HUNTINGTON – The Marshall Artists Series continues the second half of its 85th season with two touring Broadway musicals and a flurry of new film festivals that showcase the new projection and sound system at the majestic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

 Paid for by an anonymous gift, and installed in the summer of 2020, the state-of-the-art projector and cinema surround sound system has enabled the Artists Series to expand its program offerings. 

Throughout its 85-year history, The Marshall Artists Series has been presenting art house and foreign language films as part of its programs. In fact, the very first event of the Marshall Artists Series in 1936 was a film, “Conquering the Antarctic,” which featured a lecture with Rear Admiral Richard Byrd.  For many years foreign language films were shown at the Keith-Albee once per month, however in recent years, the Fall and Spring International Films Festivals have showcased multiple films per semester. These films have been used as a part of the University’s curriculum by professors, as well as Marshall Artists Series educational outreach programs around the state. Through the educational outreach program, teachers are serviced with study guides that help students meet the state curriculum requirements. Marshall Artists Series’ hope is to expand this type of programming for more educational opportunities.

Here’s a look at the spring semester Marshall Artists Series shows:

The Russell Bruce Film Festival will take place over 4 days – February 17 – 20, 2022, at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. This festival is a new curated festival named in honor of and in memory of Russell Bruce – a friend of the Marshall Artists Series and an enthusiastic lover of films of all kinds. Featured films were selected by his family to represent a variety of films loved by Bruce. Featured films include: The Exterminating Angel, A Clockwork Orange, Easy Rider, Rebel Without A Cause, Woodstock, Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland and American Beauty. Tickets are $10 per film. The Russell Bruce Film Festival is sponsored by ZMM Architects, Community Trust Bank, Reger Funeral Home, Marsha Slater State Farm Insurance, I Heart Radio, WSAZ and Herald-Dispatch.

The Lifestyle Film Festival will take place over 4 days – March 3 – 6, 2022, at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. This new event celebrates films in an array of genres including fashion, music, food, and spirits. Featured films include Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, The Gospel According to Andre, Very Ralph, Sparkling: The Story of Champagne, Julia, and The Apollo. Tickets are $10 per film. The Lifestyle Film Festival is sponsored by ZMM Architects, Community Trust Bank, Reger Funeral Home, Dr. Stephen Nicholas, I Heart Radio, WSAZ and Herald-Dispatch.

Hoops Family Children’s Hospital presents Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The beloved story comes to life in a new Broadway musical at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. Roald Dahl’s amazing tale is the perfect recipe for a delectable treat.  Songs from the original film including “Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man,” and “I’ve Got A Golden Ticket” are included, alongside a toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score from the songwriters of Hairspray.  Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is also sponsored by the Cabell County Commission, Dutch Miller Kia, C.J. Hughes, The Touma Foundation, Marshall Orthopedics, Dixon Law Office PLLC, Dr. Christopher & Mrs. Tammy Hugh, Dr. David & Mrs. Sharon Denning, Sammons Adams Orthonditcs, I Heart Radio, WSAZ and Herald-Dispatch. Tickets prices are $98.42 / $81.97 / $71.00 / $64.42.  

A Broadway musical celebrating a true icon, Summer – The Donna Summer Musical, discos it’s way to the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center on Thursday, April 7, 2022. She was a girl from Boston with a voice from heaven, who shot through the stars from gospel choir to dance floor diva. But what the world didn’t know was how Donna Summer risked it all to break through barriers, becoming the icon of an era and the inspiration for every music diva who followed. With a score featuring more than 20 of Summer’s classic hits including “Love to Love You Baby,” “Bad Girls” and “Hot Stuff,” this electric experience is a moving tribute to the voice of a generation. Summer – The Donna Summer Musical is sponsored by Marshall Health, Huntington Federal, Neighborgall Construction, Boggs Roofing, Air Systems, Inc., Dr. Mark Studeny and Dr. Melissa Lester, Cabell Huntington Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Kevin & Rebecca Craig, I Heart Radio, WSAZ and Herald-Dispatch. Tickets prices are $98.42 / $81.97 / $71.00 / $64.42.

Save the date for the Marshall Artists Series wine festival fundraiser, Uncorked!, that will take place on Saturday, April 2,2022, and is presented by Mountain Health Network & HIMG. You will be able to sample over 60 varieties of wine, sample tasty food, and bid on unique and extravagant auction items. Proceeds from Uncorked! fund arts and education outreach projects for area youth to help develop audiences of tomorrow and provide teachers with tools to help achieve curriculum requirements.

The following COVID-19 policies will be in place at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center for all Marshall Artists Series events this season. Our number one priority is to keep everyone in the theatre safe, so all current pandemic safety protocols will be followed at all events.  All protocols and safety measures are subject to change in response to developing state and public health standards and best practices.  All guests, staff and volunteers are required to wear a face mask that completely covers the nose and mouth, at all times while in the venue. If any event is canceled, you will receive a refund.  If an event is postponed, all tickets purchased will be honored on the new date.  No other refunds will be available.

The Marshall Artists Series accepts all major credit cards. To order tickets call 304-696-6656 or order online at ticketmaster.com. You may also purchase tickets at our box office located in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center on the campus of Marshall University. The box office hours are Monday – Friday 12p.m. – 4p.m.

Season packages are still available and may be ordered by calling our administrative offices at (304) 696-3326. The Marshall Artists Series office is in the Jomie Jazz Center on Fifth Avenue across from Marshall University’s Student Center. Administrative Office Hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m