Newman Center Presents Unveils 2021-22 Season

For 526 days, the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts has been underutilized, with no full-house performances. But in November, with the launch of the 2021–22 Newman Center Presents season, arts fans will once again have the chance to greet live performances with thunderous applause.

Like most of the performing arts world, Newman Center Presents closed the curtains in March 2020. And while the stage lights dimmed, they didn’t go out completely. Once it was feasible to do so, the Newman Center began welcoming virtual audiences with an array of streaming productions.

For Aisha Ahmad-Post, executive director of the Newman Center, the return of live performances brings a feeling of joy and excitement.

“After over a year of YouTube and Zoom concerts, I’m not sure any of us will take the joy of live performance for granted again. I anticipate a lot of energy and excitement in the Joy Burns Plaza before each show,” she says. “The Newman Center is such a beloved part of the campus community — not just for students, staff and faculty, but also for alumni, donors, community partners and more.”

The Newman Center Presents’ upcoming season features 16 captivating, diverse and innovative performances. The season begins with jazz vocalist Veronica Smith on Nov. 19, followed by Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca: Entre Tú y Yo, renowned flamenco artists bringing Andalusian Spain’s authentic form of flamenco to Denver, on Nov. 21.

The holiday season kicks off with Fiesta Navideñas featuring Fiesta Colorado, Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra and ArtistiCO on Nov. 30, taking the audience on a Christmas tour of Mexico.

For Harry Potter fans of all ages, Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience runs Jan. 4–9. The hilarious show condenses all seven books into 70 minutes, so sit back and enjoy the magic.

Kronos Quartet will perform on Jan. 12. The group will share works from their innovative commissioning project, “Fifty for the Future,” including a body of work inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Also in January, the Dance Theater of Harlem will perform Jan 14–15.

Jazz piano prodigy Joey Alexander will perform Feb. 2. Completing this season’s jazz series will be Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Feb. 19–20.

One of the Newman Center’s most popular series, National Geographic Live!, returns for a third year. Nizar Ibrahim will present Spinosaurus, Lost Giant of the Cretaceous Feb. 9.  Kara Cooney’s When Women Ruled the World on March 6 explores Egypt’s female leaders. Rounding out the series on April 5, Brian Skerry will showcase Secrets of the Whales, a glimpse into the culture of whales through underwater photography.

For an immersive theater experience, Indian Ink Theater's Mrs. Krishnan’s Party offers an intimate evening in which the audience joins actors on stage. The show runs March 22-23.

Another chance to savor dance, Nashville Ballet with Rhiannon Giddens: Lucy Negro Redux runs March 29–30. Following the ballet on March 31, the family-friendly B-The Underwater Bubble Show transports audiences to the magical underwater world of Bubblelandia.

The season closes on April 8 with New Morse Code, a classical performance featuring a cello and percussion duo.

With the return to live performances, the Newman Center is following DU’s COVID-19 event protocols to ensure the safety of all guests. The protocols adhere to the guidance of local and national public health experts. Due to varying level of patron comfort, the Newman Center has implemented flexible ticket exchange and crediting policies. Subscriptions go on sale Sept. 16 and individual tickets go on sale Oct. 1. Visit NewmanCenterPresents.com for more information.

2021–22 Newman Center Presents Season

• Nov. 19: Veronica Swift
• Nov. 21: Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca: Entre Tú y Yo
• Nov. 30: Fiestas Navideñas with Fiesta Colorado, Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra and ArtistiCO
• Dec. 9: Christmas with the King’s Singers: Finding Harmony
• Jan. 4-9: Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience
• Jan. 12: Kronos Quartet
• Jan. 14-15: Dance Theater of Harlem
• Feb. 2: Joey Alexander
• Feb. 9: National Geographic Live!: Spinosaurus, Lost Giant of the Cretaceous with Nizar Ibrahim
• Feb. 19-20: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis
• March 6: National Geographic Live!: When Women Ruled the World With Kara Cooney
• March 22-23: Indian Ink Theater: Mrs. Krishnan’s Party
• March 29-30: Nashville Ballet with Rhiannon Giddens: Lucy Negro Redux
• March 31: B- The Underwater Bubble Show
• April 5: National Geographic Live!: Secrets of the Whales with Brian Skerry
• April 8: New Morse Code