Washington Center announces big 2024-2025 season tailored to what audiences like

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts’ 2024-2025 season features a whopping 43 shows — the most the center has hosted since the 2018-2019 season, which had 44.

“We are back to pre-pandemic levels,” said Jill Barnes, the center’s executive director. “We still might end up with our biggest season. The excitement and scale of the upcoming season truly reflect our growth and ambition.

“Audiences have been growing,” she said. “We have been testing the market for several years with various genres and closely listening to what our audiences want. This season is a direct response to that feedback.”

One thing audiences clearly want is big names, and the season boasts several, including the Grammy-winning Aimee Mann, who’ll share a bill with Jonathan Coulton on Nov. 8, also an acclaimed singer-songwriter. There’s also country crossover legend Lyle Lovett, playing Feb. 21 with his acoustic band.

The season offers the return of two elements that were missing last season: Contemporary dance returns with Los Angeles’ Bodytraffic, performing Oct. 22. And Broadway musical lovers get the national tour of the multiple Tony-winning “Dear Evan Hansen,” in town Feb. 5 and 6.

“We are co-presenting that with Tacoma Arts Live,” Barnes said. “I have been trying to work toward a two-night Broadway market.”

The season boasts lots of family-friendly entertainment, too — including a screening of Disney Pixar’s “Coco” accompanied by the 20-piece Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México (Nov. 2) and a wacky science show by Doktor Kaboom (April 26).

There’s also comedy galore. Both the Seattle International Comedy Competition (Nov. 21) and the Ladies of Laughter (March 14) are making their annual visits, and the Comedy Underground series is back beginning Jan. 16.

Celtic music and dance, long a favorite of Olympia audiences, will be represented by Trinity Irish Dance Co.’s innovative “Jig” (Jan. 24) and the return of Scotland’s Skerryvore (March 26), whose mix of rock and traditional tunes was a hit in 2023.

Also mixing tradition with contemporary influences is Step Afrika (April 13), whose performances are rooted in the step dancing practiced by fraternities and sororities at historically Black colleges.

There’ll be more than the usual dose of holiday cheer in the season, with Jake Shimabukuro’s “Holidays in Hawai’I” (Nov. 15), “God is a Scottish Drag Queen: A Christmas Special” (Dec. 6) and “A Magical Cirque Christmas” (Dec. 29).

“We had Jake Shimabukuro in our season a couple of years ago,” Barnes said. “The show sold out so quickly because it was at The Kenneth J. Minnaert Center. We’re excited to have him back on the main stage. He’s an amazing musician and person.

“We’re also hosting a ticketed ‘Sip and Strum with Jake,” she added. “It’s BYOU — bring your own ukulele.”

Also back are celebrated organist Cameron Carpenter (May 22), humorist David Sedaris (May 12) and the multi-talented Meow Meow (Feb. 22), who made a splash when she performed with Pink Martini in January.

“She almost stole the show,” Barnes said. “The audience loved her.”

The popular Adventure Series, which since 2019 has included just one speaker per season, this season includes two National Geographic photographers: Rick Smolan will share a trek across the Australian Outback on Oct. 25 and Michael Yamashita will detail his journey in Marco Polo’s footsteps Jan. 9.

Both photographers will be doing school shows while they’re in town, part of the center’s expanded education and outreach program.

“We received Inspire Olympia funding, which is enabling us to hire an education and engagement director,” Barnes said. “This new role will help us bring more students into the theater and reach under-served and new audiences.”

Getting tickets

Season tickets: A 15% discount is available for those who buy tickets to five or more shows. Those who buy eight or more can stay in the same seats for all the shows they choose. If you buy season tickets by July 3, the $30 subscription handling fee will be waived.

Individual tickets: Prices vary. Regular season shows go on sale at noon Aug. 7.

Where: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia

More information: 360-753-8586, www.washingtoncenter.org

Of note: Tickets are already available for shows by singer-songwriter Ben Folds at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 and clean comedian Henry Cho at 8 p.m. Oct. 4. They are not part of the regular season.

The shows and dates

“Tracks” (6 p.m. Oct. 5): A young woman undertakes a 1,700-mile trek across the deserts of West Australia in this 2023 adventure movie, which the center is screening in preparation for Rick Smolan’s Oct. 25 Adventure Series presentation, “Tracks: Alone Across the Outback.”

“The Land Has Spoken: Tales of Indigenous Horror” (7:30 p.m. Oct. 17): This radio-style drama, featuring original music and eerie sound effects, journeys into the dark depths of indigenous folklore.

Bodytraffic (7:30 p.m. Oct. 22): The Los Angeles-based dance troupe, which works with a wide range of choreographers, is known for its energetic and sophisticated moves.

Adventure Series — “Tracks: Alone Across the Outback” (7 p.m. Oct. 25): Rick Smolan, who documented Robyn Davidson’s solo walk across the desert for National Geographic, tells the inside story of the 9-month trek.

“Coco” Live-to-Film Concert (6 p.m. Nov. 2): This Disney Pixar event features a screening of the 2017 animated film with a live musical score performed by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México.

Aimee Mann (7:30 p.m. Nov. 8): The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, known for her incisive and often melancholy lyrics, will perform with special guest Jonathan Coulton.

