Smokey Joe s Café Tuesday, October 21, 2014-7:30 PM The Cole Auditorium is rolling back the clock and bringing back some special guests to open this season! This season s full-stage production is the musical revue Smokey Joe s Café. Smokey Joe s is heralded as the longest running music revue in Broadway history. As if that isn t enough of a Broadway connection, this production of the show is directed and choreographed by Chet Walker. Walker, who has garnered acclaim for his work in television, film, and music video, choreographed Pippen which is playing now on Broadway. That is quite enough about the backstory. Headlining the show is super group, The Coasters, who appeared on the Cole stage in 2009. In addition to the talented troupe of singer/dancers, The Coasters bring to life some of the most recognizable songs of the 50s and 60s from the song writing team of Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. Lieber and Stoller were responsible for numerous icons such as The Coasters, The Drifters, and the one and only Elvis Presley. The show features a songand-dance celebration of over 35 of rock n roll s classic songs including Charlie Brown, Yakety Yak, Love Potion #9, Jailhouse Rock, and Stand By Me. All the music is performed live by an on-stage band. Additional photos and videos are available online. PERFORMANCE COURTESIES: Patrons arriving late will be admitted at the discretion of the management to the closest available seats. All performances begin promptly at the designated show time. All patrons are encouraged to arrive a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the designated show time. As a courtesy to the performers and to other season ticket holders and for your safety, please remain in your seat until the house lights have been raised at the conclusion of the performance. IN CASE OF FIRE: In the unlikely event of a fire, please gather all personal belongings and walk calmly to the nearest exit. Follow the instructions of the RCC Ambassadors, ushers, and the Cole Staff. SMOKING POLICY: Cole Auditorium is a part of the NON-SMOKING campus of RCC. Smoking and use of tobacco products are allowed only inside private vehicles. SINGLE SHOW TICKETS: When available, single show tickets are sold for $35.00 or $50.00. Please call for specific show pricing. Tickets are often even available on the day of the performance. Interested parties can contact the Cole Box Office at any time to be placed on the waiting list.
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? If at any time you need assistance or have a question, please feel free to ask an usher or any member of the Cole staff. BOX OFFICE: The box office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and at least one and a half hour prior to each performance. LOST SEASON TICKETS: Season ticket holders should contact the box office for lost ticket replacement. Season tickets will be reprinted at no cost. Doing so prior to the day of a show will allow for prompt service. SEATING: The Cole Auditorium s policy is to open the seating area 30 minutes prior to curtain, although in some cases, technical considerations may delay opening. SPECIAL NEEDS: Wheelchair locations are available at the rear of the orchestra level. The Auditorium is equipped with a system for the hearing impaired. These devices, attainable at the box office, are available for all performances at no charge. Service animals are welcome. If you need assistance exiting after a performance, please notify an usher, and the usher will assist you. PAYMENT: Cash, check, money order, MasterCard, or VISA are acceptable forms of payment. If paying by credit card, payment may be made by phone. Checks should be made to RCC/Cole. CANCELLATIONS: All programs, artists, dates, and times are subject to change or cancellation due to availability. TICKET REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES: All season ticket sales are final. Refunds are given only if a performance is cancelled by the venue and cannot be rescheduled. In the event a performance is cancelled and a refund is offered, ticket holders are required to return their ticket(s) to the box office within 30 days of official notification in order to receive a refund. All refunds will be delivered by check in the mail. LAP CHILDREN: Everyone, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter. RECORDING DEVICES Use of recording devices in the Auditorium is strictly prohibited by US Copyright Law. Still cameras are allowed for certain performances. Their use is typically not confirmed until the day of the show. Please ask an usher as you arrive if the use of still cameras are allowed for that performance. PAGERS AND CELL PHONES: As a courtesy to the performers and to other audience members, please turn off all cell phones and pagers prior to the start of ther performance. Use of cell phones in the Auditorium during performances is strictly prohibited. The Beach Boys Wednesday, November 5, 2014-7:30 PM No time of year is a bad time of year for a little Beach fun! since 1998. Original Beach Boy Mike Love will be joined for this concert by long-time member Bruce Johnston with supporting musicians Bob Foskett, Randell Kirsch, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill, and Scott Totten. This is the group that has toured regularly as The Beach Boys The Beach Boys have reportedly performed more shows than any other major rock group (and they haven t taken a summer off since their blast-off in the early 1960s), and after this show, they will add Richmond County to that long list of tour stops. With singles like Kokomo, Good Vibrations, Help Me Rhonda, California Girls, and Barbara Ann, The Beach Boys propelled to the forefront of the music scene. These songs, as well as countless others, have kept generations of fans singing along. Their unmatched staying power garnered this supergroup many achievements, such as induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rolling Stone s Band of the Year in 1974, and a double platinum album as recently as 2006. Happily for us all, The Beach Boys continue to create and perform with the same bold imagination and style that marked their explosive debut over 50 years ago.
