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Editor’s note: Director’s Chair is a weekly column where Kris Sabel, who is in charge of cultural programming for the Vail Valley Foundation, gives his expert take on shows not to be missed.
Tickets for the Vilar Performing Arts Center summer season went on sale Monday, and as expected, it was a busy day. There are still seats available for all performances — but don’t expect them to last! Please visit www.vilarpac.org, call the box office at 970-845-TIXS(8497) or stop by the Vilar Center in person to get your tickets before the shows sell out.
I am happy to announce a late addition to the season, “It Was Forty Years Ago Today — A Tribute to the Greatest Album of All Time: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” This special evening features an all-star bill of musicians including Todd Rundgren, Lou Gramm, Bo Bice, Christopher Cross and Denny Laine, and is accompanied by an eight-piece symphonette. These artists will be performing the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album in its entirety, as well as some of their own hits from their respective prolific careers. Sgt. Pepper’s won four Grammy Awards in 1967, including Album of the Year and Best Album Cover. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 1 of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album was hugely popular and crystallized the “summer of love” culture that existed when it was released, in all of its flower power and psychedelic glory. Following on the heels and in the same vein as The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” Sgt. Pepper’s was one of the original “concept albums” that influenced generations of musicians and listeners.
The performers are a who’s who of rock and roll. Musical legend Todd Rundgren will be performing his own concert at the Vilar on July 13. Singer/songwriter Lou Gramm is best known for his role as the lead vocalist for the rock band Foreigner. Long haired, husky-voiced Bo Bice won the hearts of millions of Americans as a finalist against Carrie Underwood on American Idol.
Five-time Grammy Award winner Christopher Cross sold out the Vilar two summers ago. Rounding out the list is songwriter Denny Laine, the former guitarist and lead singer of The Moody Blues and co-founder (with Paul McCartney) of Wings. These five incredible musicians will be accompanied by an eight-piece orchestra to recreate this legendary album on Aug. 27.
Another late addition to the schedule is the musical review “Side by Side by Sondheim” on July 19 and 20. Originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh in London and then Hal Prince in New York, the review features some of the most memorable music composed by Stephen Sondheim, widely considered one of the greatest writers of our time. The show will be produced by the Vail Valley Theatre Company and directed by Beth Swearingen.
We are still working on several exciting shows to round out the season. At this time I can’t reveal the names of these potential artists, so please join our e-mail list (by visiting www.vilarpac.org) to be the first to learn of additions to this stellar season. I look forward to seeing you at the theater!
Tickets for the Vilar Performing Arts Center summer season went on sale Monday, and as expected, it was a busy day. There are still seats available for all performances — but don’t expect them to last! Please visit www.vilarpac.org, call the box office at 970-845-TIXS(8497) or stop by the Vilar Center in person to get your tickets before the shows sell out.
I am happy to announce a late addition to the season, “It Was Forty Years Ago Today — A Tribute to the Greatest Album of All Time: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” This special evening features an all-star bill of musicians including Todd Rundgren, Lou Gramm, Bo Bice, Christopher Cross and Denny Laine, and is accompanied by an eight-piece symphonette. These artists will be performing the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album in its entirety, as well as some of their own hits from their respective prolific careers. Sgt. Pepper’s won four Grammy Awards in 1967, including Album of the Year and Best Album Cover. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 1 of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album was hugely popular and crystallized the “summer of love” culture that existed when it was released, in all of its flower power and psychedelic glory. Following on the heels and in the same vein as The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” Sgt. Pepper’s was one of the original “concept albums” that influenced generations of musicians and listeners.
The performers are a who’s who of rock and roll. Musical legend Todd Rundgren will be performing his own concert at the Vilar on July 13. Singer/songwriter Lou Gramm is best known for his role as the lead vocalist for the rock band Foreigner. Long haired, husky-voiced Bo Bice won the hearts of millions of Americans as a finalist against Carrie Underwood on American Idol.
Five-time Grammy Award winner Christopher Cross sold out the Vilar two summers ago. Rounding out the list is songwriter Denny Laine, the former guitarist and lead singer of The Moody Blues and co-founder (with Paul McCartney) of Wings. These five incredible musicians will be accompanied by an eight-piece orchestra to recreate this legendary album on Aug. 27.
Another late addition to the schedule is the musical review “Side by Side by Sondheim” on July 19 and 20. Originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh in London and then Hal Prince in New York, the review features some of the most memorable music composed by Stephen Sondheim, widely considered one of the greatest writers of our time. The show will be produced by the Vail Valley Theatre Company and directed by Beth Swearingen.
We are still working on several exciting shows to round out the season. At this time I can’t reveal the names of these potential artists, so please join our e-mail list (by visiting www.vilarpac.org) to be the first to learn of additions to this stellar season. I look forward to seeing you at the theater!
