CEDAR FALLS - Forget "must-see" TV.

The best entertainment will be live and onstage at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center during the 2008-2009 season.

Opening on Sept. 11 will be The Millers, finalists on "America's Got Talent," featuring 13-year-old phenom LD. Next will be the cutting-edge production of the Broadway tour de force, "Sweeney Todd," on Sept. 22 and 23. As the season progresses, there will be performances by RAIN The Beatles Experience, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Bobby McFerrin, Kathy Mattea, the Lakota Sioux Indian Dance Theatre, "The Pajama Game," the Russian National Ballet's "Cinderella," Bob the Builder Live!, the Czech Symphony Orchestra and more.

"It's a very diverse season with an international component, and a few guilty pleasures, like Joan Jett, that will be pure fun," said Steve Caragnan, assistant vice president for educational and sports events center management. "This season we had such wonderful performances, such great Broadway shows, and the Great Hall is such a great theater. Each year we continue that tradition."

The Mostar Sevdah Reunion at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18, featuring traditional Bosnian music, will be a special event at GBPAC. "It's a first for us," said Caragnan, "because we're helping them put together their first tour of the United States and helping with securing their visas and other travel documentation."

Tickets go on sale to the public at 8:30 a. m. June 4. Order tickets at the GBPAC ticket office, by calling 273-4849 or (877) 549-7469 or by visiting www.gbpac.com.

The Millers, 7 p.m. Sept. 11

The Millers are a family that travels the world performing together and have shared the stage with the likes of Alicia Keys, B.B. King, Kanye West, Ziggy Marley and Ricky Skaggs. 2006 finalists on "America's Got Talent," The Millers includes 13-year-old phenom LD, wailing on harmonica.

Sweeney Todd, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22. and Sept. 23

Winner in 2006 of two Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards, including utstanding Revival of a Musical. The legendary demon barber, hell-bent on revenge, takes up with his enterprising neighbor in a delicious plot to slice their way through England's upper crust.

Golden Dragon Acrobats, 3 p.m. Oct. 12

The Golden Dragon Acrobats are proud to represent the very best of the time-honored tradition of acrobats. 2008 will mark the highlight of the Golden Dragons' touring career with their 30th anniversary U.S. tour.

Mostar Sevdah Reunion, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18

In the cultural heritage of this country, a special place belongs to the traditional Bosnian music form "Sevdah."

The Reduced Shakespeare Company Complete History of America (Abridged), Special Election Edition, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23.

600 Years of History in 6000 seconds.

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31

Jett formed the Blackhearts with guitarist Ricky Byrd, bassist Gary Ryan and drummer Lee Crystal.

Movin' Out, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8

Five-time Grammy winner Billy Joel and legendary director/choreographer Twyla Tharp have joined forces to create the spectacular new musical Time declares is "so soul-stirring and exhilarating, it practically bursts out of the theatre."

Lakota Sioux Indian Dance Theatre, 7 p.m. Nov. 9

Experience the holistic worldview of the Lakota Sioux through their

championship Pow Wow dancers,

singers and storytellers.

Handel's Messiah featuring Metropolitan Chorale and local musicians, 2 p.m. Nov. 23

The Metropolitan Chorale, featuring singers from the Cedar Valley, annually performs two concerts of major choral works with orchestra and soloists in various Waterloo and Cedar Falls venues.

Kathy Mattea, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12

Kathy Mattea, the beloved Grammy-winning singer of such classics as "18 Wheels and A Dozen Roses," "Where've You Been" and many other hits, will present a holiday concert.

Ji-Yong, 2 p.m. Jan. 17

A truly extraordinary artist, pianist Ji-Yong has both an awe-inspiring technique and a musical depth well beyond his 16 years.

Russian National Ballet, "Cinderella," 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25

Filled with gorgeous pas de deux, endearing characters and many magical moments, this production promises an enchanted experience for young and old.

Bobby McFerrin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31

A 10-time Grammy Award winner, he is one of the world's best-known vocal innovators and improvisers. His recordings have sold more than 20 million copies, and his collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, the Vienna Philharmonic and Herbie Hancock have established him as an ambassador of both the classical and jazz worlds.

Bob the Builder Live!, 1 and 4 p.m. Feb. 1

Everyone's favorite fix-it guy is steamrolling into town and bringing his lovable gang for the ride.

Czech Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m. Feb. 14

Theodore Kuchar, conductor. Their program will include a Dvorak selection of Slavonic Dances from Op. 46 and 72; Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58; and Dvorak Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95.

Montana Repertory Theatre, "To Kill a Mockingbird," 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22

This classic American tale of justice, acceptance, growing up and forgiveness lives from generation to generation,

Ronald K. Brown Evidence, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28

Ronald K. Brown and his dance company Evidence blend African, modern ballet and hip-hop stylings to tell stories.

"The Pajama Game," 2 and 7 p.m. March 1

An all-new production of the Tony Award-winning, Broadway smash hit, "The Pajama Game" is the fast-paced, frisky tale of Babe Williams and handsome Sid Sorkin. The high-energy score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross brims with such standards as "Hey There" and "Steam Heat."

Great Big Sea, 7:30 p.m. March 5

Newfoundland folk-rockers Great Big Sea baptize listeners in a tide of melody, poignant lyricism and buoyant, bracing rhythm. The band creates a complex sound that melds modern pop and rock influences with the gallantry of traditional folk music.

"RAIN The Beatles Experience," 7 p.m. March 15

RAIN covers the Fab Four from the earliest beginnings through the psychedelic late '60s and their long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days. RAIN is a multi-media, multi-dimensional experience.

Cantus, 3 p.m. March 29

Cantus is gaining recognition as one of America's finest professional male vocal ensembles. Their repertoire spans many periods and genres, including Gregorian chant, Renaissance motets, contemporary sacred works, art songs, world music, spirituals and pop. Cantus was founded in 1995 in Northfield, Minn.

Salzburg Chamber Soloists, 3 p.m. April 5

Austria's ensemble of 18 world-class string musicians performs chamber orchestra repertoire with the freedom of soloists. Their scheduled program includes Villa-Lobos Bacchiana Brasileira No.9; Mozart Sinfonia concertante for violin, viola and orchestra in E-flat Major, KV 364; and Haydn Sinfony in f-minor, No. 49.

"The Drowsy Chaperone," 7:30 p.m. April 7 and 8

"The Drowsy Chaperone" is a new Broadway musical that boldly addresses a great unspoken desire in all of our hearts: to be entertained. It all begins when a die-hard musical-theater fan plays his favorite cast album on his turntable, and the musical literally bursts to life in his living room, telling the rambunctious tale of a brazen Broadway starlet trying to find, and keep, her true love.