Looking

The last year saw some big news in local entertainment, with the opening of the River Campus and its sold out shows and the 20th anniversary of the Show Me Center. In 2008 the River Campus continues its season, and events are already booked at Southeast Missouri's biggest arena. Here are some of them.

St. Petersburg Ballet: "Swan Lake"

This Russian ballet group formed in 1969 and has built a strong reputation since then. Yuri Petukhov, a State Prize Laureate of Russia and Laureate to International Ballet, is the artistic director.

The company performs Tchaikovsky's classic ballet with its Russian flavor.

When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

"The Producers"

The River Campus just added another touring show to its schedule this month -- the Mel Brooks hit musical (and film) "The Producers."

The film about down and out producer Max Bialystock, his accountant Leo Bloom and their plan to make the worst musical ever was an Academy Award winner in 1968, then became a stage musical, then became another film starring Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and Uma Thurman.

Tickets are available beginning Monday at the River Campus Box Office, 651-2265, or online at metrotix.com.

When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

"Late Night Catechism"

All theaters fans know about Sister -- the crazy Catholic school nun who has become a stage favorite over the past 11 years. This show is all about audience participation -- the crowd is part of the cast, with the only real cast member being Sister. You might even find yourself on stage with her.

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

"Ring of Fire: The Music of the Man in Black"

This touring musical is all about the music, in this case that of the late Johnny Cash, the immortal man in black. "Ring of Fire" features 38 of Cash's best-known songs, including favorites like "Walk the Line," "Hurt," "Folsom Prison Blues," "A Boy Named Sue" and the title track.

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra

The Bedell stage will host another symphony besides the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra this spring when the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra makes a trip down Interstate 55. Recordings by the symphony have won six Grammy Awards and 56 nominations.

When: 3 p.m. April 13

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

Hal Holbrook in "Mark Twain Tonight!"

This is a gig Holbrook, a storied and successful actor in his own right, has literally been doing for decades -- almost 50 years. Critics have praised him as a masterful impersonator of the quirky persona that is America's literary giant, Mark Twain.

When: 7:30 p.m. April 26

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin and Seether

The Show Me Center carried some momentum into the new year after announcing this modern-rock triple header. All three of these groups rock hard, which should please those rock fans who didn't see Daughtry's crowd-pleasing show last year.

When: 7 p.m. Feb. 21

Where: Show Me Center

Monster Trucks

See some raw, unadulterated power with two days of monster truck action at the Show Me Center arena. The show stars trucks like Big Dawg, Monster Patrol, Wild Thang, Rock Star and Deal Breaker. ATV racing rounds out the event.

When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 and 19

Where: Show Me Center