Coming to a stage near you

If you can take a break from your studies, you can take advantage of some world-class entertainment opportunities, courtesy of the Marshall Artists Series.

Here's the lineup for the 74th season:

The Baxter Series

Jean-Michel Cousteau, marine explorer, filmmaker, environmental advocate and educator brings his multi-media, deep sea journey "The Great Ocean Adventure" to the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15.

"The Rat Pack is Back! -- Here For The Holidays," at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov.30. The swingin', free-wheelin' and festive sounds of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop will certainly get you in the mood for the holiday season.

Celebrate the first lady of television in "An Evening with Lucille Ball: "Thank You for Asking" directed by Lucie Arnaz at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.23. This touching, funny and uplifting play is written and performed by actress and renowned impressionist, Suzanne LaRousch, in association with Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill. The evening recreates the comic genius and the magic behind the "Queen of Comedy and showcases timeless sketches on "I Love Lucy," her 30-year television career and personal recollections about her tempestuous and complicated marriage to Cuban bandleader turned impresario, Desi Arnaz.

Mozart's Masterpiece Don Giovanni, with 30 piece orchestra at 8 p.m. Monday, March 15. Hailed by many as the greatest of all operas, Don Giovanni is based on the true-life escapades of Don Juan of Seville, and aristocratic lothario who lived during the 1600s. Don Giovanni is performed in original Italian with English supertitles.

The Mount Series

Homecoming will be hilarious as MU's Alumni Office and Student Activities Programming Board team up with the Marshall Artists Series to bring Comedy Central's Mike Birbiglia to the Veterans Memorial Field House at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 . He is the star of two Comedy Central Presents specials and broadcasts to millions on the nationally-syndicated "Bob & Tom Radio Show."

Broadway's smash hit "Avenue Q" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 at 8 p.m. Winner of Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book at the 2004 Tony Awards, "Avenue Q" is a hilarious show full of heart and hummable tunes about trying to make it in New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Recommended for ages 13 and up.

"Cats" in its first appearance at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, "Cats" is the longest running show in Broadway's history and features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies including the hit "Memory."

"Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance" arrives at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22, to bring a mesmerizing blend of traditional and modern Celtic music and dance to the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

The Fall and Spring International Film Festival:

The Fall International Film Festival will take place Nov. 6-8, at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. Featured films include: "Food, Inc." (USA), "The Song of Sparrows" (Iran), "Rudo Y Cursi" (Mexico), "Waltz With Bashir" (Israel), "The Country Teacher" (Czech Republic) and "Summer Hours" (France).

The Spring International Film Festival will take place March 5-7, at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. Featured films include: "Departures" (Japan), "Lemon Tree" (Israel), "Flow: For the Love Of Water" (USA), "Lake Tahoe" (Mexico), "The Girl From Monaco" (France) and "Burma VJ: Reporting From A Closed Country" (Belgium).

Special Show: Avett Brothers -- The red hot non-traditional bluegrass band, The Avett Brothers, make a tour stop at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Brothers Seth and Scott, along with Bob Crawford, combine old-time country, bluegrass, punk, pop melodies, folk, rock and roll. Recently signed to Columbia Records, their latest CD was produced by Rick Rubin.

GET TICKETS: The Marshall Artists Series 2009-2010 Season is proudly sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Tickets to individual events go on sale Sept. 8.

CONTACT: The Marshall Artists Series box office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Jomie Jazz Center on 5th Avenue across from Marshall University's Student Center. The Artists Series accepts all major credit cards.