2013/14 SEASON MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT WHAt’S INSIDE Retro Concerts The Beach Boys .............. 1 Elvis Presley, Jr. .............. 2 Sheena Easton ................ 3 Jack Jones ................... 4 Broadway Divas The Doo Wop Project ........... 5 Each year the staff members of the Edgerton Center for American Legends the Performing Arts and Student Affairs, along with the Mitzi Gaynor ................. 6 students and faculty of our performing arts departments, Christine Crawford ............. 7 Linda Lavin ................... 8 put together an incredible lineup of musical and theatre Student Affairs Lecture Series performances, lectures, discussions and much more. The Lacks Family .............. 9 Talking Baseball and Beyond .... 10 This year is especially exciting as we celebrate the 50th Chris Herren ................. 11 anniversary of Sacred Heart University and unveil Dick Hoyt ................... 12 PostSecret Live .............. 13 extensive renovations to the Edgerton that include an art gallery and area for WSHU Public Radio receptions and a patio with a state-of-the-art electronic screen. In addition to “Join the Conversation” our lineup of singers, dancers, authors, comics, musicians and plays, we will Elizabeth Gilbert ............. 14 Wally Lamb ................. 15 now host parties and show outdoor movies. SHU Student Theatre Main Stage We hope not only to entertain our students, faculty and staff, but also to The Playboy of the share the talents of our students, guest performers and lecturers with our Western World ............ 16 Chicago .................... 17 friends and neighbors in the surrounding community. Whether you are a Little Theatre Plays and Musicals ........... 18 fan of The Beach Boys or Sheena Easton or want to hear more about Frank TheatreFest and Improv ........ 19 Warren’s PostSecret project, this is the place for you. I especially encourage SHU Student Choir ............ 20 you to come and enjoy the performances of SHU’s bands, choirs, dance team SHU Student Band ............ 22 and theatre students. The level of their talent never ceases to amaze me. SHU Student Dance ........... 24 Connecticut Children’s I hope you will join me at the Edgerton Center for as many of these Theatre .................... 25 performances as you can. We want you to share in the celebration of our Glass House 50th anniversary and the excitement of our continued growth. Christian Music Series Red ........................ 26 Run Kid Run ................. 27 Sincerely, An Epic No Less .............. 27 Holly Starr .................. 28 Special Events Kevin Nealon ................ 29 John J. Petillo, Ph.D. Cherish the Ladies ............ 30 St. Nicholas ................. 31 President Come to the Cabaret .......... 32 b Box Office: 203-371-7908 or buy tickets online: www.edgertoncenter.org RETRO CONCERTS the band has had a string of chart-topping songs and albums that spans the career and includes The Beach Boys eternal anthems of American youth: “Surfin’ April 12, 2014 at 8pm USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” As The Beach Boys mark their 50th Anniversary “Barbara Ann,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It of making music, the group continues to ride Be Nice,” “Rock and Roll Music” and “Kokomo.” A special performance the crest of a wave unequalled in America’s in conjunction with musical history. The Beach Boys have become Band members include: Michael Love, Bruce the Discovery Gala, synonymous with the California lifestyle and Johnston, Tim Bonhomme, Scott Totten, Randell which raises important have become an American icon to a worldwide Kirsch, John Cowsill and Christian Love audience. Since lead-singer and rock’s dollars for University quintessential front man Mike Love penned the 50TH CELEBRATION EVENT Scholarship programs. lyrics to The Beach Boys’ first hit, “Surfin’” (1961), General Public: $50 RETRO CONCERTS 1 RETRO CONCERTS Elvis Presley, Jr. Burning Love Tour October 12, 2013 at 8pm Elvis Aaron Presley, Jr., is a riveting performer with a rare capability to establish a very special rapport with his audience. Yes, he is the son of the late Elvis Presley, born out of wedlock, unbeknownst to Elvis, on December 24, 1961, in Gary, Indiana, the result of a liaison between Elvis Presley and Angelique Delores Pettyjohn, a young actress who was an extra in the film Blue Hawaii. His incredible singing voice, naturally reminiscent of “The King,” and fine sense of humor has thrilled audiences worldwide. Elvis Jr.’s talent as a musician and entertainer is a gift to all who enjoy the works of his late father. His looks, voice, style, grace and demeanor has captivated audiences worldwide and are a testament that the King’s legacy indeed continues. General Public: $25 Senior Citizens: $15 Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $15 Students: $10 2 Box Office: 203-371-7908 or buy tickets online: www.edgertoncenter.org Sheena Easton February 14, 2014 at 8pm Sheena Easton, whose career has spanned the last 30 years, was born in Scotland. Easton’s recording career has included Gold and Platinum albums. She has received two Grammy Awards, and she was the first person to have the top five records on five Billboard charts. Sheena Easton is the only artist in the history of the US Billboard charts to have a top three hit on each of the Billboard key charts consecutively: Adult Contemporary, Dance, Pop, Country and R&B. Her pop hits include “Morning Train,” “For Your Eyes Only,” “Strut,” “Sugar Walls,” “U Got the Look” with Prince, and “The Lover in Me.” She has worked with prominent vocalists and producers such as Prince, Christopher Neil, Kenny Rogers, Luis Miguel, L.A. Reid and Babyface, Patrice Rushen and Nile Rodgers. 