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| Bill Engvall Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center |
Thanks to all of the friends and
supporters of the Thrasher-Horne Center, the 2015-2016 season was one of our
best ever. Sixty-four percent of tickets sold were to first time visitors of
our venue. We look forward to seeing all of them again and to seeing many more
new visitors in the upcoming season.
Last season, the Thrasher-Horne
Center hosted concerts by some of the finest recording artists around,
including Lyle Lovett, America, and Boz Scaggs. Our diverse schedule also
featured the magic of Mike Super and Hal Holbrook’s iconic one-man show, Mark
Twain Tonight. We played host to a weeklong residency by the Jacksonville
Symphony Orchestra with new conductor Courtney Lewis, and welcomed the National
Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China with their world renowned
production of Peking Dreams.
Here are a few of the other
highlights of the season:
R5 Rocked!
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| Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center |
R5 kicked off their summer U.S
tour at the Thrasher-Horne Center nearly a year ago on July 7th. These young
rockers have what it takes to make it to the top and stay there. They had a
blast performing on our stage and it showed, in an unforgettable night that was
both charismatic and electrifying. Our audience that evening can claim bragging
rights to a powerhouse performance from a band skyrocketing to superstardom.
Bill Engvall had the audience in
stitches!
Bill Engvall’s ability to connect
with an audience by sharing the humor in everyday situations has made him one
of the top comedians today. He attributes his 35-year career to his evolution
from joke-teller to storyteller. His work spans small comedy clubs, nationally
touring comedy shows, radio, television, films, albums, and books. He marked
his debut performance at the Thrasher-Horne Center on October 2nd, 2015,
bringing a side-splitting show to a nearly sold out crowd and setting
Thrasher-Horne Center’s box office records in the process.
Michael McDonald crooned his
heart out!
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| Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center |
For decades, singer/songwriter
Michael McDonald has had one of the most recognized voices in popular music.
His sound is distinctively soulful, winning him five Grammys throughout his
career. In 2009, McDonald released This Christmas, his third holiday
album. On December 19th, he took to the Thrasher-Horne Center stage with hits and holiday
favorites for a very memorable performance.
Melissa Etheridge got personal!
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| Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center |
Melissa Etheridge has won an
Academy Award and two Grammy Awards. On February 17th, she
performed an intimate one-woman set that included music from her new album, This
is M.E., as well as many of her greatest hits. Known for her iconic voice,
profound lyrics, and riveting stage presence, Melissa shared personal stories
about her remarkable journey through life and the inspiration behind some of
her most beloved songs.
A full-fledged Broadway Season
was delivered to Orange Park!
The Thrasher-Horne Center
presented five fabulous Broadway shows as part of its inaugural Broadway Season.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical kicked off the series in
December. It was fun for the whole family, but particularly for the little
ones. Ragtime was presented in January, with a gorgeous new staging and
powerhouse performance from an incredible cast. Annie was up next at the
Thrasher-Horne Center in February, charming children and adults alike with its
classic tale of perseverance and optimism. In March, Saturday Night Fever
came to town, and transported us back in time to the 70s with two nights filled
with dancing in the aisles and singing along to the greatest hits of the era.
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| Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center |
Capping off the season, the
Thrasher-Horne Center hosted the Northeast Florida premiere of ONCE on
May 1st, a musical which won eight Tony Awards® including Best Musical.
Based on the popular 2007 movie, ONCE is the enchanting tale of a Dublin
street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young
woman takes a sudden interest in his music. The touring production of ONCE
featured an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who played their own
instruments on stage. ONCE drew in audience members from the very
first note and never let them go.
The 2016-2017 Broadway season is
being planned now. It’s going to be another fantastic season! Stay tuned to
this blog and to the Thrasher-Horne Center’s website for all the details which
will be coming out in the very near future. Remember that subscribers get the
best seats at the best prices. If you’re a theatre lover, please consider
subscribing. If you know a theatre lover, you might also consider giving a
subscription as a gift.
…And Coming Soon!
We already have several excellent
performers lined up for the Thrasher-Horne Center in the coming year, from Wayne
Brady to Billy Gardell to Jay Leno, and with other world class musicians and
performers being added daily… it’s gonna be another revolutionary year!
Are you a teacher planning field
trips for 2016-2017?
The Thrasher-Horne Center’s
popular School Time Series offers entertaining, educational and engaging
performances for students. Through these educational programs, the
Thrasher-Horne Center continues its commitment to enrich the lives of the
students it serves. There are five exciting performances scheduled for the
coming school year. If you, or a teacher you know, is planning field trips for
the coming school year, check out the flyer.
Have you explored the benefits of
Membership?
The Thrasher-Horne Center plays a
unique and significant role in the cultural life of the surrounding community.
It’s a venue which hosts artistic performances that are not available elsewhere
in Clay County. Thrasher-Horne Center Memberships are available starting at
$75.00. Member benefits include priority ticket ordering, discounts, VIP
parking, and more depending on your donation level. For more information on
member benefits, go to the membership page.
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events and others are on sale now on the Thrasher-Horne
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The Thrasher-Horne Center is one
of the nicest venues of its type in Northeast Florida. From concerts by
renowned artists, to live theater, to dance, to magic and other fantastic
shows, you can see it all at the Thrasher Horne-Center! Spread the word about
one of Northeast Florida’s best kept secrets!
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