The Choir of Man
This spring, the Midwest Trust Center (MTC) at Johnson County Community College celebrates a whole new season of endless variety and matchless talent — from classical and contemporary music to dance and theatre — featuring regional, national and international performers.
“Some of the shows scheduled for this spring were originally planned for spring 2020, so to finally see them play on our stages will be truly joyous!” says Emily Behrmann, MTC Executive Director.
This Round’s on Us!
Imagine the greatest pub gig you’ve ever been to, multiply it by 10 and you’ll still be nowhere near the fun of this show! After two years, The Choir of Man makes their big return to MTC Jan. 23 in Yardley Hall. Featuring pop, classic rock, folk, Broadway and pub tunes, The Choir of Man is a cast of nine handsome guys who showcase their talent with energetic music and foot-stomping choreography. Their incredible harmonies, world-class tap dance and poetic meditations pay riotous homage to that gathering place we’ve all missed so much — the local pub.
America’s Favorite Tenors
On Jan. 29, MTC welcomes the most successful music group in the history of “America’s Got Talent” — three-time Grammy winner The Texas Tenors. They appeared on AGT in 2009 and were the only U.S. vocal group invited back for “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” in 2019. They were named one of Billboard Magazine’s top 10 classical artists for 2019, and their albums “Rise” and “A Collection of Broadway and American Classics” both debuted at number one on the Billboard Classical Chart.
Transported to the Tropics
Spend an enchanted evening (or afternoon) with the Broadway tour of “South Pacific” Feb. 19. Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, “South Pacific” offers a lushly romantic score while challenging audiences with themes of racial intolerance and bigotry. The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical includes numerous American songbook classics such as “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Younger than Springtime” and “There is Nothing Like a Dame.” The original musical won nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for its Broadway debut in 1949.
Athletic Artistry — the Heart of Japanese Drumming
Back by popular demand, Drum TAO 2022 brings to the Yardley stage March 18 and 19 their explosive, high-energy performance showcasing large-scale Japanese Taiko drumming. The performers of Drum TAO 2022 will create an unforgettable production combining highly physical, large-scale drumming with contemporary costumes, precise choreography and innovative visuals.
Putting the ‘Oh!’ in Big Five-Oh!
Moses Pendleton’s legendary modern dance company, Pilobolus, celebrates their 50th anniversary with “Big Five-Oh!” April 2, featuring “Untitled,” “Megawatt” and a few brand-new concepts. For more than 50 years, Pilobolus has tested the limits of human physicality and explored the power of connected bodies. The remarkable company that secured an iconic place in American culture in the 1970s is still wowing audiences with its irresistible mix of wit, sensuality and stunning physical acumen.
Unforgettable Pairing of Folk and Jazz
MTC finishes the season with an incredible performance by Judy Collins and Madeleine Peyroux May 22. Collins returns to Yardley for the fourth time, and Peyroux makes her MTC debut. This promises to be an unforgettable evening as Peyroux combines her distinctive blend of swing-era jazz and blues with Collins’ sublime vocals. Collins inspires with five decades of bold social activist songwriting while Peyroux cements herself as a modern-day jazz talent with the depth and richness of Billie Holiday.
“It’s a great way to look back at our 30-year history while looking ahead to talented artists who are defining their art form for the future,” says Behrmann.
There’s Even More!
In addition to these blockbuster events, MTC presents a wide range of events with something for everyone this spring!
- MTC’s digital artist-in-residence, Opus 76 Quartet, called “Kansas City’s gem of a quartet” by “The Kansas City Star,” performs three in-person concerts in addition to their digital “Eat, Drink, Play” series. Guest pianist Julie Coucheron joins them March 20.
- Continuing this spring, MTC Kids Jam is a brand-new series of free Saturday events specially designed with families in mind. MTC also presents several arts education programs with performance times for the public, as well as for school groups.
–Susan Tolleson, JCCC Writer (all photos courtesy of Midwest Trust Center)
Secure Your Seats with a Season Package
Save 10% when you purchase a season package of three or four events
and 15% when you purchase five or more!
Packages go on sale Nov. 15.
Midwest Trust Center Spring 2022 Season
Opus 76 Quartet Beethoven op. 131 (Jan. 9)
The Choir of Man (Jan. 23)
Winterlude: Eclipse Trio featuring Poet Glenn North (Jan. 23)
Trinity Irish Dance (Jan. 28)
The Texas Tenors (Jan. 29)
Villalobos Brother and Las Cafeteras (Jan. 30)
Bridge & Wolak (Feb. 4)
The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston starring Belinda Davids (Feb. 6)
South Pacific Broadway tour (Feb. 19)
Opus 76 Quartet Mozart & Dvorak (Feb. 20)
Winterlude: Clint Ashlock/Charles Williams (Feb. 27)
StoneLion Puppet Theatre The Lost Treasure (March 2)
Winterlude: Bessie, Billie and Nina: Pioneering Women in Jazz (March 6)
Quartet San Francisco Masters of Pop: The Beatles and Beyond (March 13)
Drum TAO 2022 (March 18-19)
Opus 76 Quartet with Julie Coucheron Haydn & Brahms (March 20)
Mnozil Brass (March 27)
Pilobolus Big Five-Oh! (April 2)
Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock ‘N’ Roll (April 8)
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (April 14)
Mesner Puppet Theater In the Workshop LIVE! (May 14-15)
Judy Collins with Madeleine Peyroux (May 22)
MTC Kids Jam – FREE family events!
Dino O’Dell Build a Better World! (Jan. 22)
123 Andrés Actívate (March 26)
Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove (May 21)
Midwest Trust Center Box Office (913-469-4445)
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Plans can change depending on local health recommendations; stay updated at jccc.edu/MidwestTrust Center.
