Ben Vereen to headline center’s opening gala

The new Northshore Performing Arts Center has been open for business since mid November, serving as a venue for concerts, festivals and shows.

The $5-million theater began as a dream by a group of dedicated citizens, who formed the Northshore Performing Arts Center Foundation 10 years ago.

In 2003, the Foundation got together with the Northshore School District and agreed to jointly build and share the theater together.

Now owned and operated by the Northshore School District, the center is not only a boon to the local schools, who use it to showcase student performances, but also to the community, who have a place to enjoy the finest in arts and culture.

With 600 seats, the facility is one of the biggest venues of its kind in the Seattle area.

By comparison, Meydenbauer Center’s theater in Bellevue has 410 seats, while the Kirkland Performance Center has 402.

Visitors to the facility for the first time will be surprised at the quality of the workmanship used and the attention to detail.

From the attractive lobby with handsome wood touches to the comfortable seating and state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics, it’s clear that this is not your typical public auditorium.

Extras, like an expanded orchestra pit with automatic lift, recording studio, performers’ green room, expanded drama classroom that can also serve as a “black box” theater for smaller events, extra dressing rooms and ample storage space elevate the venue to a world class status.

To celebrate this accomplishment, a grand opening gala will be held at the center with noted song-and-dance man Ben Vereen as the event’s headliner.

Vereen, a celebrated Broadway performer who has won accolades for his work in such award-winning shows as “Pippin,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Wicked,” will perform his tribute to another legendary song-and-dance man, Sammy Davis Jr.

A host of upcoming events at the Northshore Performing Arts Center includes performances by gifted singer Richie Havens, the smash Broadway hit, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and Tony Kelly’s “Ireland,” an Irish step dancing, music and song extravaganza.

The center’s calendar will continue to fill with a mix of school related functions and productions by local groups, such as the Woodinville Rep, the Attic Theatre, the Monroe Dance Studio and the Seattle Children’s Chorus.