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Performing Arts Foundation, Inc.

2015 -16 Season

Choose Four or More Performances

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Featured Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors

The entire season at The Grand is supported, in part, by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. These performances are also supported, in part, by the Community Arts Grant program of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, the B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation, and the City of

Wausau’s Room Tax Funding.

Series Presenters

The Grand would like to thank the businesses and media partners that make the 2015-2016 performances possible.

It’s been an exciting few months since I arrived back in January. I’ve survived my first Wisconsin winter (and even took up snowshoe racing!), discovered the joy of a Friday night fish fry, enjoyed the basketball Badgers run to the National Championship game, and have loved the opportunity to meet many of you.

At the same time, I’ve been working with my talented staff to help build the 2015-16 season you find in this publication. We started with over 60 potential shows, and have pushed through all of the challenges of booking to build a season that we are excited about and think you will enjoy. The season features something for everybody—from the 2012

Tony-winning musical, Once, to the acrobatic magic of Cirque Ziva, and a special holiday season visit from the Vienna Boys Choir.

You’ll want to be a frequent visitor to our website (www.grandtheater.org) and our social media in the weeks and months to come. We’ve heard from you that you want opportunities to build entire evenings around performances, and we are working hard to create memorable experiences for many of this season’s shows. Plus, we’ll be adding performances to the season, making sure that you have the opportunity to see the best in the performing arts, right here close to home.

The season would not be possible without the support of our donors, funders, sponsors, and of course, all of you. We thank you for your continued support, and hope that we’ll see you at The Grand frequently this season.

Sean Wright Executive Director

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2015-16 SeasonKelsea Ballerini, p 8Keb’ Mo’, p 9Metropolitan Opera Rising Stars, p 10

Black Violin, p 11Shaun Hopper, p 12Silent Movie - Nosferatu, p 13The Hot Sardines, p 14The Midtown Men, p 15

Warren Miller Event, p 16Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna, p 17

Altenburgh’s Christmas Extravaganza!, p 20

VoicePlay, p 21

Mummenschanz, p 22Once, p 23

Get the Led Out, p 2442nd Street, p 25

Cirque Ziva, p 26Alpin Hong, p 27Improvised Shakespeare Company, p 28

Rosanne Cash: The River & The Thread, p 29

*See page 35 for all events happening at The Grand.

Season at a Glance

• Priority Seating • Free Ticket Exchanges• Interest-Free Payment Plan • Invitations to Special Events• Order 12+ shows to get the same great seats for every show!

Fewer than four shows?Single show tickets go on sale Friday, July 10TH.

Meet the StaffSean WrightExecutive Director

Merry LittleGeneral Manager & Associate Director

Melanie SchumannDirector of Marketing

& Development

Joel FreibergDirector of Ticketing & Analytics

Paula LoomisTicket Office

Michael LoomisDirector of Guest Services

& Event Management

Mark WeissTechnical Director

Moriel CharneskiDirector of Food & Beverage

Beth GebertMarketing Coordinator

Anna AndersonDirector of Education& Community Engagement

Misty PfantzCustodian

Gail BayerCustodian

Valerie CharneskiAsst. Technical Director

Cindy KainzVolunteer Coordinator

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There are many things that go into a successful show at The Grand, but there is only one constant: our incredible volunteers. Whether it is greeting you at the door, taking your ticket, showing you to your seat, or working the merchandise table, our volun-teers are the key to making sure your experience is a memorable one.

Our volunteers work behind the scenes when the theater is dark as well—from answering phones in the box office to delivering posters to local businesses and so much more. There isn’t a show at The Grand that doesn’t have the fingerprints of a volunteer on it!

As another season gets underway, we want to say our deepest thanks to our fantastic volunteers…and we want you to join them! If being part of a great group of people who care about The Grand sounds like something you want to be part of, please contact Cindy Kainz, our Volunteer Coordinator at 715-842-0988 or ckainz@grandtheater.org, or visit our website at www.grandtheater.org and click on the volunteer link:

http://www.grandtheater.org/volunteer

Thank You Volunteers!

Our Volunteers

Cindy KainzVolunteer Coordinator

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Thursday, October 8 7:30 pm $42/30/25

Black Violin blends classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass into an evening of music you’ll never forget. Violin and viola virtuosos Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus met in high school and have been taking the music world by storm for the last decade. Black Violin is truly a ground-breaking act, the first to meticulously meld classical, hip-hop, rock and pop music into a single genre-busting performance.

