OTTUMWA — The 2008/2009 Bridge View Center season performances were announced Thursday night at their release party.

“We think we made a good selection of shows that will appeal to a broad audience,” said BVC General Manager Jon Elbaum.

He said they chose the shows based upon what the Board of Directors, the Ottumwa Area Arts Council and members of the community thought would be entertaining.

“A lot of it also depended upon the availability of the theater company,” he said. “These are professional performers doing these shows.”

Elbaum said this will be the first season that Bridge View has had professional theater companies come to Ottumwa.

He also said that several of the shows will offer educational workshops and seminars for kids and a few of them will have free performances for kids at one of the local schools.

“All that hasn’t been completely worked out yet,” Elbaum said. “But we will have the details on that soon.”

Elbaum said he is happy with the selection and looks forward to their first season of professional theaters’ performances.

The shows and their descriptions provided by Bridge View include:

“‘Say Goodnight Gracie,’ which is a Broadway play that invites the audience to spend a hilarious, heart-warming evening in the uplifting company of the world’s favorite and funniest centenarian. George Burns, who spanned one hundred years of American entertainment history, is now miraculously alive and kicking in a stunning tour de force.” The performance of “Say Goodnight Gracie” will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11.

“‘Wilderness Plots’ is a blend of songs and stories inspired by the history of settling the Midwest American wilderness in the time between the Revolution and the Civil War. This production is a fascinating and compelling intersection of language, lyrics, story and music that is plain good fun.” “Wildnerness Plots” will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

“‘Dallas Brass’ will astonish you with a performance full of humor and intricate playing. You’ll be taken on a colorful musical journey through jazz, hip-hop, Swing, Ragtime, Hollywood and other favorites. The big brass sound is sure to have you dancing in the aisles.” “Dallas Brass” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9.

“‘Seussical.’ Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’s best-loved characters and stories hit the stage in this unforgettable musical adventure by Broadway veterans Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. Dr. Seuss’ beloved classic characters find themselves intertwined in an incredible crazy-quilt adventure in which the power of imagination and the most miraculous ‘think’ ever save the day.” “Seussical” will be performed at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 8, 2009.

“‘Alter Boyz’ is a musical-comedy spoof about a fictitious Christian boy-band on the last night of their national ‘Raise the Praise’ tour. As they perform their signature hits featuring lyrics like ‘Girl, you make me wanna wait,’ soul-wrenching secrets come tumbling out with hilarious results. With their sweet harmonies, sinfully spectacular dancing and an unnerving sense of fashion, the Alter Boyz are destined to rock the masses.” “Alter Boyz” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. March 11, 2009.

“‘Ballet Folklorico’ is a Quetzalli visual fiesta of culture and folklore. It features many regional dances of old Mexico. The live music punctuates the meticulous movement, colorful clothing and perfect pulse established by the dancers.” The ballet will be at 7:30 p.m. April 24, 2009.