Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael kick off the eighth performing arts season at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) with a “Bacon Brothers” show on June 20. The season continues in September with piano showman David Howarth on September 16. On November 15, Brass Transit will present a tribute to the music of Chicago. Tony-award winning Broadway musical Evita takes the stage on March 14, and the season closes with the Doo Wop Project on April 7.
Tickets go on sale for the full season on May 23 and individual show tickets go on sale May 30.
Season tickets include all shows for $130, which saves $20 if purchased separately. Tickets and show information can be found at www.thesheid.com or by calling 870-508-6280.
Bacon Brothers – Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at 7 p.m.
Fiercely devoted to making music, even from an early age, the Bacon Brothers share a singular body of work that’s found them spending more than 20 years of working the road and paying their dues. The result is eight albums: Forosoco (1997), Getting There (1999), Can’t Complain (2001), Live: The No Food Jokes Tour (2003), White Knuckles (2005), New Year’s Day (2009), Philadelphia Road (2011) 36 Cents (2014), and The Bacon Brothers (2018). Never content to be typecast, they are fiercely devoted to the cause of making music, undeterred by fame, fortune or the pitfalls that frequently obstruct the path to success.
Kevin Bacon is an award-winning actor with 80 films and dozens of television and stage credits to his name, resulting in numerous Emmy and Screen Actor’s Guild nominations. Older brother Michael initially began making music in their native Philadelphia before moving to Nashville where his songwriting career blossomed by leaps and bounds. An Emmy-winning composer, he most recently scored the documentary “That Way Madness Lies” currently on the festival circuit. Other recent works include the audiobook: “You Don’t Look Your Age…and, Other Fairytales” and the HBO documentary “RX: Early Detection with Sandra Lee” which premiered at Sundance this year.
While casual observers may be awed by their Hollywood credentials, critics have been quick to note that the brothers eschew any hint of glitz and glamour in favor of an ethic gleaned from the hard lessons that come as a result of determination and drive. The band includes Michael on vocals, guitar and cello and Kevin on vocals, guitar, and percussion. With them on stage are the musicians that have been with them since the beginning – Paul Guzzone (bass, backing vocals), Joe Mennonna (keyboards, accordion), Ira Siegel (lead guitar, mandolin, and backing vocals) and Frank Vilardi (drums).
Tickets for The Bacon Brothers are $35 for adults, $17.50 for students, plus fees.
David Howarth – Sunday, September 16, 2018, at 3 p.m.
Haley Cultural Arts Endowment
Originally from the UK and now based in Branson, Missouri, David Howarth is one of the most versatile and exciting pianists around today. Trained at the Royal Northern College of Music in England, he delivers a fresh approach to piano entertainment with his unique and exciting arrangements of America’s favorite music.
Music critics have described David as a ‘Pianist of Distinction’ and have commented on his ‘impressive technique’ and ‘incredible composure and control.’ He has performed his piano shows all over the world and has received top ratings on all the major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, NCL, Holland America, Silversea, Regent, Seabourn, Crystal, P&O, and Cunard.
David has also composed, produced and arranged music for some of the world’s finest musicians and singers, and his unique style of music plays on radio stations all over the world. The Haley Cultural Arts Endowment presents David in the eighth season.
Tickets for David Haworth are $20 for adults, $10 for students, plus fees.
Brass Transit – Thursday, November 15, 2018, at 7 p.m.
Brass Transit was formed in 2008 and brought together eight of the most talented and accomplished award-winning musicians. Their sole purpose was to pay tribute to one of the world’s greatest and most successful pop/rock groups of all time, Chicago.
Since then, the group has toured North America dazzling audiences with their flawless performances and spectacular attention to every detail of the Chicago songbook. Hits like Saturday In The Park, 25 or 6 to 4, If You Leave Me Now, You’re the Inspiration have left crowds in awe and on their feet more than once during a show. The group evokes comments like “spine-tingling,” “brought me back to my youth,” and “perfect in every detail.” Brass Transit goes far beyond just imitating the songs; they embody the music.
The group recently produced their first CD taking top hits from the 70’s and recording them with horns in the Chicago style. A result is their fresh approach to some of the greatest hits of that era.
Tickets for Brass Transit are $30 for adults, $15 for students, plus fees.
Evita – Thursday, March 14, 2019, at 7 p.m.
Eva Peron enthralled a nation and enchanted the world. Her story unfolds in Evita, the Tony-award winning Best Musical, a high-flying theatrical experience adored the world over. Tim Rick and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s groundbreaking musical captures the rise and fall of one of the world’s most glamorous first ladies in this classic Broadway and London hit.
The musical concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. The story follows Evita’s early life, rise to power, charity work, and eventual death. The musical began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976. Its success led to productions in London’s West End in 1978, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical, and on Broadway a year later, where it was the first British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical.
The success of the musical was the inspiration for a major 1996 film of the musical starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. The musical employs an eclectic range of styles from classical to rhythmic latinate, and ballads, including its most popular song, “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.”
Tickets for Evita are $35 for adults, $17.50 for students, plus fees.
Doo Wop Project – Sunday, April 7, 2019, at 3 p.m.
From bop to pop, the Doo Wop Project covers the evolution of a sound! Three parts Jersey Boys, two parts Motown: The Musical and “not your grandma’s doo-wop,” these five charismatic, Broadway stars with their five-piece band tear it up, with musicality, dancing, and showmanship not found with any other group in the world! They “re-doo” classic Doo Wop songs from the 50’s and 60’s and make them sound fresh and new. They take contemporary pop hits by stars like Jason Mraz, Amy Winehouse, Adele and Maroon 5, and “doowopify” them! This show is the perfect entertainment for people of all ages!
Tickets for the Doo Wop Project are $30 for adults, $15 for students, plus fees.
All shows take place in the Ed Coulter Performing Arts Center inside the Vada Sheid Community Development Center on the campus of Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, 1600 South College Street, Mountain Home, AR. For more information, contact Christy Keirn at ASUMH by calling (870) 508-6109 or visit www.thesheid.com for tickets.
Dr. Maria Markham and Allison Haught
Dr. Maria Markham and Amanda Herd