For more than 125 years the Metropolitan Opera has been the artistic home of the greatest singers in the world. Be among the first to hear the great voices of tomorrow—hand-picked by the Metropolitan Opera, where these young performers are perfecting their craft and living out their own dreams.

Friday, September 25 7:30 pm$59/49/35

For close to 100 years, the Vienna Boys Choir has been touring the globe, sharing a repertoire that includes everything from medieval to contemporary and experimental music. Founded in 1848, the Choir is one of the oldest in the world, and will make their Wausau debut with a selection of classic works and holiday gems.

The Vienna Boys Choir:

Christmas in ViennaTuesday, November 24 7:30 pm$55/45/34

Metropolitan OperaRising Stars

Black Violin

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year of sponsorship of the Family Series at The Grand.Thank you Ministry Health Care for your eighth

This a capella performance features amazing, humorous, and vertigo-inducing harmonies that pepper VoicePlay’s music-without-music sound as it ping-pongs between eras and styles, channeling the breadth of the musical landscape and lacing it with inventive and often hilarious on-stage theatrics.

Thursday, January 28 7:30 pm $45/35/25

The Golden Dragon Acrobats from China do the impossible (or at least the improbable) in ‘Cirque Ziva’...”this family-friendly show will dazzle the younger set but might also have them stacking up the dining room chairs and climbing the curtains when they get home.” says The New York Times.

Friday, April 8 7:30 pm$54/44/29

Friday, February 19 7:30 pm$58/44/30

One of the giants of the performing arts, Mummenschanz bedazzles with witty, weird, timeless creatures that perform unique stories without sound or music. If you were enchanted by Momix and are captivated by Blue Man Group, Mummenschanz will transport you with delight!

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One of the hottest names in country music, Kelsea Ballerini kicks off the opening week of The Grand’s 2015-16 season. Her breakout, “Love Me Like You Mean It” is a top ten hit having spent 30 weeks on the Billboard charts. Her country-pop sound is reminiscent of Taylor Swift, and is one of the reasons she finds herself on “ones to watch lists” from Billboard, CMT, Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly.

Her debut album, The First Time¸ was released this May to rave reviews, and her sound has drawn comparisons to Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, and the Dixie Chicks, among others. Her music builds on her East Tennessee upbringing and musical influences ranging from Britney Spears to Kelly Clarkson to Frank Sinatra.

Ballerini made her Grand Ole Opry debut this past spring, and will spend the summer of 2015 co-headlining CMT’s inaugural “Next Women of Country” Tour, and opening for Lady Antebellum.

Kelsea Ballerini

Thursday

September 17

7:30 pm

$39/29/22

Presenting Sponsors:

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Featured Sponsors:

Friday

September 18

7:30 pm$74/64/56

A true roots, blues, and Americana visionary, three-time Grammy winner Keb’ Mo’ has been amazing audiences for over two decades. From Grammy nominations for two of his first three albums to yet another nomination for his latest work, Blues Americana, Keb’ has cultivated a reputation as a modern master of American roots music. His songs have been recorded by B.B. King, Buddy Guy, the Dixie Chicks, Joe Cocker, and Robert Palmer. His playing inspired leading instrument maker Gibson Brands to issue the Keb’ Mo’ Signature Bluesmaster acoustic guitar.

Twenty years after his ground-breaking self-titled debut, Keb’ Mo’ is still reinventing the blues, “I never set out to be a blues guy,” he says, “but the blues is very powerful and fuels what I do. The blues puts the ‘realness’ in it for me”.

Keb’ Mo’

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Featured Sponsors:

Friday

September 25

7:30 pm$59/49/35

Metropolitan OperaRising Stars

For more than 125 years the Metropolitan Opera has been the artistic home of the greatest singers in the world. The Met is also the launching pad for the opera stars of the future, who will grace the stage of The Grand for a night of arias, duets and ensembles by some of opera’s finest composers.

Imagine, even dream, as you listen, entranced: will she be the next great Tosca? Could he be the next Otello? Be among the first to hear the great voices of tomorrow—hand-picked by the Metropolitan Opera, where these young performers are perfecting their craft, and living out their own dreams.

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Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsors:

Black Violin blends classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass into an evening of music you’ll never forget. Fresh off of performances at the Super Bowl and 2013 Inaugural Ball and about to release their debut album, this is a group on the cusp of international success.

