Arts &Letters Series
announces 2004-05 season

By Staff
Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m.
McCain Theater, Ivy Hall
Admission: Adults, $8; children, $5
From their landmark first recording session in Bristol, Tenn., in 1927, to their signings with Victor, ARC and Decca Records, the years of the Great Depression, and their retirement in 1952, "Keep On The Sunny Side" brings to live theater drama, music and laughter and a love story that began country music.
Oct. 28, 1 p.m.
McCain Theater, Ivy Hall
Admission: Adults, $5; children, $2
Wood &Strings Puppet Theatre presents its elaborate puppet show "An Ire-ish Tale," a wild rollick through elfin lore exploring the hilarious adventures of two poor and hungry peasants who have been granted three wishes. Well, three wishes in the wrong hands can be a dangerous thing, and everyone is led in a romp and stomp of madcap misfortune as Biddy and Paddy make one silly wish after another.
Oct. 28, 7 p.m.
McCain Theater, Ivy Hall
Admission: Adults, $7; children, $3
Wood &Strings Puppet Theatre presents a double feature in puppetry with "An Ire-ish Tale" and "Out of the Mist A Dragon," the magical tale of a samurai warlord who seeks to provide his daughter with a suitable husband, performed with classic puppet styles from around the world. With these two pieces, Wood &Strings transports its audiences to exotic places around the world and dispels any notion that puppet theater is just squeaky sock figures.
MCC Jazz with Larry Panella
Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m.
McCain Theater, Ivy Hall
Admission: Adults, $7; children, $3
When Carey Smith and his MCC Jazz Band take to the McCain Theater stage, saxophonist Larry Panella will be the guest artist. Panella has performed with numerous artists and entertainers, including the Phil Collins Big Band, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Natalie Cole, Steve Allen, Nelson Riddle and Frank Sinatra Jr.
His recordings include his newly released jazz quartet compact disc "Under the Influence," two albums with the Collection Jazz Orchestra, two with the Ashley Alexander Big Band, and a recent compact disc release by the Phil Collins Big Band, "A Hot Night in Paris."
Jan. 21, 2005, 7 p.m.
McCain Theater, Ivy Hall
Admission: Adults, $7; children, $3
This enchanting musical is based on C.S. Lewis' adventure about four children of war-torn England who accidentally enter the land of Narnia by climbing through a magic wardrobe. This strange and wondrous place is ruled by the cold-hearted White Witch, who makes the winter last year-round. Although they seem unlikely saviors, the children fulfill an ancient prophecy by defeating the witch, restoring sunshine and peace to spellbound Narnia and returning the great Lion King Aslan to his throne.
Peking Acrobats
Feb. 19, 7 p.m.
Temple Theatre, Downtown Meridian
Admission: Reserved Seating Section A, B &C, $10; general admission (at door only), $5
Hailing from the People's Republic of China, The Peking Acrobats have been diplomats of their spirited culture for decades. Since 1952, this elite group of gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers has left audiences around the world spellbound by the graceful athleticism of their acrobatics. With live accompaniment from an exotic Chinese orchestra, the Peking Acrobats transform 2,000-year-old traditions of agility and grace into a modern-day kaleidoscope of entertainment and wonder.
March 3, 7:30 p.m.
McCain Theater, Ivy Hall
(For mature audiences)
Admission: All seats, $8
Act One of this one-man show is a recreation of Lewis' wildly popular comedy concerts that toured the country from 1985 to 1993. Act Two is drawn from Lewis' syndicated columns and books and brings to life the Lewis Grizzard who had three failed marriages, who spurned an alcoholic father and who survived a near-death experience with heart surgery but ends on a high note with Lewis' list of all the things he intends to do: "Goof off more, stay out of New York, ride more trains, see Rock City."
April 21-23, 7:30 p.m.
McCain Theater, Ivy Hall
Admission: Adults $8; children $5
These are only a few of the 1960s era songs that will come alive again when MCC's Fine Arts Department presents "The Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical."
The show is a retrospective of the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo-wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the 1960s charts. The story of her rise to fame and fortune is punctuated with a virtual Hit Parade of her music, "Da-Do-Run-Run," "Hanky Panky," "Do Wa Diddy" and of course, "The Leader of the Pack." It's a "happy, high-spirited, foot-stomping romp" you won't want to miss.
Meridian Symphony Orchestra
April 30, 8 p.m.
McCain Theater, Ivy Hall
Admission: Adults $18.75; children, $7.50
MCC's Arts &Letters Series teams up with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra to present TOP (Those Opera People) in the season final.
The theme for the evening, Operatic Italy, will showcase the talent of TOP a group of four singers who present great arias, duets and ensembles from some of the world's most beloved operas and musical theater: "The Barber of Seville," "Cavalleria Rusticana," "Madama Butterfly," "La Bohme" and "La Traviata." TOP is popular with Meridian audiences from appearances at the St. Paul's Chamber Series.
Visiting authors
Dates and times TBA
McCain Theater, Ivy Hall
MCC's Arts &Letters series will also host three visiting authors for readings and book-signings in the upcoming season. Among those who have delighted audiences in the past are Jan Karon, Rick Bragg, Ellen Gilchrist, Jill Conner Brown, John Grisham, Carol Higgins Clark, John Armistead, Kathryn Tucker Windham and Helen Thomas. Authors, dates and times will be announced as the season progresses.
WANT TO GO?
What: Meridian Community
College's Arts &Letters Series
When: Thirteen shows between September 2004 and April 2005
Where: Most performances are in MCC's McCain Theater. One show this season will be at the Temple Theatre in downtown Meridian.
Tickets: Season tickets are a better bargain than general admission tickets to each
performance. They are $30 for one person, or $50 for a family (two adults and up to three
children under the age of 18).
Who to call: Series coordinator Michelle Thames at 484-8696 or (800) MCC-THE-1, ext. 696.