Bandstand at the Clayton Center- Welcome Home

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From three-time Tony® winner and Hamilton choreographer, Andy Blankenbuehler, comes a poignant and inspiring new American musical that explodes with infectious music and high-octane, heart-stopping dancing.

It’s 1945. As America’s soldiers come home to ticker-tape parades and overjoyed families, Private First Class Donny Novitski, singer and songwriter, struggles to rebuild the life he left behind.

When NBC announces a national competition to find the nation’s next great musical superstars, Donny sees a lifeline for himself and some fellow veterans that gives them the purpose they so desperately need. Together, they form a band unlike any the nation has ever seen. Along the way, they discover the power of music to face the impossible, find their voice, and finally feel like they have a place to call home.

BANDSTAND is “both a peppy celebration of can-do spirit and a more somber exploration of what American servicemen experienced when they marched home from World War II. It’s a great argument for why theater can sometimes tell a story more boldly and more viscerally” (The New York Times).

“The show defies you not to be moved” (Time Out New York).

photo by Jeremy Daniel

 

The Holiday Season

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 At the Clayton Center, we will be celebrating the Holiday Season with Dallas String Quartet prior to Thanksgiving and Windham Hill Winter Solstice, Handel’s Messiah, and The Nutcracker in December. We love this time of year. Fall Concerts. Winter Concerts. Sounds of the Season and the tradition of The Nutcracker. This year, we close out Maryville College’s Bicentennial year with Handel’s Messiah. This is a popular concert as it is only performed every few years. This will be a special concert for one night only, so we recommend getting your tickets early.  The Appalachian Ballet will be back with the popular ballet, The Nutcracker. We hear there is new choreography, beautiful new costumes and so much more in what will be and exciting continuation of the Holiday Season. 

The Clayton Center will off the 35th Anniversary of Windham Hill’s Winter Solstice on December 11. Bringing the beautiful sounds of the season will be Will Ackerman, Barbara Higbie, Todd Boston and Mia Pixley.

We are offering Gift Certificates again this year so please consider the Gift of the Arts again this season. We have many exciting performances coming up in 2020 and look forward to seeing all of our friends here at the Clayton Center for the Arts, Celebrating the Arts with us.

Something for Everyone

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The announcement of a new season always brings excitement. This year is no different. There is something for everyone. If you want music, we have it beginning with Wynonna and The Big Noise. Together since 2016, Wynonna is going back to her bluesy, country roots. Bringing her hits as well as new music to the Clayton Center, we hope  she will have everyone dancing in their seats.

A big family friendly show is Cirque Mechanics- 42 FT- A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels. Just the title is fun and makes us smile. A mechanical horse, circus tent, acrobats and aerialists and a ringmaster to lead the show will delight the entire family.  In contrast, beautiful music from the Dallas String Quartet and Windham Hill’s Winter Solstice round out the fall shows. “DSQ- Electric is not your grandmother’s string quartet!” says the Wall Street Journal.   Certainly, if you love the sounds of Christmas, you will love the 35th Anniversary of Winter Solstice.

2020 begins with the moving musical BANDSTAND, about 6 soldiers coming home from war in 1945 and forming a band to find the power of music helps them find home again.  Also, more nostalgic fun continues with The Tap Pack. Australia’s finest tap dancers put a modern twist on the classic Rat Pack. Slick suits, sharp wit and swing dance music make this pure entertainment.

After 57 years, The Chieftains will entertain us with “The Irish Goodbye”.   While lauded for reinventing traditional Irish music, they are perfect for a Valentine’s Day concert.

 A wacky hit from Broadway & London’s smash comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong is called riotous, gut busting and tons of fun. The Associated Press says it is “Madcap Mania with Monty Python in its blood”.  Last up is The Choir of Man. It’s a concert. In a pub.  It is the ultimate feel good show with 9 guys dancing, singing and raising the roof.

We are excited to bring the exceptional National Geographic Live speaker series to the Clayton Center. In the fall we will have photographer Steve Winter On the Trail of Big Cats. Spring will feature Mark Synott and Life on the Vertical. Both of these shows may be added to your season.

Finally, we are presenting for the 3rd year, The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers Tour. Six great films, both documentaries and narrative films will make you think, entertain and enlighten you.

So. Join us again this season in Celebrating the Arts.  Above all, we are going to have a great time. We know you will as well. 

The Lightning Thief On Sale Now!

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THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL, an “electrifying” (Newsday)  musical adaption of the New York Times best-selling novel written by Rick Riordan, will play The Clayton Center for the Arts, June 11 & 12.

With more than 100 million copies of the book series sold worldwide, this global phenomenon has found a new home on the live stage in a “mesmerizing” theatrical event that proves “lightning can strike twice!” (TheaterMania). Following a sold out run in New York City, and garnered 3 Drama Desk Award nominations, including Best Musical.

As a son of Poseidon, Percy Jackson has newly discovered powers he can’t control. With monsters on his trail he is on a quest to find Zeus’ lightning bolt to prevent a war between the Greek gods. Based on the best-selling Disney-Hyperion novel by Rick Riordan and featuring a thrilling original rock score, THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL is an action-packed theatrical adventure and has been celebrated by audiences and critics alike.

“WORTHY OF THE GODS!” –TIME OUT NEW YORK

“A WINNING ADAPTATION.” –Hollywood Reporter

“The Lightning Thief is perfect!”  -Paste Magazine

 

Illusionists- Live From Broadway On Sale Now!

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The Illusionists- Live From Broadway

This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. THE ILLUSIONISTSTM – LIVE FROM BROADWAYTM has shattered box office records across the globe. In addition, the Illusionists dazzle audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. Simply put, this non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, THE ILLUSIONISTS has  thrilled audiences with a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of six of the most incredible illusionists on earth.

