Valley Arts Center's 2012-13 season

The Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge has lined up a roster of prominent names for its 2012-13 season. The highlights will include appearances by opera singer Deborah Voigt, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, Broadway actor Raul Esparza and the Mark Morris Dance Group. The center, on the campus of Cal State Northridge, is the one of the newest performing arts centers in Southern California. The 2012-13 schedule will be the center's second full season. The Asphalt Orchestra will have its local debut for the first show of the season on Sept. 13. The New York ensemble, which bills itself as a street band specializing in processional music, has gained a cult following since launching in 2009. Audiences can get their fill of theatrical personalities in four recitals -- Broadway singer Kelli O’Hara is teaming with operatic barihunk Nathan Gunn for an evening (Oct. 22) of musical numbers; Esparza will perform songs by Stephen Sondheim (Nov. 17); Bebe Neuwirth will perform a show titled "Stories With Piano" (Feb. 23, 2013); and Michael Feinstein will perform numbers from the Great American Songbook (May 11, 2013). Dance groups scheduled to appear include Ballet Folklórico de México from Mexico City (Nov. 2); the RussianNational Ballet Theatre, performing "Cinderella" (Feb. 10, 2013); the Black Grace Dance Company from New Zealand, making its local debut (March 23, 2013); and the Mark Morris Dance Group (April 27, 2013). Among the classical highlights are the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra (Nov. 8); the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Jan. 26, 2013); the BBC Concert Orchestra (Feb. 14, 2013); and the China National Symphony Orchestra (March 8, 2013). Mutter is scheduled to appear on March 6, 2013 and Voigt on May 19, 2013. The season will also include appearances by Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard (Sept. 22); the National Circus of the People's Republic of China (Sept. 27); and Branford Marsalis (Feb. 2, 2013). The 2012-13 season will have 31 performances. Season subscription renewals will be on sale in mid-April and new season subscriptions on May 8. Single tickets will be available June 5.