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In its ninth season of bringing world-class entertainment to East Texas, ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø's Belcher Center announces its 2015-2016 season featuring a diverse lineup of shows:

• Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015 - "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat"

• Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 -The Texas Tenors

• Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 - TAO, Seventeen Samurai

• Saturday, March 19, 2016 - Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits

• Saturday April 23, 2016 - Dave Barry

The entire 2015-2016 Belcher Center season is underwritten by Martin Midstream Partners. Marquee sponsors include Transet Company and Joy Global, with each show sponsored by other generous donors.

Season ticket holders can renew their subscriptions beginning Wednesday, July 8. New season ticket packages go on sale Wed. July 22. Single tickets for individual shows go on sale Wed. Aug. 5.

Back by popular demand is the "Build Your Own Season" option of getting discounts on ticket packages for three, four or five shows. Purchasing all five shows in the Performance Series provides a 15% discount. A package of four shows provides a 13% discount. Those purchasing three shows receive an 11% discount. Season ticket packages include a pass to priority parking for those shows, plus the ability to select seats before shows go on sale to the public.

Discounts are not available online, so season ticket packages must be made at the box office or by phone at the ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø Belcher Center at 903-233-3080 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"This a solid season lineup that we hope will include something for everyone," said Belcher Center Executive Director Cynthia Hellen. "'Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' is the national tour of one of Broadway's biggest and most popular productions. The Texas Tenors' PBS special, world tours and fabulous voices and personalities have built a huge fan base. Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits are well-known to anyone who has ever listened to pop music. Dave Barry is a long-time favorite humorous columnist of newspaper readers everywhere. TAO Seventeen Samurai is a big Japanese Taiko drumming and martial arts production that will bring something totally different and very exciting to the region.

"In the Family Series, The Big Friendly Giant is a story with a very sweet and encouraging message, and the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater will enchant everyone with its skits and stunts performed by professionally trained rescued animals - dogs, cats, goats and a pony!" Hellen said. "We think this season will be a lot of fun!"

PERFORMANCE SERIES

• 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015 - Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat - sponsored by Texas Bank and Trust
"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is the irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel's favorite son. This national tour of the Broadway production, is one of the most enduring shows of all time. "Joseph" is the first collaboration of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber ("Jesus Christ Superstar," "Phantom of the Opera," and "Cats") and lyricist Tim Rice ("Jesus Christ Superstar," and "The Lion King"). The show blends pop, country and rock into an uplifting, technicolored story of biblical proportions

• 7:30 pm Friday Jan. 22, 2016 -The Texas Tenors - sponsored by Southside Bank
The Texas Tenors are quickly becoming America's favorite new tenors, with their Emmy Award-winning PBS special now airing across the country, and Billboard chart topping albums. Since their whirlwind debut five years ago on NBC's America's Got Talent, The Texas Tenors have accumulated a long list of awards, accolades and excited fans. They have performed more than 800 concerts around the world, including a 24-city tour in the United Kingdom, Shanghai, China and collaborations with some of the most prestigious symphonies, performing arts centers and arenas in the United States.
People are clearly enjoying their talent as they were recently named the #10 Classical Artist in the world for 2014 according to Billboard magazine. From Alabama to Puccini, tenors John Hagen, Marcus Collins and JC Fisher treat audiences to a unique harmony of Country, Classical, Broadway and Contemporary music. They use breathtaking vocals, humor and a touch of cowboy charm to create a memorable and musically impressive show.

• 7:30 pm Saturday February 27, 2016 - TAO, Seventeen Samurai - sponsored by The Longview News-Journal
Direct from their successful, sold-out world premiere run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this brand new production of TAO: Seventeen Samurai will bring athletic bodies and contemporary costumes combined with explosive Taiko drumming and innovative choreography. TAO: Seventeen Samurai has critics raving about TAO's extraordinary precision, energy, and stamina. With hundreds of sold-out shows and more than six million spectators, TAO has proven that modern entertainment based on the timeless, traditional art of Japanese drumming, entertains international audiences again and again.

• 7:30 pm Saturday, March 19, 2016 - Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits - sponsored by Anna Lee and Sidney Allen
Universally regarded as one of rock and Roll's finest and most versatile entertainers, Peter Noone is star of stage, screen and record. His performances are the stuff of legend, deftly delivering a broad palette of music that defined a generation through his voice
Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone is a must-see concert experience. Rock's premiere raconteur packs plenty of puns but pulls no punches with his music.

• 7:30 pm Saturday April 23, 2016 - Dave Barry - sponsored by Carol and Richard Manley
America's most popular humorist for over two decades, Dave Barry is a best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist. His witty, critically acclaimed weekly column was a staple in several hundred newspapers nationwide for more than 15 years. Barry speaks about the absurdities of our everyday lives in his down-to-earth style, delivering nonstop laughter to audiences across America. His latest book, Insane City, was released in 2013.

FAMILY AND SCHOOL SERIES

• 6:30 pm Monday, Sept. 28, 2015 - The BFG (BIG FRIENDLY GIANT), adapted for the stage by David Wood from the book by Roald Dahl- sponsored by Spencer Orthodontics
In David Wood's exciting dramatization of Roald Dahl's award-winning story, a 15-foot-tall vegetarian giant with vocabulary problems teams up with a little orphan girl called Sophie. Together, Sophie and her new "jumbly" friend, the BFG devise a plan to save the children of England from child-eating giants. Along the way, they are assisted by the Queen of England, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force.
Humongous on humor and large on laughs, the story of The BFG was author Roald Dahl's personal favorite. On stage, his wacky tale comes to life with puppets and people creating a fantastical world of towering giants and magical adventures.

• 4 p.m. Sunday May 1, 2016 - Popovich Comedy Pet Theater - sponsored by Fete for Pets - Alicia Nolte
The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a perennial favorite at performing arts centers across North America. Shetland pony "Diamond" and the German goat duo "Kurt and Helga" will be joining Gregory and his cast of jugglers, clowns, and over 30 pets including house cats and dogs (all adopted from animal shelters), geese, plus white doves, and parrots.
The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a family-oriented blend of the unique comedy and juggling skills of Gregory Popovich, and the extraordinary talents of his performing pets. They love to show off onstage - performing a variety of stunts and skits! Audiences will be delighted to see this extravaganza of European-style clowning, amazing juggling and balancing acts, and of course, very talented performing pets.