By Joanna Reid
This spring Adelphi’s Performing Arts Center will bring back beloved favorites, as well as present exciting new shows. Get ready for a season filled with music, dance and plays.
The season begins with the Sing Strong A Cappella Festival from Feb. 2–4. This is the eighth year that Adelphi will hold the Festival. It will consist of classes, competitions and concerts showcasing various styles of music and over 20 a cappella groups. Headliners will include the five-time Grammy award-winners The Swingles, The Trills, Kid Beyond and more.
Also in February, The National R&B Music Society brings 70s bands to the PAC. Blug Magic, Black Ivory and The Legendary BlueNotes featuring “Sugar Bear” will all perform their hits in celebration of Black History Month.
Next up, on Feb. 16, Imani Winds returns to the PAC. Winds is a Grammy nominated wind quintet made up of Brandon Patrick George on flute, Toyin Spellman-Diaz on oboe, Mark Dover on clarinet, Kevin Newton on the French horn and Monica Ellis on bassoon. This time the band will present music by Latin composers such as Villa-Lobos, Piazzaolla and Paquito D’Rivera to name a few.
Then, from Feb. 28-Mar. 3, Adelphi’s theatre students will stage a production of “The Moors,” a play written by Jen Silverman that resembles the works of the Bronte sisters. The play is a comedy that revolves around two sisters who chase love and status, but they face danger when a governess comes to town.
Adelphi’s Best of Broadway is back in March. Talented students will once again sing Broadway hits, ranging from golden age to contemporary musical theatre. But this time, Best of Broadway will have a theme of royalty with songs from musicals like “Cinderella,” “Six” and “Camelot.” If you’re not lucky enough to catch this performance in person, the show will also be live-streamed.
And if that wasn’t enough, get excited for April 6. Broadway and New York Cabaret performers take the stage alongside the North Shore Symphony Orchestra for “Country Jukebox: Kenny, Dolly & Friends.” Enjoy an ode to country music legends like Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Carrie Underwood and more.
Also in April look forward to various entertaining student productions. Theatre students will put on “Lost Time” directed by Shoshanah Tarkow (April 10-14). Spring Dance Adelphi will dance in the style of modern and ballet (April 17-21), and the Adelphi Symphony Orchestra will feature student soloists from the graduating class of 2024 (April 19).
To close out the season, Broadway superstar Betty Buckley (“1776,” “Cats,” “Mystery of Edwin Drood”) will sing a variety of music styles from pop-rock to showtunes. Buckley is to be joined by highly acclaimed music director and pianist, Christian Jacob. Buckley will make her PAC debut telling stories through song.
Blyth Daylong, director of the Performing Arts Center, is looking forward to another great season. “We’re excited to be bringing such an eclectic group of performers to continue to entertain our students, faculty, staff, alumni and the local community.”
For more information, tickets, and a full list of shows visit: www.adelphi.edu/pac/