Published August 30, 2024

A Busy Fall Season at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

by Dennyse Sewell

Although it’s hard to believe that summer is already drawing to a close, a new year of school has begun and the rhythm of the changing seasons is upon us. Here at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, we are gearing up for another fantastic year of presenting and hosting a wide range of performances from local and touring arts groups. Our theater has long been a gathering place for our community, and countless stories have been told in our historic auditorium over the decades. This fall will continue the tradition of bringing people together for memorable experiences inside our walls, and we couldn’t be more excited to share these moments with our friends and neighbors throughout the region. 

 

Twenty years after our theater first opened its doors to the public, a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural organization was founded to manage the venue for the benefit of the community and seek to preserve it in perpetuity. All of us on the Pioneer Center team today have our roots in that original non-profit, and we continue to carry forward the founding vision of stewarding this unique facility as a home for high-quality performing arts productions. We are driven by the desire to connect, enrich, and inspire our community through the power of live performance, and we know first-hand how much the citizens of our region value, support, and engage with the arts. Every season at the Pioneer Center offers the community a diverse range of performances to choose from, and all of the presentations at our theater are part of the rich tapestry of experiences available year-round here in the greater Reno-Tahoe area.

The 2024-2025 season at the Pioneer Center will certainly be one to remember. From new musicals to classical symphonies, pop culture nostalgia to your favorite traditions, you’ll find something for everyone in the season ahead. With the feeling of change in the air here at the end of the summer, I wanted to take the opportunity in this month’s Art Views blog to tell you more about what is coming to the historic Pioneer Center stage this fall. As always, tickets and information can be found on www.pioneercenter.com. Be sure to check back throughout the season, as new events are added regularly!

 

September kicks off in a big-hearted, feel-good way with the opening production in our 30^th Anniversary Season of Broadway Comes to Reno. We are proud to welcome the First National Tour of the stage musical MRS. DOUBTFIRE, starring Rob McClure who was Tony-nominated for playing the title role in the original premiere on Broadway. Mrs. Doubtfire is based on the beloved pop-culture hit 1993 film and will play the Pioneer Center September 3-8, 2024. The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, our longest-running resident company, begins their 56^th season on September 14 with their Free Family Concert SAINT GEORGE’S SWORD & BOW. Advanced reservations are not required—this production is free to the public and is the perfect opportunity to introduce young people in your life to the magic of live music. On September 21 and 22, resident company A.V.A. Ballet Theatre, in collaboration with The Reno Phil, presents the classic ballet ALICE IN WONDERLAND choreographed by Artistic Director and Founder Alexander Van Alstyne. This enchanting story is a fabulous introduction to the beauty of ballet and makes for a great family outing.  The month concludes with The Reno Phil’s presentation of BEETHOVEN’S EROICA on September 28 and 29, the first concert in their annual Classix Series.  Music Director and Conductor Laura Jackson will lead the outstanding orchestra featuring Eric Fassbender on the bassoon.

October will feature a wide variety of one-night-only performances by touring artists before closing the month with another talented local company. On October 3, Spanish guitarist BENISE returns with FIESTA, his Emmy Award-winning production currently on an international tour.  The star of MTV’s popular franchise Jackass, STEVE-O makes his Pioneer Center debut on October 15 with an evening of “adult humor” and behind-the-scenes stories about some of his famous stunts. On October 17, we are excited to present the 49th Anniversary Tour of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. This immersive screening of the cult-classic film will feature a live shadow cast, contests with prizes, and a special guest celebrity appearance by Barry Bostwick, one of the stars of the 1975 film. The month will end with a performance of DRACULA by Sierra Nevada Ballet on October 26, an original story ballet based on Bram Stoker’s classic horror novel – just in time for Halloween!

 

November will open with a bang as we host the national tour of the new WARREN MILLER ski and snowboard film on November 2, marking 75 years of legendary winter sports filmmaking.  The Reno Phil continues their Classix Series November 23 and 24 with the RACHMANINOFF PIANO CONCERTO featuring piano soloist Sara Davis Beuchner under the expert baton of Maestro Laura Jackson. Then kick off your holiday season with the music of MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis, November 29 and 30. Back by popular demand, this international hit touring experience is one you won’t soon forget. And although we can’t announce them yet, there are a few more exciting events coming to our November calendar, so stay tuned for those additions on our website.

December will be busier than ever in the heart of downtown Reno with a combination of holiday traditions and something brand-new. The Pioneer Center welcomes The Reno Phil’s annual favorite SPIRIT OF THE SEASON December 6-8, featuring a dazzling spectacle of special guests, beloved songs, and circus artists. Broadway Comes to Reno will continue our 30^th anniversary season with the exciting stage musical BEETLEJUICE, based on the classic Tim Burton film, December 10-15. This brand-new musical direct from Broadway is sure to delight theatergoers with its macabre humor and stunning visuals. Holiday traditions continue with A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s annual production of THE NUTCRACKER December 20-22, featuring guest principal dancers alongside the talented local corps de ballet with The Reno Phil performing Tchaikovsky’s famous score.

 

With an almost dizzying array of live performances coming soon to the Pioneer Center stage, there is truly something for everyone this fall season. We can’t wait to welcome you back to our historic theater to share another spectacular event with your fellow community members. As a word of warning, though – fraudulent ticketing websites have been multiplying, many of which are using digital ads through online search engines to target theater patrons. We would like to remind the community that the ONLY official website to secure your tickets to performances at the Pioneer Center is www.pioneercenter.com.  We do not guarantee the validity of tickets sold on any other site, and patrons who purchase tickets on third-party websites are at risk of fraudulent transactions and may not be granted admission to the event. 

There’s always something exciting happening in downtown Reno. Be sure to stay tuned for more announcements of upcoming events here at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts!

Dennyse Sewell is the CEO of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno, Nevada

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Bringing Reno to Broadway – And Beyond by Dennyse Sewell — April 12, 2024

Giving Students an Up-Close Look at Broadway by Dennyse Sewell — March 8, 2024

Inspiring the Next Generation Through the Performing Arts by Dennyse Sewell — February 2, 2024

Happy 56^th Birthday, Pioneer Center! by Dennyse Sewell — December 29, 2023

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