SEMO's River Campus announces 2012-2013 season

The Southeast Missouri State University River Campus has announced the lineup for its 2012-2013 season, which will again offer an array of performing arts events by professional touring companies as well as the school's faculty and students of music, theater and dance.

Season ticket sales will open to the public Wednesday for the campus' sixth season, with individual ticket sales beginning July 23. Renewals for previous season ticket holders have already started. Campus box office manager Ellen Farrow said her office is accepting season ticket orders from those who had season tickets last year for the Symphony, Touring and Theatre and Dance Series and a Master Series consisting of all three. Seating preferences are being taken in the order in which requests are received, although no seats will be officially assigned until season ticket sales end July 20.

"Season ticket holders can retain their seat location from year to year, with the option to move to better seats when available," Farrow said. "They also receive top priority for special events."

The touring series consists of "Titanic: The Musical" on Oct. 5; "New Dance Horizons" on Oct. 16; Grammy recipients and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee "Dr. John & The Blind Boys of Alabama" on Oct. 18; "A Chorus Line" on Jan. 28; "Celtic Nights -- Journey of Hope" on Feb. 27; and "Swan Lake" performed by the Russian National Ballet Theatre on April 26.

Highlights of the Symphony and Theatre and Dance series include Mozart's "Vespers," performed Dec. 4 by the Southeast Choral Union and University Choir, and the Broadway classic "Annie" on Feb. 22 and 24.

Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Chuck Martin said every River Campus season brings economic and cultural growth with it.

"Our local economy is impacted in a big way, especially by the touring shows that come in because so many people from out of town come through and spend money," Martin said. "Everything from restaurants to hotels to gas stations is affected in a positive way. But bigger than that, you have the quality of life here that is improved tremendously. Many of these shows are things people used to have to travel to see. You used to have to go to someplace like St. Louis or Memphis to see award-winning musicals or Russian ballet companies. Thanks to the great seasons at the River Campus, you can stay local because it's all right here."

Seating in Bedell Performance Hall is divided into two price ranges. Top price seats include the orchestra and lower balcony sections; lower price seats are on the mezzanine and upper balcony. Tickets for the six-event Touring Series are $232 and $196. Tickets for the five-event Symphony Series are $107 and $89. Tickets for the six-event Theatre and Dance Series are $90 and $84. Tickets for the Master Series are $429 and $369.

Individual event tickets will go on sale beginning July 23 at the River Campus box office, or by phone at 651-2265. To view a calendar of events for the upcoming season and see a diagram of Bedell Performance Hall's seating, visit RiverCampusEvents.com.

jsamons@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Southeast Missouri State University River Campus, Cape Girardeau, MO