Date:  April 23, 2001

To:  Board of Directors

From:  Karleen Weitzel, Events Coordinator

Re:  2001-2002 Season

 

Proposed Events

-          Christian pop/rock/alternative

-          Playing old favorites and songs off the Roaring Lambs album

-          2-3 hours, one night

-          Directors Karen Lynne Deal and Marion van der Loo

-          Classic carols and madrigals

-          2 hours--two nights, one afternoon matinee.

-          Combination of percussion, movement, and visual comedy

-          Performers from all across the country and around the world

-          90 minutes, two nights

-          Pianist

-          Original romantic favorites featuring Anne Cochran on vocals with some songs from his upcoming album

-          90 minutes to 2 hours, one night

-          Musical play based on Cervantes’ Don Quixote

-          Book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion. 

-          Director Mike Moynihan, Assistant Director Julie Schultz, and Music Director Joylene McFarland

-          2-3 hours--three nights, one afternoon matinee

-          Comedian

-          Comedy, jokes, and stories for kids to adults

-          90 minutes, one night

 

Additional Information on Each Show

            The Roaring Lambs Tour is aimed at Christian music fans or anyone who would enjoy a rock show with wholesome lyrics appropriate for all ages.  The inspirational Bob Briner book Roaring Lambs, which discusses being “salt and light” in our culture as The Bible instructs Christians to do, prompted Squint Entertainment to release a compilation album of the same title featuring new songs inspired by the book and performed by some of the biggest names in Christian music.  This critically acclaimed album thus inspired the tour, which features two artists who have not released anything new in over three years and one artist who hit it big five years ago and hasn’t been able to stop since.  The band PFR, which stands for Pray For Rain, broke up in 1997 after releasing The Late, Great PFR, a best of album, and their 5th and final album.  PFR has had at least six #1 hits on Christian radio, three #1 albums, countless Dove Award nominations and wins, and a Grammy nomination for Contemporary/Rock Gospel Album of the Year.  The band got back together in 2000 to write and record the song “Kingdom Come” for Roaring Lambs, from that they decided they wanted to officially get back together to record and tour again.  Their first all new album in five years is set to release this summer.  Steve Taylor is a Christian music pioneer.  He is a singer, songwriter, producer, director, filmmaker, and record company executive.  Between 1982 and 1994, he released nine albums and five full-length videos.  Steve has written songs for bands such as Newsboys and Guardian, as well as producing their albums, along with producing albums by Sixpence None The Richer, Waterdeep, and the Roaring Lambs project, to name a few.  He has also directed and conceptualized music videos for Newsboys, Sixpence, Margaret Becker, and himself, and co-wrote, directed, and produced the Newsboys’ movie Down Under The Big Top. Steve founded Squint Entertainment in 1996 to provide a recording home for Sixpence.  Squint is now home to many popular bands such as Waterdeep, Burlap to Cashmere, and PFR in addition to Sixpence.  “Shortstop” is Steve’s first new song released since 1993 and this tour will be his first performances since 1996.  Finally, Jars of Clay has made a name for themselves in the secular market as well as Christian.  These four guys, who met at Greenville College in Illinois (Bob Briner’s alma mater), were an overnight success when their song “Flood” hit the airwaves back in 1995.  They dropped out of college, moved to Nashville, and haven’t looked back since.  Since 1995, Jars of Clay has sold over 4 million albums.  Their three albums have been certified double platinum, platinum, and gold.  They have had songs featured in many popular movies including Prince of Egypt, Jack Frost, Hard Rain, Long Kiss Goodnight, and Drive Me Crazy.  Jars of Clay has been nominated for—and won—countless Dove and Grammy Awards.  They have also performed on national talk shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Good Morning America. 

            The Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Chorus is currently in its 8th year of existence as the combination of the Bloomington-Normal Symphony Society and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Association.  The Springfield Symphony was founded in 1921 and the Bloomington-Normal Symphony was founded in 1944.  The two joined together to form the Illinois Symphony Orchestra in 1993.  The Springfield Symphony Chorus was founded in 1985 to further broaden the Springfield Symphony’s repertoire and increase community participation.  The Chorus now makes regular appearances with the Orchestra each season.  The Orchestra has been named “Orchestra of the Year” by the Illinois Council of Orchestras twice (“About the Illinois Symphony Orchestra”). 

            STOMP is described as “a unique combination of percussion, movement, and visual comedy” (“History of the Show”).  The musicians in STOMP take everyday and unusual items and make percussive music with those items.  The show was created in 1991 in Brighton, UK by Luke Cresswell, a self-taught percussionist, one time member of Britain's leading cabaret musical group Pookiesnackenburger, and the former star of the British TV show of the same name, and Steve McNicholas who worked with Pookiesnakenburger, the TV show “Mr. Bean,” and various soundtrack work.  STOMP has performed all around the world and includes performers from all around the world as well.  There are permanent shows in New York City and San Francisco, as well as shows that tour the United States and internationally.  STOMP’s talents have been featured in commercials, movies, and TV shows, and have won awards for these efforts (“History of the Show”).

