Season tickets on sale for Brighton Center for the Performing Arts

BCPA SERIES

Mark Eddie: Comedian with a guitar Saturday, October 17, 2009; 7 p.m.; $25. With guitar in hand and tongue firmly in cheek, Mark Eddie blends rock-n-roll and stand-up comedy. Mark Eddie is the Los Angeles-based comic/singer-songwriter spotlighted on XM & Sirius Satellite Radio as well as the nationally syndicated All Comedy Radio, The Bob and Tom Show, Dr. Demento and The Five O’Clock Funnies. Last year Disney presented “The Mark Eddie Show” aboard The Disney Cruise Lines. He has the unique honor of being nominated five-times for “College Entertainer of the Year” and is currently listed on Campus Magazine’s “Hot Comedy 2009."

The Chenille Sisters: Signature Show Saturday, January 30, 2010; 7 p.m.; $25. The Chenille Sisters' performance is a blending of three uniquely gifted souls into a musical phenomenon that’s more poignant, funny and entertaining than any single performer anywhere — and oh, those exquisite harmonies. What these three women have in common are heavenly voices, a lot of witty wisdom and a passion for connecting with their audiences. But as in a constellation, each Chenille shines her own particular kind of light.

"‘Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3" Sunday, March 7, 2010; 4 p.m.; $30. '3' is the latest class to be unveiled in this sinfully funny series. After teaching countless students about the saints, venial sins, limbo and more, Sister is now offering up hilarious lessons on the sacraments of marriage and the Last Rites, including her own wacky version of "The Newlywed Game." Classroom participation is a must, so bring along your sweetie and your sense of humor for a session with the country’s feistiest couples counselor.

Mr. B: Boogie Woogie Blues Piano, plus drums and bass Saturday, April 17, 2010; 7 p.m.; $25. Today there are not many devoted to playing boogie and blues piano, but blues and boogie-woogie pianist Mark Lincoln Braun has become one of the premier purveyors of a vanishing art. Having learned his craft firsthand from the early masters, he is a rare living link to the first generation of blues and boogie pianists. Fortunately, Mr. B’s passion for showcasing and extending the tradition makes him a major exponent of an essential form of American music. As noted by Jazz News International, “ the future of blues." The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra featuring vocalist Nancy Knorr Saturday, May 15, 2010; 7 p.m.; $25. Jimmy Dorsey was considered one of the finest clarinet and alto saxophone players of his day. With his brother, Tommy, Dorsey started the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra in the Spring of 1934. The band went through some changes and Tommy left, leaving Jimmy to lead the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra until his death on June 12, 1957. Currently, the band is under the direction of trombonist, Bill Tole. Bill has recorded with legendary artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. He portrayed the part of Tommy Dorsey in the movie “New York New York” in 1977. In June, 1992, Nancy Knorr, the lead singer with the Pied Piper’s, became the featured vocalist with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and will recreate a tribute to the legendary Helen O’Connell.

CHILDREN'S CULTURAL SERIES Season tickets are $24; individual tickets are $9.

Gemini with the Livingston County Chorale Children’s Chorus Saturday, January 16, 2010; 2 p.m. Gemini celebrates with their audiences the fun, warmth, and humor of family life. Kids and adults love to sing with them. From start to finish, a family concert with the twin brothers abounds with rousing sing-alongs, hand motion tunes, folk tales, and music from around the world. The highlights of their shows are Gemini’s original, sparkling songs about the everyday experiences of childhood and growing up.

The Chenille Sisters: The Kids Show Saturday, January 30 2010; 2 p.m. When the Chenille Sisters perform for kids, they celebrate silly better than just about anyone. You’ll be howling with laughter when you see an entire auditorium of kids and adults imitating an agitator during “The Washing Machine Song” and get ultra cool dance moves to “Locomotion.” There are costumes, skits, surprises and tons of laughs. With the Chenilles’ warm, wacky, join-right-in style, this show has a way of making kids feel like there’s a big, sparkly star smack in the middle of their foreheads.

"Max & Ruby," Theatreworks USA Saturday, February 20, 2010; 2 p.m. Big sisters have big responsibilities, especially when the little brother is a big trouble-maker. Join in the fun as TheatreworksUSA presents a lovable new musical full of fun and sibling revelry: "Max and Ruby." Ruby, a 7-year-old rabbit, loves her Grandma very much and wants to do something special for her. She gets the brilliant idea to put on a show, with music and costumes and a castle and everything. She’ll need some help, though, so she tries to enlist her little brother Max. Ruby wants to put on a play about a princess, but Max is already playing a cowboy. Ruby wants to work quietly, but Max is enjoying his noisy toys. Ruby wants to look for costumes, but Max is too busy looking for frogs. Max is no help at all, so Ruby recruits her Bunny Scout friends for assistance. But can he help her finish Grandma’s play in time? Find out in this delightful musical based on the top-rated Nickelodeon television show inspired by Rosemary Wells’ bunny siblings, Max and Ruby. Max and Ruby played to a sold out crowd at the Wharton Center.

Rob Reider, mime: Only the Sound of Laughter Saturday, March 20, 2010; 2 p.m. Grand Rapids mime artist Rob Reider has trained with some of the most respected performers (and master teachers) of our time including: Marcel Marceau, Thomas Leabhart, Tony Montanaro and Master Yen Hoa Lee. Rob’s delightful mime show offers loads of laughter and enduring moments. His talents of mime, juggling and hilarious improvisation entertains and amuses. Rob transforms silence into screams of laughter.