Last Sunday's Arts Watch previewed what's in store for Brazos Valley theater-goers in 2009 from StageCenter, Brazos Valley Troupe, The Theatre Company and Unity Theatre in Brenham. Today, we wrap up our sneak preview with a look at MSC OPAS, the Brazos Valley Symphony, Brazos Valley Chorale and Navasota Theatre Alliance.

MSC OPAS

When I checked off my list of OPAS "must sees" for the 36th season, Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy was tops for me. I saw a Cirque show at Disney World several years ago and such words as "tremendous," "jaw-dropping" and "astounding" fall short in describing this show.

It's a circus of contortionists and acrobats who are able to do things with their bodies that would send most of us to the emergency room. It kicks off the 2009 portion of the OPAS season at Rudder Auditorium on Jan. 27 and 28, and MSC OPAS Executive director Anne Black advises us to get our tickets now. They're going fast -- and this is one for the whole family.

A couple of American Idol alumni will be in town for Ain't Misbehavin on Feb. 10 and 11. Ruben Studdard was the big winner of Idol's second season, in 2003, and he's joined by fellow season two contestant Frenchie Davis for this Fats Waller musical.

Black said that while Studdard brings his velvet voice and the name recognition to the production, "all of my colleagues in New York have been giddy about Frenchie Davis. She played on Broadway in Rent and tore the roof off the theater every night. I can't wait to see her perform."

My "must see" list also includes Andrea Marcovicci's I'll Be Seeing You ... Love Songs of WWII, which will wrap up the season's "Intimate Gatherings" series March 5-7 and will use the Hilton's Oakwood Room to create the perfect cabaret-style atmosphere -- without the cigarette smoke. Marcovicci is a former Golden Globe nominee for her film work and she appeared on the small screen in Mannix, Kojak, Baretta, The Incredible Hulk and Magnum, P.I.

The OPAS main stage season wraps up April 1-2 with the classic Wizard of Oz. As many times as we all have seen the classic Judy Garland 1939 film on television, the stage production should be a treat for the whole family. L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel was first performed on stage in Chicago in 1902 and moved to Broadway in 1903.

For the second year, OPAS presents a one-show "Underground" performance and this season it's Alter Boyz on Feb. 4 at Rudder Theatre. And the OPAS Jr. series has one more production, The Ant and The Elephant -- A New Musical, with two shows Feb. 28 at Rudder Theatre.

For more information and tickets to all MSC OPAS performances, go to mscopas.org or call 845-1234.

B.V. Symphony

The symphony has three performances to conclude its current season, all at Christ United Methodist Church in College Station.

Bravo Beethoven is Feb. 8, featuring the music of one of the most performed composers.

"The audience might not know how it is done, and the audience might not even know why they like it, but it doesn't really matter," said Music Director and Conductor Marcelo Bussiki. "What matters is that, on an unconscious level, Beethoven was able to communicate with the audience. And that is what he does very well."

The concert will feature James Dick on piano, Brian Lewis on violin and Emilio Colon on Cello.

On March 8, American Landscapes will feature a world premiere performance of the composition By An American by Craig Biondi, who attended school in the Brazos Valley.

"That program is intended to expose our community to music that is American, that is very pleasant to hear," Bussiki said. "It doesn't get more pleasant than Copland and Bernstein."

The show will feature the Texas A&M University Century Singers, directed by Jess Wade.

Mendelssohn Celebration is April 26. "Mendelssohn occupies a very unique bracket as far as styles go during his lifetime," Bussiki said. "His work is much more simple, it is much more direct than many other romantic composers."

Tim Fain will be featured on violin.

For more information on the Brazos Valley Symphony, go to bvso.org or call 696-6100.

Brazos Valley Chorale

On Broadway will be the chorale's first show of the year, to be held Feb. 21 at the Hilton. It will feature music from current Broadway shows including Chicago, Young Frankenstein, Avenue Q, Jersey Boys, Gypsy, Wicked, Mamma Mia and Phantom of the Opera. It will include a dinner and silent and live auction opportunities.

College Station's own Emily Pulley will be in the spotlight May 3 for Opera and Oratorio at Christ United Methodist Church. She will be taking time out from rehearsals with the New York City Opera to come home to perform.

For more information, go to bvchorale.org or call 776-1776.

Navasota Theatre

The short trip to Navasota always is worth the drive, but even more so when the destination is the Navasota Theatre Alliance. Four productions are scheduled to stretch between February and October, starting Feb. 19 with a three-weekend run of George Washington Slept Here.

Alliance Vice President Earlene Rainey will direct and play the role of Annabelle Fuller.

"It's a very funny play where a history buff husband buys a broken-down farm without consulting his city-loving wife just because he heard George Washington once slept there," Rainey said. "Conflict abounds and it's comedy at its finest with many audience surprises in store."

In May, No Mother To Guide Her will run two weekends.

"It's is an old fashioned melodrama," Rainey said. "The audience gets to participate with boos, hisses and cheers."

Then, in for two weekends after July 4, is We The People -- The Musical.

"This is a patriotic musical that will be a wonderful addition to Independence Day celebrations. So as not to conflict with picnics and fireworks, we will offer a sneak preview on July 5."

The full two-week run opens officially July 9.

The season wraps with three October weekends of Leading Ladies, which is rated PG-13.

"This play is full of hilarity as two down and out male actors pose as the nieces of a dying rich woman to try to grab her fortune," Rainey said. "This will be the third Ken Ludwig play we have done at NTA, so we know to expect sell-out crowds."

For more on Navasota Theatre Alliance, go to nta-stage.org or call 936-825-3195.

Save the date

* Monday-Feb. 25: Benz Gallery of Floral Design presents "Through the Needle's Eye" by Brazos Valley Stitchers, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Texas A&M University Horticulture/Science Building (www.brazosvalley stitchers.org)

* Monday through Jan. 21: Arts Council of the Brazos Valley and Brazos Arts League present an exhibit with art of Guy Benson and Frieda Isabell, The Texas Gallery, 2275 Dartmouth St., College Station (696-2787, acbv.org)

* Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 22-24: StageCenter presents Talk Radio, 7:30 p.m. (696-2787, stagecenter.net)

* Thursday through Jan. 18: St. Michael's Episcopal School presents the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta HMS Pinafore, 7 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., and 2 p.m. Sat.-Sun. The Theatre Company (822-2715)

* Friday: Madisonville High School presents "The Boston Brass," 7 p.m. (936-348-2721, ext. 16)

* Jan. 18: Concerts on Carter Creek presents Community Collection, local musicians in solo roles, 6 p.m., free, First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Carter Creek Parkway in Bryan.

* All month: Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley offers various programs, including Monday Madness, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (779-5437, www.mymuseum.com)

* Through August: George Bush Library and Museum presents "Beyond The Moon: NASA's Continuing Mission" exhibit, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays (bushlibrary.tamu.edu)

* Tom Turbiville is The Eagle's arts columnist. He's also sports director for WTAW-1620AM Radio. E-mail him at tom.turbiville@ theeagle.com.

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