CLEMSON — Lillian Harder, director of the Brooks Center for Performing Arts at Clemson University, couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming season.

With a rich mix of talented musicians, actors and pure entertainers, this line up has something for everyone.

Season tickets will officially go on sale today as the crew at the Brooks is expecting plenty of interest from the community.

As far as starting things off with a bang, the most recognized and admired classical pianist, Lang Lang, will be back at the Brooks.

“He was recently named one of the ‘Most 100 Influential People of 2009’ by TIME magazine,” said Glenn Hare, representative from the Brooks. “Lang Lang thrills audiences around the world. He’s famously noted for his spectacular performance during the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics that was televised around the world to millions of viewers.”

This year, in addition to numerous evening performances, there will be 20 shows scheduled during the morning hours for area schools to enjoy.

“This is our best season ever,” said Harder. “Lang Lang’s performance is certainly one of the many high points of the year.

“The season has many entertaining and inspiring shows," she said. "From bluegrass legends and Australian tenors to risqué puppets and Knights of the Roundtable, we have something for all artistic tastes.”

With numerous series that will carry on throughout the season, Hare said the Boni Belle series has plenty of feel-good entertainment.

“Among this season’s shows are concerts by the Canadian Brass, the American Bluegrass Masters, the Ten Tenors and jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli,” he said. “Broadway fare includes touring productions of ‘Camelot” and ‘Avenue Q.’ Opera buffs can enjoy presentations of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ and Strauss’s ‘Die Fledermaus.’”

The family entertainment is off the charts as well, with unbelievable acts that will wow any age.

Once again the Brooks Center offers wholesome entertainment from both regional and international artists. The Family Series presents “Dreamscapes: A Juggling Play” and vocalist-percussionist Billy Jonas, he added.

“Dreamscapes” features Clemson’s award-winning juggler Jamie Whoolery. Jonas, from Asheville, is a sing-along bang-along troubadour. In addition, Thunder Drums of China and the uplifting voices of the African Children’s Choir from Uganda will be taking center stage this year, according to Hare.

“We are very excited about this season,” he said. “We hope to see the community enjoying the talent across the board.”

For more information, call the Brooks Center at (864) 656-7787.

2009-2010 BROOKS CENTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Boni Belle Brooks Series

John Pizzarelli Tuesday, Sept. 8

Avenue Q Thursday-Friday, Sept. 24-25

Camelot at 3 pm Sunday, Oct. 25

Canadian Brass Thursday, Nov. 5

The Ten Tenors Monday, Nov. 9

American Bluegrass Masters Monday, Nov. 16

The Spirit of Christmas Tuesday, Dec. 8

Tony DeSare Thursday, Jan. 14

Die Fledermaus Thursday, Jan. 21

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico Saturday, Feb. 6

H.M.S. Pinafore Monday, March 8

Lang Lang and maestro Christoph ……………….Wednesday, March 24

Eschenbach with the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra

Family Series

The Family Series performances begin at 7 p.m.

Dreamscapes Thursday, Oct. 15

Jigu! Thunder Drums of China Thursday, Nov. 19

African Children’s Choir Wednesday, Feb. 10

Billy Jonas Friday, March 26

Lillian and Robert Utsey Chamber Music Series

American Chamber Players Thursday, Oct. 1

East Coast Chamber Orchestra (ECCO) Thursday, Oct. 22

Bridget Kibbey, harp Tuesday, Jan. 26

Eric Ruske, horn; Stephen Prutsman,

piano; Jennifer Frautschi, violin Tuesday, April 6

Clemson Players

The House of Bernarda Alba Monday-Thursday, Oct. 5-8

Original Play TBA Monday-Friday, Nov. 16-20 and Sunday, Nov. 22

Rent Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 25-28

Betrayal Tuesday-Sunday, April 13-18

Department of Performing Arts Musical Showcase

Linda Dzuris, carillon Sunday, Sept. 27

CU Symphony Orchestra Tuesday, Oct. 5

CU Jazz Ensemble Thursday, Nov. 12

CU Symphonic Band Monday, Nov. 23

CU Choral Ensembles Tuesday, Dec. 1

CU Symphony Orchestra Thursday, Dec. 3

CU Jazz Ensemble Friday, Feb. 12

CU Symphonic Band Tuesday, March 2

CU Choral Ensembles Thursday, April 8

CU Symphony Orchestra Tuesday, April 13

CU Jazz Ensemble Thursday, April 15

Department of Performing Arts “POPS” Concert Sunday, April 18

CU Concert Band & Symphonic Band Tuesday, April 20

CU Percussion Ensemble & CU Steel Band Friday, April 23

Bill & Donnie Eskridge Tri-ART Series

Henry and Mudge Tuesday, Sept. 29

American Chamber Players Friday, Oct. 2

CU Symphony Orchestra Monday, Oct. 5

Dreamscapes: A Juggling Play Thursday, Oct. 15

Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Class Clown Thursday, Oct. 22

East Coast Chamber Orchestra (ECCO) Friday, Oct. 23

Room on the Broom @ 10:30 am Tuesday, Nov. 3

Most Valuable Player Tuesday, Nov. 10

American Bluegrass Masters Tour Monday, Nov. 16

The Rainbow Fish Friday, Dec. 4

The Nutcracker Friday, Dec. 11

Junie B. Jones Friday, Jan. 15

Bridget Kibbey, harp Wednesday, Jan. 27

Four Score and Seven Years Ago Friday, Jan. 29

African Children’s Choir Wednesday, Feb. 10

CU Jazz Ensemble Thursday, Feb. 11

Eric Ruske, horn; Stephen Prutsman, piano;

Jennifer Frautschi, violin Tuesday, April 6

Harry the Dirty Dog Friday, April 16

CU Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band Wednesday, April 21

The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh Friday, April 30