Classical Guitarist Brad Richter

East Central University, in conjunction with the Ada Arts Council, proudly presents classical guitarist Brad Richter at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2012. The performance will take place at the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.

Richter began teaching himself to play guitar and compose at age 12. At 19, having had no formal musical training, he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where he studied with guitarist Paul Henry and began performing, composing and eventually teaching professionally. After completing his undergraduate degrees in performance and composition, Brad accepted a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London where he studied with Carlos Bonell. He became the first guitarist in the college’s history to win the coveted Thomas Morherr Prize for voice accompaniment, and went on to win the Royal College of Music’s guitar competition before completing his Master's degree and returning to the US to continue his concert career.

Brad’s concerts and those of The Richter Uzur Duo (with cellist Viktor Uzur) are featured frequently on national NPR and PBS broadcasts including regular appearances on NPR’s Performance Today and a recent appearance on PBS’s WoodSongs which is also heard in 173 countries through the armed forces radio network.

Bobby Hendricks’ Drifters

Bobby Hendricks’ Drifters perform at East Central University’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2012.

Bobby Hendricks is an American Rhythm and Blues singer who charted two hits in the late 1950s. However, before embarking on a solo career, Bobby Hendricks was a member of The Swallows and recorded with The Flyers before becoming a successful solo act.

From 1961, off and on, through 2008, Bobby Hendricks worked as lead singer with Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters and appeared with them on PBS in the ever popular Doo Wop 51 television broadcast and Doo Wop Love Songs when he sang Stand By Me with Bill Pinkney, Charlie Thomas and Ben E. King.

Other songs the Bobby Hendricks’ Drifters are known for are Save the Last Dance for me, Under the Boardwalk and Up on the Roof.

Route 66: Finding Nat King Cole

Film and stage actor Jeff Obafemi Carr will perform his one-man show Route 66: Finding Nat King Cole at East Central University’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2012.

Route 66: Finding Nat King Cole is a phenomenal one-man show that takes the audience backstage to the dressing room of the actor tasked with bringing to life the music and memory of the great Nat King Cole, while struggling to maintain his own distinctive voice. The audience is taken on a remarkable journey filled with humor, sentimentality, and yes, the songs of the “greatest generation.”

Full of storytelling, Carr reveals little known details about the life of Cole while singing some of his greatest hits including When I Fall in Love, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Smile and Unforgettable, to name a few.

The performer tells of how his own father’s love of Cole’s music rubbed off on him. He recounts Cole’s youth, during which he spent much time daydreaming about making music. And he touches on Cole’s struggles against racial prejudice.

Oklahoma City Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Enjoy the magic of the season with the The Nutcracker, appearing Dec. 1, 2012 at ECU’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. Performed by the Oklahoma City Ballet, this is the perfect family outing to celebrate the holidays. This special event is sponsored by East Central University and the Ada Arts Council.

Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Performs I’ve Got a Little Twist

Take Gilbert & Sullivan, add a twist of Broadway and stir. What do you get? A mixture of The Mikado meets The Music Man. Where the HMS Pinafore sets sail for Brigadoon. Where The Pirates of Penzance take shore leave On the Town. It's I've Got a Little Twist, a one-of-a-kind show that proves the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire is as fun, fresh, and full-of-life as three little maids from school.

The New York Gilber and Sullivan Players will perform this engaging original show at East Central University’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 24, 2013.

Broadway Veteran Jeri Sager

Jeri Sager, best known for her portrayals of “Grizabella” in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award winning musical Cats and as Gwyenth Paltrow’s stylist in the movie “Country Strong,” will perform at East Central University’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on March 13, 2013.

Gifted with an amazing voice and an infectiously joyful stage presence, Sager has a broad audience appeal. She performs all over the United States, England, the Caribbean, Japan, Mexico and Canada.

Sager studied opera at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She made her Broadway debut as Frumah-Sara in the 25th anniversary production of Fiddler on the Roof. Sager has enjoyed critical acclaim for her portrayal of Fantine in Les Miserables and Eva Peron in Evita.

Spend an Evening with Groucho Marx

Award-winning actor, director and playwright Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in this fact paced 90 minutes of hilarity at East Central University’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on April 19, 2013

A perfect show for all ages, the two-act comedy consists of the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes and songs including Hooray for Captain Spalding and Lydia, the Tattooed Lady. The audience becomes part of the show as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in grand Groucho style.

Accompanied by his onstage pianist, Jim Furmston, Ferrante portrays the young Groucho of stage and film and reacquaints us with the likes of brothers Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Greta Garbo, Marx Foil, Margaret Dumont and MGM’s Louis B. Mayer.