May 18, 2016
Contact Jen Roberdeau at 608-796-3738 or jaroberdeau@viterbo.edu
VITERBO UNIVERSITY FINE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES 2016-2017 RONALD MCDONALD ARTS FOR YOUNG AMERICA FAMILY SERIES
LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Fine Arts Center has announced its 2016-2017 Ronald McDonald Arts for Young America Family Series, which will feature beloved children’s stories, an exciting look at the science of electrical energy, and amazing tricks and stunts performed by rescue dogs.
The series will open with Missoula Children’s Theatre’s (MCT) 24th consecutive visit as they present a comic adaptation of Rapunzel Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1 and 4 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center’s Main Theatre. Rapunzel will feature a cast of local children, who will work with the MCT tour directors throughout the week to rehearse and present the one-hour musical. Auditions will be held Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 3:45 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center, and children ages 5-18 are welcome to audition. The auditions will be held Tuesday rather than Monday because of Halloween.
“We are pleased to bring the Missoula Children’s Theatre back this season because of the wonderful opportunity they provide for local children,” said Michael Ranscht, director of the Fine Arts Center at Viterbo University. “Children audition early in the week, learn and memorize the entire musical, and then perform on Saturday. They have a lot of fun and have an opportunity to meet other kids and work together to create something truly special.”
The season will continue with the charming musical A Year with Frog and Toad on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. Based on the beloved children’s books by Arnold Lobel, A Year with Frog and Toad follows two great friends through four fun-filled seasons as they celebrate their differences that make them unique and special.
Doktor Kaboom’s Live Wire! The Electricity Tour is the next performance in the series on Saturday, March 11 at 3 p.m. Co-commissioned by the Kennedy Center, Live Wire! explores the fundamentals of electrical energy in a high-energy, family-friendly show led by the hilarious Doktor Kaboom.
Wrapping up the season will be Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m. Stunt Dog Experience features a cast of rescue dogs performing amazing tricks, big air stunts, comedy antics, and athletic feats the whole family will enjoy.
The Ronald McDonald Arts for Young America Family Series is supported in part by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota, which has been a sponsor of the series since 1998. The performances are also sponsored in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Season tickets are on sale now through Aug. 12 and can be purchased by contacting the Viterbo Box Office at 608-796-3100. Packages range from $31 to $43 for all four performances. More information about the performances may be found at www.viterbo.edu/fac.
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