Boyz II Men, hailed as the most commercially successful R&B group of all time, bring their soulful vocal harmonizing to the Schuster Center on Saturday, November 29.

“American Idol’s” Randy Jackson, who produced their most recent album, says: “All of the greats have a natural talent that continually bubbles up no matter what’s going on. Boyz II Men are like that – just naturally gifted, and the most talented vocal group of our era.”

Boyz II Men’s clean-cut “retro nouveau” image, synchronized dance routines, and polished stage act fueled their rapid rise to stardom in the 1990s. Their debut album,  Cooleyhighharmony is considered a classic of ’90s “new jack swing” and spun off three major crossover hits: “Motownphilly,”, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” and “Uhh Ahh.” Cooleyhighharmony hung on the Billboard Top 200 for an astound ing 133 weeks and sold more than nine million copies in the United States alone.

Their second album, simply titled II, was a massive, chart-topping hit that won the Grammy for Best R&B Album, and sold more than 12 million copies, thanks to its two Number One pop singles, “I’ll Make Love to You” and “On Bended Knee.” When “On Bended Knee” replaced “I’ll Make Love to You” at the top of the Hot 100, Boyz II Men became only the third act in chart history, after Elvis and The Beatles, to replace themselves at Number One.

In a spectacular 17-year career, Boyz II Men have scored fi ve Number One pop hits and 12 Top Ten R&B singles, sold over 60 million records worldwide, and earned a host of awards, including four Grammy Awards.

The three members of Boyz II Men (Michael McCary left the group in 2003) are currently touring in support of their most recent album, Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA, which finds them recording many of the famous Motown anthems that originally inspired them. Teaming with producer Randy Jackson, the Boyz bring their special brand of musical magic to 12 Motown classics, including “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology),” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” “War,” “I Was Made to Love Her” and “Ribbon In the Sky.”

“Our approach was not to taint or take away from the integrity of the original records,” explains Shawn Stockman, “but to add a little thing, here or there, and put our Boyz II Men flavor on it …We wanted to pay tribute to an era that had such a major infl uence on our sound.”

Wanya Morris adds: “The fact that we were able to do these songs live, the way they made the original records, gives a whole ‘nother twist to what this album is really about.”

“We took everything from before and brought it up to now, just to let everyone know that we haven’t forgotten it,” says Nate Morris.

For video clips of their greatest hits and newest recordings, click here to visit our Boyz II Men Playlist on YouTube. For more about about all things Boyz II Men, visit their website at www.boyziimen.com.

The New York Times features an article today about how the banking and credit crisis is hitting Broadway, in terms of its ability to secure financing for new projects:

Tragedy Tomorrow, Economic Woes Tonight
By Patricia Cohen
Like most longtime Broadway producers, James Freydberg is used to getting loans. But recently he found that despite what he said was his perfect credit rating, his bank was not so accommodating. “Banks are unwilling or unable to loan money,” he said.
[ Read the full article ]

By now you’ve probably read or heard that I’ll be leaving my position with Victoria Theatre Association at the end of this month, for another opportunity as President and CEO of Performing Arts Fort Worth and the Bass Performance Hall in Texas.

When I was first contacted by the search firm for this position, my immediate thought was no, the timing isn’t right; there are things here I want to see through, things I still want to accomplish. After all, under my direction, we had recently implemented staff reductions in order to reduce costs and balance the budget.

A few months ago we implemented a new ticketing system for Ticket Center Stage, which will continue to be a major project for our company throughout this fiscal year as we work to adapt reporting capabilities to the needs of all the clients we serve. The uncertainty created by the financial crisis in our country continues to have effects on subscription bases and overall sales goals. As a non-profit, fundraising is a critical piece of our business and how might the current economy affect those efforts? But then I also thought about all the incredible things that are happening here.

We are in the midst of finalizing our deal to bring Wicked to Dayton, along with a return engagement of The Phantom of the Opera, and other yet-to-be-named productions that will ensure another dynamite season in 2009-2010. That same new ticketing system that is creating reporting challenges now will ultimately provide an incredible opportunity for us to more easily address marketing and customer service needs for our organization. Our partnerships in the community continue to expand as we reach out to other organizations to help round out projects such as the African-American Arts Festival. We have a dedicated and talented staff here that I would hold up to any in the country. So how could I contemplate a transition with so much happening? Then I realized that I was placing too much importance on my role in all of this. Ultimately I realized that in my 18 years at Victoria Theatre Association, it has always been this way … there are always challenges and diffcult situations to address and there are always wonderful, exciting new experiences on the horizon for our company. The reality is that it will always be this way. This company transcends any individual. It is one that is rooted in the great history of this community with a Board of Trustees committed to a mission of service to our community through the performing arts. This organization is ever-evolving. This is another phase of that evolution.

