Valentine to host 22 diverse shows

Lineup opens with gala weekend Sept. 14-16

A scene from Chopiniana to be performed by the Russian national Ballet at the Valentine. 'Swan Lake' will glide on stage Jan. 10.

Birdland and Kronos Quartet.

Second City and the Upright Citizens Brigade.

Children's performances, classic movies, and Broadway plays.

Welcome to the 2012-13 season at the Valentine Theatre, which will celebrate its 14th year since its major renovation with a diverse schedule of entertainment.

The season will feature 22 different shows and more than 50 performances. With everything from old favorites such as Fiddler on the Roof, to a Toledo premiere performance by Sweet Honey in the Rock, to a presentation from the young, fresh, improv comedians of the Upright Citizen Brigade and a children's series featuring Junie B. Jones, the lineup is designed to attract a wide range of audiences.

The season will open with its annual weekend gala on Sept. 14-16.

Series and individual tickets go on sale Monday at the box office, 410 Adams St. Tickets to some performances will be available at Ticketmaster outlets and online at ticketmaster.com.

Broadway Series

The Broadway series kicks off on Nov. 11 with Alfred Hitchcock's Tony Award-winning comedy thriller, The 39 Steps. Performed by a cast of four, The 39 Steps features more than 150 characters. The show will begin at 7 p.m.

A Chorus Line, winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and a Pulitzer Prize for drama, follows 17 dancers during a once-in-a-lifetime audition. The Broadway musical will be presented at 3 and 8 p.m. Feb. 2.

Hair, the story of a group of politically active, long-haired hippies living a bohemian life in New York City and protesting the Vietnam War, opens on March 1 at 8 p.m.

An American classic, Fiddler on the Roof, will make its Valentine debut at 7:30 p.m. April 3.

Special Attractions

This season's special attractions include the weekend gala, featuring a street party on Sept. 14, a concert headlined by rock band Jefferson Starship on Sept. 15, and a performance of music from the children's book series Pinkalicious on Sept. 16.

Cirque Chinois, featuring Beijing's award-winning circus of the People's Republic of China, will perform circus acts and stunts at 3 p.m. on Oct. 28.

Silver Screen Classics Series

Returning for its third season, the Silver Screen Classics Series will begin Jan. 4 with Gone With The Wind, followed by Citizen Kane on Jan. 11, The Bridge on the River Kwai on Jan. 18, and From Here to Eternity on Jan. 25.

Studio A Theatre

These Valentine weekend productions are Evil Dead the Musical, Oct. 26 to Nov. 10, and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Feb. 22 to March 10.

Comedy Series

Capitol Steps will again entertain Toledoans with its satire aimed at news and politicians. The comedy troupe will debut its new show, "Take the Money and Run for President," at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18, just in time for the November presidential election.

New to the comedy series lineup is Upright Citizens Brigade, a troupe of young, improv comedians. UCB alumni include Amy Poehler and Ed Helms. The troupe will make their Toledo premiere at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16.

Second City, the touring company that launched the careers of stars such as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Gilda Radner, will return to the Valentine at 8 p.m. on Feb. 23.

Music Series

Jazz orchestra Birdland will stop at the Valentine at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17. The big band from New York will recreate the ambiance and experience of "A Night at Birdland," one of New York City's most popular weekly musical attractions.

String quartet Kronos Quartet will play pieces from its catalog of more than 45 recordings at 7:30 p.m. on Jan 17.

The Grammy-nominated acapella ensemble, Sweet Honey in the Rock, will make its Toledo debut at 7:30 p.m. on Jan 29.

Dance Series

Taylor 2 company of contemporary dance will take the Valentine stage for the first time at 8 p.m. on Nov. 9, dancing Esplanade and two other Paul Taylor pieces.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre's Swan Lake will glide on to stage with its fairy tale story of a beautiful princess, a passionate prince, and an evil spell. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 10.

On March 3, Celtic Nights will perform Journey of Hope, a powerful dance rich with Celtic heritage. Show time is 7 p.m.

Children's Series

This family-friendly series will bring the musical adventure How I Became A Pirate to the Valentine at 2 p.m. on Jan. 26.

Martha Speaks, a cartoon about a talking dog, is scheduled at 2 p.m. on March 9.

Outspoken and precocious Junie B. Jones will return on April 6 with a musical about new friends, new glasses, sugar cookies, and other angst-ridden first grade situations. Junie and her friends will take the stage at 2 p.m.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar will return with a whimsical cast of adventurous animals for Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and other stories from children's book author Eric Carle. Treasured Stories of Eric Carle will be presented at 2 p.m. on April 27.

Various schools and local arts organizations also will present events at the historic downtown theater. For more information visit valentinetheatre.com.

Contact RoNeisha Mullen at: rmullen@theblade.com or 419-724-6133.