Performing Arts Center announces 2024-25 season
PAC members gather to celebrate the new season.
The Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center recently celebrated the announcement of the upcoming 2024-25 season with a special event for PAC members, who had drinks, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.
Though the Andy Grammer show on Oct. 26 was announced previously, members were able to reserve seats at the special event. Grammer is an Emmy Award-winning and multi-platinum artist whose hits include “Honey, I’m Good,” “Keep Your Head Up” and “Don’t Give Up on Me.”
There was excitement over the return of the Celtic Woman show on April 8, 2025, and Mandy Gonzalez, who appeared in the musicals “Hamilton” and “Wicked,” who will perform with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic on April 11, 2025.
“Menopause 2: The Musical,” a sequel to “Menopause: The Musical,” will feature the ladies setting sail on a cruise, and it features music of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Motown fans will enjoy the Broadway musical “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations.”
There are other shows that are confirmed, but the PAC can’t make an announcement yet.
“The live entertainment industry is changing a little bit, and a lot of artists don’t necessarily see that the world revolves around us here at the PAC. They’re on their own timeline, so we have to adjust,” said David Mitchell, general manager at PAC. “Andy Grammer is a perfect example of that. He announced his national tour early, so we needed to roll with that, and we need to go out ahead. There’re some artists that we have under contract that I can’t tell you about because we’re waiting for them to announce tours or for other things that are going on within in their sphere.”
PAC members will always hear about a new show first and can purchase tickets before the general public. Mitchell did give one hint about a group he couldn’t say was coming as the name The Maple Hill Men appeared on a screen behind him.
“I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. I can’t tell you that The Maple Hill Men are coming,” Mitchell said. “We’ll keep telling you more shows as they come along.”
The PACK the PAC initiative will return. The $15-per-seat pricing will allow family and friends to support area students when they perform on stage with professional musicians as part of the PAC’s educational program to take these performers into area schools.
The first PACK the PAC will be Nov. 9 with the group TAKE3, and The Real Group will perform Feb. 12.
“It’s just being able to connect students with artists and giving them, literally, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. In taking artists out into schools, the artists have a blast; the kids have a blast,” Mitchell said.
Returning for a third season is a world music and food lobby event. “We’ve transformed the lobby into a full-immersion music, food and beverage experience which has sold out the past two years,” Mitchell said. “This year we’ll transport patrons to Ireland and turn the lobby into an Irish Pub, full of music, food, beer and dancing for those brave enough.”
The evening will feature music by Celtic Rush and include a four-course meal of authentic Irish fare.
The schedule is as follows: The Docksiders, Sept. 8; Helen Welch: First Ladies of Song, Sept. 26; Fool House, Oct. 5; Tuscarawas Philharmonic: The Talents Within, Oct. 12; Whose Live Anyway? Oct. 17; A Taste of Ireland, Oct. 19; Andy Grammer, Oct. 26; Take3, Nov. 9; Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations, Nov. 13; Brian Regan, Nov. 19; Tuscarawas Philharmonic: Yuletide Holiday Spectacular, Dec. 14; Christmas in the Air, Dec. 17; and Luminare Christmas, Dec. 19.
In 2025 shows are I Am … He Said — A Celebration of Neil Diamond, Jan. 16; “Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through The Change,” Jan. 28; The Real Group, Feb. 12; Tuscarawas Philharmonic: Love Is All You Need, Feb. 15; The Pack Drumline, Feb. 20; Drew & Ellie Holcomb, Feb. 25; Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, March 4; Drew Lynch, March 8; Dirty Dancing in Concert, March 13; Trailblazing Women of Country: A Tribute to Patsy, Loretta and Dolly, March 25; Celtic Woman, April 8; Mandy Gonzalez: In Concert with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, April 11; The Addams Family, April 15; and the Tuscarawas Philharmonic: Timeless Flute Magic, June 7.
Get your tickets quickly, through ZIP code analysis. The biggest rise in ticket purchases are being made by people who live outside of Tuscarawas and surrounding counties.
“It’s the ones on the outside ring, so Summit County, Portage County, Medina County, and moving east into Steubenville, St. Clairsville, but even into West Virginia and Pennsylvania,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s a testament to the artists that we’re bringing in that people are willing to drive 45 minutes to an hour.”
The PAC expressed thanks for the support they receive from the community.
“Continuing partnerships with our sponsors are a testament to these organizations’ commitment to the arts and assisting us in enriching the lives of the community around us,” said Dr. Brad Bielski, dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State Tuscarawas. “We are excited for the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation to return as our full season sponsor. And we are grateful for the continued support of First Federal Community Bank, attorney Richard W. Hinig and AloNovus as Platinum Sponsors and Supporting Sponsor Rodriguez’s House of Stones. Western Reserve Public Media also continues as our official media partner for the season.”
More information on performances and ticket prices is online at www.kent.edu/tuscpac. PAC members will be able to purchase tickets to the 2024-25 season from June 10-19. Discounted tickets are available through presale packages of four shows or more and can be purchased beginning June 20. Single show ticket sales will begin June 24. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Performing Arts Center box office, by calling 330-308-6400 or online at www.kent.edu/tuscpac. The box office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas is located at 330 University Drive NE in New Philadelphia.