By
Maggie Burnett
Arizona Daily Wildcat
'Phantom,' 'Vagina Monologues' highlight next year's performances
"The Phantom of the Opera is here" - and so is Centennial's new season.
Approximately 100 people gathered at Centennial Hall last night to catch a glimpse of UApresents' 2001-2002 season, titled "Cultural Crossroads."
Ken Foster, executive director of UApresents, announced the line-up for the year, which is to include such major performances as "Phantom of the Opera" and "The Vagina Monologues."
"It was said Tucson will never have 'Phantom," Foster said. "You need only say something like that to make it my mission."
"Phantom" is said to be the biggest Broadway production to have hit the stage of Centennial yet, requiring stage crews to renovate the venue through the summer and fall in order to support the show.
In the past, Foster said he and UApresents staff have had to refer people to Phoenix theaters to see "Phantom." Having nailed down a contract with the show's producers is a huge step for UApresents and Centennial Hall.
"It has truly been seven years in the making to get this show here," Foster said. "The last three years that Tucson has supported this Broadway series has convinced us and convinced (Phantom's) producers."
Next year's season is divided into four artistic genres - dance, music, theater and the new Cultural Crossroads Festival.
"The audience we attract is really diverse. UApresents is really a cultural crossroads as well. We decided that we would cluster an array of events from all over the world," Foster said about the festival.
The theme "Cultural Crossroads" is intended to shed light not only on the diverse nature of the world but of Tucson as well. Foster said UApresents wanted to focus on cultural globalization, Tucson as a cultural crossroads and UApresents as a crossroads as well.
"UApresents serves a unique function in the community," he said. "We serve this amazing function of bringing so many people together from so many walks of life."
The main point of the festival is to incorporate a series of events based on ancient traditions, contemporary performance and Arte Latino presentations.
The Crossroads Festival begins in August and continues through March, allowing several opportunities for audience members to attend in the events of the festival.
Another change to next year's season was to increase the number of performances each act is allowed to present to the public.
"Last year's season included 43 events and 91 performances," said Tara Kirkpatrick, publicity director for UApresents. "Although next season will only have 41 events, there will be 124 performances."
Foster added that "Phantom" is currently scheduled for a two-week run, with the possibility of adding another two.
Due to the magnitude of "Phantom"'s performance, UApresents is not allowed to grant discounted tickets to students. However, Foster said this should not deter students from purchasing tickets.
"Sometimes there are no student discounts," he said. "But generally speaking, a student get a ticket for half off. Some stuff can get as cheap as $8 or $9."
"What else are you spending your money on?" Foster added. "There are so few times in your life to see this collection of performances - it's part of your education. If you were at ASU, you wouldn't get a program like this."
Other performances scheduled for next season include the Broadway hit "Swing!" in November, Elton John's musical "Aida" in January and soprano soloist RenŽe Flemming and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, both in March.
Tickets sales for the general public open September 9.
