MIAC Live: Nurturing community, inspiring souls with live performances at Mercyhurst

In today's digital world, where screens dominate and virtual experiences abound, it's crucial not to overlook the irreplaceable value of live performances in our communities. Beyond mere entertainment, live performances serve as vibrant threads that weave together the fabric of our society, foster a sense of connection and belonging, and provide spaces where individuals can celebrate our shared humanity and be moved by the power of storytelling.

Few things are more exhilarating than watching a singular talent — like Judy Collins, Chris Botti, or the many other guests of the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture — take the stage. The resulting synergy, where audience members' heartbeats and breathing rates synchronize, cannot be replicated through videos, audio recordings, or social media clips. One must be, as Lin-Manuel Miranda noted, "in the room where it happens" to fully experience — and understand — the brilliance of these performers. Watching YouTube videos of Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, both of whom have performed at MIAC, sing "Wheels of a Dream" from "Ragtime" is thrilling, but experiencing it live is life-changing.

What makes these performances unique? A seasoned performer is always in the moment, interpreting the material as it resonates with them today, which may differ from yesterday or tomorrow. They respond in real time to what they receive from the audience, be it good (an ovation), bad (an exodus before the encore), or ugly (a cell phone ringing). No two performances are alike. Think of Kristin Chenoweth inviting some of our Mercyhurst students to join her onstage in a chorus of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" or Gavin Creel's spontaneous decision to end his concert with an a cappella version of "How Glory Goes" from the musical "Floyd Collins." Unplanned. Unforgettable.

Even more invigorating is the opportunity to watch a great artist evolve over time, as they hone their craft, deepen their storytelling, and harness their extraordinary talent for the enrichment of humanity. These qualities distinguish the performers who have enthralled us all for the past seven seasons, including those who will return in 2024-2025, bringing new shows and new set lists, but also new perspectives on their work and the world.

One need look no further than our artist-in-residence, Betty Buckley , legendary, multi-award-winning singer and actress who, shortly after her recent Mercyhurst visit, returned to Joe's Pub in New York City for a critically acclaimed six-concert engagement. Playbill.com reviewer Andrew Gans marveled that Buckley "somehow manages to distill the highs and lows of all her experiences into her singing, which is as emotionally rich as ever." Similarly, Nathan Johnson of BroadwayWorld called the concert "an experience of sublime perfection, a night of pure magic" and raved, "Betty takes a journey in every song, and her ethereal magic carries us along with her."

Six decades into a celebrated career, Buckley is in peak form, infusing her musical brilliance into an ever-expanding catalogue, allowing her audience to hear new songs and beloved classics afresh. Any chance to see her in concert is a master class in the art of storytelling through song. Never content to rest on her considerable laurels, Buckley recently added the title of filmmaker, creating, writing, and narrating a magical new animated short entitled "The Mayfly," which was selected for inclusion in the Tribeca Film Festival. We are thrilled that Buckley has chosen Mercyhurst as one of her artistic homes and will return annually to teach and concertize. Her March 2025 concert with Sirius XM host, pianist, conductor, writer, and performer Seth Rudetsky promises to be a highlight of the season.

The fact that so many luminaries of stage and screen return to Mercyhurst is a testament to the beauty of our venues, the expertise of our staff, the effusiveness of our patrons, and the dedication of our students, who are eager to learn from these remarkable artists.

To ensure that Mercyhurst students have unrestricted access to world-class performances as part of their liberal arts education, the institute offers free student tickets for all MIAC Live performances. Whenever possible, we extend this offer to local high schools, thereby increasing access to our programming. Additionally, MIAC hosts workshops and master classes with guest artists, of which many are free and open to the public. In recent years, our students have studied with Chita Rivera, Norm Lewis, Ballet Hispánico, Jessica Vosk, Step Afrika!, Gavin Creel, and, of course, Betty Buckley.

I would be remiss in not mentioning beloved MIAC artist Melissa Errico , who, after mesmerizing a capacity crowd at last year's Summer Soirée, graciously offered to host a series of conversations entitled "Diva to Diva," allowing our students and patrons to learn more about, in the words of Stephen Sondheim, "the art of making art." MIAC is a more dynamic, more effective organization, thanks to the support of world-class artists like Errico, who believe in our mission, in the value of arts education, and in the transformative power of live performance.

At a time when nonprofit performing arts organizations nationwide are slashing their programming or shutting their doors, MIAC continues to thrive, thanks to the support of Mercyhurst University, a center of excellence in training the next generation of artist/scholars, and the patronage of our sponsors, 501 and Silver Circle members, and loyal audience members. During the past two seasons, MIAC has welcomed patrons from over 25 states and four foreign countries to Erie, boosting our local economy, enhancing the arts in our community, bringing people together, and creating opportunities for learning and the exchange of ideas.

As the curtain rises on a new season, we look forward to welcoming back some of our patrons' favorite entertainers for encore engagements. Pink Martini , Melissa Errico, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox , Yamato , Betty Buckley, Patti LuPone , and Aaron Tveit will all return to Erie to entertain, enlighten, and empower us through their life-affirming artistry. I invite you to join us…just be sure to get your tickets early!

Brett D. Johnson is the artistic director for the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture .

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: MIAC Live: Nurturing community, inspiring souls with live performances at Mercyhurst