Blippi, ‘The Addams Family’ and more: Penn State’s CPA announces 2024-25 season

As summer comes to a close, Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts is getting the community excited for a new season of music, dance and theatrical performances. The CPA recently released its 2024-2025 performance schedule — and there’s a diverse selection to choose from.

This season’s calendar includes three national tours of Broadway musicals — including 2017 Tony Awards Best Musical winner “Dear Evan Hansen” — and more than a dozen other performances by dance companies, country singers, jazz musicians and more.

Tickets for the general public go on sale at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 and can be purchased online, by calling 814-863-0255 or in-person at Eisenhower Auditorium during normal working hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays). CPA members will get early access to tickets starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 7. Depending on the event, ticket costs range from free to up to $66.

For more information, go to cpa.psu.edu/allevents.

Fall 2024

Sept. 14: Move Mix Festival, 2 p.m. The block party-style festival, which will include multiple stages both inside and outside the theater, is part of the Eisenhower Auditorium’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebration. A full lineup of musicians will be announced later this month, but the headliner last year was South Asian fusion ensemble Red Baraat. Attendance is free for all.

Sept. 25: Classical Coffeehouse featuring Chanticleer, 8 p.m. In advance of their concert the following day, the all-male vocal ensemble Chanticleer will perform a smaller, more intimate concert in the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. Group members will also chat with the audience, and there will be snacks and refreshments. Tickets are free for Penn State and high school students, but all others are encouraged to provide a $15 donation.

Sept. 26: Chanticleer’s “Sing Joyfully,” 7:30 p.m. In addition to their smaller concert, 12-piece vocal ensemble Chanticleer will also perform in the Eisenhower Auditorium. The Grammy Award-winning group’s musical catalog includes a combination of traditional folk songs, jazz standards and contemporary versions of songs like Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” Tickets cost $48 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Oct. 6: “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” 7:30 p.m. The season’s first national tour of a Broadway musical is Tony-nominated “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.” As the name suggests, the jukebox musical chronicles Turner’s journey from childhood to rock ’n’ roll stardom and features her own music, including hits like “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” Tickets cost between $66-$83 for adults, $40-$45 for University Park students and $49-$66 for those 18 and younger.

Oct. 10: “Blippi: Join the Band Tour,” 6 p.m. Educational children’s character and YouTube personality Blippi is coming to Happy Valley for a stage tour filled with musical performances. Tickets cost between $35-$48 for adults and those 18 and younger, and they cost $15 for University Park students.

Oct. 17: Ailey II, 7:30 p.m. Modern dance company Ailey II is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, led by artistic director Francesca Harper. Tickets to the performance cost $48 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Oct. 21: Classical Coffeehouse featuring Le Consort, 8 p.m. Prior to their concert the next day, chamber music ensemble Le Consort will put on a smaller performance in the Hintz Family Alumni Center. The show will include snacks, refreshments and conversation with the audience. Tickets are free for Penn State and high school students, but all others are encouraged to provide a $15 donation.

Oct. 22: Le Consort’s “From Naples to London,” 7:30 p.m. Chamber music ensemble Le Consort will also perform in the Recital Hall, introducing audience members to the various styles of violin trio sonatas. The program includes pieces by Baroque composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi. Tickets cost $48 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Oct. 23: Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Grammy Award-winning pianist and jazz musician Eddie Palmieri is bringing his distinct Afro-Cuban sound to the Eisenhower Auditorium. Tickets cost $48 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Oct. 30: Ex Machina, Robert Lepage and Cirque FLIP Fabrique’s “SLAM!” 7:30 p.m. “SLAM!” combines wrestling, theater and circus performance with a compelling plot, following a face-off between a diverse cast of characters including a Scotsman, superhero and contortionist. It’s a show that invites audience contribution, booing and cheering for the heroes and villains and they compete and perform. Tickets cost $34 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Nov. 7: Sam Barber, 7:30 p.m. Country musician Sam Barber has received attention on TikTok for his acoustic covers of both country hits and original music. He’s opened for events featuring artists like Bruce Springsteen and Ed Sheeran. Tickets cost $60 for adults and those 18 and younger, and they cost $45 for University Park students.

