The PAC announces its new season 

So, last week in Artifacts, I told you all about the SLO Little Theatre’s exciting new season. Well, this week, the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center released its season brochure as well, and you’ve got to hear about it.

First of all, Lewis Black is back. With a smack. At the PAC. Try not to have a heart attack. Black will perform his standup routine The Rant is Due Sept. 12 in the Cohan Center.

On Nov. 2, wildlife expert Jack Hanna returns with Into the Wild Live! (Hanna’s animal co-stars include a tiger, kangaroo, leopard, snowy owls, great horned owls, two-toed sloths, penguins, and a lion cub!) Other November highlights include an appearance by David Sedaris on Nov. 14, and something wonderful called Potted Potter on Nov. 17. According to press materials, the show squeezes all seven Harry Potter books into 70 ridiculous minutes.

The wonders continue on Nov. 18 with the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Million Dollar Quartet—the true story of the recording session at which Sam Phillips brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins together for one crazy night. The following evening, catch the stage production of The Graduate, performed by L.A. Theatreworks, the country’s leading radio theater troupe.

On Jan. 10, see The Princess Bride’s Mandy Patinkin (Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die…) in concert, with Paul Ford on piano. Cirque Éloize performs the dazzling Cirkopolis, a work that blends circus, dance, and theater, on Feb. 5 and 6.

On March 10, is a revival of West Side Story, still a favorite after 50 years. The musical theater binge continues April 16 with Rock of Ages, the Tony-nominated ‘80s party musical featuring all the hits you’d expect, from all the artists you’d expect: Twisted Sister, Pat Benatar, Styx, Journey … yeah.

Then there’s the return of the Met: Live in HD, a series of live transmissions of performances by New York City’s Metropolitan Opera. The new season will kick off on Oct. 20 with Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, followed by Shostakovich’s The Nose on Oct. 27. Tickets go on sale (to the general public) Aug. 21.

Of course, there’s far more coming up at the PAC than I have room to include here. For the full lineup, prices, and times, visit pacslo.org.