EASTON, Pa. — Concerts by a chart-topping Christian rock group, a top blues guitarist and up-and-coming country acts are among shows in State Theatre's new season, it was announced Wednesday.
There also will be a top a cappella band; hit-maker acts from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s; and two favorite Christmas-themed rock bands.
Also, legacy-group versions of two top 1970 hit-making bands; a show celebrating the lives and music of Harry Chapin and his family members; and tribute shows to Taylor Swift, Phil Collins, Tom Petty, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Elton John, Queen and Johnny Cash.
Tickets for the 50 shows in the new season go on sale to theater members at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 and to the public at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 at the State Theatre website, or at the box office at 453 Northampton St., Easton.State Theatre news release
Tickets for the 50 shows in the new season go on sale to theater members at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, and to the public at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at the State Theatre website or at the box office at 453 Northampton St., Easton.
There is a 10-ticket limit per member per performance during members-only sales. Membership to the non-profit State Theatre starts at $75 a year.
Chart-topping Christian rock group Needtobreathe will perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 20. Tickets are $60-$110.
The Grammy Award-nominated Needtobreathe’s past six albums, since 2011, all have topped both Billboard’s Christian charts, and in the 2010s, three of its albums hit the Top 6 on the overall albums chart.
The group also opened for Taylor Swift on her Speak Now stadium tour in 2011 and on some dates on her most recent Eras tour.
Its most recent disc, "Caves," was released in September.
Blues-rock guitar hero Joe Bonamassa will perform at 8 p.m. March 3. Tickets are $49-$72.
The former guitar prodigy, who opened for B.B. King at 12 years old, now is 46 and carrying on the legacy of the blues masters.
Previously announced was a Nov. 21 show by top Christian singer Michael W. Smith with his Christmas tour. Tickets for that show already are on sale.
The night for up-and-coming country acts will offered at the Cat Country 96 Jingle Jam at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Tickets are $25.
CAT Country will announce the acts soon.
A cappella, 1960s, 1970s
Also previously announced were two shows by top a cappella act Straight No Chaser, at 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 7. Those tickets also are on sale.
Two top 1960s acts, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap and The Grass Roots, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8. Tickets are $39 to $69.
Puckett & The Union Gap was among the most popular pop groups of the late 1960s, with hits including “Lady Willpower,” “This Girl is a Woman Now” and “Young Girl.” The band was nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1969.
The Grass Roots from 1966-72 had 15 Top 30 songs, with such hits as “Where Were You When I Needed You,” “Temptation Eyes,” “Sooner or Later,” “Midnight Confessions” and “Let’s Live for Today.” The group holds the record for continuous presence on the Billboard singles chart: 307 straight weeks.
Original lead singer Rob Grill died hours before the group was to take the stage at a 2011 Musikfest Café show. The group now has no original members.
Three Dog Night, one of the most productive hitmakers of the 1970s, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Tickets are $49-$75.
Three Dog Night From 1969-74 had more Top 10 hits and sold more records and concert tickets than any other act, with chart-toppers “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” “An Old Fashioned Love Song,” “Joy to the World” and “Black and White,” as well as “One,” “Never Been to Spain,” “Easy to Be Hard” and “The Show Must Go On.”
The group only has one original member, Danny Hutton. Lead singer Chuck Negron left the band in 1985 and tours solo.
Air Supply, Christmas, legacy bands
Previously announced Air Supply will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28. Tickets are $65-$470.
The duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock next year will observe its 50th anniversary.
It formed in 1976 and broke into the U.S. charts with “Lost in Love,” which hit No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1980.
That was the title track of a disc that sold double-platinum in the U.S. and also produced the No. 2 hits “All Out of Love” and “Every Woman in the World.”
Its next album, 1981’s “The One That You Love,” topped the U.S. chart and had two No. 1 hits with the title track and “Here I Am,” and the Top 5 hit “Sweet Dreams.”
Air Supply had one more platinum disc in the United States, the 1982 disc “Now and Forever.” The disc also gave Air Supply its last chart-topping hit, “Even The Nights are Better,” as well as a Top 5 hit with “Two Less Lonely People in the World.”
The duo’s 1983 “Greatest Hits” album also was Top 10, sold five times platinum and had another No. 2 hit, “Making Love Out of Nothing at All.”
Christmas will be rocking time for State Theatre, with Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Tickets are $59-$85, on sale to State Theatre members Thursday, July 25, and the public Friday, July 26.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been one of America’s favorite holiday music tours for more than 35 years. The program includes 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments.
The Wizards of Winter will perform its Holiday Rock Opera “The Christmas Dream" with a 12-member ensemble at 4 p.m. Dec. 22. Tickets are $39-$59 and $34 for ages 12 and younger.
The Orchestra, with former members of Electric Light Orchestra, will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 18. Tickets are $42-$49. The group plays the hits of ELO and ELO II.
And Little River Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 with supporting act Orleans. Tickets at $65-$95.
Best known for its late 1970s hits “Help Is On Its Way,” “Reminiscing,” “Cool Change,” “Happy Anniversary,” “Lady” and “Lonesome Loser,” Little River Band is led by vocalist/bassist Wayne Nelson, who has been in the band since 1980.
It’s the band's 50th anniversary tour.
Tribute acts
The Chapin Family Presents: Harry Chapin's Greatest Stories Live will be at 4 p.m. Sept. 15. Tickets, on sale now, are $49-$69.
