In anticipation of the 2018 opening of the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center, The Cultural Foundation, along with the Barbara B. Highland Fund for the Arts, has engaged four world class artists to launch the inaugural season of Grand Performances, a new community concert series.

 

This diverse new series kicks off September 30 with Clarksburg native and Broadway star, Kirsten Wyatt, performing her uniquely witty and entertaining show, “Gypsies, Tramps and Elves,” at the RCB High School Theater. Like many in the area, Wyatt has fond memories of performing at the Robinson Grand and is eager to support the revitalization.

 

“Performing at the Robinson Grand was a huge part of my childhood. The very first time I ever set foot on a stage was as a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz at the Robinson Grand. After that was Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, numerous dance recitals, at least one League for Service Follies and probably a few more shows that I'm forgetting. It's my honor to come home and support it's revitalization in the hopes that it gives the community, especially the kids, an opportunity to experience how powerful music and dance and theater can be. I feel strongly that this project has the potential to be a huge force for good in Clarksburg and I want to do my part to give back to the community that has supported me so much.”

 

Grand Performances continues with a December 16 show, at the beautifully appointed First United Methodist Church of Clarksburg, featuring the vocal stylings of pop tenor trio, Tenore, singing songs from their GMA Covenant Award winning album, Christmas With You. Following, on March 2, 2017, Grammy nominated Irish-American Celtic music and step dancing group, Cherish the Ladies, will bring their vibrant brand of traditional Irish music and dance to the stage of RCB Theater.

 

The Grand Performances 2016-2017 season will wrap up with style and swagger when the 11 piece Fabulous Equinox Little Big Band takes the RCB stage on May 8, 2017, for their high-energy renditions of great American classics made popular by Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, and Harry Connick Jr., among others.

 

This new concert series is being made possible through a generous endowment from longtime resident and patron of the arts, the late Barbara Brennan Highland.  “Barbara Brennan Highland loved Community Concerts,” says Dolores Yoke, Cultural Foundation board member and Chair of BBH Fund for the Arts. “They brought the world's best music and dance here to be enjoyed with her parents, her friends and later her daughter. Grand Performances is among her generous gifts to us all.”

 

As a special thank you to the community, The Cultural Foundation is offering two for the price of one season tickets for this series. Tickets for Grand Performance are available online at www.theculturalfoundation.org, or by calling 304-624-6077.

 

Grand Performances Tickets

Adult Season Ticket – $100 (2 for $100 with promotion)

Child Season Ticket - $40 (2 for $40 with promotion)

Adult Individual Show Ticket - $35

Child Individual Show Ticket - $10

 

The Cultural Foundation of Harrison County has a mission to foster an art-rich environment, and to encourage the development and appreciation of all art forms, while promoting the growth and expansion of artistic, cultural, and economic development. Established in 1972 to receive bequests, grants, financial gifts, and other items of cultural and historic value, The Cultural Foundation serves as the conduit between the community and its arts organizations through funding, advocacy, and community enrichment. www.theculturalfoundation.org

 

The Barbara B. Highland Fund for the Arts provides community grants, and funds to The Cultural Foundation, for the engagement of fine arts presentations of a national scope for and on behalf of the people of Harrison County, WV. The generous provision of this endowment, by longtime resident and patron of the arts, the late Barbara Brennan Highland, is indeed a reflection of her fine character, personality, and love for her community. It is in this spirit that The Cultural Foundation annually engages artists and disperses funds.

 

Kirsten Wyatt is a Clarksburg native and actress who has appeared on Broadway, on TV and in regional theaters all across the USA. To date, she's appeared in nine Broadway shows - the most recent being Annie the Musical where she portrayed villainess Lily St. Regis.  Kirsten has also been seen on Broadway in Grease (Frenchy, 2007 revival), High Fidelity (Anna), The Pajama Game (Poopsie), Urinetown (Little Becky Two Shoes) & You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy/Sally standby). She also has the distinction of playing an elf in three different Broadway shows - A Christmas Story:  The Musical (Crusty Elf/Mrs. Schwartz), Elf (Santa's Elf) & Shrek (Shoemaker's Elf). 

 

Grand Performances Concert Series Line Up

 

Kirsten Wyatt - Friday, September 30, 2016, at 7:30 PM, RCB Theater

Tenore - Friday, December 16, 2016, at 7:30 PM, First United Methodist Church of Clarksburg

Cherish the Ladies - Thursday, March 2, 2017, at 7:30 PM, RCB Theater

Fabulous Equinox Little Big Band - Monday, May 8, 2017, at 7:30 PM, RCB Theater