Band, jazz ensembles, the ARTIST PAGE Marching Chiefs, and many more exciting groups.