Violin and viola virtuosos, Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus met in high school and have been taking the music world by storm for the last decade. From performing at SXSW and Bonnaroo to everything in-between, Black Violin is truly a ground-breaking act.

“Black Violin works hard, but makes it all look like play. Sometimes they play with the intense seriousness of orchestral soloists; at others they fiddle as if at a hoe-down; at still others they strum the violin and viola like guitars.” - New York Times

Thursday

October 8

7:30 pm$42/30/25

Black Violin

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Presenting Sponsors:

Featured Sponsors:

Acoustic “fingerstyle” guitar phenom Shaun Hopper is a true guitar prodigy. Combining cutting-edge technique from the most modern of players to the distinct influences of legends Chet Atkins and Leo Kottke, Hopper amazes the audience every time he picks up his Martin guitar.

“He’s got fingers of doom, no two ways about it. A true world-class talent on fingerstyle flat-top acoustic guitar. Hopper effortlessly channels Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel and Andre Segovia, blowing minds and dropping jaws everywhere.” - Best of the Bay 2009

The culmination of a three-day residency that will feature performances and master classes in the community, Hopper’s performance will demonstrate a signature style which crosses over the full range of musical genres: Alternative, Folk, Classical, Celtic, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues and Percussive New Age.

Thursday

October 15

7:30 pm$39/30/22

Shaun Hopper

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Featured Sponsors:

Sunday

October 18

2:00 pm

Nosferatu:a Symphony of Terror

This is the first version on film of the Dracula story.In this highly influential silent horror film, the mysterious Count Orlok summons Thomas Hutter to his remote castle in the mountains of Transylvania. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife Ellen. After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok’s servant, Knock, prepares for his master to arrive at his new home.

Dan Larson will be performing his original score on The Grand’s Kilgen Wonder Organ.

For anyone who has not experienced silent cinema, this is an absolute MUST to begin your addiction to the genre!

Silent Movie

This event will be presented free of charge, but free-will offerings will be accepted.Net proceeds will go toward a future purchase of projection equipment for the Grand Theater.

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Featured Sponsor:

Tuesday

October 20

7:30 pm$52/44/30

“Simply phenomenal, crisp musicianship going hand in hand with immaculate and witty showmanship.” - The Times (London)

2015 will meet the 1920’s when the Hot Sardines bring their amazing fusion of 20’s jazz and 21st century style to the stage. The Hot Sardines have a distinctive recipe for making musical magic: take a blustery brass lineup, layer it over a rhythm section led by a stride-piano virtuoso in the Fats Waller vein, and tie it all together with a one-of-the-boys frontwoman who sings in both English and French with a voice from another era (and we haven’t told you about the tap dancer yet).

It’s a night that will transport you to New York, Paris, New Orleans and some parts in between. This is the type of jazz that makes you want to grab a friend, grab a drink and stand up and dance. See the band Vanity Fair said “has a sound distinctly their own.”

Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsors:

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The Four Stars of Broadway’s Jersey Boys bring to life the greatest hits of the Sixties, rocking performing arts centers and symphony halls across the continent. Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, J. Robert Spencer and Daniel Reichard wowed audiences on Broadway and beyond in their roles in Jersey Boys and now they’ve joined together to bring hits of the Beatles, Motown, and The Rascalsto audiences around the globe.

Since the formation of the Midtown Men, there has been nothing but incredible success. Nothing compares to seeing these four amazing talents together on stage. The New York Times says, “The singers had the air of the Rat Pack, Motown and a nightclub act rolled into one”, while the New York Daily News proclaims, “The Midtown Men sound as crisp as their Rat Pack-inspired suits. Their voices blend together so flawlessly on stage.”

Wednesday

October 28

7:30 pm$75/67/55

“Not A Performance Of, Not Affiliated With the Show Jersey Boys.”

“A joyous and nostalgic trip through the music of the 1960’s.” -The Daily Oklahoman

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Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsors:

Four Stars From Broadway’s Jersey Boys

Saturday

November 21

6:30 pm$20

Warren Miller is the preeminent ski and snowboarding filmmaker in the world, and this fall the 66th Warren Miller Ski Film “Chasing Shadows” premieres. This legendary film series takes film-goers across the world to some of the most spellbinding skiing outposts, and the only place to see it in Wisconsin is right here at The Grand!

