While the stage lights have dimmed on the 20th Season at the Quick Center for the Arts , behind the scenes one senses the energy and excitement of what's to come for the Quick's 2011-12 program series, part of Fairfield University's Arts & Minds Season of cultural and intellectual offerings for the regional community.

To celebrate the upcoming season, the Quick Center is sponsoring an Open House from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, June 25. Patrons will have the opportunity to preview the programs and purchase season subscriptions and selected individual tickets; view the special exhibition of " Five Local Connecticut Artists ," in the Walsh Gallery; take a backstage tour, and enjoy music and refreshments with other patrons. Prizes, including tickets, will be given away.

Quick Center Director Gary Wood offered a sneak peek of the upcoming schedule of events: "This year promises to be an especially engaging one. Our lineup can only be  described as exhilarating, with such notable performers as Emmy-winning actor John Malkovich, live on stage performing The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a Serial Killer. "

"Additionally, we're bringing in the electrifying dance company, Philadanco; the daring feats of the National Acrobats of People's Republic of China; funk jazz from New Orleans by the Rebirth Brass Band, and The Ahn Trio, presenting classical music like you've never heard before. Returning are the increasingly in-demand live in high definition broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera and the National Theatre of London," Wood continued.

The popular Open VISIONS Forum celebrates its 15th year with a dynamic roster of presenters on a stimulating range of topical themes. Among the lineup are Chuck Todd, NBC News White House Correspondent; New York Times chief theatre critic, Ben Brantley; CBS war zone correspondent, Lara Logan; former Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon; author and social commentator, Sarah Vowell; Film critic Rex Reed; and astrophysicist and host of NOVA Science Now on PBS, Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Philip Eliasoph, professor of art history at Fairfield and founder of the Forum said of the upcoming schedule, "Articulate voices and great issues facing our time highlight this season, with the promise of many memorable conversations to be experienced."

Season tickets, along with selected individual tickets, are available starting on June 25 during the Open House. All tickets will be on sale beginning July 22 and are available at fairfield.edu/quick or by calling the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396.

Special offers and discounts are available through the Quick Center's e-mail list. Join, by visiting boxoffice@quickcenter.com . Become a fan of the Quick Center for the Arts on Facebook and keep up-to-date with the latest performance news, plus special offers and discounts. Find the Quick Center at www.facebook.com/FairfieldQuickCenter.

Directions: Fairfield University is located off I-95, exit 22 at 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Access to the Quick Center for the Arts is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Special Note: From Oct. 4, 2010 through June 30, 2012, the southern end of North Benson Road (Rt. 135) will be closed to traffic on nights and weekends. Round Hill Road intersects with Barlow and provides access to the Quick Center for the Arts.

Posted On: 06-15-2011 11:06 AM

Volume: 43 Number: 324