Adelphi University Performing Arts Center Announces its 2016-2017 Season Lineup

The entertainment lineup for the ninth season for one of Long Island’s premier destination for the arts, the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (AUPAC), has been announced. AUPAC has become one of the best places to see world-class artists and family programming in an intimate atmosphere on Long Island. The 2016-2017 season features some of the greatest entertainers from the worlds of dance, music and theater as well as a variety of productions by the talented students of Adelphi University. Tickets are now on sale.

AUPAC is turning back the clock and turning up the music to kick off our ninth season with a celebration of 90 minutes of disco hits such as “Turn the Beat Around,” “Celebrate, Good Times,” and “Last Dance.” Disco Inferno: a ’70s Celebration on September 16, will feature a talented cast of Broadway’s finest, and everyone will dance the night away. This non-stop dance party will continue with an after party as we open “Club AUPAC” in the Olmsted Theatre for a night of drinks and dancing featuring Long Island favorite, DJ Karin Ward, spinning even more disco hits.

Returning this season is the Larson Legacy Concert Series, carrying on the legacy of the creator of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical RENT and Adelphi alumnus Jonathan Larson, by showcasing the next generation of musical theatre composers and lyricists. Featured artists are Sam Salmond (September 25) and César Alvarez (February 19, 2017).  

Making its AUPAC debut, is a world champion a cappella quartet comprised of four versatile, award-winning vocalists, Crossroads Quartet (October 1). They have become one of the most sought after a cappella foursomes, and have performed in Germany, France, Finland, the U.K., Spain and across the United States. In the spring, Adelphi will be the epicenter of the a cappella scene with SingStrong NY, a weekend-long, international charity a cappella festival (February 10-12, 2017). Highlights include five different concerts and two days of classes with leading edge a cappella pop, jazz, doo-wop, barbershop and even beatbox artists – all performing with nothing but the human voice. Professionals, high schools college groups are all encouraged to participate. Proceeds support local music programs and the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Journey into the world of new musicals based on best-selling children’s books with Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School (October 2). Now that Junie B. has been going to school for over one-and-a-half years, who better to write the book on everything you need to know? From bus rules to band-aids, carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends deliver the definitive word on surviving and thriving in style. Other family-friendly events include Grammy Award-winners The Okee Dokee Brothers (November 5), Twinkle Tames A Dragon, The Musical (February 4, 2017) and The Lightning Thief (April 2, 2017).

On November 18, many will instantly enjoy Jarrod Spector: Jukebox Life. For six years, he played ‘Frankie Vallie’ in Jersey Boys. For three years, he played ‘Barry Mann’ in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (receiving a Tony nomination).  Jukebox Life traces Jarrod’s journey from Philly to Los Angeles to New York, through some terrible (and eventually less terrible) auditions, to getting the role and, best of all, to getting the girl.  

Classical music audiences will appreciate the acclaimed chamber music ensemble Trio Solisti (November 19 and February 17, 2017) for its 12th year as ensemble-in-residence. The ensemble has forged its reputation as “the most exciting piano trio in America,” according to The New Yorker. Other classical ensembles this season include American Brass Quintet (October 8) and Chiara String Quartet (October 28).

On December 16, spend an evening at the Celtic Tenors Christmas concert. With a polished international reputation and just over a million album sales under their belts, The Celtic Tenors offer something truly unique – the skill, range and ability of world-class tenors combined with the personality and fun of genuine artists. Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson are comfortable in all genres from classical and folk to Irish and pop, bringing you on a far-ranging musical voyage with their gorgeous renditions of Irish folk classics and favorite Christmas tunes.

Audiences will be inspired and entertained as they learn about the rich culture of The Habana Boys as they conclude their North American debut tour on March 12, 2017. Direct from Cuba, the high energy group of four classically-trained tenors and their band will feature music from Opera to Broadway, Motown and Pop hits – and of course, Latin hits from their home in Cuba. 

For April 7, 2017, the world-renowned Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company will present a mesmerizing performance. The program will include several Paul Taylor works. The Taylor/Adelphi history spans six decades, with Paul Taylor teaching at Adelphi in the early ’60s.

Tony Award-winning entertainer Billy Porter will bring his latest show to the Westermann Stage at AUPAC on April 21, 2017. Porter was most recently seen in the critically acclaimed Shuffle Along on Broadway, and is best known for his Tony and Drama Desk Award winning performance in Kinky Boots. During this show, the versatile and altogether irresistible Kinky Boots star appears where his talents shine brightest—center stage, performing a heartfelt selection of songs, including his own, drawing on a wide spectrum of styles and emotions.

Among other shows that will be undoubtedly popular is our ongoing series of Opera and Ballet screenings with some of the biggest stars of the opera world in performances from the world’s top opera houses and festivals: Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot (September 11), Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto (September 24), Serge Diaghilev’s Les Ballets Russes (October 9), Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata (October 22), Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore (October 30) and Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet (November 12).

Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (AUPAC) is one of Long Island’s premier cultural arts venues for entertainment of all kinds. Check out pac.adelphi.edu for details on these events and numerous others coming to the venue. Information and tickets are available at The Lucia and Steven N. Fischer Box Office at 516.877.4000 or boxoffice@adelphi.edu. Regular box office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1:00-6:00 p.m. The box office is also open two hours before most scheduled performances.