The show offers two generations of the musical Chapin family, backed by The Harry Chapin Band, will bring the songs of Harry Chapin to life.
Tribute acts during the season will kick off with Hello, I Must Be Going — A Tribute to Phil Collins at 8 p.m. Sept. 14. Tickets, on sale now, are $36-$42.
Let's Sing Taylor: A Live Band Experience Celebrating Taylor Swift will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15. Tickets are $29.75-$39.75. The show offers lively covers of Swift's catalog, letting attendees sing their hearts out and wear Taylor-inspired attire. The group in June played at Univest Performance Center in Quakertown.
The Music of Tom Petty, as performed by Craig Thatcher Band, will be 7:30 p.m. March 22. Tickets are $29. The show includes Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers hits and some hidden gems.
The Folsom Prison Experience, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20. Tickets $35-$65. Step into the shoes of an inmate at Folsom Prison in 1968 and participate in the electrifying Johnny Cash show.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical will be 7 p.m. Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. Tickets, at $69-$109, are on sale now. The story of the Queen of Rock and Roll set to a soundtrack of her most beloved hits. The show is recommended for ages 14 an older.
Yellow Brick Joel, celebrating two great "piano men," will be 8 p.m. Oct. 19. Tickets are $29.99-$87.49 (VIP). The show will feature hits such as “Crocodile Rock,” “I’m Still Standing,” “You May Be Right,” “Piano Man” and more.
One Night of Queen, featuring the stage theatrics, showmanship and music of Queen, will be at 7 p.m. April 11. Tickets are $39-$65.
More 2024-25 shows
Other shows in the State Theatre's 2024-25 season are:
Late Nite Catechism, 7 p.m. Sept. 20. Tickets are $29-$47.
Puppy Pals Live, 3 p.m. Sept. 29. Tickets are $19-$32, on sale now. A family-friendly show featuring adopted and rescued dogs performing stunts.
The Vampire Circus, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10. Tickets are $39-$59, on sale now. A mix of circus cabaret and theatre, a fusion of Tim Burton and Cirque Du Soleil, it offers contortionists, acrobats, clowns and illusions, with audience interaction.
An Evening with Lee Asher, 6 p.m. Oct. 13. Tickets are $35-$55. Through stories of overcoming adversity, heartfelt anecdotes and a wealth of knowledge about animal rescue, Asher tells audiences how to be their best selves.
Bluey's Big Play, 6 p.m. Oct. 17. Tickets $39-$144, on sale now. A theatrical adaptation of the Emmy award-winning children’s
TV series.
Haunted Illusions, starring David Caserta, 4 p.m. Oct. 27. Tickets $15-$25, on sale now. Illusionist David Caserta, seen on NBC's "America's Got Talent," has people levitating, disappearing and reappearing right before your eyes.
The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents Swan Lake, 2 p.m. Nov. 9. Tickets $45-$85 on sale now.
Oh What a Night of Doo-Wop & Rock 'n' Roll, Hosted by Cool Bobby B of Sirius Radios’ "50s on 5," 7 p.m. Nov .16. Tickets $35-$65. Featuring Kenny Vance & The Planotones (“Looking For an Echo”), Brian Hyland (“Sealed With A Kiss”), Jimmy Gallagher and The Passions (“Just To Be With You") and Cleveland Still & The Dubs, and Classic Sounds.
Bored Teachers — The Struggle is Real Comedy Tour, 3 p.m. Nov. 17. Tickets $29-$59, on sale now. PG-13 language used during some sets.
Hadestown, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 and 1 and 6 p.m. Nov. 24. Tickets $69-$109, on sale now. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, 7 p.m. Dec. 6. Tickets $35-$55.
An Evening with Josh Wolf, 8 p.m. Dec. 14. Tickets $39-$59. Josh Wolf is a comedian, actor and New York Times Bestselling author best known as a roundtable guest and writer on E!’s “Chelsea Lately” and “After Lately.”
Christmas in the Air, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Tickets, $45-$65. Broadway-style song and dance revue, wrapped up within a feel-good holiday storyline.
Dear Evan Hansen, 7 p.m. Jan. 7 and Jan. 8. Tickets $69-$89. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Frank Smith Photography Workshop, 9 a.m. Jan. 11. Tickets $115.
The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents The Sleeping Beauty, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17. Tickets $45-$85.
Blue Suede: Elvis Birthday Bash, featuring Scot Bruce and Mike Albert, 4 p.m. Feb. 2. Tickets $39.
The Magic of Rob Lake, 7 p.m. March 1. Tickets $29-$49, on sale to theater members July 25 and the public July 26.
Red Hot Chili Pipers, with special guest Liberty High School Grenadier Pipes & Drums, 7:30 p.m. March 6. Tickets $39. The famous bagpipe-and-drums band.
Riverdance 30 — The New Generation, 7:30 p.m. March 27. Tickets $55-$175 (VIP). Celebrating the 30th year of Riverdance with “The New Generation” of performers, none of whom were born when the show first began.
Colin Mocherie & Brad Sherwood: Asking for Trouble, 7:30 p.m. March 29. Tickets $45-$52. The dynamic duo from "Whose Line is it Anyway?" perform improvisation.
Mean Girls, 7:30 p.m. April 4; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 5. Tickets $59-$99.
Funny Women of a Certain Age: Four Comedians, featuring Tammy Pescatelli, 7:30 p.m. April 25. Tickets $29-$39.
