Tickets for the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts’ 2024-2025 season are on sale. This season boasts a diverse lineup that includes two Tony Award-winning musicals, comedians, tribute bands and more.
“There are plenty of shows this fall and in the spring that will interest our university students,” Julia Aubrey, director of the Ford Center, said. “Be sure to ask about student discounts.”
Stand-up comedian and Ole Miss alum Heather McMahan’s comedy act will open the fall semester on Thursday, Aug. 29.
“We had the Ole Miss students in mind when we booked comedian Heather McMahan as our opening show this fall,” Aubrey said. “She is an alumna, (Delta Gamma) and highly popular with a younger demographic.”
In the fall semester, the six-time Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” will take to the stage. In the spring, “Hadestown” by Anaïs Mitchell will retell the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice through song and dance.
In response to student focus groups who requested more country music acts, the Ford Center will host the Frontmen on Sept. 26. The group features three iconic country music band lead singers: Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Richie McDonald of Lonestar and Tim Rushlow of Little Texas.
While many of the offerings appeal to students, the season also offers something for all members of the Oxford community.
On Sept. 12, former lead vocalist of rock ‘n’ roll group Journey Steve Augeri will perform the band’s greatest hits, including “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Any Way You Want It.” On Feb. 8, “Britbeat – the Immersive Beatles Tribute Experience” will provide attendees with “a transformative encounter with the timeless legacy of the Beatles,” according to the Ford Center website.
A cappella group Voctave will perform on Oct. 19, and the Jazz Ambassadors of the U.S. Army Band will play on the evening of Nov. 18. In the spring semester, the string ensemble Catalyst Quartet will take over the Ford Center on Jan. 30.
Two educational programs will be held at the Ford Center this fall. “Mister C Live! The World in Motion – Newton’s Laws” will be held on Sept. 30, while “Our Planet Live – Life on Our Planet with Dan Tapster” will be hosted on Oct. 17.
For the Christmas 2024 season, “A Charlie Brown Christmas, Live!” will present familiar tales of the Peanuts crew on Dec. 5.
A new year at the Ford Center will kick off Feb. 11 with “The Simon and Garfunkel Story,” which will feature a full live band to present the journey of the folk-rock duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Capping off the season, William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” has been transcribed into modern verse by Christina Anderson and will be at the Ford Center on April 1.
