EPC Announces 2013-2014 Season Lineup

The Effingham Performance Center has announced its 2013 – 2014 season of events that includes CMT winner and 3-time CMA winner Trace Adkins, Country music legend Merle Haggard, pop/rock icon REO Speedwagon, and Gospel music superstar Gaither Vocal Band.  Sponsored by Heartland Dental Care, the season features music, comedy, theater and family programs.

Through Friday, September 27, 2013 a special opportunity to Build Your Own Season is offered, allowing patrons to become Season Ticket Holders by selecting three or more shows.  Season Ticket Holders save 10% on the price of tickets, enjoy free exchange privileges and receive advance notice and 5% savings on events added to the season during the course of the year.  Ticket prices range from $10 for family events to $85 for headline acts.  In the Build Your Own Season offer, patrons may vary the number of tickets and/or seat location/price range for each show in the selected package.  

Guests to the EPC will have the option to purchase reserved parking in advance for $6 per show until the day before the event. The price for reserved parking on the day of show will cost $10.  Although general parking is included with admission, a limited number of reserved spaces guarantee easy access on performance nights.

The new season kicks off with the Broadway production of Ring of Fire- The Music of Johnny Cash on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.  This musical takes you through the life of one of Country Music’s most renowned singers of all time.  More than two dozen classic hits, including “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and the title song “Ring of Fire,” portrays The Man in Black through a unique production that will have you stomping and cheering along.  This musical will take you back in time by honoring the American legend that is Johnny Cash.

Country music artists featured in the season include the breakout band Parmalee, who hit the radio stations with “Must have had a Good Time” and “Carolina,” and will be sharing the stage with fiery 18 year-old Rachel Farley on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by Three Chicks and a Stage, American Country music all-star The Oak Ridge Boys, who have been in the business a span of four decades, take stage on Friday, April 25, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.  The Okie from Muskogee, Merle Haggard, comes rolling back into Effingham on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. for a night to remember.  The undeniable Country music force Trace Adkins, sponsored by Koerner Distributor Inc., will take the stage singing his hits and adding some holiday favorites on Friday, November 15, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

The famous Branson Missouri, with its legendary bluegrass music, heads to The EPC for Branson on the Road Christmas Style with performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2013.   

Rock ‘n Roll music offerings include an evening with the illustrious REO Speedwagon, sponsored by Koerner Distributor, on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. and The Winery Dogs which includes rockers Richie Kotzen from Poison and Mr. Big, Billy Sheehan, who played with Steve Vai, David Lee Roth and Mr. Big, and Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater.  This new super group will be rocking the Midland States Bank Auditorium on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.  

Home for the Holidays – American Big Band, shows its 12 piece orchestra along with eight singers and dancers as they perform Christmas classics from Bing to Bublé on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. 

Ring in the New Year like you’ve never done before with the Ash Brother’s tribute to one of Country Music’s most loved bands, Alabama, on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.Comedy stand-up routines at The EPC include an Irish heritage group in a hilarious combination of music and stand up which features 3 comedians in The Irish Comedy Tour on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. 

The Legend Continues with a spot-on tribute to the timeless comedic genius of America’s favorite clown, Red Skelton, who hits the stage on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.  Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff Davis, and Chip Esten from the CW’s “Whose Line is it Anyway” bring their priceless improv act to Effingham for “Whose Live Anyway” on Friday, November 1, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.  Bill Engvall, from The Blue Collar Comedy Tour, brings his iconic comedy for two shows on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Gospel music sends the Gaither Vocal Band to the Midland States Bank Auditorium with a night of incredible harmonies and life-changing messages for an evening sponsored by The Ruben Boyajian, M.D. Family on Friday, March 28, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.  Also, hitting the lime light again this year is Three Chicks and a Stage with two performances of the American Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.

Family programs include two performances of the feisty six-year old Junie B in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  The Five Little Monkeys play adaptation from the series of books by Eileen Christelow swings in on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.  Then straight from the jungle with his montage of animals, “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild LIVE” roars onto the stage on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Also, featured in the 2013-2014 season is an evening in the basement, the church basement that is.  A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement is the fourth installment in the Church Basement Ladies saga, and will be arriving at the EPC for two performances on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Student matiness for the 2013-2014 Season include It’s a Wonderful Life on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., Four Score & Seven Years Ago on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., and The Monster Who Ate My Peas on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.  Study guides available for every performance.  All seats for the student matinees are only $6.00 and your group will receive one free admission with every 15 tickets purchased.  For more information or to reserve your students’ spots contact Sarah Rueter at 217-540-2788, extension 233 or via email at srueter@theEPC.org. 

For further information, or to order a season package of three or more events, call or visit the Effingham Performance Center box office at 1325 Outer Belt West in Effingham, IL, weekdays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Phone (217) 540-2788 to reach the box office.  Build Your Own Season packages may also be ordered online at theEPC.org or via Ticketmaster. 

Arts Connection of Central Illinois’ Effingham Performance Center operation is supported by the City of Effingham.  The www.visiteffinghamil.com site provides more information.

Effingham Performance Center is operated by Arts Connection of Central Illinois, a not for profit organization, that has been established for the citizens of Effingham County and beyond to showcase arts and entertainment, to encourage interaction with and appreciation of live performance, to endorse the educational process and to enhance the quality of life and cultural vitality of the region.