September 1, 2016

For additional information, contact:
Carolynn Lee, Program Director
(920) 458-1972
Carolynn.Lee@kohler.com

 Kohler Foundation Series Announces Distinguished Headliners

KOHLER, Wis. – September 1, 2016 – Violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, multi-instrumental bluegrass pioneer Sara Watkins, and Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth will headline the 73^rd season of the Distinguished Guest Series in Kohler. The Series, which began in 1944 as a free lecture series held at the historic Waelderhaus in the Village of Kohler, continues its focus on diverse performers in 2016 and 2017. In describing the upcoming season, Natalie Black Kohler, President of Kohler Foundation said, “The tradition of presenting world-class entertainment at accessible prices is important to Kohler Foundation, and this season we are proud to welcome three artists to our stage who are undeniably world-class in their respective fields.”

 JOSHUA BELL

Friday, November 4, 2016, 8:00 p.m.

Often referred to as the “poet of the violin” Joshua Bell’s stunning virtuosity, beautiful tone, and charismatic stage presence have brought him universal acclaim. Joshua has been heralded for the wide range of music he has chosen to record, expanding the creative role of the modern concert artist. Recently appointed Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Bell is the first person to hold this post since the orchestra was formed by Sir Neville Marriner in 1958. He has collaborated with many artists including Chris Botti, Josh Groban, Sting, Kristin Chenoweth, Bela Fleck, Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming, Regina Spektor, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, James Taylor and more. With more than 40 CDs recorded and countless honors, the Grammy winner’s career spans over 30 years as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, and conductor.

 SARA WATKINS

Friday, January 20, 2017, 8:00 p.m.

Acclaimed songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sara Watkins' new album, Young In All The Wrong Ways, out July 1 on New West Records, sees her boldly stepping in to the role of frontwoman following the collaborative groups of Watkins Family Hour and the Platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning Nickel Creek, which she first formed with her brother Sean Watkins and Chris Thile when she was just eight years old. Easily her most cohesive and fully realized album of her solo career, it is also her most powerful, personal and revealing; she wrote or co-wrote each of the 10 songs – a first for her. Watkins calls the new collection "a breakup album with myself..." and writing and recording these ten intensely soul-baring songs was a means for her to process and mark the last couple years, which have been transformative.

 KRISTIN CHENOWETH                 

Thursday, March 2, 2017, 8:00 p.m.

Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer, Kristin Chenoweth, takes the lead in a career that spans film, television, voiceover, and stage. She received an Emmy Award for her work on the series Pushing Daisies, and lit up the stage of McKinley High as April Rhodes on Glee, for which she was nominated for two Emmys and a People’s Choice Award. Though Kristin has often come into our living rooms on hit shows like The West Wing, she may be most remembered for her origination of the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, which earned her a Tony Award Nomination, and her Tony-winning performance in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, in which she stole the show and many hearts in the process. In July 2015, Kristin received a coveted star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ticket Prices and Ordering

 Tickets are currently on sale. Season Tickets are available, (a savings of more than 15%), in addition to tickets for individual performances. (Prices listed do not reflect sales tax or minimal service fees.)

 Season Tickets: Save +15%

Individual Tickets:

Order tickets online and choose your own seat, at kohlerfoundation.org/tickets or order over the phone by calling (920) 458-1972 (between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm, M-F). All events will be held at the Kohler Memorial Theatre, 260 School St., Kohler, Wisconsin.

 The Kohler Foundation is a non-profit, private foundation that supports arts, education, and art preservation initiatives in Wisconsin.

###