ST. PAUL, Minn. (Sept 20, 2019) — There’s no denying that the line-up of artists scheduled to perform at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts during the month of October offers something for everyone.

Whether audiences want to laugh along with comedian Felipe Esparza, sing along with crooner Brian McKnight, experience Sugar Skull’s musical adventure, watch a film screening of “Say Anything” followed by a conversation with lead actor, John Cusack, or experience hypnosis with improvisation with Colin Mochrie and Asad Mecci it’s all happening in the Concert Hall at the Ordway, located at 345 Washington St. in St. Paul.

“From movie stars to comedy to family programming – we’ve got a great entertainment planned for people of all ages,” said Dayna Martinez, the Ordway’s Senior Programming Director. “Brian McKnight, Felipe Esparza, Sugar Skull: A Dia de Los Muertos Musical Adventure and John Cusack are all new to the Ordway stage and we are thrilled they are making their debuts here in October.”

Kicking of the month of entertainment is Brian McKnight who will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. With 16 Grammy Award nominations and 19 albums that sold over 30 million copies, McKnight is recognized by national and international audiences for his numerous chart-topping songs. The singer, songwriter, producer who also happens to be a “multi-instrumentalist and plays the piano, guitar, bass, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet takes the stage for one night only.

A week later, on Friday, Oct. 11, Felipe Esparza, a stand-up comedian and actor will make audiences laugh aloud during his 90-minute set. Esparza is known for his 2012 stand-up special, “They’re Not Gonna Laugh at You,” his recurring appearances on “Superstore,” and “The Eric Andre Show. He’s the 2010 winner of “Last Comic Standing.” His podcast, “What’s Up, Fool?” is on the All Things Comedy Network is not to be missed. Esparza’s HBO special, “Translate This,” premiered in 2017 and continues to run on all HBO platforms.

Sugar Skull! A Dia de los Muertos Musical Adventure, is certain to delight families when the 60-minute performance debuts at the Ordway at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13. Why through a party for the dead? That’s the question young Vita wonders and when the candy skeleton on her abuelita’s cemetery ofrenda springs to life, the young girl finds herself on a magical musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Dia de los Muertos. Featuring a company of gifted musicians and dancers, this colorful stage production is the perfect fall entertainment for youth and family audiences alike.

Hollywood icon John Cusack makes his way to the Music Theater at Ordway at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15 for a live conversation and audience Q&A after a screening of the 1989 hit film, “Say Anything.” Ranked as one of the greatest modern movie romances by Entertainment Weekly, this film made a star out of Cusack, who garnered success in multiple films including High Fidelity, Grosse Pointe Blank and Being John Malkovich, among others. The evening has an approximate run time of 175 minutes with no intermission.

Colin Mochrie presents HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 27. This brand new, mind-blowing and jaw-dropping show highlights what happens when hypnotism and improvisation come together. The two masters of the craft are comedy legend, Colin Mochrie and master hypnotist, Asad Mecci, and together they promise a totally unique experience as they share two art forms that have mystified and entertained fans, skeptics and everyone in between. The show will rely on 20 random audience volunteers to be put under hypnosis by Mecci while the rest of the audience watches as their inhibitions evaporate. From there, the top five “contestants” will be turned into master improve artists by Mochrie while still under hypnosis. The evening promises to be an entirely original and unforgettable theatrical experience.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.ordway.org or call the ticket office at 651-224-4222.

Youth and Family programming at the Ordway is presented by Target.

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