Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman in Love Letters and The Extraordinary Voice of Al Green in Concert Kick-Off the 2006-2007 Season of the F.M. Kirby Center

Celebrating 20 years of showcasing the best of the performing arts, the F. M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts kicks-off the 2006-2007 season on Friday, October 20th with the Broadway hit Love Letters starring one of the most lovable couples of all time Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden followed by an exciting offering of shows ranging from rock concerts to ballet, opera, and Shakespeare, to musicals and celebrity headliners, to children’s shows. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. through the F.M. Kirby Center box office (570) 826-1100 or through Ticketmaster.

Romantic, emotional, witty, and breathtaking, Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman, star in A. R. Gurney’s Love Letters, the first show of the 2006-2007 season on Friday, October 20. These well-seasoned actors and well-known television couple, portray two friends from childhood who have since gone their separate ways, but continued to share confidences over a lifetime through the exchange of letters. Bantering and cajoling, the letters are a testimony to this couple life-long love affair.

As an added treat, Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman will be available for a meet and greet at a post show reception with the purchase of a specially priced ticket.

World-renown Al Green to Perform

The exciting momentum continues on November 2, when Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, the Reverend Al Green, takes the stage and shares his extraordinary, passionate voice with fans of 30 years as well as those of a new generation. With that unmistakable sound, Al Green performs his string of legendary hits such as Let’s Stay Together, I Can’t Get Next to You, Love and Happiness, along with music from his new release, Everything’s Ok.

Crowd Pleasing Classic Broadway Musicals

Three additional Broadway offerings include: On February 16, 2007, The Best of Broadway: The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber, a musical journey though this legend’s greatest hits from Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and more. Superbly sung by four well-known veterans of the Broadway musical stage, the show dramatically and powerfully delivers the extraordinary work of this musical giant. Friday, February 16, 2007.

Man of La Mancha follows on March 25, 2007 with the poignant classical epic story of knight-errant Don Quixote, who sets out on a journey to right all wrongs, win the heart of a good woman, and struggles against all odds to dream impossible dreams.

The pace kicks up on May 5, 2007 with Urban Cowboy which is based on the 1980 hit movie about a new breed of cowboy. Completely rejuvenated, this action-packed musical comes alive with top-selling hits from Clint Black, Shania Twain, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings all played out against a landscape of oil fields, trailer parks, and on a sawdust covered dance floor at the biggest honky-tonk in the world, Gilley’s.

All Time Favorite Bands Back in Concert

The Charlie Daniels Band pumps it up on November 17 when these musicians characterized as partly Western and partly Southern play their well-known hits spanning more than 35 years — The Devil Went Down to Georgia, In America, Long Haired Country Boy, The Legend of Wooley Swamp, and Still in Saigon. Whether the tunes are folk, southern boogie, country fiddle, or an electric rock anthem - there is no doubt -when the music starts - the house rocks - and the experience is pure joy.

Two other concerts bringing the best of the past to the present are, Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx, November 18 and The Pink Floyd Experience, February 9, 2007. Dennis DeYoung, who is the ultimate singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and founding member of Styx, brings 30 years of rock classics to the stage. With one of the most recognizable voices in the music world today, DeYoung performs along with his five-piece band the best of Styx music - Lady, Best of Times, Babe, Come Sail Away, Mr. Roboto, to name a few.

Described as psychedelic, provocative, and theatrical with mind-blowing lights and unsurpassed sound - that is The Pink Floyd Experience. Musicians, chosen from around the world for their outstanding talent, recreate the music of one of the most influential rock bands of all time and deliver the total Pink Floyd rock concert experience.

Putting the sparkle in to the holiday season at the Kirby Center is America’s most popular piano sensation Jim Brickman presenting an unforgettable Christmas concert experience on December 15. Jim Brickman lights up the festive spirit of the season with the best of his romantic hits and classic holiday favorites.

Encore Performances by Internationally Renown Ballet, Opera, and Shakespeare Companies

The world-renown Moscow Ballet returns for the holiday season with its magnificent production of the Great Russian Swan Lake on November 11. Always a delicious treat, the Moscow Ballet is well known for beautiful, lavish costumes and scenery, and the extraordinary talent of its international cast of dancers. Noted by dance historians as the greatest ballet of all time, the romantic and tragic beauty of Swan Lake has captivated audiences of all ages since its debut over one hundred years ago. As in previous years, the Moscow Ballet will audition local dancers for selected roles in the ballet.

Returning to the Kirby stage is the internationally acclaimed Aquila Theatre Company, presenting Shakespeare’s unmatchable vision of uncompromising true love, Romeo and Juliet, on November 21. Renown for their bold, intelligent, and stylish productions, this performance includes the highly talented American and British ensemble. A performance designed for school children in grades four through twelve is scheduled for November 21 at 10:00 a.m.

Rounding out these classic performances is the highly praised Teatro Lirico D’Europa presenting one of the finest comic operas in existence and one of the world’s favorites, The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere Di Siviglia) on March 11, 2007. Marvelously crafted, brilliantly inventive, and uproariously funny, the opera tells the humorous side of a love triangle involving an 18th century nobleman who uses many disguises and accomplices as he tries to woo a young woman who is also the object of her guardian’s affections.

World Music and Dance Offers the Majestic Sound of Irish Music and the Sizzling Beat of the Tango

World music and dance offerings include the dynamic trio of troubadours, The Irish Tenors, on March 3, 2007 and a cast of 14 electrifying dancers from Argentina in Forever Tango on May 19, 2007.

Proven to be gifted interpreters of a wide range of material, The Iris Tenors bring new life to countless traditional treasures such as My Heart Will Go On, Fairytale of New York, Danny Boy, and Wild Irish Rose. In eight short years, the trio, Anthony Kearns, Finbar Wright, and Karl Scully are at the top of their game and have become one of the best known vocal groups in the world.

Coming from Broadway, this Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominated show, Forever Tango, traces the colorful history of the tango through music, dance, and dramatic vignettes. The dancers, accompanied by a 12 - piece orchestra, tango in their own specific styles offering an unspoken, smoldering passionate insight into this mysterious and passionate art form.

Family Fun at the F.M. Kirby Center

Nurturing a love for the theater can begin in childhood and right at the F.M. Kirby Center with two shows Dorothy the Dinosaur’s Dance Party on November 25 and Discover Theater! Featuring Disney’s Cinderella Kids and Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids on March 16, 2007.

Friends of The Wiggles, and starring in their own television show, Dorothy the Dinosaur and her pals, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, skip, jump, hop, and run to the stage and present a lively, fun-packed show with singing, clapping, and dancing to everyone’s favorite Wiggles songs.

Two classic, beloved children’s stories, Disney’s Cinderella Kids and the Jungle Book Kids help kids discover valuable lessons about the importance of teamwork and ingenuity. The magic of Disney makes for wide-eyed wonder as this musical educates and entertains through all time favorite songs and characters.

Order Three Shows By July 7 and Save!

The F. M. Kirby Center is offering a “Build Your Own Series” subscription. Choose any three shows and place your order by July 7 and save 20 percent! Call the Kirby Center Box Office for more information, (570) 826-1100. For a 2006-2007 season brochure, call (570) 823-4599, Ext. 242. To learn about the benefits of becoming an F. M. Kirby Center member call the Development Office, (570) 823-4599, Ext. 281. Visit www.kirbycenter.org.