It’s more than a film, it’s an entire evening celebrating the skiing season, with leaders in the ski industry, the best vendors demoing ski equipment, and even some ski celebrities! It’s a night to welcome winter and the return to the slopes!

Chasing Shadows

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Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsors:

Founded in 1848, the Vienna Boys Choir is one of the oldest choirs in the world, and will make their Wausau debut with a selection of classic works and holiday gems.

For close to 100 years, the Choir has been touring the globe, sharing a repertoire that includes everything from medieval to contemporary and experimental music. Over the centuries the choir has worked with Mozart, Hayden, Gluck and Bruckner, as well as Benjamin Britten. Today there are around 100 choristers between the ages of ten and fourteen, divided into four touring choirs, who perform in front of almost half a million people each year.

Their first-ever visit to The Grand will include classic works, but also such holiday favorites as “Let It Snow” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Christmas in Vienna

The Vienna Boys Choir

Tuesday

November 24

7:30 pm$55/45/34

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Featured Sponsors:

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Ticket InformationPurchasing Tickets: • Box Office - Stop by The Grand Theater Box Office at 401 Fourth Street, Downtown Wausau. Call 715-842-0988 / 888-239-0421 or fax at 715-842-8715.

• Online - Tickets are available for purchase online at www.grandtheater.org. Additional fees may apply.

• Night of Show - Tickets may be purchased or picked up in the Great Hall. Doors open one hour prior to performance.

Ticket Policies: • Exchanging Tickets - We’re glad to exchange tickets! Our subscribers enjoy FREE ticket exchanges. Other Grand patrons can also exchange tickets for a $5.00 fee per ticket to another Grand sponsored show only (those shows listed in our brochure). All ticket exchanges must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled performances. Preferred seating cannot be guaranteed on any exchange and some exclusions may apply. Our contractual relationships with artists limit our flexibility in some cases.

• Returning Tickets - Tickets are non-refundable – If you are unable to use a ticket for a Grand-sponsored event, please consider donating the ticket back to The Grand prior to the scheduled performance. We will provide you with a letter confirming the tax-deductible status of the donation.

• Lost Tickets - If you’ve lost your tickets, contact the Box Office. Tickets can easily be reprinted.

• Children’s Tickets - We ask parents’ discretion in bringing children who may be disruptive to a performance. Municipal Fire Codes require ALL audience members (even those of lap-sitting size) to have a ticket.

Discounts: • Season Subscribers - Order tickets to four or more shows to save up to 15%.

• Student & Military Rush – Tickets are available one hour before the performance for Grand-sponsored events. Any student or military personnel and military family members may purchase a discounted rush ticket with a valid student/military ID. These tickets are subject to availability.

• Groups – Group rates for 20 or more tickets are available for select shows. Contact the Box Office for complete details and rate information.

Gift Certificates: Gift certificates are available for purchase at the Box Office. They are valid for three years for any box office purchase.

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Special Accommodations: • Accessibility - The theater is wheelchair accessible and assistance is available upon request. The elevator is located on the west wall of the Great Hall. Handicap parking is available behind the Great Hall.

• Audio / Visual Assistance - The Grand is equipped with a hearing assistance system to amplify performances. Devices are available upon request. The Sensory Program offers a live audio description during the performance. For more information, call Kent Perrin at 715-370-2694. Braille and large print programs are also available upon request.

About Courtesy: • Electronic Devices - Cell phones, cameras, video, pager, and audio recording devices are strictly prohibited during performances. • Fragrance – If you use perfume or scented products, please apply them sparingly in consideration of the sensitivities of other patrons.

Amenities: • Food and Beverage - Beverages in plastic containers may be taken into the theater. Beverages are available for purchase at the ArtsBar in the Great Hall, the Mezzanine Bar in the the balcony, or any of the portable bars located throughout the facility. You can avoid waiting in line during intermission by pre-ordering your drinks before the show. Snacks can be enjoyed prior to the performance or during intermission, and can be purchased at our Snack Cart. • Restrooms - Men’s and women’s restrooms are located on either side of ArtsBar in the Great Hall and in the B.A. & Esther Greenheck Lounge. Women’s restrooms are also located on the north side of The Grand Lobby, and the north side of The Grand Mezzanine Lobby.

Things to Know

Friday

December 18

7:30 pm$52/48/39

Altenburgh’s Christmas Extravaganza!

The Tradition Continues!

