Fall is in the air and so are the arts in Plano! As you see below, now through the holidays you can see a wide variety of theater, music, and dance performances as well as various arts events. Open up that calendar and start planning!
The Hollow presented by Theatre Britain
September 23-September 25
Tickets: $16-$21
The Hollow by Agatha Christie is the story of murder committed when friends and family gather at a house for the weekend. This performance is rated PG13.
Hunchback the Musical presented by The ArtCentre Theatre
September 23-October 2
Tickets: $15
The sensational Paul Boyd brings a new musical to the ACT stage, with the Southwest premier of this gripping rendition of the classic story inspired by the Victor Hugo novel. Opening in the UK in 2013 to rave reviews, this unique adaptation of the story brings stellar music and surprising humor to the story of the Archdeacon of Norte Dame Cathedral and his love affair with the gypsy girl Esmerelda – only to find that the object of his affections is in love with the fickle Captain Phoebus. But there’s so much more… this is not your typical telling of the well-known story!
The Three B’s (Bach, Beethoven and Brahms) presented by the Plano Symphony Orchestra
September 24
Tickets: $14-$80
Hector Guzman and the Plano Symphony Orchestra open the 2016-2017 season with a celebration of “The Three B’s” – Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. Maestro Guzman is joined by the legendary pianist, Jorge Federico Osorio. Opening night also includes the third of six Brandenburg Concertos by Bach, widely considered to be some of the best orchestral works ever written. Beethoven conducted the premiere of his Symphony No. 7, which resulted in such an ovation that the second movement was encored. Featured as part of Plano Artfest week!
Plano Art Association: 125 Show 2016
Through September 27
Free Admission
The Plano Art Association is pleased to announce the 11th Annual 125 Show competition. Hundreds of entries are juried and 50+ pieces are exhibited. The show is open to all artists living in a community within 125 miles of Plano. The show is held at the Plano Art Association Gallery in the Downtown Plano Arts District. A slate of outstanding jurors has been selected to judge the show. Winners will be announced at the reception.
Winnie the Pooh KIDS presented by Plano Children’s Theatre
September 30-October 2
Tickets: $10-$20
Welcome to the Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie the Pooh is once again in search of honey. Along the way, he meets his pals, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit, and Owl, but soon discovers that Christopher Robin has been captured by the mysterious Backson! As they prepare for a rescue operation, the animals learn about teamwork, friendship, and of course… sharing snacks.
Kong’s Night Out presented by Rover Dramawerks
Through October 1
Tickets: $16-$22
This is the story of what happened in the hotel room next to the hotel room where Fay Wray was whisked out into the Manhattan night by King Kong. There’s always a backstory, and in this case, it’s a door-slamming farce meticulously coordinated with the events depicted in the classic 1933 movie.
Fall Concert featuring Liam Furdyna presented by Steinway Hall
October 1
Tickets: $20-$25
Welcome in the fall season with concert pianist Liam Furdyna, pianist and conductor Eldred Marshall, and the Autumn Ensemble at Steinway Hall in Plano. The program includes pieces by Debussy, Ravel, Bach, and Mozart. An international award-winning pianist and Fulbright Scholar, Furdyna brings his immense talents to Dallas where he studies piano performance and pedagogy in the PhD program at the University of North Texas and teaches private piano lessons to advanced students in his studio in Irving.
For the Love of Art
October 8
Tickets: $125
Plan a night out at For the Love of Art for a not-to-be-missed evening of music, awards, and art! The ArtCentre of Plano inspires, supports, and promotes excellence, diversity, and vitality in the arts and arts education in the community.
Downtown Plano Art & Wine Walk
October 13 & November 10
Tickets: $10
Get an early start to the weekend by partaking in the Downtown Plano Art & Wine Walk presented by Plano Magazine. This is a sip and shop event where participants get to sample selected wines at their favorite shops throughout the arts district while enjoying live music and curated art exhibitions. It’s the perfect way to unwind in Plano’s favorite historic neighborhood.
Von Schlickendicken’s Revenge: An ACT Murder Mystery & Dinner Theatre
October 14-October 15
Tickets: dinner & show – $30; show only – $20
Not so fast! The rumors of Edna’s demise at the now infamous high school reunion were greatly exaggerated. It turns out that her use of copious amounts of her own cosmetics over the years have so altered her biochemistry she managed to counteract the poison administered by the so-called foreign exchange student. Edna only appeared dead. But she’s back, and oh boy is she upset! Now it’s time for the Halloween Ball, and her evil plot will come to fruition.
Come in costume (there’s a prize for the best one)! Enjoy an evening of fear and fun at The ArtCentre Theatre. Fabulous food is provided by Catering with Love, and you will receive a free bottle of wine with the purchase of two dinner tickets.
