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Westminster College announced Wednesday that its 59th Celebrity Series season will be its last.
The entertainment series starts its 2067-27 season on Saturday with Three Dog Night, the first of five shows scheduled. The final performance will be Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney, on April 24, 2027.
The decision to conclude the series was made after the recent retirement announcement of Celebrity Series Director Connie McGinnis. McGinnis joined the program in 1997 as box office manager, later became assistant director and was named director in 2012 following the retirement of Gene DeCaprio, who led the program for 22 years. DeCaprio passed away in 2024 at the age of 97.
According to McGinnis, the decision reflects changing audience patterns and the increasing costs of presenting nationally recognized performers, particularly as the program has worked to attract new and younger audiences while maintaining affordable ticket prices.
What began as an artist-lecture series evolved over the decades into the Celebrity Series, bringing music, theater, comedy, dance and other live entertainment to Orr Auditorium in New Wilmington, Pa.
Among the many performers who have appeared on the Orr stage include Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Tony Bennett, Ben Vereen, Betty Buckley, Judy Collins, Jackie Evancho, Glenn Campbell, Amy Grant, America, Little River Band, Air Supply and The Commodores.
Three Dog Night -- whose hits include “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” “Joy to the World,” “Black and White,” “Shambala,” “An Old Fashioned Love Song” and “Eli’s Coming" -- will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Orr Auditorium.
Tickets range from $45 to $72 and are available online at www.westminster.edu/celebrity and by calling 724-946-7354.