Darrell Bryan, executive director of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, has announced the 2008-09 season of professional performances.

He is quoted in a press release: "In this fourth season, we wanted to offer as much diversity as possible, and I believe we have something for everyone."

NPAC's concert series this year includes Amy Grant's "Lead Me On 20th Anniversary Celebration Tour," to be held Nov. 18. She is winner of six Grammy awards and 21 Gospel Music Dove Awards. Gary Puckett, formerly of the Union Gap, will present a concert on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2009.

In September, Jason Petty will take the audience on an insightful journey into the life of Hank Williams Sr. He is accompanied by a four-piece band, Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes. This off-Broadway production will take the audience back in time to the very beginnings of country music as it pays homage to Williams and other country legends.

Back by popular demand will be The TAMS, one of the most energetic shows ever held at NPAC. Charles Pope and son, Lil' Red, are carrying on the "beach music" sound.

Rockapella is coming to NPAC on Jan. 30, 2009. The members of this group are the "undisputed kings of contemporary acapella music. Often imitated, never duplicated, this certifiably unique pop musical group has brought acapella full-force into the 21st century," a press release states.

Three family shows: the Smith Family, the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats and the Knoxville Symphony, will offer special family prices.

The Smith Family has been voted the Best Show in Pigeon Forge the last three years. It's Charlie, Jim and Charlie Bob, who have earned the reputation of being -- three men -- a thousand voices, and they will come to the NPAC stage Feb. 21 of next year.

The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats will perfrom later this year, on Oct. 26, and will be "another audience thriller," the press release states.

The group's "multi-faceted and multi-cultural production features dazzling acrobatic displays, formidable feats of daring and balance, explosive Kung Fu, brilliant costumes and a touch of Chinese comedy," according to the press release.

The Knoxville Symphony will appear March 5,

The season's major Broadway show coming to NPAC on April 26, 2009, is "Bye Bye Birdie," winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Music. "Laughs and great songs have made this hit Broadway show one of the most memorable musicals of all times, the press release states. Some of the hit tunes include "A Lot of Livin' To Do," "One Last Kiss and "One Boy."

Comedy is coming to NPAC on Oct. 9 with Altar Boyz, a musical-comedy spoof about a fictitious Christian boy-band on the last night of their national "Raise the Praise" tour. This award-winning, totally original new musical is "90 minutes of pure delight," according to the press release. The show is suitable for all ages and will "have the whole family laughing and singing along," the release states.

On Oct. 21, the new musical comedy, "Church Basement Ladies," celebrates the church basement kitchen which, throughout much of America, is often the heart and soul of any church. There are four women who handle a Christmas dinner, a funeral, an Easter Fund Raiser and a wedding. They stave off potential disasters, laugh, share, debate recipes, instruct the young, and keep the pastor on due course.

Then on Nov. 20, "A Tuna Christmas" comes to the stage at NPAC. The show is described as "part comedy, part quick-change artistry and part tightrope act" in the press release.

The show takes place 24 hours before Christmas and "all comic disaster is about to break loose as the delightfully eccentric characters attempt to cope with seasonal traumas such as a disaster prone little theatre production of 'A Christmas Carol' and a yard-decorating contest that is being sabotaged by a mysterious Christmas phantom."

"Hormonal Imbalance," billed as "a mood-swinging musical revue," is returning to NPAC on Jan. 23. Enjoy sorority sister chemistry with original songs and stories offering both "poignant views and unbridled comedic commentary on the jobs and dilemmas of everyday life.

"With heavenly harmony, they (the women in the show) share struggles to balance careers and family, chocolate obsessions and low carb inner peace, and finally, deal with inadequate pay and inadequately cut swim wear," the press release states.

Five By Design's "Stay Tuned" is "a musical journey through the early days of television and is chock-full of memorable songs, commercials and sketches, all presented live and in living color. 'Stay Tuned' is an affectionate glimpse into American culture from 1950 to 1966," the release states.

Drawing upon the songs of Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Darin and Henry Mancini, "Stay Tuned" is Five by Design's television variety show musical.

On March 29, see "The Best of Broadway," the songs of Andrew Lloyd Weber.

"From the sweeping passion of 'Phantom of the Opera' and the dramatic intensity of 'Sunset Boulevard' and 'Evita' to the playfulness of 'Cats,' hear some of the greatest hits of one of the most successful musical theatre composers of all time,' the release states.

"Say Goodnight Gracie" is "a tender, funny, life-affirming love story -- a personal guided tour through an American century in the company of George Burns, a man who laughingly lived and loved each day for all it had to offer, until he finally went 'gently into that good night' to reunite with his beloved Gracie," the release states. The show will be on the NPAC stage on April 5, 2009.

A Christmas spectacular, "Happy Holidays, Broadway Style," will be at the NPAC Dec. 16. This event features "gorgeous costumes, great Christmas songs and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the North Pole. This will be a great show for the whole family," the release states.

NPAC will be announcing special stars for the Iris Festival and other concerts throughout the year.

Season tickets went on sale Monday, Aug. 4, and may be purchased in a variety of ways. NPAC offers a season ticket that includes one ticket to all 17 "season" shows. The cost is $391 and offers a savings of 20 percent off the regular season prices. Those having season tickets also receive early notification and presale opportunities for added events.

NPAC also offers a Pick 4 A la Carte Package of tickets. A person chooses four or more season shows and purchases one ticket to each of the shows receiving a 15 percent discount on each of the shows. Tickets to all four or more must be purchased at the same time.

NPAC also offers group rates. Groups of 10 or more receive a 15 percent discount on all season shows. Groups may call the box office about special pricing for groups of 25 or more.

All ticket prices include sales tax and there are no refunds. All sales are final. The NPAC box office is open 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit the Web site www.greenevillenpac.com.