50TH CELEBRATION EVENT General Public: $35 Senior Citizens: $25 Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $25 Students: $25 RETRO CONCERTS 3 RETRO CONCERTS Jack Jones in Concert March 16, 2014 at 3pm Jack Jones creates an event that pays tribute to the Great American Songbook. Called “one of America’s greatest singers of our time” by Frank Sinatra, Jack Jones’ career has spanned more than 50 years. With a disarming smile, an effortlessly engaging wit and a vocal style that stands alone, Jack Jones is one of America’s greatest singers ranking with the legendary Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Vic Damone. A double Grammy winner, Jack performs around the globe to sold-out audiences in venues ranging from jazz clubs to the London Palladium with musical perfection, vocal passion, phenomenal breath control and impeccable phrasing. These qualities all unfailingly illustrate why he stands with the luminaries. Jack Jones is the very definition of a complete and total entertainer. The New York Times raves, “he is arguably the most technically accomplished male pop singer...” General Public: $25 Senior Citizens: $15 Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $15 Students: $10 4 Box Office: 203-371-7908 or buy tickets online: www.edgertoncenter.org BROADWAY DIVAS The Doo Wop Project Starring Leading Cast Members from the Broadway Smash “Jersey Boys” October 5, 2013 at 8pm The Doo Wop Project is a night of songs mixed with personal tales of backstage experiences at the August Wilson Theatre—the home stage where Jersey Boys originated. This evening is an homage to classic Doo-Wop music highlighting classic hits for every generation. The Doo Wop Project features songs by Randy & The Rainbows (“Denise”), Thurston Harris (“Little Bitty Pretty One”), The Skyliners (“Since I Don’t Have You”) and many more classics like “Speedo,” “Gloria,” and “God Only Knows.” Favorite contemporary songs including “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson and “Valerie” (popularized by Amy Winehouse) are given a fresh Doo-Wop spin. The Doo Wop Project is NOT affiliated with the show Jersey Boys. This show does NOT feature songs by Frankie Valli or by The Four Seasons and does NOT include material from Jersey Boys. General Public: $30 BROADWAY DIVAS 5 AMERICAN LEGENDS Mitzi Gaynor A Live Interview On Stage October 27, 2013 at 3pm Who, with 17 films to her credit, became one of the top singing and dancing motion picture stars of all time? Who conquered television with nine show- stopping spectaculars garnering 17 Emmy® nominations and blockbuster ratings? Whose dazzling triple-threat talents made her arguably the top female nightclub and concert attraction of the era? The answer to all these questions is, simply, Miss Mitzi Gaynor. She made her motion picture debut co-starring with her childhood idols Betty Grable and Dan Dailey in My Blue Heaven. The studio, quick to capitalize on the vivacious talent that would later propel Mitzi to the top ranks of show business, cast her in a succession of comedies and musicals including Golden Girl, Bloodhounds of Broadway, We’re Not Married and The I Don’t Care Girl. Mitzi delivered a star-making performance alongside Ethel Merman, Dan Dailey, Donald O’Connor and newcomer Marilyn Monroe in There’s No Business Like Show Business. Following that film’s success, she was signed to a lucrative Paramount contract, which would yield three film hits: The Birds and the Bees with George Gobel and David Niven, Anything Goes with Bing Crosby and Donald O’Connor and a dramatic turn in The Joker Is Wild. 50TH CELEBRATION EVENT General Public: $25 Senior Citizens: $15 Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $15 Students: $10 6 Box Office: 203-371-7908 or buy tickets online: www.edgertoncenter.org Surviving Mommie Dearest A Conversation with Christina Crawford November 23, 2013 at 8pm Surviving Mommie Dearest home movies and historical photos of both Joan and is a bio-pic documentary and Christina Crawford. Throughout her long career, Ms. audience talk-back with Joan Crawford’s daughter, Crawford has turned the issue of family violence into Christina Crawford. The 45-minute documentary is public awareness. She also offers hope and the healing based on a one-woman multimedia play written by process through her personal and starring best-selling author Christina Crawford.