Auditorium boasts variety

The IU Auditorium, which has consistently brought well-known acts to campus, has announced its 2002-2003 lineup. With Broadway hits such as "CATS" and high-energy shows such as "Bring In Da' Noise, Bring In Da' Funk," the IU Auditorium hopes to provide entertainment for everyone.\nAmong the shows to come to IU in the fall, patrons will have the chance to groove to popular Bee Gees hits in "Saturday Night Fever" and revisit their childhood dreams with "Cinderella."\nDoug Booher, Interim General Manager for the IU Auditorium, said they've been working on compiling the season since September. \nHe said the Auditorium consults with agencies in New York that handle the acts and derives a list of all feasible shows. \nThis list is then sent to all ticket buyers from the past few years, and they have the opportunity to vote on which acts they would like to see.\nBooher said the Auditorium management then looks at the votes and tries to round out the season.\n"(We) try to make it so there's a show for everyone," he said.\nCheryl Crouch, Executive Director of Marketing and Administrative Affairs for the Auditorium, said this is a result of the attention paid to patrons.\n"We've done a lot of research with our customers and what they want us to bring," she said. "We have a show for just about everybody's interest and everybody's age."\nBooher said the Auditorium hopes the coming season offers more variety to customers. He said there will be plenty of shows incorporating dance -- such as "Bring In Da' Noise, Bring In Da' Funk" -- that will be attractive to student audiences.\n"I think that it will be easy for students to find five shows that they would like to see," Booher said. "There are a lot of things that I think will meet the needs of students."\nBooher said he is excited about the coming season.\n"For me, the most exciting show that we were able to bring to campus is 'Bring In Da' Noise, Bring In Da' Funk,'" he said. "It's a really high-energy show."\nThe coming performance of "Bring In Da' Noise, Bring In Da' Funk" will feature its original creator, Savion Glover. This has created a buzz among both students and Auditorium personnel alike.\nBooher predicts "CATS" will be among the most successful shows, as people who have seen it will see it again and those who haven't will see it based on its reputation on Broadway. He also said he thinks "Saturday Night Fever" will do well.\n"There are a lot of people that are enjoying the revival that disco has been having," he said.\nTwo other highly requested acts that are predicted to do well in the box office are Kenny Rogers and the first act of the season, The Temptations.\nCrouch said last season's presentation of Willy Nelson tapped into a new market, in which she said Rogers will be able to attract.\nAlso noteworthy, Crouch said, is the classical arts the Auditorium will bring. Among others, these include "Tango Buenos Aires," a show highlighting the art and culture of the tango, as well as Susan Graham, a classical vocalist.\nPilobolus, an innovative dance ensemble, and "Fosse," a Tony Award-winning musical highlighting the life of dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse, are at the top of Bridget Krull's list of favorites. Krull, a box office clerk at the Auditorium, said she is glad patrons can pick and chose which shows to attend.\n"I think all the Auditorium seasons are great because you can customize your subscription," she said.\nBooher said ticket prices will remain the same as this year, with students receiving half off each ticket purchase.\n"We're very proud of the fact that a student can come in and get a substantially discounted ticket," he said.\nCrouch is confident students and community members will be satisfied with the upcoming season.\n"There's something for everyone and we've done our homework," she said. "And that's what I think sets the season apart."\nFor information on performance dates and ticket prices, visit www.iuauditorium.com .