Celebrating the amazing world of the performing arts, The Whiting’s new season has some of the biggest and brightest names yet! From Broadway musicals, comedy, classical theater, dance and popular performers to jazz, blues, world music and family fun, The Whiting’s 2010-11 season is full of exciting shows for audience members of all ages! We welcome you to experience LIVE entertainment like never before and to Get in the Spotlight!
AN EVENING WITH JEFF DANIELS
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 8pm
$12 / $18 / $27 / $35
Best known for his blockbuster hits Dumb and Dumber, Escanaba in da Moonlight and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Jeff Daniels returns to The Whiting performing his live and unplugged acoustic set that features his songwriting, storytelling and humor!
JACK HANNA'S INTO THE WILD 
Presented by Nationwide Insurance
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 at 3pm
$15 / $25 / $35 / $39
Through his nationally syndicated television show Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures, and hundreds of appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman, Good Morning America and Larry King Live, animal expert Jack Hanna has become a household name. “Jungle Jack's” live show features many of his favorite animal friends, as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures around the world. Audiences give Jack rave reviews—everyone from the youngest child to the oldest adult is entertained and inspired.
MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT
Thu, Oct 21, 2010 at 8pm
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 8pm
$23 / $43 / $57 / $67
Winner of the 2005 Tony® Award for Best Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot is the outrageous musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic “Monty Python and The Holy Grail.” Directed by Tony Award-winner Mike Nichols, and music and lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning team of Mr. Idle and John Du Prez, Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences everywhere are eating up Spamalot..
THE THINGS THEY CARRIED
From the Novel by Tim O'Brien
Performed by Billy Lyons
Directed by Wynn Handman
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 at 7pm
All Seats $30
This masterwork of contemporary literature is a collection of short pieces detailing the harrowing hardships of battle. Serving as both the narrator and the protagonist, author Tim O’Brien recounts his personal experience in the Vietnam War. He presents a blurred line between truth and reality, and fact and fiction, making his journey unforgettable. This presentation of THE THINGS THEY CARRIED is a production of The American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life Arts Education Program, led by Artistic Director Wynn Handman.
SOMI
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 at 8pm
$30 / $35
Singing in English and three East African languages, Somi’s vocal delivery is subtle yet the power she exerts is enormous. A charismatic singer and songwriter, she is often compared to the likes of Miriam Makeba, Sarah Vaughn and Cassandra Wilson. Her latest album, If The Rains Come First, portrays a stunning collection of self-penned story-based songs, encouraging us to open up to life’s blessings and challenges in the way that we accept the rain and all that it brings. JazzTimes magazine describes her live performance as “the earthy gutsiness of Nina Simone blended with the vocal beauty of Dianne Reeves” and Billboard calls it “all elegance and awe…utterly captivating.”
“Four Stars! Ethereal, Surreal, and Soulful.” – All Music Guide
NBC'S LAST COMIC STANDING
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 8pm
$15 / $25 / $35 / $39
Enjoy an evening of great stand-up comedy with the finalists from NBC’s Emmy - nominated laugh fest Last Comic Standing. It’s an unforgettable marathon of laughs with the top comics voted funniest in the world by America itself! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this live evening of laughs that are just too much for prime time television!
Program may contain adult themes and content.
Get 2 preferred seating tickets to NBC’S LAST COMIC STANDING, dinner for 2 at Fandangles’ and 2 pre-show drinks and desserts. Order your package today!
$145
FSO HOLIDAY POPS
Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 7pm
Sun, Dec 19, 2010 at 3pm
$10/ $16/ $21/ $30
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
RUSSIAN NATIONAL BALLET: SWAN LAKE
Sat, Jan 15, 2011 at 8pm
$17 / $23 / $29 / $39
Set to the magnificent music of Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake is simply one of the greatest classical ballets of all time. Based on a German fairy tale, this enchanting story follows the heroic young Prince Siegfried as he labors to free the delicately beautiful swan maiden, Odette, from an evil sorcerer's spell. Founded in Moscow in 1989 by Sergei Radchenko, legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, this troupe's principal dancers are from the ranks of Russia's top companies.
