Stephens Auditorium reveals 14-show Performing Arts series lineup

With shows ranging from “Chicago the Musical” to “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” Stephens Auditorium’s lineup for next season’s Performing Arts Series boasts a wide variety.

Stephens recently announced its lineup of 14 performances for the 2023-2024 season, which runs between October and May. Subscription tickets are on sale now at www.center.iastate.edu.

The organization strives to provide a variety of performances each year at its location off West Lincoln Way.

“We look to program an eclectic mix of shows that brings a little bit of everything to our audiences,” Tammy Koolbeck, Stephens Auditorium executive director, said in a news release. “From crowd favorites Mannheim Steamroller and The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the new touring shows of The Foolers and the Langston Hughes Project, this year’s season has something for everyone.”

Performances include illusionists, a classic ballet, Grammy-winning vocalists, jazz, Broadway musicals and a first-time visit by an orchestra from Minería, Mexico.

The Performing Arts Series offers subscription packages that reward attendees with discounts to multiple events, according to the news release.

Individual tickets go on sale in the fall at www.ticketmaster.com and in person at the ticket office.

The 2023-24 Performing Arts Series schedule follows with descriptions provided by Stephens:

Penn & Teller Present the Foolers — 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

The Foolers brings an evening of jaw-dropping illusions curated by one of the world’s most famous magic acts, Penn & Teller. Celebrating television’s No. 1 rated magic show, this interactive and irreverent evening presents the Fool Us alumni who share the distinction of being among the few who have impressed the pair with mystifying mind magic and hilarious comedic routines. The cast, collectively known as “The Foolers,” pay homage to the classic magic of Penn & Teller. Although Penn and Teller won’t be on the Stephens stage, their prestige will be shown.

iLuminate — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21

iLuminate has become a household name since they were called “The Best New Act in America” during their run on “America’s Got Talent” in 2011. The company is based on a fusion of technology and dance and is a diverse team of experts that creates a unique visual experience. Audiences will see dancers in electrified glow-in-the-dark suits performing dynamic routines and illusions on a darkened stage. This performance is made possible, in part, by the Iowa 4-H Youth Development and NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium.

Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico — 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24

Widely regarded as a leading ensemble and musical institution in Mexico, the Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico remains at the musical forefront through eclectic programming, collaborations with renowned soloists and composers, and staunch advocacy of community and educational development. Conductors Carlos Miguel Prieto — recognized as the leading Mexican conductor of his generation — is characterized by his dynamism and the expressivity of his interpretations. The program features works by Gabriela Ortiz, Carlos Chavez, Gabriela Montero and Silverstre Revueltas. This performance is made possible, in part, by a grant from the City of Ames, Commission on the Arts.

Wild Kratts — 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15

“Wild Kratts — Live!” is a theatrical stage show based on the hit animated television series “Wild Kratts.” Martin and Chris Kratt, stars of the Emmy-nominated show, step out live on stage to engage the audience in a classic “Wild Kratts” story! They will activate some fan favorite Creature Power Suits and go “Off to the Creature Rescue!” With the help of the Wild Kratts team — and their audience members — the Kratt Brothers confront a comic villain and help bring the creatures of the animal world to safety once again.

The Fab Four — 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19

If you want to experience the best Beatles tribute ever, you won’t want to miss “The Fab Four — The Ultimate Tribute.” The Emmy Award-winning Fab Four is elevated far above every other Beatles Tribute due to their precise attention to detail. With uncanny, note-for-note live renditions of Beatles' classics such as "Can't Buy Me Love," "Yesterday," "A Day In The Life," "Twist And Shout," "Here Comes The Sun," and "Hey Jude", the Fab Four will make you think you are watching the real thing.

Mannheim Steamroller — 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 19

Celebrating over 35 years of “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas,” the group’s fans will experience the music that has become the hallmark of the holidays from the No. 1 Christmas music artist in history.  Enjoy Mannheim Steamroller classics in a multi-media setting as we celebrate the spirit of the season.

Jesus Christ Superstar — 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30 — Broadway Series

A mesmerizing production of the iconic musical phenomenon, “Jesus Christ Superstar” returns to the Stephens stage. Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring. With lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Jesus Christ Superstar” is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane” and “Superstar.”

Langston Hughes Project: Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8

The “Langston Hughes Project” is a multimedia concert performance of the jazz legend’s kaleidoscopic jazz poem suite, which features Malcolm-Jamal Warner and the Ron McCurdy Quartet. “Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz” is Hughes' homage in verse, music to the struggle for artistic and social freedom at home and abroad at the beginning of the 1960s. It is a 12-part epic poem which Hughes scored with musical cues drawn from blues and Dixieland, gospel songs, boogie woogie, bebop and progressive jazz, Latin “cha cha” and Afro-Cuban mambo music, German lieder, Jewish liturgy, West Indian calypso and African drumming.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar — 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12

The critically acclaimed production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show” created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets. The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar. First published in 1969, the book has sold more than 48 million copies worldwide.

Swan Lake Ballet — 7 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 21

The new production of “Swan Lake” is choreographed by Nadezhda Kalinina, who lovingly retouched Marius Petipa's version. Featuring over 150 hand-sewn costumes and hand-crafted sets, it is a true delight. World Ballet Series is a company that attracts many international artists and comprises renowned professional dancers representing over ten countries united by a passion for entertaining audiences and enriching classical ballet traditions through brilliant, critically acclaimed new productions of timeless ballet classics.

Chanticleer — 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 5

The Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer is known worldwide as “an orchestra of voices” for its wide-ranging repertoire and dazzling virtuosity. Founded in San Francisco in 1978 by singer and musicologist Louis Botto, Chanticleer’s repertoire is rooted in the renaissance. It has continued to expand to include a wide range of classical, gospel, jazz, popular music, and a deep commitment to commissioning new compositions and arrangements.

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Take a chance on MANIA and you won't be disappointed! MANIA (formerly ABBA MANIA) has been selling out theaters and concert halls internationally since forming in 1999. ABBA's timeless songs were written to be enjoyed live, and MANIA gives you two hours of uplifting, dance-inducing and sometimes heart-breaking songs, fully live with fantastic staging, lighting and effects. The show recreates ABBA's sound perfectly and respectfully.

Mean Girls — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11 — Broadway Series

Direct from Broadway, “Mean Girls” is the hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team, including book writer Tina Fey.  Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.

Chicago The Musical — 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 — Broadway Series

After 25 years, “Chicago” is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. “Chicago” has been honored with six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations.

Ronna Faaborg covers business, education and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rlawless@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: From Chicago to Wild Kratts, Stephens' shows will delight all ages