CoMMA gears up for new season

Drum roll please …We're running a bit late this year, but there's nothing wrong with a making a little fanfare for the brand spankin' new 2009-10 MainStage Morganton City Performance season.
Following on the heels of one of our city auditorium's most successful years ever, the new roster has been scheduled to top the best of the best. So without further blah, blah, blah … let's see what the new year at CoMMA has in store for us.
Any season at CoMMA is not complete unless it begins with the perennial favorite BackPorch series. Sometimes a bluegrass band, sometimes a Broadway show tune band, sometimes blues and sometimes Celtic, Strictly Clean and Decent opens up the amphitheatre series on July 9.
In the shadow of Doc Watson, Diana and Sarvis Ridge hail from the high country of Watauga County, performing under the willow oaks on July 9.
Kari Sickenberger is a singer and songwriter from Asheville who with partner Laurelyn Dossett founded the band Polecat Creek. We'll see her on Aug. 6. And last but not least, on Aug. 20, Red Rocking Chair, composed of four veteran musicians, each bringing his own unique approach to the music, blend folk, bluegrass and country in a way that only players with decades of making music professionally can attain.
All BackPorch concerts begin at 7 p.m. Arrive early for a picnic supper offered by Lowery's Barbecue.
Now let's jump into MainStage Morganton feet-first. All but one of the MainStage events begin at 7:30 p.m.
With more than 250,000 hours of rehearsal, 10,000 music lessons, 50 instruments and 25 years entertaining, the Lowe Family in Concert, based at the Lawrence Welk Theatre in Branson, has earned the reputation as America's Most Talented Family. Don't miss them on Aug. 29.
The Raleigh Ringers are truly wizards on stage as they present the best of sacred and secular handbell music.
Get your seats early for the Sept. 13 matinee at 3 p.m … these tickets go fast.
Drawing their musical heritage from the foothills of North and South Carolina, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, coming to us Oct. 10, are a group of young African-American stringband musicians that have come together to play the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music born and bred in the Carolinas.
Two weeks later Oct. 24 the 'must see' is "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." Off-Broadway's phenomenal longest-running musical celebrates everything you've secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands wives and in-laws, but we're afraid to admit … and it's a musical.
American Revival is the most unique lineup in bluegrass, folk and roots music today, featuring three bands in one evening Nov. 5. It's a great package with Uncle Earl, Sierra Hull, and The Dixie Bee-Liners.
Follow George and Lennie on their quest for the American dream in Barter Theatre's stage production of John Steinbeck's classic novella "Of Mice and Men," adapted to the stage Nov. 13. It doesn't get any better than Barter.
From the moment the lights dim Dec. 4, The Charleston Ballet's "Nutcracker" transports us to a magical place filled with adorable children, marching toy soldiers, a glowing one-ton Christmas tree, mischievous mice, waltzing snowflakes, and more.
Local dancer will perform with the professional troupe. "Mooseltoe: A New Moosical," tells the story of our young hero, Mooseltoe, as he leaves his family to follow his dream of learning to fly so that he can help pull Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve.
Look out, Rudolph … there's a new kid in town. Bring all the kids, young and old Dec. 17.
Weaving a musical trail through rousing sea chanties, lively folk music, spirited bluegrass and haunting Celtic ballads, the Woods Tea Co. serves it all up tempered with a parched New England wit Jan. 8.
With their roots going back to the mid-1940s, The Four Freshmen were one of the top vocal groups of the 1950s. Take the stroll down Memory Lane Jan. 23.
Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance" is a magical adventure of sight and sound, lifting spirits and capturing the hearts of all who experience it.
It's only at CoMMA on Feb. 18. It's 1963 and the 1950s are out. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair, and an even bigger heart, has only one passion — to dance. See this national Broadway tour of "Hairspray" on March 2.
The greatest family musical of all time, "The Wizard of Oz," is touching down March 22, at CoMMA in a magical stage production based on The Royal Shakespeare Company's celebration of the 1939 MGM movie.
Acclaimed American composer and virtuoso violinist Mark O'Connor's "Appalachia Waltz" breathes new life April 16 into the music O'Connor created and performed originally his Grammy-winning Appalachian Journey project.
The Spinners were one of the greatest soul groups of the 1970s, creating a body of work that defined the lush, seductive sound of Philly soul. They will be one of the finest closing acts of MainStage Morganton on May 20.
The new season brochure will be on the streets and in your mailbox soon. Call CoMMA at 433-SHOW to get yours.
Oh yeah, there's one other bit of good news for the new season — the season ticket price has been reduced. We hope this helps your decision in staying close to home for the best of the best in stage entertainments and performance art.