Hancher's 2008–09 season boasts global culture, local ties

The Monty Python–inspired musical Spamalot is one of the numerous offerings to be found during the 2008–09 performing arts season at The University of Iowa's Hancher Auditorium.

You want Broadway? Hancher’s got you covered. You want dance? Step quickly to Hancher.

World music? You guessed it: Hancher has it.

The 2008–09 performing arts season at The University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium carries the theme of “It’s chemistry,” which signifies the connections between the artists onstage, the buzz in the auditorium, and the bond between performer and patron.

“We always strive to provide a wide range of programming and I think our upcoming season does that,” says Judith Hurtig, Hancher Auditorium artistic director. “I truly think there is something on the Hancher schedule for everyone: great jazz, family events, classical music, dance, world music—and Judy Collins and Kathy Griffin.”

Broadway is well-represented in the new season with the Monty Python–inspired Spamalot and 2004’s Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Avenue Q.

Hancher has long been known as one of America’s top dance venues. The Joffrey Ballet, which wowed audiences from “River to River” in 2007 summer outdoor performances, will be back in a more familiar setting—on the Hancher stage—and the season also features Diavolo, which has been called “the dance bridge to the 21st century”; DanceBrazil; and the Stephen Petronio Company.

Also featured is the world premiere of Eye Piece, the work that Iowa City native, UI School of Music alumnus, and recent Pulitzer Prize finalist Rinde Eckert has been developing in collaboration with the UI Center for Macular Degeneration. The collaboration extends to the theater and dance departments in the UI Division of Performing Arts.

"Rinde has spent hours talking to people in the UI's Center for Macular Degeneration to collect material for the work," Hurtig says. "Eye Piece traces the experiences of people who have lost or are losing their vision, their families, and the physicians and researchers who care for them."

Hancher has also co-commissioned Roberto Sierra’s Songs from the Diaspora, which will be performed by the St. Lawrence String Quartet with soprano Heidi Grant Murphy.

Hancher’s emphasis on family-friendly arts continues with an array of events including the found-percussion spectacle of ScrapArtsMusic, the multicultural Global Drum Project, an all-star Irish Homecoming, the National Acrobats of China, the return of the irrepressible Rob Kapilow with Green Eggs and Hamadeus, an encore by the category-defying Time for Three, Cirque Eloize returning with Nebbia, and the continuation of Spot, the Hancher Family Arts Adventure with the Grammy-nominated Trout Fishing in America.

Hancher frequently celebrates world music and other arts from cultures around the globe. In addition to the Global Drum Project, “An Irish Homecoming” and DanceBrazil, the 2008–09 season will feature Hungary’s most famous gypsy artists, Marta Sebestyen and Muzsikas, exploring the folk roots of Bartok’s music with the Takacs Quartet; Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars; the Portuguese folk music of Mariza; and the Latino dance of the Luna Negra Dance Theater.

The season also includes two events that were recently delayed by winter weather: the Brad Mehldau Trio and Richard Stoltzman’s Salute to Benny Goodman.

That’s the ticket

Until July 1, tickets may be purchased only by mail or online (www.hancher.uiowa.edu). Beginning in July, tickets will be on sale in person at the box office or by phone (319-335-1160 or 800-HANCHER [426-2437]). People with special needs for access, seating, and auxiliary services should dial 319-335-1158, which is equipped with TDD for people with hearing impairment who use that technology.

Orders may be charged to Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. UI students may charge their purchases to their University bills, and UI faculty and staff may select the option of payroll deduction. Hancher Auditorium box office business hours are 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturdays.

College and university students, senior citizens, and audience members 17 and younger qualify for special discounts to most events. College and university students and senior citizens receive a 10 percent discount on tickets to most events, with $15 Zone 2 and 3 tickets available to college and university students for most events. Youth tickets are typically discounted 30 percent, with some events discounted 50 percent. This season, Hancher has extended its substantial student discounts to include students at all other colleges and universities, in addition to UI students.

Advance ticket buyers not only enjoy the best choice of seats, but also can take advantage of volume discounts on most events in the season. A simultaneous purchase of five events or more qualifies for a 15 percent discount. Purchases made before the end of June may be paid through Hancher’s installment plan.

Hancher’s top seating priority goes to Hancher Circle contributors at the $500 level and above. Contributors at this level who order tickets before June 5 receive the first seating assignments, in the order that their forms are received, and according to level of donation.

Groups of 20 or more receive a special discount on tickets to most Hancher events. Call 319-335-0009 for information and arrangements.

Designated parking spaces, hearing and visual augmentation units, and large print playbills are available at every event in the Hancher season. Seating for patrons who use wheelchairs is available on a limited basis; reservations are required. When possible, the auditorium will arrange to provide sign language interpretation and tape-recorded playbills; requests for these services must be made one month in advance.

by Winston Barclay