Peter Sagal, host of one of National Public Radio’s (NPR) most popular radio programs, Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me, will speak as part of the Tuscarawas 50th Anniversary on University Drive Celebration on Monday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Mr. Sagal replaces the previously announced Dave Barry who had to cancel his appearance because of a family health emergency.
“While it’s unfortunate that circumstances necessitated Dave Barry to cancel his appearance, we’re excited to be able to bring someone as renowned as Peter Sagal to help us celebrate this milestone for our campus,” says Brad Bielski, dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State Tuscarawas. “I know people are really going to enjoy Peter’s humor and will find his presentation both entertaining and thought-provoking.”
As the host of NPR’s Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me! for its 20-year run, Mr. Sagal is heard by more than 5 million people every week. The show can be heard on more than 600 public radio stations nationwide and via a popular podcast. The hourlong show has captivated news junkies across the country with its lighthearted approach to current events. The program has become the biggest and most beloved weekend radio phenomenon since A Prairie Home Companion. It received the prestigious Peabody Award in 2008.
Mr. Sagal is the author of The Book of Vice: Naughty Things and How to Do Them and The Incomplete Book of Running, forthcoming from Simon and Schuster this fall.
Tickets for Mr. Sagal’s appearance are required and will be available free of charge at the Performing Arts Center. Those who currently have tickets to see Dave Barry will need to contact the box office to exchange them for the event featuring Mr. Sagal. Tickets are available in person at the box office by calling 330-308-6400 or online at www.kent.edu/tusc/pac. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
In addition to Mr. Sagal’s appearance, other events to commemorate the 50th anniversary are scheduled the week of Sept. 10-16. Those events include a presentation by historian Todd Hartline, a Kent State Tuscarawas instructor, on the history of the Tuscarawas Campus, on Monday, Sept. 10, at noon in the Founders Hall auditorium. A campus reunion of Kent State Tuscarawas alumni, former athletic team members, campus retirees and friends will be held Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Founders Hall lobby. On Friday, Sept. 14, Bob and Melody Liberatore will perform Love Letters on the Performing Arts Center stage at 7 p.m. Seating will be open. The week will culminate with a community open house and tours of all campus buildings on Sunday, Sept. 16, from 1-3 p.m. These special events are free and open to the public; no tickets are required.
Celebration events will extend to October as the Tuscarawas Philharmonic season opens with a unique program designed to honor Kent State Tuscarawas, founded 50 years ago when the music of the Beatles was all the rage. A Tribute to the Beatles with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic will be held at the Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. with the Classical Mystery Tour, one of the foremost tribute bands to recreate music from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour and other great Beatles music. Tickets for this event are available by calling 330-308-6400 or cconra1@kent.edu.