The word is out, and top talent from across the country and around Texas will be heading to Montgomery County during the forthcoming season of the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society. According to MCPAS President, Fred McMurray, “From the Las Vegas show of Connie Stevens to the classic folk songs of the Kingston Trio, from the western swing music of Asleep At The Wheel to the classy music of the Dallas Brass, the 2004-2005 season of the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society offers something for every music fan in Montgomery County. We have expanded the 2004-2005 season to seven shows from the six shows of last year.” According to McMurray, “Six of the shows are scheduled on Saturday nights, with one show scheduled on Sunday afternoon. With this type of nationally renowned talent and this expanded schedule, the 2004-2005 season offers one of the best entertainment values in Montgomery County.”

Recording artist, Connie Stevens, star of both film and television, will bring her Las Vegas show to the historic Crighton Theatre, at 234 Main Street in Conroe. She will kick off the new season on Saturday, September 18th at 8 p.m. Joined by her Las Vegas show band and singers, she will perform in her trademark style with classic hits, big band standards, blues, pop and rock.

Next, one of the best musical political satire groups in the country, The Capitol Steps, will travel from Washington, D.C. to the Crighton Theatre on Saturday, November 13th, bringing with them their own special brand of musical comedy for some post-election fun.

The Texas A&M Singing Cadets are now celebrating their centennial touring season. As part of their winter tour, the Singing Cadets will perform at Montgomery High School, 22825 Highway 105 West, in Montgomery, at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 30, 2005. Known internationally as the “Voice of Aggieland”, the Singing Cadets are an all male chorus of about 60 members who will present 60 to 70 concerts throughout the United States during their centennial season.

Asleep At The Wheel will bring their western swing music to Haven’s Landing, 19785 Highway 105 West, in Montgomery, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 19. Ever since being invited (by Willie Nelson) to move to Austin, Texas in 1973, this band has been dedicated to carrying on the western swing music tradition of such greats as Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. In the process, they have collected 10 Grammy awards.

The 21st annual Entergy Young Texas Artists Music Competition finals will be held at the Crighton Theatre on Saturday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m. The Finalists Concert features the two best performers from the voice, piano, string, and instrumental divisions of the three-day competition. These stars of tomorrow, ages18-30, will be competing for more than $8,000 in prizes and five guest appearance invitations.

The Dallas Brass will entertain at the Crighton on Saturday, April 16th at 8 p.m. This brass quintet, with drums and percussion, will perform music ranging from Dixieland and swing, to Broadway, classical and patriotic music. Their family-oriented show will also include audience participation.

Closing the season will be the incomparable Kingston Trio. The trio has been entertaining audiences around the world for more than 40 years. They are known for such hits as “Tom Dooley,” “MTA,” “A Worried Man,” “The Tijuana Jail,” “Lemon Tree” and many others. The performance will take place at the Crighton Theatre on Saturday, May 7th at 8 p.m.

Says McMurray, “Our theme for 2004-2005 is ‘Bring A Friend to the Arts.’ With a line-up like this, we hope to bring many new friends to the Arts.”

In addition to the regular season, the Missoula Children’s Theatre will conduct auditions for young people on April 4, 2005 for a production of “The Jungle Book,” which will be presented at the Crighton on Saturday, April 9th, at 7 p.m.

Season ticket subscribers save 15 percent compared to purchasing tickets to all seven shows separately. Season tickets are now on sale for $175 and may be purchased by calling the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society at 936-760-2787.

(The Courier   8.13.04)

(The Villager    9.23.04)