I have many fond memories of the original Hancher Auditorium from my time as a student at the University of Iowa in the 1990s. I first saw Rent at Hancher and it was a life changing experience for me. The devastating flood that destroyed the original Hancher was more than painful – it was a wound on the artistic soul of our city. Well, I am thrilled to tell you that Hancher is back and better than ever. You have to give the Hancher administration kudos for keeping the fire burning in the eight years between the flood and the creation of the new Hancher by performing shows in many different venues all over town, but it is beyond delightful to have this premier performance space in our city again. It is a perfect venue for excellent touring Broadway shows like The Book of Mormon (books, lyrics and music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone), which runs through this weekend.
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BDC Network - Wednesday, October 12, 2016
The Iowa flood of 2008 ruined many buildings beyond repair, including four structures on the University of Iowa’s campus. One of these structures, Hancher Auditorium, was the leading performing arts presenter in the state and was known for commissioning many national and international artists to create and perform dance and theater.
After the floodwaters receded, FEMA determined the auditorium could not be salvaged and needed to be replaced. FEMA funded a substantial portion of the auditorium’s rebuilding with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects receiving the sought after commission.
The Gazette - Wednesday, October 12, 2016
I was not a virgin when I stepped into Hancher Auditorium on Tuesday night — I had experienced the rapture of “The Book of Mormon” in 2013 in Des Moines. I knew this opening night, full-house crowd was in for an evening of heavenly, devilish fun.
Still, I was in for a few surprises.
Iowa City Press Citizen - Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Nothing please the taste buds quite like a chocolate dish. Sometimes, though, you need more than just a brownie or ice cream. Sometimes, you need something indulgent, a chocolate dish so rich that diners start feeling full after only a couple of bites. Here are three Iowa City restaurants that make indulgent chocolate dishes so rich that diners will feel every single bite is a moment worth savoring.
Daily Iowan - Thursday, October 6, 2016
Legendary operatic soprano Renée Fleming will perform on Hancher’s stage Saturday night.
rom Carnegie Hall to the Vienna Philharmonic, lyric soprano Renée Fleming has entranced audiences with her distinct timbre and vocal range capable of reaching dazzling altitudes.
Daily Iowan - Thursday, October 6, 2016
Book of Mormon will say “Hello” to Hancher on Oct. 11, as cast members spend a week in Iowa City to put on the show that won “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker — responsible for Book’s score, libretto, and script — the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2011.
The musical follows a pair of mismatched missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as they are sent to Uganda to help spread the word of God. However, true to Stone’s and Parker’s idea, all piety goes out the window when they touch down and begin a journey that sees them encounter war-lords, love, frogs, and purple-sequined vests.
Hoopla Now - Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Hello. His name is Elder Price. Never in a million years did Ryan Bondy think the creators of television’s “South Park” and Broadway’s “Avenue Q” would know his real name.
But they do, after Bondy was the standby for a leading character in “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway, then stepped into the role in three U.S. companies of the wildly popular musical. It’s set to unleash its heart and hilarity in Hancher Auditorium for eight performances from Tuesday (10/11) through Oct. 16.
Iowa Theatre - Monday, October 3, 2016
While there is much understandable excitement surrounding the opening of the new Hancher Auditorium, I’m not sure how many people realize that there is a second performance space in the building. Called Strauss Hall, it’s a little black box theatre space, with around 200 seats which are raked for good viewing. It is in this space that my daughter and I enjoyed The Man Who Planted Trees, a wonderful puppetry theatre experience by the Puppet State Theatre Company of Scotland.
Hieu Nguyen - Friday, September 30, 2016
Students look forward seeing performances at the new Hancher Auditorium after the grand opening on Sept. 9. The auditorium has had significant impacts on the university and local community members since 1972.
PR News Wire - Thursday, September 29, 2016
Hancher, University of Iowa, is the state's leading performing arts presenter and has earned a stellar reputation for commissioning national and international artists to create innovative dance and theater. In 2008 many buildings suffered tremendous damage from a devastating flood. FEMA determined that Hancher, among others, could not be salvaged and funded a substantial portion of the venue's rebuilding.