SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Performing Arts Center announces its first-ever spring season in the Spa Little Theatre with a robust slate of offerings featuring live theatre, jazz, folk, global and classical music. 

Highlighting the series are the SPAC debuts of Aquila Theatre for two productions of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (March 11) and Grammy-nominated a cappella group Kings Return (March 31), making their Capital Region debut, in addition to the return of global music ensemble Banda Magda (May 4). 

Also featured as part of the spring season is the return of Caffe Lena @ SPAC, performing in Spa Little Theatre for the first time to present The Steel Wheels (April 2) and The Brubeck Brothers Quartet (April 23). The previously announced year-round residency by Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will also continue with two special programs, highlighted by a finale performance by Artistic Directors Wu Han and David Finckel (March 18 and May 13).  

The announcement follows SPAC’s fall and holiday concert series in the Spa Little Theatre and is part of SPAC’s mission to present year-round programming that extends beyond the traditional summer months. 

First up in the programming is AQUILA THEATRE in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.  on Saturday, March 11. Tickets cost $33-$68. 

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Voices of the Americas. Saturday, March 18. Tickets cost $45-$65 and are available now at spac.org. 

Kings Return. Friday, March 31. The vocal band of brothers — Gabe Kunda, Vaughn Faison, J.E. McKissic & Jamall Williams, fuses gospel, jazz, R&B/Soul, and classical music. Based in Dallas, Texas, Kings Return’s popularity grew when they began posting videos to social media from the stairwell where they rehearse. The group has now amassed almost 10 million views across all platforms. Tickets cost $33 and are all general admission. 

Caffe Lena @ SPAC: The Steel Wheels. Sunday, April 2. A Virginia-based Americana band with a strong bluegrass underpinning, The Steel Wheels explore deeply rooted yet fresh folk rock sounds.  Tickets cost $35.40-$44 and are available at spac.org, caffelena.org.  

Caffe Lena @ SPAC: The Brubeck Brothers Quartet. Sunday, April 23. With Dan and Chris Brubeck as the foundation, guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb, complete this dynamic quartet. Although the Quartet’s style is rooted in “straight-ahead” jazz, their concerts reveal an inherent ability to explore and play odd time signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music. Tickets cost $41.85- $53.68 and are available at spac.org, caffelena.org.  

Banda Magda. Thursday, May 4.  Following their SPAC on Stage debut in 2019, Banda Magda will return to Saratoga with all new music and their global sounds that range from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. Their songs capture the best of mid-century pop ballads and cinematic arranging, drawing on the band’s global background and unchained musicality. Tickets cost $33 and are all general admission. 

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, An Evening with David, Wu Han & Arnaud. Saturday, May 13. Artistic Directors Wu Han and David Finckel and violinist Arnaud Sussman perform Beethoven and Dvořák to close the CMS spring season. Tickets cost $45-$65 and are available now at spac.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Eric Church will perform live at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Aug. 24. 

Joining “The Chief” across varying dates are Whiskey Myers, Cody Jinks, Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde, Koe Wetzel, Lainey Wilson, Midland, Parker McCollum, Travis Tritt, Elle King and Paul Cauthen, plus Jackson Dean, Morgan Wade, Muscadine Bloodline, Shane Smith & The Saints, Hailey Whitters, Ray Wylie Hubbard and The Red Clay Strays.

Joining Church on his Saratoga date will be special guests Lainey Wilson and the Red Clay Strays. 

“When I approach touring, I’m always inspired by a new experience, a new way to gather, to express ourselves sonically and visually. Whether it’s solo, in the round, double down; being able to bring a different perspective has always brought out our best creatively,” Church said, in a statement. “Well, we have never done an outdoor summer tour. Never headlined amphitheaters. Never brought a summer experience to your town that featured artists we want to share the summer with. Until now. See you in the season of sunshine with some fellow outsiders that shine brightest when the sun goes down.”

For more information visit EricChurch.com. 

ALBANY — “Secret Hour,” the winning play from the 10th annual NEXT ACT! New Play Summit in 2021, will begin to stage its world premiere at Capital Repertory Theatre with an opening on Tuesday, Jan. 31, and run through Sunday, Feb. 19. The play was written by Jenny Stafford and will be directed by Margaret E. Hall. 