After last year’s sold-out performance, The John Altenburgh Christmas Extravaganza! returns to The Grand with an all-new show, featuring Janet Planet, Randy Sabien, Mitch Viegut, Chris O’Keefe, and Otis McLennon.

The show also features Bob Kase, Tom Theabo, Tom Washatka, Ryan Korb, Bruce Lammers, John Greiner, and Paula Hall, and welcomes special guest Dave Saindon (former lead singer of AirKraft).

A true Wisconsin Christmas tradition, this has long been the hottest ticket in town. After returning from hiatus last year to rave reviews, the show is back this season with old favorites and some new twists. Nothing says Christmas in Wausau like The John Altenburgh Christmas Extravaganza!

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Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsors:

“The group that best captured the transformative qualities of contemporary a cappella was VoicePlay.” - Boston’s Daily Free Press

One of the stars of NBC’s “The Sing Off,” VoicePlay has taken the timeless sound of vocal music and turned it completely on its head.

The full stage performance features amazing, humorous, and vertigo-inducing harmonies that pepper VoicePlay’s music-without-music sound as it ping-pongs between eras and styles, channeling the breadth of the musical landscape and lacing it with inventive and often hilarious on-stage theatrics.

Fit for all ages, VoicePlay’s concerts have to be heard to be believed. VoicePlay is truly Original. Imaginative. Ridiculous.

Thursday

January28

7:30 pm$45/35/25

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Presenting Sponsors:

Featured Sponsors:

Friday

February 19

7:30 pm

$58/44/30

“It was almost as fun to hear children’s screams of delight, as it was to watch the wackymagic happening on stage.” - The Philadelphia Inquirer

One of the giants of the performing arts, Mummenschanz bedazzles with witty, weird, timeless creatures that perform unique stories without sound or music.

In this wordless universe, the amazing Swiss troupe makes the ordinary extraordinary as colorful shapes like the famous “Clay Masks,” “Slinky Man,” and “Giant Hands” spring to life. This playfully compelling experience offers timeless insight into the human condition through the inventive use of shadow, light, and creative manipulation of objects. This visually stunning, family-friendly spectacle sparks the imagination, transcends cultural barriers, and dazzles the eye.

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Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsor:

“ONCE uses song and dance in a way I’ve never experienced in an American musical.” - The New York Times

Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Once is a truly original Broadway experience.

Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments on stage, Once tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights...but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance.

Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, Once draws you in from the first note and never lets go.

Wednesday

February 24

7:30 pm$90/80/69

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Presenting Sponsors:

Featured Sponsors:

Wednesday

March 2

7:30 pm$48/38

“Get The Led Out didn’t just do Led Zeppelin justice, they elevated their songs to unimaginable levels”. - The State News, NY

Dubbed by many as “The American Led Zeppelin”, Get The Led Out captures the essence of the iconic band and brings it to the stage in a remarkable show.

Committed to recreating the music of Led Zeppelin in all its depth and glory, Get The Led Out features six talented musicians playing all of the classic hits!

There are no wigs or fake English accents--just a high-energy, heart-thumping Zeppelin concert!

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Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsors:

Monday

March 21

7:30 pm$90/80/70

The quintessential backstage musical comedy classic, 42nd Street is the song and dance fable of Broadway with an American Dream story and includes some of the greatest songs ever written, such as “We’re in the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo,” “Dames,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” and of course, “42nd Street.” Based on a novel by Bradford Ropes and Busby Berkeley’s 1933 movie, 42nd Street tells the story of a starry-eyed young dancer named Peggy Sawyer who comes to New York to audition for the new Broadway musical Pretty Lady. When the star breaks her ankle, Peggy takes over and becomes a star.

The two-time Tony winner will be directed by co-author Mark Bramble and choreographed by Randy Skinner, the team who staged the 2001 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival.

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Featured Sponsors:

Friday

April 8

7:30 pm$54/44/29

The newest show from the amazing Golden Dragon Acrobats, Cirque Ziva is a fast-paced, technically innovative and beautifully presented show from the creative mind of artistic director Danny Chang. The large cast and spectacular set designs illustrate the best of Chang’s brand of artistic merit, high production value, and solid commitment to cultural exchange.

The New York Times said of its recent smash Broadway run, “Things Not to Try at Home (Not That You Ever Could). TheGolden Dragon Acrobats from China dothe impossible (or at least the improbable) in ‘Cirque Ziva’...this family-friendly showwill dazzle the younger set but might alsohave them stacking up the dining room chairs and climbing the curtains whenthey get home.”

