Star-studded season celebrates Yavapai College’s 50th anniversary

Yavapai College Performing Art Center’s upcoming season – celebrating the college’s 50th anniversary – is set to feature more stars than the night sky.

This year, the venue unveils a new Presidential Speaker series, more family friendly performers and a lineup ranging from “balletic grace to ribald comedy,” according to a news release from the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center.

It all starts off with a special celebrity performance from the former host of “The Tonight Show” and comedy legend Jay Leno at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25.

“The beloved comedian headlines Yavapai College’s 50th Anniversary Celebration weekend, which will include the debut of the Arizona Philharmonic and special guest Henry Flurry,” the release states.

Flurry’s piece, “Currents,” will be featured at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26.

In September, Golden Globe-winning artist Engelbert Humperdinck takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, followed by the first entry in the presidential series: former NBC anchor and journalist Soledad O’Brien at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25. Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre, featuring comedian Gregory Popovich and his rescue animals, finishes out the month at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28.

October sees former Eagles guitarist Don Felder giving a high-energy rock concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, followed by Grammy Award winner and country music icon Travis Tritt at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1.

After that it’s the holiday season.

“YCPAC embraces the holiday season with a must-see trifecta: Handel’s ‘Messiah’ followed by Aussie singing sensations The Ten Tenors, who will sing their critically acclaimed ‘Home for the Holidays’ show,” according to the news release. “YC Performing Arts caps the month with a new musical version of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Dickens’ funny, scary and inspiring story of Yuletide redemption.”

The shows are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2; and at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 13-15, as well as at 3 p.m. Dec. 16, respectively.

That’s just the first half of the season. The second half, along with dates for the Cabaret series can be seen online at www.dcourier.com.

Tickets for all these shows are on sale and can be purchased online at www.ycpac.com, at calling the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center Box Office, 1100 E. Sheldon St. or by calling the box office at 928-776-2000.

For more information about the season, visit www.ycpac.com.