Arts

The Lutcher Theater is thrilled to announce its 45th season, featuring a star-studded lineup that promises to deliver unforgettable entertainment experiences. This milestone season will kick off in October with an electrifying performance by the Bacon Brothers, featuring Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael, setting the stage for an extraordinary year of music, Broadway and more.

“The Lutcher Theater is proud to celebrate its 45th season with a lineup that reflects our commitment to bringing world-class entertainment to our community,” said Lynae Sanford, executive director of the Lutcher Theater. “We are excited to welcome both legendary musical artists and critically acclaimed Broadway productions to our stage. This season is a testament to the support of our patrons, sponsors, and the community, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with you all.”

The 45th season will open on October 19 with the Bacon Brothers. The renowned brothers will perform their unique blend of folk, rock, soul, and country. Known for their dynamic performances and undeniable chemistry, the Bacon Brothers will bring their distinctive sound and energy to the Lutcher Theater, ensuring a memorable start to this celebratory season.

This upcoming year, music lovers will be treated to performances by some of the industry’s most beloved artists. Country music superstar LeAnn Rimes will grace the stage on January 25, captivating audiences with her powerful voice and chart-topping hits. Additionally, Lonestar, one of country music’s most iconic bands, will bring their harmonies and timeless songs to Orange, Texas on November 3.

Broadway enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Lutcher Theater presents an impressive array of Tony Award-winning shows. The lineup includes:

• Cirque Dreams Holidaze, November 16: This family holiday spectacular dazzles with a brilliant and whimsical performance. As the longest running cirque holiday theatrical event, this annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts.
•  “Dear Evan Hansen,” December 17 and 18: This contemporary musical phenomenon tells a deeply personal and profoundly contemporary story about life and the way we live it.
• “Come From Away,” January 2: This moving and uplifting musical tells the true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them.
• “Ain’t Too Proud,” January 14 and 15: The Life and Times of The Temptations, which chronicles the extraordinary journey of this iconic Motown group.
• “Chicago,” February 20: The longest-running American musical in Broadway history, known for its sizzling music and timeless story of fame and fortune.
• Momix “Alice,” March 7: Seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic and whimsy, Momix sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in Moses Pendleton’s newest creation, “Alice,” inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic “Alice in Wonderland.”
• “The Cher Show,” April 4: Follow the story of the legendary Cher, showcasing her incredible journey through stunning costumes, choreography and her unforgettable music.
• “Hadestown,” April 21 and 22: A haunting and beautiful retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.

In addition to the star-studded line-up to celebrate their 45 years of incredible events, patrons will have the chance to experience the Lutcher en Light, a concert series offering a one-of-a-kind experience in a candlelit setting. Lutcher en Light will feature Twitty & Lynn, the grandson of Conway Twitty and the granddaughter of Loretta Lynn, on February 15, as well as the March 29 performance of the Gentlemen’s Quartet, who offer a modern, elegant take on some of the most famous classical and popular music the world has ever known. From Beethoven to John Legend, their one-of-a-kind arrangements fuse multiple genres together in a perfect symphony of sophistication, virtuosity and humor.

The Lutcher will also offer a sensory-inclusive performance of The Magic of Kevin Spencer, a show for people of all ages and abilities. It features award-winning magician Kevin Spencer in a fun-filled show that combines storytelling, stage magic and audience participation.

“This sensory-inclusive performance is designed to create an experience that is welcoming to all audiences including families of children with autism or other developmental or intellectual disabilities that create sensory sensitivities,” said Sanford.

Season tickets will go on sale to the public in July and individual show tickets will be available for purchase in August. If you are not already a season ticket holder and would like to be, please join the waitlist at lutcher.org/waitlist to be the first to find out season information.

For more information about the Lutcher Theater, please visit lutcher.org. The Lutcher Theater is located at 707 Main Avenue in Orange, Texas.

Explore the world of fiber art with Guest Artist Xenia Fedorchenko at the Adult Studio Workshop: Narrative Felting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Learn needle felting and visual storytelling techniques to create an 8″ x 10″ fiber artwork that tells a story. No prior felting experience required! The material fee of $60 includes a needle felting kit and all the supplies needed for the workshop plus a boxed lunch.

Originally from Moscow, Russia, Xenia Fedorchenko joined the art faculty of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, in 2006 to teach printmaking and drawing. She received her Master of Fine Arts in printmaking from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (2006) and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts (2000).

Fedorchenko’s recent art practice focuses on plein-air landscape painting, while her drawings and prints are represented in multiple university, museum, and private collections nationally and internationally.

Fiber work, mainly papermaking and felting, has been a secondary focus of study for Fedorchenko since graduate school, where she took a number of courses in the discipline and served as a studio assistant for summer program offerings. Xenia’s graduate thesis consisted of etchings and lithographs printed on hand-made paper. Both felt and paper are currently offered at Lamar University as part of the Alternative Fiber Practices course.

Limited space available. This workshop is offered in conjunction with the special exhibition Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West on view at the Stark Museum of Art through August 3, 2024.

Online registration for this workshop is available here.

The Stark Foundation is pleased to announce Jennifer Dickinson has been named executive director of Stark Art and History, which includes the Stark Museum of Art and the Eunice R. Benckenstein Library and Archive. Dickinson, who has been with the Stark Museum of Art since 2013, previously served as director of education and most recently, as interim director.

Dickinson holds an associate degree, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art from the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama, and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She has previously worked for the Old Jail Art Center in Albany, Texas, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dickinson joined the Stark Museum of Art staff in 2013 as the educator for studio and family programs and was promoted to director of education in 2015. Dickinson led the education department in developing and implementing innovative and engaging programs for students, teachers, adults, families, and children. She is the recipient of the 2016 Texas Art Education Association “Outstanding Art Educator Award” for the Museum Education Division, and she is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Southeast Texas.

“We are pleased for Jennifer Dickinson to continue the legacy of the outstanding individuals who have led the Stark Art and History venues previously. She will continue the mission of the foundation to encourage and assist education and enrich the quality of life for Southeast Texas,” said Clyde “Tad” McKee, president and chief executive officer of the Stark Foundation. “She has been an asset to the Stark Museum of Art for more than a decade and we are excited for her to lead the museum and The W.H. Stark House into this next phase.”

Last week the Stark Museum of Art hosted a reception to celebrate the opening of its 10th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition. This exhibition features 100 original works of art created by 4th – 12th grade artists across the area.

The Juried Student Art Exhibition theme, Piece by Piece, is offered in conjunction with the special exhibition, “Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West.”

The exhibition of student artwork is on view until May 15, 2024.