Ford Center Sets the Stage for a New Season of Entertainment

This season has something for all ages and interests, said Kate Meacham, Ford Center marketing director.

"Seeing performances live gives audiences a fundamentally different experience than watching on a screen or listening to a recording," Meacham said. "It's a shared experience not just with other audience members but also with the performers.

"In a way, it becomes a collaboration with both the audience and the performers as participants."

The season opens Sept. 8 with the Grammy-winning trio Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers. Having shaped country music for seven decades, they are celebrating the milestone with their Farewell Celebration Tour.

Throughout their career, the Gatlins received a Grammy for Best Country Song for "Broken Lady," multiple Academy of Country Music Awards, seven No. 1 hits, 32 Top 40 singles and more than 20 studio albums. Their hits include "All the Gold in California" and "Houston (Means I'm One Step Closer to You)," which helped define an era.

Larry Gatlin also wrote songs recorded by artists such Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Barbra Streisand.

The remainder of the fall season includes:

• Oct. 20 – "Don't Stop Me Now: A Celebration of Rock Musicals" – This concert experience performance features songs from Broadway's biggest rock musicals, including "Hair," "Rent," "Jagged Little Pill," "Hamilton" and "Mamma Mia!"
• Oct. 22 – "Clue, The Play" – Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit full of laughter and keep guests guessing until the final twist.

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  Oct. 26 – Dover String Quartet – The two-time Grammy-nominated quartet is one of the world's most in-demand chamber ensembles. With members on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music, the group has received a multitude of international accolades.
• Nov. 5 – "Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles" – By reproducing the Grammy Award-winning sounds of a generation's Greatest American Songbook, this Eagles tribute has become the most successful and longest running show of its kind.
• Nov. 13 – "Bee Gees Gold" – John Acosta's Bee Gees tribute is the ultimate salute and experience of seeing the Bee Gees in their prime. The show features the vocal stylings of John Acosta as Barry, Eric Sean as Robin and Peter Sprague as Maurice.
• Dec. 3 – "Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol" – The legendary holiday tale rewritten as a new American classic features Charles Dickens' classic characters and Dolly Parton's one-of-a-kind songwriting expertise.

The spring season includes:

• Jan. 26, 2027 – Glenn Miller Orchestra – With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year worldwide.
• Feb. 27, 2027 – "Clifford, the Big Red Dog: The Musical" – Everyone's favorite Big Red Dog, Clifford, bounds onto the stage in a brand-new musical comedy adventure that celebrates friendship, imagination and the magic of unconditional love. The approximate running time is 60 minutes and recommended for ages pre-kindergarten to second grade.
• March 17, 2027 – "Mystic Pizza, the Musical" – Based on the 1988 MGM rom-com that launched the career of Julia Roberts, "Mystic Pizza" is a new musical about three working-class girls who navigate the complexities of life, love and family in a small-town pizza joint serving everyone from the townies to the privileged country club set. It features hit songs from the '80s and '90s.

• March 30, 2027 – "Gravity, London's Iconic Leading Ladies from 'Wicked'" – This show brings together three of London's West End's most glamorous and celebrated leading ladies for an evening of music and storytelling. The show combines powerhouse vocals, wicked harmonies and a sparkle of stardom to celebrate the greatest music and divas inspired by "Wicked" and other iconic Broadway shows.
• April 4, 2027 – U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus – The Concert Band & Soldiers' Chorus are the oldest and largest of the U.S. Army Field Band's performing components. Founded in 1946 and 1957, respectively, these two ensembles combine to present joint concerts on their national tours.

• April 6, 2027 – "The Sleeping Beauty and Raymonda Excerpts" by the Houston Ballet II – Houston Ballet II is the second company of Houston Ballet, America's fifth-largest ballet company and comprises dancers from around the world. The company will perform excerpts from two beloved ballets.
• April 19, 2027 – Bill Charlap Jazz Trio – The Grammy-nominated Bill Charlap Trio marks its 23rd year together featuring pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington. They are recognized as one of the leading jazz ensembles, and their most recent recording features them supporting Tony Bennet and Diana Krall on the Grammy-nominated album "Love is Here to Stay."

Get more information or purchase tickets here. Or, contact the Ford Center Ticket Office at 662-915-7411.

Top: The familiar characters from the board game Clue come to life in 'Clue, The Play.' The production visits the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 22. Photo by Evan Zimmerman