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• The Whiting Presents
• Jazz, Blues & Beyond Series

The Whiting is pleased to announce The Whiting Presents series for 2008-2009. The Whiting’s lineup includes a wide variety of performances from Broadway musicals, classical theatre and legendary performers to jazz, world music and family fun. Unless otherwise noted, all performances are held at The Whiting.

2008-2009 SPOTLIGHT Series

The Kite Runner
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 7:30pm
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 8:00pm
All seats $29
Based on the New York Times Bestseller, experience the beauty and agony of Afghanistan and the improbable friendship between two boys from opposite ends of society, Amir, a privileged Pashtun, and Hassan, his Hazara servant. This riveting one man show, with discussion led by American Place Theatre professionals, tells a haunting story of friendship and redemption in modern Afghanistan, from the pre-Russian-invasion glory days through the horrific reign of the Taliban. This Literature to Life presentation of THE KITE RUNNER is made by special arrangement with The American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life Arts Education Program, led by Artistic Director Wynn Handman and Executive Director David Kener.

Holiday Pops with the FSO
Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 7pm
Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 3pm
$10 / $15 / $20 / $29
Children 14 and under, half price
Celebrate the holiday by sharing this warm and joyful musical event with your family. Ring in the season with your favorite carols performed by the Flint Symphony Orchestra and conductor Enrique Diemecke, the Flint Festival Chorus and other community ensembles. Hosted by ABC12’s Bill Harris and Angie Hendershot.

An Evening with Bill Cosby
Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 3:30 & 7pm
$25 / $45 / $55 / $65
Bill Cosby was one of the first performers to grace The Whiting stage in 1967, and later appeared in sold out performances in 1997 and 2003.  Without resorting to gimmickry or lowbrow humor, Cosby’s comedy has a point of reference and respect for the trappings and traditions of the great American humorists. Whether it is through concert appearances or recordings, television or films, commercials or education, Bill Cosby has the ability to touch people's lives. Cosby is, by any standards, one of the most influential stars in America today.

Harmonia
U of M-Flint Theatre
Friday, January 30, 2009 at 8pm
All seats $15
From the land that inspired such legends as Count Dracula and tales of the Roma Gypsies comes Harmonia, presenting the powerful traditional music of Eastern Europe including Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, Romanian, Croatian and Gypsy. Performing on authentic folk instruments, and styled after turn of the century East-European Gypsy bands, the ensemble's performance evokes the full range of human emotions interspersing fiery passion with soulful melancholy and nostalgic yearning.

Garrison Keillor
Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 7:30pm
$25 / $45 / $55 / $65
Beloved national radio personality Garrison Keillor returns to The Whiting, bringing all the news from Lake Wobegon and beyond. Host and writer of A Prairie Home Companion and The Writer's Almanac, Keillor is heard on public radio stations across the country and is the author of more than a dozen books, including Lake Wobegon Days, The Book of Guys, Love Me and
Homegrown Democrat.

Bob The Builder LIVE!
Friday, February 6, 2009 at 4 & 7pm
$15 / $22 / $30 / $37
Come see Bob the Builder and his team embark on a brand new adventure! “Spud’s Big Mess” features all of your favorite characters in a fun-packed show set in the heart of Sunflower Valley. Join Bob, Wendy, Scoop, Lofty, Dizzy, Scrambler and the rest of the gang in fantastic songs and an exciting adventure as they have to deal with Spud’s mischievous antics, as well as some monster surprises along the way! Bob and his team – even Farmer Pickles, Pilchard and Bird - work together to save Sunflower Valley from Spud’s old tricks! And this time, the friends pull together to build the first ever Sunflower Valley recycling plant and wind farm! Based on the popular international television show sensation, Bob the Builder LIVE! is guaranteed to delight, educate and entertain!
*ASL (4pm performance only)

The Four Tops
Friday, February 13, 2009 at 8:00pm
$19 / $27 / $38 / $47
With chart topping hits like Reach Out (I’ll Be There), I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), Baby I Need Your Loving and Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Four Tops are the most stable and consistent group to emerge from Motown Records. After an amazing 50 years, their powerful, recognizable sweet harmonies and unforgettable voices are still delighting old and new fans alike! When fans reach out, The Four Tops are still there!

