The theater business is tough even during the good times, and a slowdown in the economy that leads to tighter wallets of ticket buyers as well as corporate donors leads to those tough times becoming unbearable and unsustainable for some theaters.



So it is always nice to see a theater reach a milestone even if it is not a full-on nonprofit like a community theater down the street. We have to celebrate the triumphs when we can these days.



Tacoma’s Broadway Center for the Performing Arts announced its lineup for its 25th season, and it is one that will at least have one show for everyone.



“Our 25th anniversary season is the perfect way to celebrate the Broadway Center’s role as the center of the performing arts in the region and recognize Ninth and Broadway as a gathering place that has connected generations of our community. The 2008-09 season offers diverse programs, new talent and several recognizable stars to the stages. It’s an exciting combination, and we hope everyone will indulge in the theater experience,” says BCPA Executive Director David Fischer.



First off, the unofficial opening celebration of the season in August will include an outdoor concert at the Chambers Creek Properties in University Place starring folk icon Judy Collins with Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and Jonatha Brooke. Think of it as a concert at the Gorge at George without the long drive, the camping in a muddy field, the stolen iPod, mosquitoes, or meth addict trying to sell you a dimebag so he can pay for a bus ticket to Spokane to meet his parents. There will be those pesky trains that seem to chug by right as the songs start, but if it is good enough for the Steilacoom Summer concert series, it will be good for a UP show.



The official opening night seems like an odd choice even for us history buffs. The anchor theater of the Rialto, Pantages and Theater on the Square will host Salute to Vaudeville as a way to mark the Pantages’ roots in that all but dead theater tradition of pratfalls and sideshows. But the show will support local talent by a host of regional novelty acts the likes of which are rarely seen together. There will be comedians, singers, acrobatics, and acts that really can’t be labeled.



The season itself will offer evening performances of comedians and storytellers Lily Tomlin, zany Martin Short, and the über deadpan stylings of David Sedaris as well as new musicals Movin’ Out, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Altar Boyz. Other standout dates to consider during the 2008-2009 season are Even Cowgirls Get the Blues and Aladdin: A New Musical Comedy in the campy British tradition. In addition to these, the season offers an abundance of entertainment throughout the year.



Visit broadwaycenter.org for more information and ticket availability.

2008-2009 theater season at a glance

• A Salute to Vaudeville: Voice of the City, Sept. 27


• A Tribute to Gospel Music: Starring BET’s Sunday Best winner and Tacoma native Crystal Aikin, Oct. 12


• Seattle’s Book-It Repertory Theatre’s Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Oct. 17-26


• 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a Tony award-winning musical comedy about the rewards that can be found in losing, Oct. 29


• An Evening with NPR humorist David Sedaris, Oct. 30


• An Evening with comedian Martin Short, Nov. 8


• Scrooge: The Movie Musical and 63rd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Nov. 29


• Seattle Men’s Chorus: Holiday Concert – Fruitcake, Dec. 13


• Centerstage, the Federal Way theater on the move, will present its version of Aladdin: A New Musical Comedy, in its English panto tradition, Dec. 18-21


• Peking Acrobats, Jan. 11


• Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out, Jan. 14


• American Soul & Rock & Roll Choir, Jan. 21


• Afro-Cuban All Stars, Feb. 17


• Klezmatics, Feb. 24


• Show Way, an adaptation of Jacqueline Woodson’s tale from slavery to freedom, March 1


• Celtic sprite Cathie Ryan, March 6


• Intergalactic Nemesis: A Comic Radio Play, March 7-8


• Author and PBS host Bruce Feiler will talk about bringing the world’s religions together, March 12


• Pushcart Players present Red Riding Hood and other stories, March 20


• Swing giants Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, April 3


• Altar Boyz, the award-winning musical parody, April 9


• 3 Redneck Tenors: A New Musical Adventure, April 17


• Woven Harmony, April 25


• An Afternoon of Classic Lily Tomlin, April 26


• Chic Gamine, May 1


• Do Jump!: Aerial Dance, May 8


• Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway, May 16