Country Legend "Dottsy"

2 PM, Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Edwards County Fairgrounds, Albion, IL

A special WVAC "on tour" and community appreciation concert will kick off the 2025-2026 WVC-WVAC Performing Arts Season in Albion, IL at the Edwards County Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall, featuring "Dottsy" from Sequin, TX. The address is 90 West Pine Street in Albion. "Dottsy" Dwyer is a legendary traditional country artist who charted several "top 10 hits" in the 1970s including "Storms Never Last," "After Sweet Memories (Play Born to Lose Again)," "I'll Be Your San Antone Rose," and "Trying to Satisfy You" (which featured Waylon Jennings on guitar). "Dottsy" was featured on The Porter Wagoner Show, is regularly on RFDtv and featured daily on SiriusXM's "Willie's Roadhouse." Opening the show will be our Theater Director Dennis Stroughmatt (an Albion resident), along with a band that will include his daughters, Raegan and Arielle, and famed southern Indiana steel guitar player, Bud Hall.

Gospel and Country Legend "Jimmy Fortune"

7:30 PM, Friday, October 17, 2025 (Doors open at 6:30 PM)

Jimmy Fortune is a name synonymous with The Statler Brothers, and he should be. Fortune spent 21 years touring, singing and performing with the Statler Brothers and wrote several "number one" songs recorded by The Statler Brothers, including "Elizabeth," "Too Much on My Heart," "My Only Love," and "More Than a Name on a Wall," all of which were Bonafide country hits. The Grammy-winning Fortune went on to a solo career that has reached the pinnacle of both country and gospel music thru songs like "I Believe" with Gaither Music, his collaborations with Dailey and Vincent, and his many appearances on The Grand Ole Opry, Country Family Reunion, and The Gaither Family Reunion. Don't miss a chance to see one of the best touring performers in the world, right here at the Brubeck.

Ivas John Band: The Blues Experience

2 PM, Sunday, November 9, 2025 (Doors open at 1:15 PM)

Originally from Chicago, Ivas John has earned his "road warrior" stripes as a frequent traveler down the highway of the Blues. Ivas and his band, with piano, upright bass, drums, and his own guitar virtuosity, will take the audience on a journey of the Blues from its earliest days thru the music of Son House and Robert Johnson, to Swing, the R&B of Ray Charles, and his own modern compositions. No Depression Magazine says that Ivas "is chock full of authenticity and a joy to behold" and Flatpicking Guitar Magazine says that "his musicianship is wonderful." This is a show that will make you jump, swing and sway, so don't miss the blues experience of Ivas John!!

WVAC Production of "A Christmas Carol"

7 PM, Thursday and Friday, November 20 & 21, 2025 (Doors will open at 6:30 PM)

2 PM, Sunday, November 23, 2025 (Doors open at 1:30 PM)

Ticket holders will be required to choose which date to attend.

To begin our Christmas at The Brubeck, this beloved Charles Dickens classic will be brought to life on the Brubeck stage by WVC Theatre students and community members. You know Scrooge, and you know the ghosts, now it's time to experience them once again. Also plan to prepare yourself for some Christmas musical cheer with those pesky carolers who Scrooge always answers with a hearty "Bah Humbug!" This production will be directed by Mikayla Beck.

The WVC Strings and the WVC Choir in Concert

1:30 PM, Saturday, December 6, 2025 (Doors open at 1 PM)

'Tis the season, so we will keep the merriment of Christmas going at The Brubeck by bringing a music-packed concert featuring the Classical Stylings of The Wabash Strings, under the direction of Rachel Hawf, including violin, viola and cello with the newly minted WVC Choir singing a host of Christmas songs, assured to delight and inspire. Choir directed by Mikayla Beck.

The Nutcracker

2 PM, Sunday, December 7, 2025 (Doors open at 1:15 PM)

To close our Christmas at The Brubeck, share the joy of the Christmas tradition of the famed ballet, The Nutcracker, as performed by the Children's Center for Dance Education of Evansville, IN on the stage of The Brubeck. This show will include local children from southeastern Illinois who have been invited to be a part of the cast for this special presentation. The Nutcracker will take you back to a simpler time and offers memories that your family will cherish forever!

The Mesmerizing Magic of Jason Hudy

7 PM, Friday, February 20, 2026 (Doors will open at 6:30PM)

Jason and his Mesmerizing Magic was a big hit during the 2024-2025 Performing Arts Season, so we had to bring him back. Be prepared to be entertained, and a bit bewildered, by the illusion of Jason Hudy. He has performed over 8,000 magic shows around the world, having performed for Disney, Hershey, Chevrolet, ESPN and on the Late, Late Show on National CBS-TV. Jason's show will feature magic, mind-reading, comedy and more! Don't miss this show for the whole family!!!!

WVAC Production of Willy Wonka: The Musical

7 PM, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, March 12, 13, 14, 2026 (Doors open at 6:30 PM)

2 PM, Sunday March 15, 2026 (Doors open at 1:30 PM)

Ticket holders will be required to choose which date to attend.

The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder and new songs by Leslie Bricusse (Jekyll & Hyde, Doctor Dolittle) and Anthony Newley, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka is a scrumdiddilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. This musical highlight of our season will feature local and regional actors including children and adults alike. This production will be directed by Amanda Andrews.

How Sweet It Is: The Music of James Taylor

7:30 PM, Friday, March 27, 2026

Grammy Award-winning songwriter (Kenny Rogers, George Strait, Darius Rucker) and recording artist Steve Leslie performs the music of James Taylor in HOW SWEET IT IS!, an authentic and spellbinding concert event! Steve's warm baritone and exceptional guitar technique (not to mention his uncanny resemblance) will have audiences singing along to such classics as "Carolina In My Mind," "Shower the People," "You've Got a Friend," "Fire and Rain," "Up On the Roof," and many more. Based in Nashville, TN, Steve will be accompanied by a cast of Nashville-based professional musicians who honor the musical sound of James Taylor. Don't miss this show!