Married couple, Kate and Ben, a workaholic ethics professor, and an unemployed programmer have invented the perfect game for getting to the truth called “Secret Hour.” What started as a fun game to become closer as a couple, turns the tables and puts the couple to the test as to whether knowing the whole truth is really a good thing. When an automobile accident unexpectedly reveals Kate’s deepest and darkest secret, her marriage spins out of control. A delicious adult puzzle about lies and the games we play to keep life moving along on cruise control and what happens when the forces of the universe– or at least human nature– make sure we take the wheel and keep our eyes on the very bumpy road ahead. 

A cast of three, all NYC actors, making their debut at theREP, is led by Marina, Joshua David Robinson, and Whit K. Lee. 

Playwright Jenny Stafford is the winner of the 2021 NEXT ACT! New Play Summit. Her work has been featured at Lincoln Center (The Lyrics of Jennifer Stafford), Joe’s Pub, Ars Nova, 54 Below, Prospect Theatre, Barrington Stage and elsewhere. 

Opening night is Tuesday, Jan. 31. Performances continue through Sunday, Feb. 19. Regular performance times Jan. 27- Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday with matinees 3 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 8. 

Tickets range from $27 – $62. For tickets and information, call the Box Office 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 518-346-6204 or visit capitalrep.org.  

SARATOGA SPRINGS — KIDZ BOP announced its brand-new tour, KIDZ BOP Never Stop, in partnership with Live Nation, will travel to 37 cities across the U.S. and Canada this summer, including Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Sunday, July 9. 

The KIDZ BOP Never Stop Live Tour introduces four new KIDZ BOP Kids – Jackson, Kiya, Shila, and Tyler – who will perform today’s biggest hits live on stage. The tour announcement coincides with the release of ‘KIDZ BOP 2023,’ including pop hits like “Anti-Hero,” “About That Time,” “Sunroof,” and “Late Night Talking.” Fans can expect to hear songs from ‘KIDZ BOP 2023’ and other pop hits performed by the KIDZ BOP Kids. 

The family-friendly show will feature new songs, choreography, special effects, and the return of the Daddy Dance Off, giving dads the chance to show off their best dance moves on stage. KIDZ BOP has sold more than 23 million albums and generated over 8 billion streams globally since 2001. 

Tickets go on sale beginning on Friday, Jan.  27 at KIDZBOP.com and LiveNation.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS ­— Opera Saratoga has announced its 2023 summer festival season at Universal Preservation Hall, as well as concert performances in the Spa Little Theatre, The Mansion of Saratoga, and at Caffè Lena. 

The festival season features three productions: the Tony-award winning musical comedy A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Donizetti’s bel canto masterpiece Don Pasquale, and a world-premiere of a new children’s opera based upon Oscar Wilde’s tale The Selfish Giant with music by Clarice Assad and libretto by Lila Palmer and additional festival concerts. Each performance will feature production elements that leverage the unique site-specific features of UPH and will have an orchestra.

2023 Festival Performances at Universal Preservation Hall:

A Gentleman’s Guide — June 30, July 2 (matinee), 6, & 8, UPH

Don Pasquale — July 1, 7, & 9 (matinee), UPH

The Selfish Giant — July 1 (matinee) & 8 (matinee).  

More information and subscription purchase information can be found at www.operasaratoga.org. 

Additionally, Opera Saratoga has announced the America Sings concert series at Caffè Lena, amplifying the voices of BIPOC artists who have historically been underrepresented on the concert stage. Each event will feature a wide array of classical, jazz, and popular music curated by the artists themselves. 

America Sings concerts will be live streamed to the public for free; viewers are encouraged to contribute through a virtual ‘tip jar’ donation during each event to support Opera Saratoga’s programming and expansion of civic practice in the community. 

Concert Dates: Sunday, February 19 at 1 p.m. Cierra Byrd, mezzo soprano; Sunday, March 12, at 1 p.m. Wooyoung Yoon, tenor; Sunday, April 23 at 1 p.m. Helena Colindres, soprano, and Sunday, June 18, at 7 p.m. Dr. Carl DuPont, baritone.