Visiting Artist Series Kicks Off Its 2010-2011 Season With a New Name: WCU Live!

Fred Garbo Inflatable Theatre, Groovelily,
Kevin Burke with Cal Scott

After 15 years, West Chester University’s Visiting Artist Series, which brings high-caliber performers to campus, will change its name to WCU Live!

The new name reflects the excitement and vitality these national acts create, says John Rhein, WCU’s Director of Cultural and Community Affairs. His office positions WCU as a valuable community resource and a regional center for the visual and performing arts.

The WCU Live! series presents national and international professional touring artists in a variety of genres, from classical to contemporary music, from beloved fairy tales brought to life to magicians, musicians and comedians. Past performers include the Vienna Choir Boys, the Count Basie Orchestra, the Boys Choir of Harlem, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, and Arturo Sandoval.

“The performance series is a service to the surrounding community,” Rhein explains, “and we solicit sponsorships to keep the performances affordable to our patrons.” The highest priced tickets for this year’s artists are $20; tickets for five family shows run $10 and under.

So far, the series has hosted more than 118 performances that 53,035 community members have attended. Audience feedback has resulted in several acts being brought back in successive years.

This season offers a lively lineup that opens with the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown on Friday, Aug. 20, and Saturday, Aug. 21.

Rounding out the season are musician/storyteller Randy Kaplan on Oct. 10; family-friendly Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater Co. on Oct. 30; musical trio Groovelily on Nov. 6; children’s musicians Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players on Feb. 5; fabulous fiddlers Barrage on March 26; Irish fiddler Kevin Burke on March 31; Missoula Children’s Theatre’s Alice in Wonderland on April 2; Japan’s thunderous Tamagawa University Taiko Drumming and Dance Troupe in a free performance on April 7; the fanciful Masked Marvels & Wondertales on April 9; and Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, based on Mo Willems’ Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, on May 8.

Tickets are available online at www.wcupa.edu/live; by phone at 610-436-2266; or at the ticket window on the ground floor of Sykes Student Union on West Rosedale Avenue. Tickets for most shows are also available one hour before curtain at the venue box office.