COLIN MOCHRIE AND BRAD SHERWOOD
Third Annual Farewell Tour
Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 8pm
$25 / $37 / $45 / $50
Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, stars of the Emmy nominated Whose Line Is It Anyway? have teamed up to present an evening of extraordinary improvisational comedy.
Using their quick wit, Colin and Brad take contributions from the audience to create hilarious and original scenes…. just like a live version of Whose Line! Throughout the evening, the show becomes truly interactive as audience members are called to the stage to participate in the fun. Their high-profile presentations have played to sold-out venues all over the country. Don’t miss the most exciting comedy event of the year!
GREASE
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 8pm
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 at 8pm
$23 / $43 / $57 / $67
Nominated for 2008 Tony®Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
The one that you want is back! GREASE, Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year,” is rockin’ across the country in this new production direct from Broadway.
Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds. “Bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs: Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’ and We Go Together as well as additional songs from the hit movie Grease, including Hopelessly Devoted to You and You’re the One That I Want.
So throw your mittens around your kittens and Hand Jive the night away with the show that’ll make you want to stand up and shout, “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop A-wop-bam-boom!” GREASE!
AN EVENING OF ROMANCE WITH JIM BRICKMAN
It’s a Beautiful Day
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 at 8pm
$23 / $33 / $43 / $53
Contemporary instrumental hit maker Jim Brickman’s signature style of romantic piano playing and songwriting has brought him six Gold and Platinum selling albums, 26 charted adult radio hits and a GRAMMY® nod. He has revolutionized the sound of solo piano with his pop-style instrumentals and star studded vocal collaborations with the likes of Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Carly Simon and Herb Alpert. Join Jim Brickman for an amorous evening of music as he performs new music from his latest CD Beautiful World, along with well known favorites including Valentine, Angel Eyes and If You Believe.
Valentine Dinner Package!
Get 2 perferred seating tickets to JIM BRICKMAN, dinner for 2 at Fandangles' and 2 pre-show drinks and desserts. Limited availability. Order your package today!
$170
DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER
To Billie with Love — A Celebration of “Lady Day”
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 at 3pm
$45 / $53
A Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist, producer, U.N. Ambassador and host of NPRs JazzSet, Flint native Dee Dee Bridgewater now focuses her talents on material immortalized by the legendary Billie Holiday. Bridgewater delves into the broad-ranging repertoire she explored during her Olivier Award-nominated theatrical portrayal of the celebrated singer. Few artists so expertly command the range and depth of Dee Dee Bridgewater, the recipient of a Tony® Award, two Grammy® Awards, and France's top honor, the Victoire de la Musique. After capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide in Broadway's production of THE WIZ, Dee Dee is gracing the stage of her hometown in a performance you won't want to miss!
SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR
By Luigi Pirandello
Peter Meineck, Producing Artistic Director
Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 8pm
UM-Flint Theatre
$30 General Public
$12 With Student ID
Aquila Theatre presents an exciting new production of Nobel Laureate Luigi Pirandello’s most famous drama, Six Characters in Search of an Author. First staged in Rome in 1921, Pirandello’s surrealist play dared to ask fundamental questions about the very nature of art and entertainment, blurring the line between reality and artifice. Just as the original London audience at Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest rioted, the crowds in Rome erupted in cries of “manicomio!” (Madhouse!) during the first performance. Yet Six Characters went on to be considered a groundbreaking work and one of the most important plays of the twentieth century. Charles Spencer writing recently for the London Telegraph described the work as “combining intellect with raw emotion and remaining highly influential.”
