UT Tyler announces ‘Big’ season at Cowan Center

Published 5:13 am Wednesday, June 18, 2025

The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center is raising the curtains on its 2025-26 season — and bringing star power with it.

Branded ‘Big Names, Big Entertainment,’ the upcoming season features Grammy winners, Broadway hits, and family favorites designed to captivate East Texas audiences of all ages.

“We’re calling this season Big Names, Big Entertainment because that’s exactly what we’re bringing here to the Cowan Center,” said Jeff Noblitt, vice president of marketing at UT Tyler. “I really do believe we have something for everyone this season.”

According to a press release, the Cowan Center season is dedicated to meeting the cultural needs of the region.

“I’m so excited by all that this season has to offer,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “We are honored to present such world class talent for East Texas audiences to enjoy. We want the Cowan Center to be widely utilized, so we designed a season that has broad appeal.”

The new season includes Grammy Award winners and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Darlene Love and Mavis Staples.

“Mavis goes back to the Staple Singers in the ‘60s and has performed as a solo artist with everyone from Bob Dylan and the band to Bruce Springsteen,” Noblitt said. “She is such an icon.”

Best known for the holiday classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” Rolling Stone Magazine calls Love “one of the greatest singers of all time.” Staples, who will perform with Shemekia Copeland, is also a Blues Hall of Famer, Kennedy Center Honoree, and National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient who is known for such hits as “I’ll Take You There.”

Rob Lowe will be the sole speaker of the Distinguished Lecture Series. Lowe’s iconic career spans four decades in film, television and theater, and he is also an acclaimed author. He has been nominated for two Emmys, six Golden Globes, and four Screen Actors Guild awards of which he won two.

“We’ll also have Richard Thomas who will be performing Mark Twain Tonight,” Noblitt said. “This is a show that was originated by Hal Halbrook and is a one-man show on stage.”

Other notable appearances this season include country music legends the Randy Rogers Band, who has spent more than 20 years bringing the Texas Country tradition to fans worldwide, and Robert Earl Keen, with 21 records to his name, a band of stellar musicians and thousands of shows under his belt. Also coming to the Cowan Center is film, TV and stage actress Mandy Gonzalez, who recently performed in Broadway’s Tony-winning “Sunset Boulevard” and previously played Elphaba in the Broadway production of “Wicked,” Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway cast of “Hamilton,” and Nina Rosario in “In the Heights.”

“Our Broadway series is always one of our most popular series,” Noblitt said. “We’re excited about those coming here.”

This season the Cowan Center offers a new Family Series that introduces children to the arts and entertainment for the whole family. Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert features a full-length screening of the beloved movie accompanied by live performances of a unique on-stage musical ensemble of top Hollywood studio musicians, Polynesian rhythm masters and vocalists. Wild Kratts LIVE! 2.0 brings the Kratt brothers, Martin and Chris, live on stage to dive into another classic Wild Kratts adventure. Starring Peppa Pig and her family alongside a live orchestra, Peppa Pig: My First Concert is a fun, interactive introduction to classical music for ages 18 months and older.

The complete list of the 2025-26 series includes:

Broadway series

The Addams Family — a musical comedy

Richard Thomas in Mark Twain Tonight

Tina — the Tina Turner musical

Clue: Live on stage

Big Country series

Randy Rogers Band

Robert Earl Keen

Performing Arts series

Parsons Dance

Drum Tao

Circa’s Human 2.0

Concert series

Stella Cole

Mandy Gonzalez

Darlene Love

Mavis Staple and Shemekia Copeland

Count Basie Orchestra

Vitamin String Quartet

Family series

Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert

Peppa Pig: My First Concert

Wild Kratts Live 2.0

Arts in Education School shows

The Little Mermaid

The Jungle Book

New season series subscriptions will go on sale Monday, June 23. Subscriptions allow for cost savings and priority access to all seats. Member sales begin Aug. 5, and single ticket will go on sale on Sept. 15. For details, visit cowancenter.org.