            Pianist Jim Brickman has been named America’s romantic pianist.  Of his seven albums, four have reached gold status and the sales continue.  Jim released his debut album, No Words, in 1994, but didn’t get much recognition on the charts until the release of By Heart—Piano Solos in 1995.  The majority of his songs do contain lyrics, but there is at least one song on each album (except his debut) for which he collaborated with the likes of Martina McBride, Susan Ashton, Colin Raye, Jordan Hill, Michael W. Smith, and Olivia Newton-John to provide vocals.  He is currently working on a new album on which he will supply his own voice for a few songs.  Jim’s shows are perfect for romantics or simply those who appreciate beautiful music—young and old.

            The Man of La Mancha is a musical adaptation of “Don Quixote” by Cervantes.  This musical play tells of Cervantes’ brush with the Spanish Inquisition and the story of Don Quixote de la Mancha, and hilarious, enlightened madman who fights windmills.   Don Quixote dreams the impossible dream and is on a “quest for justice, pure and chaste love, and all that is the best in us, is the same quest we all seek as we grow out of our childhood, but too often find is unattainable” (“Man of LaMancha”).  Students at the University of Illinois Springfield will perform this particular production.  The show would not be entirely appropriate for young children, but teens on up would enjoy this hilarious and lively story.

            Bill Cosby’s credits and accomplishments are too many to list all of here.  He started out as a stand-up comic in the 1960s and was starring in the TV show I Spy by the mid to late 60s.  Bill had another hit in the 1980s with The Cosby Show.  Most recently he’s starred in the CBS sitcom Cosby and hosted the CBS series Kids Say the Darndest Things.  Throughout his television career, Cosby has won five Emmy’s.  He has also written a series of humorous books about life, the most well known of these being Fatherhood (“Bill Cosby Bio”).  His live comedy shows are great for children and adults alike.  Everyone loves Bill Cosby!

 

Why Choose These Shows?

            All of these shows are, for the most part, family oriented or at least family friendly.  With the exception of a little bit of The Man of La Mancha, parents need not worry about taking their children to any of these performances and still having a good time themselves.  Some Springfield residents will be interested in all of these shows, while some will be interested in only one or two.  That shows that there is enough variety in styles, genres, and types of shows so there is something to appeal to just about anyone.  Also, everyone that I propose bringing to the auditorium is known well enough to draw crowds and, therefore, money. 

 

Advertising and Promotions

·        Posters and flyers promoting the “family friendliness” of all the shows.  Perhaps: “A season of fun for the whole family”

·        Posters and flyers for the individual shows with more of the details for times, prices, etc.

·        Radio and TV

-          Roaring Lambs on Christian stations and some mainstream

-          Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and The Man of La Mancha on NPR, talk radio, and easy listening

-          Jim Brickman on NPR, easy listening, and top 40

-          STOMP and Bill Cosby on all stations that will advertise them and TV commercials

·        Word of mouth—a given

·        Ticket giveaways on radio stations

·        In-Store signing for Roaring Lambs at Mustard Seed Bookstore or Family Christian Stores

·        Possible radio interviews for some of the performers

 

Conclusion

            The 2001-2002 season of events at Sangamon Auditorium will be entertaining and still uphold the family values held so dear here in Springfield.  There is a little something for everyone.  Even those who don’t have a family to keep entertained will be able to find an enjoyable show to attend.  In addition, I truly believe that with the right advertising and promotions, we can sell out each one of these shows. 

 

 

Works Cited

 

“About the Illinois Symphony Orchestra.”  Illinois Symphony Orchestra.  2001.  4/12/01.  <http://www.ilsymphony.org>.

 

“About Roaring Lambs.”  Roaring Lambs.  2001.  4/12/01.  <http://www.roaringlambs.net>.

 

“Accolades.”  3 o’clock Parade Tour [Jars of Clay].  2000.  4/18/01.  <http://www.ifileftthezoo.com>.

 

“Bill Cosby Bio.”  Mr. Showbiz Celebrities.  2001.  4/18/01.  <http://mrshowbiz.go.com>.

 

“History of the Show.”  STOMP Online.  2001.  4/12/01.  <http://www.stomponline.com>.

 

“Jim Brickman Home.”  GetMusic.  2001.  4/15/01.  <http://www.getmusic.com>.

 

“Man of LaMancha.”  Starlighters Theater.  1997.  4/18/01.  <http://www.starlighters.org>.

 

“Sangamon Auditorium.”  Sangamon Auditorium.  2001.  4/18/01.  <http://www.sangamonauditorium.org>.

 

“Time Line.”  PfR – On the Net.  10/4/98.  4/15/01.  <http://www.pfr.org>.