University's River Campus brings some of the best to Cape Girardeau

Dancers from The Department of Theatre and Dance and violinist Brandon Christensen rehearse a dance called Sonata for Five in Fours for Dance-Apalooza that is opening Thursday night in the Bedell performance hall at the River Campus. (Elizabeth Dodd) [Click to enlarge]

In 1998, Southeast Missouri State University purchased the buildings and grounds of the former St. Vincent's College and Seminary. Nine years and much construction later, the university unveiled its River Campus, home to the music, theater, dance and art programs. Now in its third season of performances, the River Campus continues to enthrall audiences. Here's a look at the shows on the 2009-2010 schedule.

SYMPHONY SERIES

The Symphony will perform Paul McCartney's "Behold My Heart" at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. The Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra will combine with Southeast's Choral Union and University choir in a glorious work, "Behold My Heart."

Next on the Symphony Series will be a performance of the Moscow State Radio Symphony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 5, in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall.

The season will continue when the Symphony performs Handel's "Messiah: Easter Portion" at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 29, and Tuesday, March 30, in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. Handel's Baroque masterpiece for orchestra, choirs and soloists will be performed by the Symphony, University Choir and Choral Union, with Dr. Steven Hendricks, conductor.

The 2009-2010 season will come to a close at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4, when the Symphony performs Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" with Liesl Schoenberger. Vivaldi's iconic "Four Seasons" is a masterpiece of Baroque imagination and energy. This will be a rare opportunity to hear the complete "Four Seasons" in performance with Cape Girardeau's own violin virtuoso, Liesl Schoenberger, as soloist.

THEATRE AND DANCE SERIES

"The Children's Hour" one of Lillian Hellman greatest hits, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Nov. 14, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, in the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theatre. Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's "Carousel" will come to the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24-Saturday, Feb. 27 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28. The artistry of the River North Chicago Dance Company will come alive with a performance at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2, in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. River North Chicago is known for its highly skilled and emotive dancers, stimulating music and bold, commanding choreography. The Theatre and Dance Series will continue with Neil Simon's "Rumors" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24-Saturday, March 27, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, in the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theatre. In addition to these shows, students and faculty in Southeast's Department of Theatre and Dance will perform both fall and spring dance concerts during the 2009-2010 season. "Fall for Dance 2009" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3-Friday, Dec. 4 and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. "Spring into Dance 2010" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15-Saturday, April 17 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall.

TOURING SERIES

"The Queen of Bingo" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. The series continues at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, when "Annie" takes center stage in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. America's most beloved musical, "Annie," is back for its 30th anniversary tour, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. The ever popular "Wizard of Oz" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. Next in the Touring Series will be a vibrant show titled "TAO ? The Martial Art of Drumming," scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6, in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. Athletic bodies and contemporary costumes meet explosive Taiko drumming and innovative choreography in this show that has critics waxing lyrical about TAO's extraordinary precision, energy and stamina. The Touring Series will come to a close with Moscow Festival Ballet performing "Sleeping Beauty" at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Two special events, not included as a part of the previously mentioned series, will be Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker" scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, and "An Evening with Garrison Keillor," scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, both in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall.

MUSIC EVENTS

Southeast students will be performing many concerts throughout the year, bringing together some of the Department of Music's finest musicians. These concerts will showcase the hard work and dedication of many talented students along with Music faculty, who have performed both nationally and abroad, with recognition across the world.

Under the direction of Robert Conger, the Studio Jazz Ensemble, the University's premier jazz organization, will perform four concerts during the 2009-2010 season. This extraordinarily gifted collection of students will perform a wide array of contemporary and standard big-band literature in a variety of styles. All performances will be held in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. Performances in this season's Southeast Jazz

ROSEMARY BERKEL AND HARRY L. CRISP II MUSEUM

The Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum will host five exhibitions during the 2009-2010 River Campus season, including "Ron Clayton: Retrospective," opening Friday, Nov. 6, is a retrospective exhibition spanning 20 years of paintings by Southeast Missouri State University's painting Professor Ron Clayton. The 32nd Annual High School Art Exhibition, "Exhibiting Excellence," will open Sunday, Jan .31. "Ansel Adams: Masterworks," opening Friday, March 26, is an exhibition of 47 framed photographs from a series that Adams himself selected as representative of his best work. "Chris Wubbena: Speaking While Listening" opens Friday, July 2, 2010. This exhibit will feature multimedia sculptural installations, including small bronze and stainless steel sculptures, videos and audio works detailing the experience of returning to Vietnam for Chris and his father, Ed Wubbena, a Vietnam/American War veteran.

RIVER CAMPUS ART GALLERY

The River Campus Art Gallery in the Seminary Building at the River Campus will showcase seven exhibits during the 2009-2010 season, including those by university art faculty and graduating seniors.

Sarah Riley, an artist-professor at Southeast since 1994 ? will showcase her work in an exhibit titled "Sarah Riley" opening on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Glenn W. Williams, sculpture professor at Northwest Missouri State University, will exhibit his work in an exhibit titled "Glenn W. Williams" at the River Campus Art Gallery beginning on Monday, March 1. Closing out the 2009-2010 River Campus Art Gallery season will be the Annual Juried Student Exhibition opening Thursday, April 1