CIRQUE SHANGHAI: BAI XI
Sat, Feb 26, 2011 at 8pm
Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 2pm
$19 / $30 / $43 / $53
Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi is a grand theatrical production performed in spectacular costumes, both on the stage and high in the air. Featuring state-of-the-art computerized lighting and beautiful orchestrations that range from exotic Oriental to trend setting electronic faction, Cirque Shanghai: Bai XI is a breathtaking spectacle that establishes a new standard of acrobatic and entertainment excellence.
“Flawless feats of acrobatic brilliance!” – Daily Herald
PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 at 8pm
$18 / $30 / $40 / $49
This performance echoes everything that made Pink Floyd one of rock & roll’s greatest icons. It’s a celebration of the music, the themes and the innovation that this great band brought to its fans around the world. It’s Pink Floyd up close and personal, with six musicians, $2.5 million worth of production equipment, quadraphonic sound, amazing video and a massive light show. The show features live ‘note-for-note’ musical recreations of Pink Floyd’s hits and is a visual spectacle that includes mind-blowing moving lighting and stylized surreal video as well as several ‘classic’ Pink Floyd icons including a collapsible wall, the bulb man, marching hammers and yes,
the gigantic pig blimp! Don’t miss this truly unforgettable concert experience for audiences of all ages.
JOHNNY WINTER
With Special Guest THE RUSTY WRIGHT BAND
Thursday, March 25, 2011 at 8pm
$15 / $24 / $30 / $37
The tradition of the Texas guitar slinger lives on and the one name that ranks at the top of that exclusive list is Johnny Winter, an ambassador for rocking Texas blues who is still going strong. His recent Grammy nominated "I'm A Bluesman" disc on Virgin/EMI, has only added to his Texas-sized reputation. Performing with a renewed vigor and fire, he is simply better than ever!
View more about Johnny Winter here.
View more about The Rusty Wright Band here.
RIVER NORTH CHICAGO DANCE COMPANY
Sat, Apr 2, 2011 at 8pm
$27 / $39
River North Chicago is known for its highly skilled and emotive dancers, stimulating music and bold, commanding choreography. While the past two decades have shaped its signature style, River North Chicago, will look to the future in its 21st season, bringing daring and exhilarating new works to the stage. These premieres will focus on the essence of River North Chicago complete with brilliant artistry and robust performances that invite audiences to be energized, delighted and inspired. Celebrating the 85th anniversary of Miles Davis’s birth, Artistic Director Frank Chaves has created a set of jazz dances combining his unique style with his American dance company in a performance you won’t want to miss.
THE COLOR PURPLE
Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 2pm & 7pm
$23 / $43 / $57 / $67
THE COLOR PURPLE, is a soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who triumphs over tremendous odds to find joy in life and her true inner beauty. Nominated for eleven Tony® Awards, THE COLOR PURPLE is a landmark theatrical event. With a joyous GRAMMY®-nominated score featuring jazz, gospel and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is capturing the hearts of young and old, and uniting audiences in a celebration of love.
FAHRENHEIT 451
From the Novel by Ray Bradbury
Performed by Rich Orlow
Adapted and Directed by Wynn Handman
Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 7pm
Sat Apr 30, 2011 at 7pm
All seats $30
The Whiting, in collaboration with The American Place Theatre in New York City, presents professionally staged verbatim theatrical adaptations of significant American literary works.
This classic American novel presents a frightening vision of the future where “firemen” don't put out fires; they start them in order to burn books. Written in the midst of the Cold War, this futuristic tale of lawlessness and censorship is as captivating today as it was when it was first published in 1953.This presentation of FAHRENHEIT 451 is a production of The American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life Arts Education Program, led by Artistic Director Wynn Handman.
MAGNUS MIDWEST DANCE INTENSIVE
Sat, Jul 16, 2011 at 2pm and 6:30pm
All seats $20
Featuring the choreography of renowned Artistic Director John Magnus, the Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive is the culmination of four weeks of intense work and dedication of 100 of the most talented young dancers from the U.S. Create memories with your family this summer as the dancers of tomorrow bring classic ballet to life in a performance you won’t want to miss.