My decision to take a new position with Performing Arts Fort Worth was one about career growth for me and personal opportunity for my family. I will be forever indebted to Victoria Theatre Association and to Dayton for the gifts they have provided me: a wonderful career, many great friends, my incredible husband, Daniel, and our cherished daughter, Caro. I will miss all of you and know that you will continue to support this outstanding organization and those who lead it into the future.

- Dione Kennedy, President & CEO

Just in time for the holidays, we are offering a special, limited-time Family Gift Pack for the Chase Broadway Series presentation of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, January 20 – 25 at the Schuster Center.

During the month of November, special children’s pricing will be available for all performances - $25 off the regular adult ticket prices. Buy 2 adult tickets and 2 children’s tickets for as little as $229. That’s a savings of $50!

This is a very limited offer, so act fast: This pricing is only available through November 30! This offer is only available by phone or in person – call 937-228-3630 or stop by the Schuster Center box office during regular business hours and mention the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Family Gift Pack.

Watch: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Video

In addition the previously announced 7 p.m. performance, a 3 p.m. matinee has been added on November 30 for The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis at the Schuster Center.

Tickets for both performances are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage and are priced at $76, $61, $51 and $31, with discounts available for groups. Tickets may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, noon - 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.

For more information about the band’s national tour, or to sample Mannheim Steamroller albums, visit www.mannheimsteamroller.com.

Tune in to A&E’s “Private Sessions” this Sunday morning at 9 a.m., to catch Boyz II Men, as they perform some of their greatest hits and tracks from their latest album, as well as discuss their spectacular career.

Then be sure to catch them LIVE at the Schuster Center on November 29 - tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage.

Click Here to check out videos of hits like “I’ll Make Love to You” and “On Bended Knee.”

Last February, Victoria Theatre Association presented its first African-American Arts Festival. The month-long celebration was such a community success, a second festival has just been announced – and this time the events are spread throughout the entire arts season.

“We’re thrilled to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diverse programming by offering these unique events throughout our season,” said Victoria Theatre Association Vice President of Programming, Tina McPhearson. “Many of these events are collaborations with our friends in the community, and that is so appropriate – because we want our venues to be gathering places where people get together and share common experiences in the arts.”

With the month-long art exhibit Visual Voices in February 2009 as the centerpiece, the 2008-2009 African-American Arts Festival features an array of performances, events and exhibits – all celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of not only the continent of Africa, but also African-Americans.

The festival features the fifth annual Visual Voices art exhibition in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center, as well as performances, both musical and theatrical, including:

Mayhem Poets
October 30, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. – Victoria Theatre

Soweto Gospel Choir
November 15, 2008 at 8 p.m. - Victoria Theatre

Boyz II Men
November 29, 2008 at 8 p.m. – Mead Theatre, Schuster Center

A Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. & Gregory Hines
Featuring Bruce Anthony Davis and the Eddie Brookshire Orchestra
December 6, 2008 at 8 p.m. – Mathile Theatre, Schuster Center

MLK Music Concert
Featuring the MLK Community Choir
January 18, 2009 at 6 p.m. – Victoria Theatre

70’s Soul Jam
January 31, 2009 at 8 p.m. - Mead Theatre, Schuster Center

Freedom Train
January 30, 2009 – Victoria Theatre
Part of Victoria Theatre Association’s Physicians for Kids Discovery Series

Visual Voices: Dayton Skyscrapers III
February 1 – 28, 2009 – Mead Theatre Lobby, Schuster Center

Sweet Honey in the Rock
February 23, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.  – Mead Theatre, Schuster Center
Presented in partnership with University of Dayton’s Diversity Lecture Series

Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple
April 21-26, 2009 – Mead Theatre, Schuster Center

Visual Voices and the MLK Music Concert are free and open to the public. Tickets for the Soweto Gospel Choir are available by calling CITYFOLK at 937-496-3863 or online at www.cityfolk.org.

Tickets for all other performances are available through Ticket Center Stage and may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, noon - 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.

The African-American Arts Festival is presented with support from Festival Sponsor KeyBank and Victoria Theatre Association’s Diversity Endowment Fund.