Performed by The Golden Dragon Acrobats

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Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsors:

Thursday

April 14

7:30 pm

$40/30/22

American tours and performances across the globe have earned pianist Alpin Hong the reputation as a modern day Pied Piper. From the Walt Disney hall to the White House, his combination of stunning technique, emotional range, and rare humor continues to bring audiences young and old to their feet. His performance will cap off a four-day residency bringing lectures, demonstrations, performances, master classes and outreach to the region.

Rooted in extensive classical training and a background in extreme sports, martial arts, and video games, Mr. Hong is a creative force unmatched in his vitality and charisma. Called “Classical for the IGeneration,” Hong’s New York City debut, a sold-out recital at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, played to rave reviews.

Alpin Hong

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Featured Sponsors:

“It was one of the funniest, most amazing things I’ve ever seen.” - Charleston City Paper

“It’s an evening of Shakespeare, all improvised, from the Improvised Shakespeare Company, renowned as “one of the most reliably clever and funny improv troupes in the country.” - New York Times

It’s everything you love about improv with a twist. Based on an audience suggestion, the Improvised Shakespeare Co. creates a fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your very eyes!

Each of the players has brushed up on his “thees” and “thous” to bring you an evening of off-the-cuff comedy using the language and themes of William Shakespeare. Nothing has been planned out, rehearsed, or written. All of the dialogue is said for the first time, the characters are created as you watch, and if ever you’re wondering where the story is going...so are they!

Thursday

April 21

7:30 pm$40/34/25

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Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsors:

“Cash comes full circle as a storyteller and singer of exceptional grace and grit. It’s among her finest work in a 35-year career, assured and at ease, and one of 2014’s great albums.” - The Boston Globe, on Cash’s latest album, The River & The Thread.

Rosanne Cash and her band wrap up the 2015-16 season at The Grand with a show that celebrates her newest album, The River & The Thread, winner of three Grammys in 2014.

The River & The Thread is a collection of original songs that connect and re-connect Cash to the American South, the place of her birth and the home of her ancestors. Even after twelve previous Grammy nominations and twenty-one top 40 country singles, including eleven Number Ones, Cash has perhaps her finest hour with this critically-acclaimed album, which found its way onto year-end “Best Of” lists across the globe.

Sunday

May 8

7:30 pm$69/59/49

Rosanne CashThe River & The Thread

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Presenting Sponsor:

Featured Sponsors:

Sara Ackermann, Ruder WareJim Carlson, Jim Carlson dot NetJohn Evans, Associated BankAmy Fazendin Reif, Community MemberJim Kemerling, Riiser Energy/R-StoresCindy Kohnhorst, BMO Harris Bank Cari Logemann, Aspirus, IncMike Ravn, Church MutualRebecca Sonnentag, County MaterialsBill Tehan, Ruder WareKevin Wolf, Ruder WareRobert W. Wulf, UMR

Board of Directors

OFFICERSPRESIDENT Charlie Alden, M.D., Surgical Associates, S.C.VICE PRESIDENT Steve Anderson, Community ConsultantTREASURER Denis Crevier, Crystal FinishingCORPORATE SECRETARY Kristin Barry, BMO Harris BankASSISTANT TREASURER Barbara Boehm, Goldbach Investments, Inc.

MEMBERS AT LARGE

Our performances, education programs and community outreach programs depend upon the generosity of people like you. The Annual Fund Drive supports the general operations at The Grand. With the help of your tax-deductible gift:

• 130,000 patrons came through the Grand Theater doors

• The Grand Theater was utilized 325 days of the year

• 15,294 students were impacted by the Arts in Education Series

• $11,000 was donated in tickets to local charities

• Community Partners saved $90,000 in reduced costs

Ticket sales cover only a portion of our total show-related expenses, so your support is vital in order to bring the best in the performing arts to North Central Wisconsin. Your donation allows us to engage the best artists, to create meaningful engagement opportunities, to keep ticket prices reasonable,and to develop memorable experiences for the entire community.