Nov. 13: Step Afrika!’s “The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence,” 7:30 p.m. Dance company Step Afrika!, which specializes in the traditional African American stepping dance style, last performed at the Eisenhower in 2020. This year, the company is returning to tell the story of the 20th century migration of African Americans to the industrialized North, sharing an important piece of the country’s racial history. Tickets cost $48 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Dec. 3: Samara Joy’s “A Joyful Holiday (featuring The McLendon Family),“ 7:30 p.m. Grammy-winning jazz singer Samara Joy, 24, is bringing the classic genre into a new generation. In her Penn State debut, she will sing a mix of festive and gospel favorites, performing alongside her father and a three-piece band. Tickets cost $68 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $51 for those 18 and younger.

Dec. 8: “Mosaic” (School of Music feature), 4 p.m. The annual student concert showcases the talent within Penn State’s School of Music, featuring students who earned their spot via an audition process that will take place in October. Tickets cost $33 for adults and $10 for students, and part of ticket sales goes toward School of Music scholarships.

Spring 2025

Jan. 22: Compagnie Hervé Koubi’s “What the Day Owes to the Night,” 7:30 p.m. French-Algerian choreographer Hervé Koubi’s dance company brings together dancers primarily from across North Africa, blending martial arts, hip-hop and other contemporary styles. Koubi’s Eisenhower Auditorium production will follow his family history through dance and music. Tickets cost $48 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Jan. 24: “A Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” 7 p.m. Voices from Penn State ensembles and statewide high schools will join together for a tribute that will showcase music that highlights the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Feb. 26: Lakecia Benjamin, 7:30 p.m. Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin blends jazz, hip-hop, soul and Latin dance music, and her fourth studio album was nominated for three Grammy Awards. She’s performed with artists like Stevie Wonder, Missy Elliott and Alicia Keys. Tickets cost $34 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Mar. 22: Circa’s “Duck Pond,” 7:30 p.m. The Australian cirque company, Circa, combines ballet and circus performance in its unique take on “Swan Lake.” The show is sure to catch the eye of all audience members, blending Tchaikovsky’s music with aerials, acrobatics and heartfelt, comedic plot. Tickets cost $46 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger.

Mar. 27: “Dear Evan Hansen,” 7:30 p.m. Featuring a score by the musical duo behind “The Greatest Showman” and “La La Land,” “Dear Evan Hansen” is highly decorated, winning six Tony Awards including Best Musical. The coming-of-age musical follows a high school student with social anxiety as he struggles to fit in and deals with consequences of a particular action. (Due to discussions of suicide and other adult themes, the show is recommended for ages 12 and older.) Tickets cost between $66-$81 for adults, $40-$45 for University Park students and $49-$66 for those 18 and younger.

April 1-2: “The Addams Family,” 7 p.m. The season’s final Broadway national tour, “The Addams Family” earned two Tony Award nominations during its initial run and will be visiting Penn State for two nights. Including a familiar cast of characters from the original 1960s sitcom, the show is sure to get a laugh from all members of the family. Tickets cost between $66-$81 for adults, $40-$45 for University Park students and $49-$64 for those 18 and younger.

April 9: David Lang’s “before and after nature,” 7:30 p.m. Musical ensemble Bang on a Can All-Stars’ co-founder David Lang drew from his studies at Stanford University when writing his latest composition. “Before and after nature” pulls from the past 50 years of environmental thinking, exploring what the natural world looked like before humanity and how it will continue after humans are gone. Tickets cost $48 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $15 for those 18 and younger; for $35, guests can also gain access to drinks and snacks in The Place at Eisenhower Auditorium an hour before the show.