Craterian Theater bringing 20 touring acts to downtown Medford
This season, you can expect to see a little bit of everything at the Craterian, and perhaps most importantly, you can enjoy the shows as they are meant to be seen: live, in-person and together. Whether you enjoy music, comedy, dance, storytelling, Broadway musicals or a little of everything, you’ll undoubtedly see something that piques your interest in this year’s lineup.
The Craterian Theater, located at 23 S. Central Ave. in Medford, has announced four new shows to its season lineup. This news coincides with a slight shuffling of the theater’s fall start to its 2021-22 season, which will include 20 touring productions coming to Medford.
“True to our mission as a performing arts center, this December Craterian Performances will launch a robust and eclectic season of shows that offer something for everyone. In other words, we’re back. And we’re not just picking up where we left off. If anything, our programming is more varied than before the pandemic, and we capitalized on closure mandates by using the time to make facility improvements,” said Craterian Performances Executive Director, Stephen McCandless, in a press release.
“... Whenever we could, even with social distancing and masks and capacity restrictions, we created. That’s because the performing arts always have something to say about life and our circumstances, in the good times and the bad. That’s why they’re so important. It’s that kind of self-reflection that gives us empathy and makes us more human,” McCandless continued.
After moving Paula Poundstone and rock concert Heart by Heart from the fall to the spring (see box for full listings), Craterian Performances will kick off its 2021-22 season with Jake Shimabukuro — a new show to the lineup — on Dec. 6. Other newly announced shows also include the return of comedian Brian Regan on Feb.23, an album-release show with local favorites, The Brothers Reed, on May 6, and a first-time visit from multi-hyphenate legend Henry Rollins on May 15.
“None of this would be possible without the generous support of our community, the forward-thinking philanthropy of several foundations and trusts, and the stimulus funds we received,” McCandless said. “As a result, we’re more optimistic than ever about the future of the performing arts on the Craterian stage.”
Tickets for all Craterian shows are on sale now. Tickets, information about the shows, and the theater’s COVID-19 policy can be found at craterian.org or by calling the box office at 541-779-3000.
Nov. 17-22: 19th Annual GingerBread Jubilee events
Dec. 6: Jake Shimabukuro — “Christmas in Hawaii”**
Dec. 19: Tomaseen Foley’s “A Celtic Christmas”
Jan. 8: Piano Men starring Jim Witter — A Celebration of the Music of Billy Joel and Elton John
Jan. 16: “Whose Live Anyway?”
Jan. 23: Jesse Cook Tempest II Tour
Jan. 26: “Friends! The Musical Parody”
Feb. 9: Yamato — Drummers of Japan
Feb. 11: Storm Large
Feb. 14: Mandy Harvey (as seen on “America’s Got Talent”)
Feb. 23: Brian Regan**
March 4-13: Teen Musical Theater of Oregon — “The Drowsy Chaperone”
March 16: STOMP
April 2: Animaniacs in Concert
April 28: Comedienne Paula Poundstone*
April 29: Grammy Award-winner Lisa Loeb
April 30: HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis
May 5: The Brothers Reed**
May 10: “Menopause the Musical”*
May 14: American Rock Concert Heart by Heart*
May 15: Henry Rollins — Good to See You 2022**
July/August 2022: TMTO presents Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”*
* Indicates that this show has been rescheduled since the Craterian’s first season announcement
** Newly added show