Back by popular demand after a 2018 sold out performance,  most importantly, this season, we will see new performers, new tricks and more excitement!

 

Rock of Ages 10th Anniversary Tour On Sale Now!

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Bringing more Broadway to the Clayton Center!

ROCK OF AGES
Book by Chris D’Arienzo
Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp

It’s 1987 on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip when a small-town girl meets a big city rocker.  As they fall in love in L.A.’s most famous rock club, ROCK OF AGES allows fans to rock out once again to their favorite ‘80s hits. Featuring the music of iconic bands such as Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister, and Whitesnake among many others, this Tenth Anniversary production features a dynamic new cast revisiting the larger than life characters and exhilarating story that turned ROCK OF AGES into a global phenomenon.

ROCK OF AGES opened April 7, 2009 on Broadway and played more than 2,300 performances at the Brooks Atkinson and Helen Hayes Theatres earning five Tony Award® nominations including Best Musical. The show also enjoyed successful national and international tours and, in 2012, was turned into a major motion picture by New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures.
 
For one night only, April 10, 2019, the Clayton Center will present ROCK OF AGES. 
 

Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers

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The Clayton Center for the Arts is excited to announce that we will once again be a screening partner for Southern Circuit Independent Tour of Filmmakers, the nation’s original regional tour of independent films and filmmakers which coordinates multi-week tours for invited filmmakers and their new work. Filmmakers participate in community screenings and audience engagement activities. One of our staff members will participate in film selection for our circuit at the end of May,  and we look forward to announcing the films soon thereafter.

As in the last season, we will screen films in the fall of 2018 and in the first 5 months of 2019. We are honored to be invited again this year. We had great conversations  with audiences and film directors and representatives last year during the Q & A times after the screenings. This year’s offerings promise to be just as interesting, exciting and diverse.

Stay tuned for the announcement of films.

We want to thank our Clayton Center sponsor, Russell & Abbott, Heating and Cooling for sponsoring the tour last season. They have graciously agreed to sponsor again this season!

The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers is a program of South Arts. Southern Circuit screenings are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

MLK Week at Maryville College and the Clayton Center

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Ashley Offutt, associate director for diverse retention at Eastern Kentucky University, will speak to the Maryville College community on Mon., Jan. 15, during the College’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observances.  Offutt will speak at 11 a.m. in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall. The title of her presentation is “In the Noonhour.”

“Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on Jan. 15, 1929,” Offutt said in the description of her topic. “He entered this world at noon. It is known, and appreciated, that Dr. King made an impact on this world. What steps will you take to make an impact? What will you do when the noon hour approaches? (On Jan. 15, 2018), I want to work with you to develop your intrinsic motivator. What mark will you leave?”

A first-generation college graduate from Louisville, Ky., Offutt earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies and her minor in African/African-American studies from Eastern Kentucky University. Upon graduating, Offutt was hired as an admissions counselor at Berea College. During her time at Berea, the college saw a 62 percent increase in applications from diverse areas. At the conclusion of her time at Berea College, she transitioned to a role at Eastern Kentucky University as an assistant online coordinator for EKU Online. During her time in the role, she implemented the data files to effectively engage with underrepresented minorities within online programming. Outside of academia, she serves at her local church and spends time mentoring youth. 

The MLK Day event, which is sponsored by Maryville College’s Multicultural Center and Black Student Alliance, is free and open to the public. Voices of Praise, Maryville College’s gospel choir, will perform during the event, and Maryville College students will give readings.

Following the program, a “soul food” lunch menu will be served in the Margaret Ware Dining Room of Pearsons Hall. The cost is $8.50 for members of the public, payable at the door.

Clayton Center Holiday Hours

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The Clayton Center Box Office and Administrative Offices will close at noon, December 21 and open after the holidays at 10AM on January 2. Tickets and information are available online at claytonartscenter.com under each individual performance.

We have an exciting Winter/Spring 2018 beginning with The Sound of Music and Dublin Irish Dance.

We wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday season.

See you in the New Year!

 

Arts & Economy Prosperity V

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Americans for the Arts partnered with 250 local, regional, and statewide organizations that represent the 341 study regions 30 partners included multiple study regions as part of their participation. To complete this customized analysis for the Greater Knoxville Region, the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville joined the study as one of the 250 partners. For the
purpose of this study, the Greater Knoxville Region is defined as Anderson, Blount, and Knox Counties a multi-county region.
 
The Clayton Center for the Arts is proud to be included in this study. Some of the findings are as follows:
  • Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Event Attendees Spend an Average of $59.59 Per Person (excluding the cost of admission)
  • Revenue Generated to Local Government  = $8,398,000
  • Event-Related Spending by Arts and Cultural Audiences Totaled $97.8 million (excluding the cost of admission)
     
     
    There are three key reasons that the Arts & Economic Prosperity series focuses solely on the nonprofit arts and culture sector. 

    (1) The findings dispel the myth that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is an economic “black hole” and provide proof that when people, corporations, foundations, and governments support the nonprofit arts, they are also supporting economic and community development;

    (2) Because nonprofit arts associations are often the recipient of public funding, the availability of valid and accurate economic impact data about the sector is critical; and

    (3) The information necessary to complete an economic impact study is more easily obtained from the nonprofit sector than from the for-profit sector since nonprofit sector data is treated as public information and available through IRS Form 990 filings.

    The arts are essential to the health and vitality of neighborhoods, cities, states and our nation. They enhance community development, create jobs, spur urban renewal, attract new businesses, draw tourism dollars, and create an environment that attracts skilled and educated workers.
     
    For more information on this important study, visit Americans for the Arts