OPAS officials announced the events coming to the 2018-19 “Raise Your Voice” season on Tuesday, May 29. The lineup of performances to be presented from Oct. 2018 to April 2019 as part of the 46th season includes six events on the Ann Cobb Wiatt Main Stage series, five events on the Intimate Gatherings series, and three Special Events.
Season and priority single tickets are available now at the MSC Box Office (979) 845-1234 or online at www.MSCOPAS.org. Season ticket packages offer savings opportunities ranging from 10 to 15 percent off single ticket prices. Tickets to the Boston Pops concert on March 22 will be available for Main Stage package buyers first. Single tickets for that concert will go on sale on Thursday, Aug. 9, at 7pm. Season ticket package buyers are seated before single ticket buyers. All events will be performed in the Rudder Theatre Complex at Texas A&M University in College Station.
Of the new season, OPAS Executive Director Anne Black says, “Our ‘Raise Your Voice’ season features female vocal powerhouses like Maria from ‘The Sound of Music,’ Anna from ‘The King and I,’ the Soweto Gospel Choir and Celtic Woman. And that’s not all! The most powerful voices in 2018-19 will be on full display during our season opener when we host the United States premiere of The Choir of Man,” Black says. “The season truly offers something for everyone. The icing on the cake was when we were able to confirm the Boston Pops. This concert is something we’ve been working on for years. We were thrilled when it all came together!"
A team of community and Texas A&M student volunteers worked with Anne Black to select the performances on the 2018-19 season. This year’s Program Advisory Committee included Committee Chair President-Elect Michael Wesson, Jaime Grunlan, Jan Faber, Jim Lewis, Sandie Murphy, Woody Thompson, and Texas A&M students Carly Hicks and Zach Wood.
The Ann Cobb Wiatt Main Stage will open with an international sensation known as “the ultimate feel-good show”—The Choir of Man on Oct. 2 and 3. The hills are alive with this next program on the series, a brand-new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music hits the OPAS stage on Nov. 6 and 7 and is Sponsored by Blue Bell Creameries. For the holidays, families are invited to celebrate the season with the celestial voices of multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman as they present The Best of Christmas Tour on Dec. 3 and 4. This years holiday performance is sponsored by Aggieland Credit Union. Another Rodgers & Hammerstein musical featuring a strong heroine will be in Rudder on the Main Stage series with The King And I on Feb. 5 and 6. Two new musicals – fresh from the Great White Way – will close out the series—Something Rotten! comes to town on Feb. 23 and 24 and Finding Neverland will captivate audiences on April 11 and 12. All Main Stage events will be performed in Rudder Auditorium. Main Stage season ticket packages for all six events start at $149. Broadway 4-Packs, containing tickets to The Sound of Music, The King & I, Something Rotten! and Finding Neverland, start at $110.
Just in time for the midterm elections, the very popular Intimate Gatherings series begins with the return of everyone’s favorite equal opportunity offenders The Capitol Steps on Oct. 11. L.A. TheatreWorks will be back in Rudder with their newest touring production, Steel Magnolias, on Oct. 24. Theater is definitely alive on Intimate Gatherings because the next program in the series is the Aquila Theatre’s production of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein on Feb. 26. Unforgettable concerts will close out the series with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers on March 19 and Lonesome Traveler: The Concert with Guest Star and Folk Legend Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary on April 4. All Intimate Gatherings events begin at 7:30pm and are performed in Rudder Theatre. Some performances will include a Q&A with the artists following most performances. The Intimate Gatherings series is sponsored by Exclusive Allstate Agent Jackie Voss, Sonic, and Comfort Keepers. Season tickets to all six events start at $180.
The new OPAS season includes three Special Events. Affectionately known as “America’s orchestra,” the Boston Pops will perform a concert of John Williams’ selections under the direction of Keith Lockhart on March 22. This special performance is sponsored by Tom & Mary Kirk of McGregor. Main Stage season ticket buyers have priority access to buy tickets to the Boston Pops before they go on sale to the general public on Aug. 9. Two special events perfect for families will be in Rudder Auditorium with the Soweto Gospel Choir on Oct. 30 and Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure on Nov. 30. Tickets to both events may be ordered now.
OPAS programs are made possible in part through Hotel Tax Revenue funded from the City of College Station through the Arts Council of Brazos Valley. For more information about all of the events coming to the new OPAS season, visit www.MSCOPAS.org.
ABOUT MSC OPAS Founded in 1972, OPAS at Texas A&M University – an organization of the Memorial Student Center – presents professional productions of theatre, music, and dance programs that enlighten, entertain and inspire audiences of the Brazos Valley. OPAS programs are funded by revenue generated from ticket sales, sponsorships, and contributions.
