MANSFIELD — The Renaissance Theatre has added two September shows to its summer drive-in series called the “Ren Backlot.”
These events consist of film screenings, sing-alongs, and live performances featuring local talent in the back parking lot of the theatre. Food trucks and concessions are often on-site.
The added concerts are Dancing in the Streets: The Motown Sound on Sept. 11 and 12 at 8:30 p.m., and When You Wish Upon a Star: Disney in Concert on Sept. 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. These additional concerts are part of the Avita Innovation Concert Series.
Dancing in the Streets: Sept. 11 & 12
The Motown Sound, a collaboration with Alice Bond, (The Temptations, The Four Tops), and Condrea Webber, (At Last: An Evening with Etta James, Ohio Idol), is a retrospective of the all-time greatest hits that ever came out of the Motor City. Bond (arranger/musical director and keyboards) and Webber (vocals) will be joined by singers Dylan Daniels, Jody Odom Jr., and Deon Taylor. Joining Bond for the onstage band is Rollie Harper on drums, Ed Jonnet on sax, and Travis Ferrell on bass.
The concert will feature such two dozen songs, including: ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,’ ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine,’ ‘Please Mr. Postman,’ ‘My Guy,’ ‘It’s a Shame,’ ‘Baby Love,’ ‘I Hear a Symphony,’ ‘Heatwave,’ ‘Midnight Train to Georgia,’ ‘Never Can Say Goodbye,’ ‘I’ll Be There,’ ‘How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You,’ ‘Second That Emotion,’ ‘Tears of a Clown,’ ‘My Girl,’ ‘Just My Imagination.’
The show focus on the greatest Motown artists: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Jackie Wilson, Mary Wells, Gladys Knight and many more.
When You Wish Upon a Star: Sept. 25 & 26
The concert features vocalists Caroline Grace Williams, Jody Odom Jr, Condrea Webber, Leah Gesouras, Ryan Shreve, MacKenzie Leland, Christian Shepherd, McKenna Stoffer, Jaren Baer, Ellie Nickoli, Mike Miller, Kara Hancock, Michael Ruehrmund, Emma Skaggs, Erynh Hollobaugh, Nykera Gardner and Deon Taylor and includes such song favorites as ‘Friend LIke Me’ from Aladdin, ‘Let It Go‘ from Frozen, ‘Out There’ from Hunchback, ‘Circle of Life’ from The Lion King, ‘When She Loved Me’ from Toy Story 2, ‘Bare Necessities’ from The Jungle Book, ‘You’ve Got a Friend In Me‘ from Toy Story, ‘A Whole New World’ from Aladdin, ‘How Far I’ll Go‘ from Moana, ‘Reflection‘ from Mulan and many more. Directed by Ryan Shreve, you won’t want to miss this unforgettable family event, staged live under the stars in the Renaissance Backlot.
In addition to the two concerts, the film Labyrinth, part of the Lind Siegenthaler Cinema Series, will be shown on Sept. 4 at 9 p.m. Tickets to the film are $15.00 per car.
Tickets for the two Avita Innovation Concert Series shows are $25 per car. All tickets are on sale at www.RenTickets.org or by calling the Box Office at 419-522-2726. For health reasons, cash will not be accepted at the gate.
For all Ren Backlot events, gates will open one hour before the designated performance/screening time. Patrons may stay in their vehicles or sit in chairs by their vehicle or in a designated socially distanced area. Patrons are required to wear masks at all times when outside of their cars and while in the physical building unless eating or drinking.
Audio is broadcast on an FM radio station and outdoor speakers. Renaissance concessions and food vendors (depending on availability) will be available, and patrons may bring in food; no alcoholic beverages are permitted due to changes in on-site liquor licensing.
