'Tis the Season for Entertainment

Robson Performing Arts Center announces a new season of shows, beginning with “Letters Home” on November 16.

Zach Kenney in “Letters Home,” a play that brings to life actual letters written by soldiers currently serving in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Four fantastic touring productions make up the season at the Robson Performing Arts Center. This year’s offerings promise to be unique experiences, including a delicious dinner for you and your Valentine sweetheart. Each show has something different to offer the audience: from a poignant look at what our ­soldiers are dealing with in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a light-hearted hilarious Christmas musical with your favorite songs, to an improvisational-based ­touring production that sings and acts and takes ideas from the audience to form the musical for the night, to a massive spectacle of dance and song that celebrates the last hundred years of movie cinema.

    Starting off the season on November 16 is “Letters Home.” This play puts the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq front and center by bringing to life actual letters written by soldiers serving in the Middle East. The play, without politicizing, gives audiences a powerful portrait of the soldiers’ experience in the ongoing war. This play is ­critically acclaimed and was nominated for a Jefferson Award for “Outstanding New Play.”  

    Christmas is full of ­merriment and cheer with “Four Guys Named Al; Al Be Home for Christmas” on Saturday, December 15. Don’t miss this hilarious tune-filled holiday hit! Watch our four unlikely heroes battle the elements and give the performance of a lifetime to save Christmas. You’ll have a smile on your face and a tune in your heart with this winning show proudly labeled, “Your mom will love it!”  

    The Robson PAC has the perfect Valentine experience with “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical” on Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16.  Enjoy dinner in the charming Black Box Theatre, then laugh and clap along in our main theatre for this show straight from New York City. This production abandons the same ol’ song and dance to create a new, fully improvised musical comedy each and every show. Every lyric, melody and dance is made up on the spot to create a show that you’ll find energetic and hilarious. So funny, you will want to come both days! The show is available without dinner, but you won’t want to miss out on the tenderloin beef medallions, or slow roasted chicken breast, or a vegetarian masterpiece.

         Saving the biggest ­extravaganza for last is “Hooray for Hollywood” on Thursday, February 28. Take a nostalgic journey through the most popular musicals of the last 50 years, featuring a cast of 14 wonderful singers and dancers, a six-piece band, and over 300 costume changes. Enjoy film clips of your favorite movies from “Singing in the Rain” and “The Glenn Miller Story” to “Grease,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Titanic.” Watch as “lights, camera, action” unfolds live on stage.

    Season tickets are now ­available. For information please call the box office’s new number at (918) 923-4290.