How to give:• Online: www.grandtheater.org• By Mail: 401 4th Street, Wausau, WI 54403• In Person: At the ticket office• By phone: 715-842-0988 / 888-239-0421

Giving to the Grand

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History of the GrandFor over 100 years, the land bounded by 4th and Jefferson, 5th and Scott Streets has been an arts block. It started with the 890-seat Grand Opera House built in 1899, located at the site of today's Grand Theater. The Grand Opera House could accommodate productions large and small, making Wausau a stop on the theatrical circuit. In the first few decades of the 20th Century, acting troupes

and musicians would ride the rails from performance to performance with their sets, props, costumes and instruments traveling with them. When they came to Wausau, they all played at the Grand Opera House.

The original Grand Opera House was razed on April 19, 1927. Seven months to the day, on Thanksgiving Day, the new 1470-seat Grand Theater opened. The theater, with its classic revival styling, stood as a symbol of excellence for the community. Ever since the opening day in 1927, the passion of drama, the grace of dance, and the power of mu-sic have come alive within the walls of the Grand Theater.

In 1987, after a decade of planning, spearheaded by the board of the Grand Theater Foundation and community leaders, a $2.2 million project restored the Grand Theater's original luster and upgraded technical systems for the big sound and bright lights required by touring shows. Since that time the Performing Arts Foundation has managed the Grand Theater and has enlivened the stage with music, theater and dance from around the world, for family, adult and student audiences.

In 2002 the community once again stepped up to expand the walls of the Grand Theater to become Artsblock. The $13.2 million dollar project rededicated the facility to the glory of performance and energized not just the city of Wausau, but also, the entire region.

Today, The Grand Theater is a cornerstone of downtown, and a true community gathering place. With over 300 events per year, and serving a 17-county region, The Grand is the home for the best in the arts in North Central Wisconsin.

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The Grand is North Central Wisconsin’s premier event facility located in historic downtown Wausau. With its architectural grandeur and elegant surroundings, The Grand can accommodate business meetings, private

parties, and special events with seating for up to 1200 guests. Let our experienced and dedicated staff work with you to customize our

beautiful facilities for your special event!

For a personal tour contact The Grand at 715-842-0988 / 888-239-0421.

Celebrate with Us

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Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both tales feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young audiences with a reassuring sense of security.

Goodnight Moon and the Runaway BunnyWednesday, February 3 10 am / 1 pm

In celebration of Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday anniversary, with fantastic masks, whimsical puppets, gorgeous scenery and original music, the magical, marvelous world of Beatrix Potter comes alive on stage. Meet Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, Beatrix Potter’s beloved characters, as they escape from Mr. McGregor, outfox Mr. Tod and rescue the Flopsy Bunnies from the disagreeable badger, Tommy Brock.

Beatrix Potter' s Peter Rabbit Tales Thursday, November 19 10 am / 1 pm

Part rock concert, part science experiment, the creators of Arc Attack unveil the science behind the spectacle. Combining their love of music with science, the group invites the audience to explore concepts such as electricity, voltage and current, magnetism, robotics, and lightning through a show that’s both entertaining and interactive.Monday, November 2

10 am/1 pm

One of the giants of the performing arts, Mummenschanz bedazzles with witty, weird, timeless creatures that perform unique stories without sound or music. In their wordless universe the ordinary becomes extraordinary

by creating a playful yet compelling experience through the inventive use of shadow, light, and interest-ing manipulation of objects. Mummenschanz challenges the audience to think more creatively about the world around them.

MummenschanzThursday, February 18 10 am only

Combining storytelling and poetry, you’ll experience the tale of poor Jack. He’s got to use his wits to save himself from the terrible Giant, but a host of familiar fairy tale characters keep messing up his plans

and then there’s that annoying Stinky Cheese Man! The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales deconstructs the tradition of the fairy tale. Nothing is quite the same as you remember it.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales Monday, March 14 10 am / 1 pm

In Roald Dahl’s story, a 15-foot-tall vegetarian giant with vocabulary problems teams up with a little orphan girl called Sophie. Together, Sophie and her new “jumbly” friend, the BFG devise a plan to save the children of England from child-eating giants. Humongous on humor and large on laughs.

The BFG Big Friendly Giant Friday, March 18 10 am / 1 pm

Amber Brown is having what may be the worst year of her life. She and Justin Daniels were best friends, but now Justin’s house has been sold and he is going to Alabama. This funny and forthright musical portrays a feisty young girl who refuses to let her problems get the better of her. You’ll laugh and cry as Amber learns some valuable lessons about the virtues of patience and the meaning of friendship.

