CCA’s 2019–20 season offers variety of music, dance and more

Concerts, dance and magic shows, Broadway musicals and more all take the stage as part of the Collins Center for the Arts’ 2019–20 season at the University of Maine. 

“The season represents weeks, months, and sometimes years of work,” says Daniel Williams, executive director of the Collins Center. “Our team has once again put together fabulous offerings with something for everyone. New this season is something we’re calling Music in Minsky. This will include our long-standing chamber music series along with two jazz concerts featuring top jazz artists. We’re also excited to be expanding our broadcast options to include Broadway musicals.”

The season kicks off with a performance by Chubby Checker and The Wildcats on Sept. 13. When he appeared on American Bandstand in 1960 and performed “The Twist,” he revolutionized popular culture and changed the music business forever. Every time Chubby steps onto a stage, he demonstrates charisma and a unique quality that can never be equaled, and he only gets better with time.

Other September shows will include a performance by violinist Bomsori Kim and pianist Philip Chiu on Sept. 15; and a CCA Gala performance by Bobby McFerrin, the 10-time Grammy winner and music industry rebel who single-handedly redefined the role of the human voice with his a cappella hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” on Sept. 28. 

October offers a varied lineup, beginning with a concert by jazz pianist and composer Bruce Barth and clarinetist-saxophonist Anat Cohen on Oct. 4. Next is a tribute show celebrating the 50th anniversary of “The White Album” by The Beatles on Oct. 7. Cirque Mechanics presents “42FT: A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels” on Oct. 10 — a show inspired by modern circus, with roots in the mechanical and its heart in the stories of American industrial ingenuity. Lyn Dillies will perform a magic show full of spectacular, eye-defying illusions on Oct. 18; comedian Bob Marley returns to the CCA stage on Oct. 19; and singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash will perform on Oct. 26. 

In November, come see “The Office! A Musical Parody” on Nov. 3; favorite moments from all nine seasons of the hit TV show are mashed up into one “typical” day for a musical that lovingly pokes fun at everyone’s favorite coworkers. The Jupiter String Quartet will perform on Nov. 8; Kuné – Canada’s Global Orchestra, created to explore and celebrate Canada’s diversity and pluralism and communicate through music as a common language, will give a concert on Nov. 15; and an event with Rainforest Reptile Shows featuring live animals from around the world will take place on Nov. 17. 

December is marked by a Broadway-style production of “A Christmas Carol” with Nebraska Theatre Caravan on Dec. 12, and a Christmas concert by London-based a cappella band The Swingles on Dec. 17.

In January, the CCA will host a performance of “The Simon & Garfunkel Story” on Jan. 21. Starting from their humble beginnings as ’50s rock ‘n’ roll duo Tom & Jerry, the show journeys through all the songs and stories that shaped them, telling the fascinating tale of how two young boys from Queens in New York City went on to become the world’s most successful music duo of all time.

February offers shows ranging from a Broadway revival of “The Color Purple,” the story of a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South, on Feb. 3; to music and dance groups including Viva MOMIX, a performance combining illusion, beauty, magic, fun and inventiveness by the group of dancer-illusionists on Feb. 5; Septura, a brass septet, on Feb. 16; Drum TAO 2020, by the internationally acclaimed Japanese percussion group, on Feb. 21; and a stop on the final world tour of The Irish Rovers on Feb. 25. 

The March lineup includes FLEX AVE. by Jamaican street dance-inspired group Flexn on March 1; “Finding Neverland,” the story of playwright J. M. Barrie’s creation of Peter Pan, on March 2; and the Surrealism-inspired Miró Quartet on March 29. 

April is packed with entertainment, with shows to include a concert with vocalist, guitarist and composer Camila Meza and jazz pianist Aaron Goldberg on April 4; “The Choir of Man,” a high-energy musical set in a working pub, on April 8; children’s musical “Llama Llama – Live!” based on Anna Dewdney’s bestselling books on April 9; and vocal ensemble Stile Antico on April 19. The mainstage season wraps up with “An American in Paris” on April 19. 

The CCA also offers screenings of theatre and opera broadcasts throughout the year as part of the National Theatre Live and The Met: Live in HD series. This season’s theatre titles include “Small Island” on Sept. 6 and “Present Laughter” on Jan. 17; opera titles include “Madama Butterfly” on Nov. 16 and “Porgy & Bess” on Feb. 1. There also will be a special broadcast of the Broadway classic “42nd Street” on Oct. 20. 

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra performs shows at the CCA throughout the year as well, including the Masterworks series and annual performances of “The Nutcracker” in collaboration with Robinson Ballet and the Bangor Area Children’s Choir.

Williams says, “It is our pleasure to provide a beautiful venue where you can see performers up close and personal at a reasonable price. Parking is a breeze, and you can take treats straight to your comfortable seats.”

Subscriptions for the 2019–20 season are now on sale. Single ticket sales begin July 10.

For more information, to view the full season schedule or to purchase tickets, visit collinscenterforthearts.com/events

Contact: Cleo Barker, 207.581.3729