LUFKIN, TX: Angelina Arts Alliance will present their upcoming 2016-2017 Performing Arts Series to the public today at 12 noon at the Lufkin / Angelina County Chamber of Commerce First Friday luncheon at Crown Colony Country Club. This will be their 16th season and the 16th year of presenting professional live performing arts events in Lufkin. In conjunction with the 2016-2017 season announcement season ticket subscriptions go on sale. Being a season ticket holder means having the same seat – guaranteed – for all seven performances in the Performing Arts Series, and never having to wait in line hoping to get tickets only to learn a performance is sold out. Besides a bona fide Country & Western icon, this season includes two show genres that have never before been seen here in Lufkin on the Temple Theater stage. The 2016-2017 season of attractions is sure to thrill longtime audience members and newcomers alike, with an enticing mix of outstanding artists. Angelina Arts Alliance is proud to present the 2016-2017 season along with season sponsors Georgia Pacific and CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial.

The 16th Anniversary Performing Arts Series opens September 18th, 2016 with ILLUSINIST RICK THOMAS. Rick Thomas is a premier illusionist having completed five world tours covering over 50 countries. High honors include the coveted “Magician of the Year” by the Academy of Magical Arts and “Stage Magician of the Year” by the World Magic Awards. Thomas performs the most intriguing and innovative grand illusions in the world with a style unlike any other magical entertainer. His stage presence is unmatched as he weaves magic, music and dance into a seamless spectacle. Thomas is the first illusionist to perform for an Arts Alliance audience.

October 25th, 2016, THE FORT WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – Making Beautiful Music, will be the first full symphony orchestra to ever appear on the Temple Theater stage. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra has transcended the dream held by its founders in 1912 when they assembled a group of musicians to create what is now one of the community’s greatest assets. The orchestra performs an impressive 200 concerts each year for an audience of 250,000 adults and children from all walks of life. The orchestra’s annual summer music festival, Concerts in the Garden, has grown to be one of the largest and most successful summer outdoor festivals of its kind in Texas, attracting an annual audience of 40,000.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016 / 7:30 PM, JIMMY WEBB – America’s Songwriter, a true living legend of songwriting takes the Temple Theater stage. Jimmy Webb’s been crafting amazing songs, many of which have become cherished standards, for some forty years. Though some might still not know his name, they know the songs: “Wichita Lineman,” “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” “Galveston,” “The Highwayman,” “Up, Up and Away,” “MacArthur Park,” and many more. His songs have been recorded or performed by the best including Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, and Carly Simon.  Webb is the only artist ever to have received Grammy Awards for music, lyrics, and orchestration and was the youngest man ever inducted into the National Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.

For the holidays come see country & western superstar, WYNONNA JUDD – A Simpler Christmas, Saturday, December 17, 2016 / 7:30 PM. Wynonna’s career has always revolved around telling stories. Whether she’s using her rich, commanding voice to sing one of her countless hits or sitting down for a bold, honest appearance on a talk show, Wynonna is spell-binding. A five-time GRAMMY winner, Wynonna’s own journey as one half of legendary duo The Judds with her mother Naomi Judd provides on of the most fascinating stories in country music history. With chart toppers like “Why Not Me” and “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)”, The Judds were unstoppable picking up multiple GRAMMY, CMA and ACM Awards and selling more than 20 million albums along the way. In 1994, Wynonna received the coveted Top Female Vocalist of the Year trophy at the ACM Awards. Her Christmas concert features traditional favorites like “O Holy Night” and “Ave Maria” as well as all the holiday favorites that will keep you in the spirit of the season.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 / 7:30 PM BAREFOOT IN THE PARK – Montana Repertory Theatre a comedy of the heart comes to Lufkin. Fifty years ago Montana Rep began; just over fifty years ago Barefoot in the Park was produced on Broadway, jumpstarting the career of a true giant in American playwriting; Neil Simon. It seems fitting to honor the play this season that put Neil Simon on the map, and celebrate 50 years with one of the best theatre companies in the country; Montana Repertory Theatre. Paul Bratter is Mister Straight. Corie is his new wife, who dedicates her life to the pursuit of fun. The ecstasy of the honeymoon gives way to the reality of setting up housekeeping in a five-flight walk-up apartment in Greenwich Village. The harmony of marriage turns to comical discord. This Neil Simon classic was made into a film in 1967 starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, and like the best romantic comedies, explores love, relationship, family, marriage, the pangs of loss, and the joy of reunion.

Big and bold and another classic performance – 42nd STREET – Broadway National Tour, Sunday, March 19, 2017 / 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM for two performance. The quintessential backstage musical comedy classic, 42nd Street is the song and dance fable of Broadway with an American Dream story and includes some of the greatest songs ever written, such as “We’re In The Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “I Only Have Eyes For You”, and of course “42nd Street.” Based on a novel by Bradford Ropes and Busby Berkeley’s 1933 movie, 42nd Street tells the story of a starry-eyed young dancer named Peggy Sawyer who leaves her Allentown home and comes to New York to audition for the new Broadway musical Pretty Lady. When the leading lady breaks her ankle, Peggy takes over and becomes a star. With a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin – This sparkling new production was directed by co- author Mark Bramble and choreographed by Randy Skinner, the team who staged the 2001 Tony Award- winning Best Musical Revival. Come and meet those dancing feet, and rediscover some classic show tunes along the way!

Saturday, May 20, 2017 / 7:30 PM, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound comes back to the Temple Theater in Inspiration of Broadway, featuring J. Mark McVey. From its formation in 2003, Ernie Haase has built Signature Sound into one of the most popular and beloved quartets in all Southern Gospel music. The group has traveled all over the world, offering energy, excitement and encouragement through its powerful brand of gospel music. They continue to gain fans all around the globe with their unique performances and unmistakable four-part harmony. Now, with the incredible vocal talents of J. Mark McVey, from Broadway’s Les Miserables’, “The Inspiration of Broadway” is thrilling audiences with their fresh take on the most beloved music of the Broadway stage. This is truly an uplifting night for people of all ages and includes songs from virtually every hot Broadway show, done with incomparable 5 part harmonies.

The 2016-2017 season celebrates the children with two Family Fundays; The Aluminum Show, Sunday October 30th, and Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, Sunday, January 15, 2017.

Apply for season subscriptions at the Temple Theater box office weekdays, 11 am -5 pm, or call

936-633-5454 for more information. For more information, about the upcoming 2016-2017 season visit the Angelina Arts Alliance website at www.angelinaarts.org and follow us on Facebook for up to the minute news and ticket giveaways.