“The Hip-Hop Nutcracker” (7:30 p.m. Nov. 12): The mashup of Tchaikovsky’s classic score and explosive hip hop choreography returns to Olympia.

Jake Shimabukuro: “Holidays in Hawai’I” (7:30 p.m. Nov. 15): Beloved ukelele master Shimabukuro returns to Olympia to spread holiday cheer. Shimabukuro will also host “Sip and Strum with Jake” at 6 p.m. in the Black Box; tickets are available only as an add-on to the concert.

Seattle International Comedy Competition (7:30 p.m. Nov. 21): The famed comedy competition brings its semi-final round to Olympia. The show is recommended for ages 18 and older.

“God is a Scottish Drag Queen: A Christmas Special” (7:30 p.m. Dec. 6): Canadian comedian Mike Delamont is back as a sassy and very opinionated God.

“A Magical Cirque Christmas” (7 p.m. Dec. 29): This family-friendly holiday spectacle mixes acrobatics, magic and nostalgia with musical numbers including “Rock Around the Clock” and “Run Rudolph Run.”

Adventure Series: “East Meets West: In the Footsteps of Marco Polo” (7 p.m. Jan. 9): National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita will talk about his experiences retracing Polo’s journey along the Silk Road to Asia and back along the South China Sea.

The Pack Drumline (7 p.m. Jan. 15): Featured on “America’s Got Talent” and at the Super Bowl, The Pack is known for its dynamic percussion.

“The Aluminum Show” (7 p.m. Jan. 19): This show combines visual theater, dance and humor to tell the story of a journey to a planet made of aluminum.

Trinity Irish Dance Co.’s “Jig” (7:30 p.m. Jan. 24): The show celebrates the power of vibration, rhythm and movement and aims to redefine Irish dance.

International Guitar Night (7 p.m. Feb. 2): The touring festival brings together noted acoustic guitarists who play both solo and together.

“Dear Evan Hansen” (7 p.m. Feb. 5 and 6): The Tony-winning musical about the complexities of modern life centers on a teen coping with anxiety disorder and the death of a classmate. It’s recommended for ages 12 and older.

“Spamilton: An American Parody” (7:30 p.m. Feb. 15): The show parodies not only the much-adored “Hamilton” but other big musicals as well.

Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group (7:30 p.m. Feb. 21): Lovett is one of those country musicians beloved even by those who think they don’t like country music.

Center Stage Awards & Gala (5:30 p.m. Feb. 22): The center’s fundraising gala includes dinner, an auction and an awards presentation at the Heritage Room, 604 Water St. SW, Olympia, and then progresses to the center for the Meow Meow concert.

Meow Meow (8 p.m. Feb. 22): Singer and comedian Meow Meow, who made a splash at Pink Martini’s Olympia show in January, returns in a sultry and subversive solo show.

“Menopause the Musical 2” (7:30 p.m. March 7): The sequel to the popular musical about women of a certain age is packed with parodies of ’70s, ’80s and ’90s pop songs.

Ladies of Laughter (7:30 p.m. March 14): The returning tour features some of the top comics from each year’s national LOL competition. It’s recommended for ages 18 and older.

The Center Salon (7:30 p.m. March 22): Local comedian Sam Miller will be one of the luminaries for the salon, which also showcases local talents in music, literature and art. It’s held in the Black Box.

Skerryvore (8 p.m. March 26): This internationally known band blends contemporary Scottish traditional music with rock. The band also will host a whisky tasting at 5:30 p.m.; tickets are available only as an add-on to the concert.

Step Afrika (7:30 p.m. April 13): This dance company blends the percussive step dance practiced by historically Black fraternities and sororities with traditional African dance and an array of contemporary movement forms.

Doktor Kaboom (10:30 a.m. April 26): The Doktor blends science and comedy in this family-friendly show, happening during spring Arts Walk.

“Encanto” Sing-Along (7 p.m. April 26): Local talent Lauren O’Neill will host the Disney movie sing-along, which will also feature a costume contest.

David Sedaris (7:30 p.m. May 12): The sardonic humorist and author returns to Olympia to tell stories, share observations and take questions.

Cameron Carpenter (7:30 p.m. May 22): The taboo-smashing organist, known for his musical accomplishments and sense of style, returns to Olympia, where he last played in 2013.

“I’m Not a Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce” (7:30 p.m. June 28): This one-man play, recommended for ages 18 and older, follows the life and art of the groundbreaking comedian.

The series

Black Box Jazz: The cabaret-style music series, focused this season on women, will showcase Nelda Swiggett and Megabopolis (Jan. 10), the Maria Wulf Group (March 21), the Samantha Boshnack Ensemble (April 18) and the Tobi Stone Band (May 9).

Comedy Underground: The cabaret-style series, recommended for ages 18 and older, continues with performances Jan. 16, Feb. 27, March 20 and April 24 in the Black Box.

Silent Movies: The series features organist Dennis James accompanying “Aelita: Queen of Mars” (Sept. 29) and Vintage Valentines, a double bill featuring Harold Lloyd’s “Girl Shy” and Laurel and Hardy’s “Double Whoopie” (Feb. 16) and cellist Gideon Freudmann performing a March 9 concert and live soundtrack for Buster Keaton’s “Sherlock Jr.”