Jesus Christ Superstar
Saturday, February 28, 2009 3pm & 8pm
$19 / $37 / $49 / $59
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, exploded onto the scene in 1971 changing the world of musical theatre forever. With a score of amazing songs - “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, “Hosanna”, “Everything’s Alright”, “What’s the Buzz”, “Superstar”, and “Heaven on Their Mind”, this original groundbreaking production starring Ted Neeley in the title role and Living Colour’s Corey Glover as Judas is as relevant and timeless as ever.

The Wizard of Oz
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 7:30pm
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 7:30pm
$19 / $39 / $53 / $59
There truly is no place like home as the greatest family musical of all time, the wonderful WIZARD OF OZ, twists its way onstage. The entire family will be captivated as they travel down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond with Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow in this lavish production, featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography and classic songs. A spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, THE WIZARD OF OZ will blow you away from the moment the tornado touches down and transports you to a dazzling art deco Oz, complete with munchkins and flying monkeys. Don’t miss the chance to travel Over the Rainbow and experience this national treasure on stage.

DRUMLine Live
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 7:30pm
$19 / $27 / $35 / $39
A show-stopping new attraction created by the music team behind 20th Century Fox's hit movie, DRUMLine Live brings show-style marching bands to the theatrical stage. Featuring a talented cast of larger than life performers from America's top historically Black Colleges and Universities, this production presents the rousing and rhythmic sounds of the great brass past including Earth, Wind, and Fire and Tower of Power, side by side with the hottest contemporary hip hop and R&B.

Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul
Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8pm
$17 / $21 / $27 / $32
Nine-Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champ and Riverdance show-stopper Eileen Ivers is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World music genres. Called a "sensation" by Billboard magazine and "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by The New York Times, Ivers bridges the gap between her Celtic roots and modern music with styles ranging from jazz, salsa and flamenco to rock, funk and even electronica. She has performed with Boston Pops, The Chieftains, Hall and Oats and more.

Dance China NY
This date has changed since
the printing of our season brochure.
Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 8pm
All seats $15
Performing a vast and dynamic range of Chinese dance and Peking Opera styles, Dance China NY transports audiences to a world of colorful myths, historical drama and timeless beauty. DCNY's repertoire of traditional and contemporary folk and classical dances weaves a vibrant vision of China's ancient indigenous folk cultures across a vast array of time and region, legend and reality. Official resident of the New York Chinese Cultural Center, the Manhattan-based Dance China NY is America's premiere traditional Chinese dance company.

Zora
From the theatrical biography by Laurence Holder
Performed by Cheryl Howard
Directed by Wynn Handman.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 8pm
All seats $29
Zora Neale Hurston was one of the most important and celebrated figures to emerge from the Harlem Renaissance. Outspoken, spirited and gifted, Ms. Hurston was the most prolific African-American woman writer of the 1930s, her books defining the black American experience. This adaptation is from the theatrical biography of her life by Laurence Holder.
*ASL (Tuesday performance only)

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy
Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7:30pm
$19 / $37 / $49 / $59
Direct from Broadway, CIRQUE DREAMS JUNGLE FANTASY is an exotic encounter inspired by nature’s unpredictable creations that are brought to life by an international cast of 25 soaring aerialists, spine-bending contortionists, acrobats, jugglers and musicians.

Joffrey Midwest Summer Intensive
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 2 & 6:30pm
All seats $20
The nationally acclaimed Joffrey Midwest Summer Intensive is the culmination of four weeks of intense work and dedication of 100 of the most talented, brightest young dancers from the U.S and beyond. See these professional dancers of tomorrow bring classic ballet to life as Artistic Director
John Magnus directs a performance to remember.