Amber Brown is Not a CrayonMonday, April 18 10 am / 1 pm

Inspiring to all ages, Black Violin remains particularly committed to turning young fans on to their own potential through a tireless schedule of appearances at schools, where they constantly stress the importance of arts education.

Black Violin Thursday, October 8 1 pm only

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Special Events

Nosferatu :A Symphony of Terror

Wausau Symphony & Band:New Works from John Altenburgh

Wausau Symphony will premiere new works by local musician, John Altenburgh, and the symphony’s conductor, Daniel Larson. The music presented will be similar to the film scores you might hear composed by John Williams, or Hans Zimmer. Using the traditional classic symphony orchestra in a contemporary style will provide music that has an exciting, fresh, and new twist. Come and support the oldest symphonic organi-zation in the state of Wisconsin!

Saturday, October 17

Silent Movie: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror

F. W. Murnau’s landmark vampire film Nosferatu isn’t merely a variation on Bram Stoker’s Dracula: it’s a direct steal, so much so that Stoker’s widow went to court, demanding in vain that the Murnau film be suppressed and destroyed. The character names have been changed to protect the guilty (in the original German prints, at least), but devotees of Stoker will have little trouble recognizing their Dracula counterparts. Rumors still persist that Max Schreck, the actor playing Nosferatu, was actually another, better-known performer in disguise. Whatever the case, Schreck’s natural countenance was buried under one of the most repulsive facial makeups in cinema history.

Sunday, October 18

It’s a Very Joe.e Christmas - Benefiting Toys for Tots

For the second year, JEM productions and The Grand, in partnership with Toys for Tots Marathon County, will host a concert to benefit children in Marathon County who otherwise may go without a toy this Christmas.Nearly forty artists will take the stage, which will feature full video projection, a beautifully lit Christmas tree, a ten piece house band with guest vocalists, and so much more!An All Ages Show! Kids - We have made a special request to the North Pole asking Santa to fly in during the show! Keep your fingers crossed!

Wednesday, December 9

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9-12 Wausau Community Theatre: Oliver17 Kelsea Ballerini18 Keb’ Mo’25 Metropolitan Opera Rising Stars

September

1-3 Centerstage Show 2 CVA The Artist’s Muse Gala 8 Aspirus Arts in Education: Black Violin 8 Black Violin10 CVA Fundraiser - The Art of Wine15 Shaun Hopper17 Wausau Symphony & Band: New Works from John Altenburgh18 Silent Movie: Nosferatu20 The Hot Sardines21 Tenth Ave North and Sidewalk Prophets22 Taste of Home Cooking School sponsored by Daily Herald Media24 Wausau Dance Theatre: Thriller28 The Midtown Men

October

2 Aspirus Arts in Education: Arc Attack7 11-11 Part 512-14 Wausau Community Theatre: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime13 CVA Wrap it Up - Fibers & Threads Gala15 Mannheim Steamroller19 Aspirus Arts in Education: Tales of Peter Rabbit21 Warren Miller Event: Chasing Shadows24 Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna

November

5-6 Central Wisconsin School of Ballet: The Nutcracker 7-8 Wausau West Choir Concert9 It’s a Very Joe.e Christmas11-13 Wausau Community Theatre: A Christmas Carol18 Altenburgh Christmas Extravaganza!21 Lorie Line: Christmas in the City

December

28 VoicePlayJanuary

3 Aspirus Arts in Education: Goodnight Moon / Runaway Bunny18 Aspirus Arts in Education: Mummenschanz19 Mummenschanz24 Once

February

2 Get the Led Out5 Wausau Dance Theatre: Carnival of the Animals10-12 Wausau Community Theatre: Music Man 14 Aspirus Arts in Education: Stinky Cheese Man18 Aspirus Arts in Education: The Big Friendly Giant21 42nd Street25 Vic Ferrari

March

7 St. Francis Xavier: Disney’s Aristocats Kids 8 Cirque Ziva14 Alpin Hong16 River Valley Harmonizers18 Aspirus Arts in Education: Amber Brown is not a Crayon 21 Improvised Shakespeare Company

April

7 Central Wis. School of Ballet8 Rosanne Cash9 Joe Bonamassa14 Heidi’s Dance Recital21-22 DDH Dance Recital

May

4 Judy Peterson Dance Recital16-18 Wausau Community Theatre: Rent

June

Calendar is subject to change. Updates will be found on our website and upcoming newsletters.

Year at a Glance

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