Bill Cosby highlights UCA Public Appearances

The comedian Bill Cosby will highlight the 16 events scheduled for the 2013-14 UCA Public Appearances season at the University of Central Arkansas.

An Evening with Bill Cosby: “50 Years of Making You Laugh, Smile, and Feel Good” will kick off the Night Out Series on Thursday, Sept. 26.

The season will also include a Broadway and Pops series (featuring the return of the popular Straight No Chaser), two Distinguished Lectures and a family matinee.

“I can’t believe that, after 25 years in the business, I have finally managed to book Bill Cosby, and now I am retiring and won’t be hanging out backstage with him,” said Jerry Biebesheimer, who will retire in May as director of UCA Public Appearances. “But I will be in the audience.”

All performances will be in the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall.

The season includes:

  • Cirque Dreams ROCKS, Broadway Series, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, sponsored by Arkansas Times.
  • An Evening with Bill Cosby: “50 Years of Making You Laugh, Smile, and Feel Good,” Night Out Series, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26.
  • Lightwire Theater presents: The Ugly Duckling and The Tortoise & The Hare, family show, 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, sponsored by Alice 107.7.
  • Paul Taylor Dance Company, Night Out Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.
  • Grits & Glamour: Pam Tillis & Lorrie Morgan, Pops Series, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, sponsored by Women’s Inc. magazine.
  • An Evening with Audra McDonald, Night Out Series, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.
  • Straight No Chaser, Pops Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, sponsored by Y107.
  • The Addams Family Musical, Broadway Series, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, sponsored by the Log Cabin Democrat.
  • Lisa Ling, UCA Distinguished Lecture, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, sponsored by the Log Cabin Democrat.
  • Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Wild & Swingin’ Holiday, Pops Series, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, sponsored by the Log Cabin Democrat.
  • Broadway on Ice, Broadway Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, sponsored by 501 LIFE magazine.
  • Winner of the 2013 Van Cliburn Piano Competition with the Conway Symphony Orchestra, Night Out Series, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, sponsored by B98.5;
  • Neil deGrasse Tyson, UCA Distinguished Lecture, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, sponsored by Conway Printing Company.
  • From Haifa Israel, The Haifa Symphony Orchestra, Night Out Series, 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 3, sponsored by KLRE Radio.
  • Sweet Charity, Broadway Series, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, sponsored by KARN Radio.
  • An Evening with Béla Fleck & Chick Corea, Pops Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, sponsored by KOKY Radio.

"The 2013-14 season will be by far our biggest season to date,” said Ashley Love, director of finance and marketing for UCA Public Appearances.

Subscription renewals for current season ticket holders are now available. Subscriptions will go on sale to the general public Monday, July 8. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public Monday, Aug. 12. Patrons who have purchased a series subscription may purchase individual tickets during subscriber courtesy week Monday, Aug. 5, through Friday, Aug. 9.

This year patrons may once again subscribe to their choice of the Night Out Series, Broadway Series or Pops Series. They may also subscribe to the Performing Arts Package, which combines all 13 events in the Night Out, Broadway and Pops series. A new Pick-6 option allows anyone who donates at the Star Player level ($100+) and above to create their own six-event season ticket, picking any six events from the Broadway, Pops and Night Out series.

To purchase a subscription package, call 501.450.3265 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning July 8. Individual tickets may be purchased online at uca.edu/reynolds or by calling 501.450.3265 beginning Monday, Aug. 12.

For more information, contact Love at 501.852.7889 or [email protected], Ryan Warren at 501.450.3680 or visit uca.edu/reynolds.