The upcoming 2017-18 season at the Staller Center for the Arts is complete with entertainers that run the gamut from musicians and comedians to cultural performers. Familiar faces and award winning acts make up the majority of the lineup.
The Staller Center’s season officially kicks off on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. with the Emerson String Quartet in Recital Hall. This critically-acclaimed quartet in residence is a nine-time Grammy winner, two of which were for Best Classical Album. The group will be performing concerts on three separate dates for the 2017-18 season. For their upcoming show on Oct. 11, they will be performing both Shostakovich and Beethoven.
“I programmed 2017-18 really with the idea of getting students excited about live theater,” Alan Inkles, the director of the Staller Center, said.
The acrobats of Film FabriQue will defy gravity on Oct. 14 at 8 p.m., followed by comedian David Sedaris on Oct. 20 at 8 p.m., virtuoso cellist Colin Carr on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. and the seductive dancers of Tango Buenos Aires on Oct. 28 at 8 p.m.
“I’ve seen a flamenco show before, which is why I’m excited to see this one,” Jessica Reyes, a sophomore psychology and sociology double major, said in reference to Tango Buenos Aires.
Dancers will showcase South American cabaret tango on the main stage.
Other highlights for the fall semester include country star Stephanie Quayle on Nov. 3 at 8 p.m., the Martial Artists and Acrobats of China on Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. and holiday hits by John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m.
One of this season’s most anticipated acts is set to perform next spring. For late-night talk show fans, raunchy entertainment will be delivered in a classier environment by late-night legend Jay Leno on March 3. Leno will take the main stage alongside a special guest, The Doo Wop Project. The group of young men will set the stage for Leno with their doo wop renditions for the Staller Center’s Gala.
Gala supporter tickets, which include VIP seating, admission to the Gala reception and acknowledgment in the program are available as well.
The spring season is scheduled to have explosive drumming, a circus, Irish dancers, funk music and more.
“I’m most excited about going to see Catapult,” Amanda Jayne, a senior majoring in history and theatre arts who works at the box office, said. “I’ve seen them on ‘America’s Got Talent’ and they make cool shapes and words with the shadows of their performers. It’s going to be awesome.”
Catapult will feature dancers acting as shapeshifting silhouettes. The group, which was an America’s Got Talent finalists, is performing on April 14 at 8 p.m.
Students can purchase tickets for the Staller Center’s shows at half-off their regular price. Interested individuals can also take advantage of student rush tickets. For shows that do not sell out or that have returned tickets, students can buy tickets for a discounted price the day of.
“All of our shows have great videos on our website and I really encourage our students to see these amazing Broadway and arena style shows for a fraction of what they would pay for at other venues and it’s right here on campus,” Inkles said. “Staller is for our students.”
According to Reyes, who works at the box office alongside Jayne, the student rush tickets go for as little as $7.
The full list of upcoming performers can be found on their website at https://www.staller.sunysb.edu/. Tickets for the 2017-18 season are on sale now.
