updated August 16, 2007

Large-scale interdisciplinary performances will join a historic gospel choir, a surrealistic multi-media jazz experience and a rock band that brings opera into the 21st century among spectacular shows in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s 2007-08 Performing Arts Series.

World of Motion: Diavolo will kick off this year's Performing Arts Series on Sept. 18 with a show that challenges the relationships and struggles to maintain humanity in an increasingly technological world.

Building on last year’s popular season, the seven-show series strives to expand artistic and cultural awareness at Rose-Hulman and the Wabash Valley. The theme is “The Hottest Ticket in Town“.

“We want to feature performers and shows that interest Rose-Hulman students, while showing the community that we appreciate the arts,” states Bunny Nash, director of Rose-Hulman’s Hatfield Hall Theater and coordinator of the performing arts series.

The series also includes a landmark improvisational comedy troupe, a wild “scientist” from an Emmy Award-winning television show and a talented chamber ensemble.

Ticket prices for adults range from $10 to $25 depending on the show. Persons purchasing advanced tickets for three or more shows can receive a $2 discount per show. Tickets for any show will be available Aug. 20-24, from 1-5 p.m., in the Hatfield Hall ticket office. Tickets can also be reserved by calling (812) 877-8544. If available, tickets for individual shows can be purchased the week before each performance.

Funny Look At Life: The Chicago-based Second City theater group, appearing on Oct. 6, has helped launch the careers of such comedic greats as John Belushi, Mike Myers, Bill Murray, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Candy, Ryan Stiles and Chris Farley.

The dazzling Diavolo dancers kick off the season on Sept. 18 by leaping, flying and twirling against a backdrop of outrageous sets. Trained as gymnasts, rock climbers, martial artists, stunt performers and actors, the 10-member California-based ensemble is propelling the evolution of dance and entertainment to make the arts more integrated within the mainstream of America.

Employing the unique Diavolo technique, the show creates metaphors for the challenge of relationships, the absurdities of life and the struggle to maintain humanity in an increasingly technological world. The group encourages risk-taking, trust and teamwork as means for achieving personal goals and interpersonal aspirations. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for youths.

“Last year’s performance of Luma: Theatre of Light was so overwhelming that we searched to bring in another high-quality show that would delight the minds and eyes of the audience,” said Nash. “Hatfield Hall is an excellent venue for this type of show. When Diavolo became available, we jumped at the opportunity to bring this dazzling show to Rose-Hulman.”

On Oct. 6, the famed Chicago-based Second City theater group will mine comedic gold from the day’s headlines and the worlds of politics, entertainment and media in its’ “One Nation Under Blog” show. Since 1959, Second City revues have featured a mix of semi-improvised and scripted scenes with new material developed during unscripted improv sessions, along with improvised music. This format has helped launch the careers of such comedic greats as John Belushi, Mike Myers, Bill Murray, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Steve Carell, John Candy, Ryan Stiles and Chris Farley. Because of adult themes and language, this show may not be suitable for younger audiences. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for non-RHIT college students.

Highlighting African-American Culture: The Harlem Gospel Choir, performing on Feb. 15, provides an extraordinary evening of foot-stomping and hand-clapping blues, jazz and gospel spirituals.

The Ben Benjaminov Memorial Concert on Nov. 10 will showcase the Weiss-Kaplan-Newman Trio, a Bloomington, Ind.-based classical group whose concerts pay tribute to three centuries of masterworks. Pianist Yael Weiss, violinist Mark Kaplan and cellist Clancy Newman perform the first piano trios by Beethoven and Brahms, and exciting newly commissioned works. Benjaminov, a former Rose-Hulman chemistry professor, led the creation and organization of the college’s original fine arts series. Tickets for the show are $12 for adults and $10 for youths.

The Hot Club of San Francisco, an acoustic string ensemble, provides the backdrop for a multi-media show on Jan. 22 that features silent surrealist films with live gypsy jazz. The ensemble of violin, bass and guitars accompany four short films with the distinctive style and instrumentation of Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club de France. The films include “Now You Tell One” and “It’s a Bird” by Charlie Bowers, a contemporary of Charlie Chaplin. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for youths.

Mixing Rock and Opera: You’ve heard opera and you’ve heard rock, but you’ve never heard opera rocked like the East Village Opera Company, performing at Rose-Hulman on April 9. The group includes a powerhouse five-piece band, a string quartet and two outstanding vocalists.

Rose-Hulman will celebrate Black History Month with a special Feb. 15 concert by the Harlem Gospel Choir, one of the world’s pre-eminent gospel choirs. Through its music and dynamic performances, the group’s Give Peace A Chance tour creates a better understanding of the African-American culture and the inspirational music called Gospel as it relates to the Black Church. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for youths.

On March 6, Paul Zaloom will bring the eccentric, wacky scientist Beakman to Rose-Hulman for “Beakman Live!”, a show based on the popular children’s science educational television series “Beakman’s World.” Beakman will present a series of death-defying and belief-suspending demonstrations of intriguing scientific principles. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youths.

Finally, on April 9, the East Village Opera Company will bring the timeless musicality of opera into the 21st century with its inventive rock arrangements of Rigoletto’s “La donna e mobile”, Carmen’s “Habanera” and Turandot’s “Nessun dorma”. The concept is totally fresh and features a powerhouse five-piece band, a string quartet and two outstanding vocalists. Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for youths.

Two shows will feature the musical talents of Rose-Hulman students, faculty and staff: The Encore Engineers revue is planned on Feb. 9, while a Rose-Hulman Community Concert is scheduled on March 15. Both shows are free and open to the public.

Local businesses and organizations helping to underwrite concert expenses are Arts Illiana Inc. and the Indiana Arts Commission, Duke Energy, First Financial Bank, Eli Lilly and Company and Terre Haute Savings Bank.

More information about the series is available at www.rose-hulman.edu/performingarts. Persons wanting a copy of the series’ promotional brochure should call Bunny Nash at (812) 877-8875.