Think Twice – an Ayn Rand Mystery presented by Rover Dramawerks
October 20-November 12
Tickets: $16-$22
A seemingly altruistic man uses his brilliant ideas to gain power and control over everyone in his life, giving all of them compelling motives for his murder. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to “think twice” when deciding who you think did it!
The Nightmare Before Christmas presented by The ArtCentre Theatre
October 21-November 6
Tickets: $15
Halloween just isn’t the same anymore, and Jack is thoroughly bored. Why can’t he be the one to spread the joy of Christmas instead? Surely Santa needs a break from the “same-old, same-old,” just like Jack himself. Despite the best of intentions, his plans end up putting Santa in jeopardy, and good little boys and girls find themselves in something of a nightmare.
The Rocky Horror Show presented by The ArtCentre Theatre
October 21-October 23
Tickets: $15
ACT’s annual offering of the cult classic! It’s a dark and stormy night, and innocents Brad and Janet find themselves at a strange castle wherein they find the transvestite Dr. Frank N Furter, his “perfect” creation Rocky, and an assortment of other characters that are minimally described as “crazy”! This show has mature content.
Singin’ In The Rain presented by The Plano Symphony Orchestra
October 29
Tickets: $14-$80
This unique Plano Symphony performance combines the music of a live symphony orchestra with Gene Kelly’s most iconic film. While most people think of dance when they think of Gene Kelly, music–and, particularly, American popular song–was central to his work. It influenced him, inspired him, and, in many ways, defined him. He worked closely with composers, arrangers, and musicians and held them in the highest regard, knowing it was they who made his creations possible. This particular multimedia presentation will be introduced by Kelly’s widow and biographer, Patricia Ward Kelly.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat presented by The Art Centre Theatre
November 11-November 27
Tickets: $15
The unforgettable lyrics of Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber bring this ancient story recorded in the “Book of Genesis” to life. Jacob’s clearly favorite son Joseph is the cause of much jealousy with his 11 other sons, so much so they conspire to sell him into slavery, convincing their father he has been killed. Joseph, now a slave in Egypt but gifted with God’s power to interpret dreams, works his way into the trust of the wealthy Potiphar, but is imprisoned after he turns down the proposition of Potiphar’s wife. Through a series of miraculous events, Joseph’s gifts lead him to power under the Pharaoh, and a confrontation with his treacherous brothers. This timeless story with brilliant music leaves few who see this show unchanged.
Musical Marvels by presented by the Plano Symphony Orchestra
November 19
Tickets: $14-$80
Hector Guzman is joined by pianist Sean Chen for Mendelssohn’s viruosic Piano Concerto No. 1, made famous in part by the legendary Rudolf Serkin. Chen won Third Prize in the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, is a Julliard graduate and the winner of numerous additional awards. He has been hailed for his “formidable set of fingers” by The Dallas Morning News.
Plano Community Band Fall Concert
November 20
Free Admission
The Plano Community band performs twice a year at the beautiful Eisemann Center. The band is made up of approximately 70 musicians from all walks of life who share a passion for music. This year’s theme is “With a Little Help From Our Friends”.
The Nutcracker presented by Chamberlain Performing Arts
November 25-November 27
Tickets: $15-$100
Come and enjoy this fabulous holiday tradition and one of the most famous ballet’s the world has ever known. Chamberlain Performing Arts’ production of The Nutcracker features New York City Ballet principal dancers Tiler Peck and Tyler Angle.
The Sleeping Beauty presented by Theatre Britain
November 26-December 30
Tickets: $11-$21
The Sleeping Beauty by Jackie Mellor-Guin has wacky characters, songs, corny jokes, and oodles of audience participation. The Sleeping Beauty was Theatre Britain’s first panto back in 1996. They’ve hacked away the weeds, updated the show, and we invite you to come help celebrate their 20th birthday.
A panto is a wonderful way to entertain children, involving them interactively with the characters on stage, encouraging them to cheer, enlisting their help to support good characters and above all, to see the good chap helps the damsel in distress. And because panto works on two levels, there’s plenty for adults to enjoy as well. The centerpiece of any panto is The Dame, a comic, larger than life character played by a man. The villian is always very mean and nasty, and must be booed and hissed by the audience at every opportunity. And there’s always a ghost that pops up when you least expect it, and it’s up to the audience to warn the characters on stage. Audience participation is everything at a panto!
Visit our calendar for even more upcoming events in Plano.
Cover photo: Steve Freedman
Singin’ In the Rain photo: © Gene Kelly Image Trust
The Nutcracker photo: Sharen Bradford