Livingston Taylor & Tom Chapin Thursday, December 4, 2014-7:30 PM This is a non-traditional Christmas show with two outstanding folk singer/songwriters. These two gentlemen showcase the statement that a show doesn t have to be big to be entertaining. Backed by only a couple of instruments each, Taylor and Chapin come together to present a rare evening of stories behind the songs they have written. In addition, the show will feature some Christmas secular and religious standards and maybe even a sing along or two. Season Ticket Prices Front Orchestra (Rows A-M) $145.00 per seat Rear Orchestra (Rows N-S) $135.00 per seat Front Mezzanine (Rows T-W) $125.00 per seat Rear Mezzanine (Rows X-CC) $115.00 per seat **Prices include newly enacted sales tax** Auditorium Seating If you haven t heard of Livingston Taylor, you will be glad you have after the concert. He and his brother James (yes, that James Taylor) have origins here in the Tar Heel State. In addition to his calming vocals, Livingston plays guitar, banjo, and piano. Tom Chapin has entertained audiences around the world. He is especially well-traveled thanks to his children s programming that he has performed for thousands of school children. Tom has Broadway and off-broadway credits, as well as film, television, and radio work. Tom is the son of the late Jim Chapin and the brother of the late Harry Chapin. Reserved seating is utilized for all DeWitt Performing Arts Season performances. Row and seat numbers, based on this seating plan, are printed on all tickets. A detailed seating diagram may be found on the Cole website: www.richmondcc.edu/cole-auditorium
Social Media Are You Connected to the Cole? Piano Battle Tuesday, February 10, 2015-7:30 PM Audience participation is a hallmark of this interactive exhibition. Stay in touch with the latest news from the Cole Auditorium. www.facebook.com/coleaud Facebook and Twitter feeds are available to patrons without having to register with the services. Just type the web addresses above directly into your Internet browser s address bar access to the information posted. ~Browse calendar of facility/ rental events ~Links to video previews of artist and shows ~Find out more about or sign up for The Director s Circle ~Preview Show s Playbill days prior to show www.twitter.com/coleaud COLE-MAIL ~Receive new release about DeWitt Series events ~Be the first to hear about Cole Series and other special events ~Reminders of upcoming shows ~Be assured addresses will not be shared and you can easily unsubscribe at anytime www.richmondcc.edu/cole-auditorium Dueling piano competitions have progressed a long way since their start in the late 1890 s when ragtime piano players would go head-to-head to see who could play faster or better. The modern-day version of these competitions comes to the Cole in a unique show that allows the Cole audience to decide who played it best. The setting is very simple: two grand pianos on the Cole stage, two talent pianists (one dressed in white, one in black), six rounds (each featuring a unique musical style), and one audience willing to have laugh, sing along, and banter with the performer (and armed with cards to vote for their favorite side). Of course, that might not be the limit of your participation, but you will have to show up to experience that. The brainchild of internationally accomplished pianists Andreas Kern and Paul Cibis, Piano Battle features the duo charming and enchanting the audience with a variety of classical pieces. The two artists, with distinctly different performance styles, take turns to perform pieces by composers such as Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy. Additional photos and videos are available online.
Rhythm of the Dance Tuesday, March 17, 2015-7:30 PM This is a very special St. Patrick s Day treat! Rhythm of the Dance celebrates and relives the history of Celtic dance and features the National Dance Company of Ireland. This will be the first international DeWitt Series performance in several years. The show features talented and energetic dancers in a two-hour extravaganza showcasing a wealth of talent derived from all areas of Irish life. Showcasing the arts of dance and music and infusing theatrical elements, this richly costumed show marries the contemporary, the ancient, and the entertaining. Along with the traditional Irish dance, featured numbers include Sean-nós, modern dance, ballet, and much more, reliving the journey of the Irish Celts throughout history. Rhythm of the Dance is much more than just a dance exhibition. Rather than pre-recorded music or hiding the musicians in the orchestra pit, this show features a live band. Touring since 1999 and continually evolving, Rhythm of the Dance tours all over the world telling a thousand-year old story with all the advantages of a modern day stage show. Additional photos and videos are available online. Collin Raye Friday, April 17, 2015-7:30 PM This 1990s Country artist showcases his hits and inspirational music. The season concludes with classic country music from the 90s, sacred music, and a tribute to Glenn Campbell. Collin Raye was one of the few true hit makers of 1990s country. Raye left his mark on Country music with 25 hits that landed in the Top 30 on the county singles charts with 4 of those topping out at #1. His number 1 hits include: My Kind of Girl, the beautiful love ballads I Can Still Feel You, In This Life, and perhaps his most well-known single, Love, Me. Listeners were so moved by this golden and pure voice that songs like Love, Me set the cornerstone for a career built on meaningful and emotional songs that have often been used for weddings, anniversaries, and memorial services. Raye seems to be the master of bringing the country story song to life. Songs like That Was a River, That s My Story, Little Rock, and Not That Different grip the heartstrings and paint beautiful pictures for all to enjoy. More recently, Raye has released an album of inspirational songs dedicated to the memory of his late granddaughter, and the album also features gospel standards and Still on the Line, a tribute to country legend Glenn Campbell. Additional photos and videos are available online.