‘Miss Saigon’ Extends Run

Opening night is still eight months away, but “Miss Saigon” has already doubled its run at the Spokane Opera House.

“Miss Saigon” will now play Dec. 30 through Jan. 9, for a total of 16 performances. It was originally announced for eight, from Jan. 4-9.

The reason: ticket sales. Demand has been strong for the Best of Broadway series, which also includes “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables” and “Showboat.”

Individual tickets are not yet on sale.

`Riverdance’ on sale

However, individual tickets to one of the add-on shows, “Riverdance,” will go on sale Monday at 9 a.m. at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call 325-SEAT or (800) 325-SEAT.

This Irish stomp-fest runs eight performances July 27 through Aug. 1.

You might remember that tickets lasted only a couple of weeks last year when the show came to Spokane for a week.

Disco rules

Disco fever will rage in Spokane on June 19 when KC and the Sunshine Band, one of the biggest purveyors of ‘70s dance music, rolls into town with special guest Rick Springfield.

This show, titled The Blast from the Past Bash, will be the first show in The Star Theatre at the Spokane Arena, essentially a curtained-off area for more intimate shows.

As everybody who suffered through the ‘70s knows, KC and the Sunshine Band was responsible for many of the biggest disco hits of the era, including “That’s The Way (I Like It),” “Get Down Tonight,” “I’m Your Boogie Man” and the immortal “Shake Your Booty.” Plenty of retro-seeking Gen-Xers will no doubt be attracted to this show, too.

Tickets went on sale Thursday through G&B.

The new Civic season

The Spokane Civic Theatre has announced its 1999-2000 season, and there are plenty of outstanding choices, including the first on the Mainstage list: “1776” - The critically acclaimed musical about the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence. Oct. 1-30.

“Nuncracker” - Those wacky “Nunsense” sisters are at it again with a holiday show. Nov. 19-Dec. 18.

“The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” - A tribute to the glory days of Hollywood musicals and whodunits. Jan. 14-Feb. 5.

“Steel Magnolias” - The touching comedy centered around a Southern beauty parlor. Feb. 25-March 11.

“Our Town” - Thornton Wilder’s enduring classic about small-town America. March 31-April 29, 2000.

“Chicago” - The brassy, bawdy Bob Fosse musical about gangster-town in the Roaring ‘20s. May 19-June 17.

The smaller Firth Chew Studio Theatre space also has some promising titles: “Long Ago and Far Away” - More one-acts from David Ives, one of the funniest and most brilliant of contemporary playwrights. Oct. 22-Nov. 13.

“The Cripple of Inishman” - The latest play by Ireland’s acclaimed young playwright, Martin McDonagh. Jan. 28-Feb. 12.

“The Old Settler” - A ruefully funny look at love in 1943 Harlem, by John Henry Redwood, produced in cooperation with Onyx Theatre Troupe. March 10-April 1.

“Joined at the Head” - A comedy-drama and a recent nominee for best play honors, by Catherine Butterfield. April 21-May 13, 2000.

Season memberships go on sale May 17. Call 325-1413 for complete details.

Coming attractions

Speaking of upcoming plays, Spokane’s two big summer offerings have been announced. The Spokane Theatrical Group’s annual summertime show at The Met will be “Big River,” the musical based on “Huckleberry Finn.” Frank Jewett will play Huck; Troy Nickerson will direct. It will run July 23-Aug. 1, and tickets are now on sale through G&B.

The Spokane Civic Theatre’s annual summer show will be the hilarious “Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding,” an interactive wedding, complete with obnoxious relatives and various sub-plots. Will run July 25-Aug. 1.

Symphony sales are up

We’re happy to report that season subscription sales to the Spokane Symphony are up from last year.

Did we say, merely up? What we meant was more than double over this time last year.

“It’s going amazingly well,” said Nikki Scandalios of the symphony.

This news is especially welcome since worries had surfaced that the big “Phantom/Les Miz/Miss Saigon” juggernaut would cut into the audiences for our local arts groups.

So far at least, everybody has something to be happy about.

Allegro’s season

Allegro, Spokane’s own baroque, classical and romantic period music series at The Met, announced its new season last week.

Venice - Music Along the Grand Canal - featuring a baroque ensemble with strings and harpsichord. Oct. 1.

Music of Vienna - Music from the Austrian empire, featuring a period fortepiano. Nov. 12.

Roses and Lace - Allegro’s popular Valentine’s concert. Feb. 11.

Fandango - A dance and music extravaganza featuring the Spanish dancing of Clarita. March 10.

For big discounts on season tickets, call 455-6865.

Where’s Bev?

We would have awarded Bev Carr of KHQ-6 one of our “People We Like” kudos, except she left town before we had a chance.

Carr met a New York banker last year and left in March to get married.

In fact, she was in the midst of moving when the big Gonzaga University NCAA excitement hit. Suddenly, KHQ needed every on-air person they had. Carr volunteered to come in and help out. So she anchored on that big weekend, even though she didn’t even work there any more.

“It says a lot about Bev and why she was so respected around here,” said Lon Lee, KHQ general manager.

Now we have even more reason to give her a retroactive “People We Like” award.

Glenn Miller revived

The Glenn Miller Orchestra arrives in Spokane on June 25 at the Masonic Temple.

Miller died in a plane crash in World War II, but his band and his style swing on. All ages are welcome and the floor will be open for dancing.

Tickets are $18, on sale May 8 through G&B.

Reliving Expo

“Reflections by the River: Expo ‘74,” KSPS-7’s look back at Spokane’s big summer on the world’s stage, airs Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Alison Kartevold has used original news footage, home movies and interviews to capture the feeling of that time. Tuesday is, by the way, the 25th anniversary of the opening of Expo.