It鈥檚 often been said that the quality of a community is measured by the importance it places on the arts. If that鈥檚 the case, Richmond is one stellar community.
Since its opening in 2011, featuring a stellar performance by Kentucky native Wynonna Judd, the EKU Center for the Arts has established itself as the premier arts and entertainment venue in the Bluegrass Region.
Over the 13 years of its existence, notables from the Beach Boys to Gladys Knight, Ronnie Milsap to Willie Nelson, Jerry Seinfeld to Garrison Keillor have thrilled audiences.
Those audiences have spent one unforgettable night with the 鈥淢illion Dollar Quartet鈥� and walked the catwalks at Milan with the Tony Award-winning cast of 鈥淜inky Boots.鈥�
They have cheered the 鈥淒ancing With the Stars鈥� touring troupe and marveled at the colorful pageantry of Shen-Yun and their celebration of 5,000 years of China鈥檚 rich cultural heritage.
From A (alternative rock) to Z (zydeco), the EKU Center has done it all. Its Black Box Theater is capable of seating 200 people in the round, but it鈥檚 the 2,000-seat main theater with its Broadway stage that is the primary draw.
鈥淲e do about six Broadway productions a year, working with touring companies,鈥� says Courtney Reichley, senior director of student and community engagements, and the person responsible for the center鈥檚 schedule.
鈥淲e鈥檙e able to do this because of the size of our stage, which can accommodate large sets, and the amount of wing space available for quick scene and costume changes.鈥�
Reichley notes that the Center is on the waiting list for both 鈥淗amilton鈥� and 鈥淲icked,鈥� the latter considered the standard for what a stage can handle.
In the meantime, however, culture vultures will have plenty to choose from. This year鈥檚 schedule offers an eclectic mix that will appeal to a variety of tastes.
In December, patrons can choose from Avatar the Last Airbender in Concert (Dec. 8) and Cordell, Kentucky native Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder Christmas (Dec. 10).
On March 9th, the sounds of the Emerald Isle make their way to the Bluegrass when the Shamrock Tenors, Northern Ireland鈥檚 premier folk and traditional vocal group, take the stage.
Next, musicians give way to magicians and magic with performances by Champions of Magic with their thrilling illusions (March 30), and Pedal Punk, a Cirque de Soleil style-show (April 1).
The season comes to a close with Grammy winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis and his New Orleans jazz sound (April 6).
Reichley says she books shows based on several factors.
鈥淕enerally, I like to say it鈥檚 a threefold decision 鈥� what the community wants, what it needs, and most importantly, what鈥檚 available.
鈥淲e try to select shows that will be coming to a larger city in the region such as Nashville, Cincinnati or Indianapolis, where it would make sense to add a date for us,鈥� she continues,鈥� and of course, we have to work within the parameters of the artists鈥� touring dates or performance schedules.鈥�
Obviously, availability is key, but what about what theatergoers want versus what they need?
Headline concerts are the biggest draws, says Reichley, citing past performances by Pat Benatar, Alice Cooper, Harry Connick, Jr. and Bob Dylan, but she adds that lesser-known artists can also fill the seats. She specifically cites underground country artist Cody Jenks.
鈥淲hen we announced he was coming, the tickets sold out in 20 minutes,鈥� says Reichley. 鈥淲e added a second show and that sold out in an hour.鈥�
Okay, audiences know what they want, but what about what they need? Does being affiliated with a university mean that the Center has a responsibility that goes beyond simple entertainment? Reichley thinks so.
鈥淟ast year we did a one-woman show 鈥淎ll Things Equal,鈥� based on the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg,鈥� she says.
While Reichley admits that the performance didn鈥檛 sell the most tickets, she also felt it was one the community needed.
鈥淲e鈥檙e willing to take a financial risk to present something so important.鈥�
The university is an integral part of the Center鈥檚 focus. While saying that their typical audience is in the 35-60 age range, Reichley allows that they are starting to broaden their college-age audience.
As for student artists and performers, the Center provides a rich tapestry for their talents. In addition to university productions, the Richmond Model Lab School (K-12) does two productions a year, and a specialty group, the Appalachian Shakespeare Company, composed of both professional and amateur thespians, puts on productions throughout the year.
The Student Discovery Series offers eight performances from professional touring companies free of charge to any Kentucky public school.
With everything the EKU Center for the Arts offers, it鈥檚 safe to say that the cultural needs of the Richmond community are in good hands.
But does Reichley have one artist on her personal wish list? She does.
鈥淲e鈥檙e constantly on the waiting list for Tyler Childers,鈥� she admits wistfully.
The Grammy-nominated singer from Eastern Kentucky, whose music is a blend of nontraditional, bluegrass and folk, appeared here in concert prior to COVID and was a resounding success.
鈥淲e鈥檙e confident we can get him back,鈥� says Reichley.