Photos from recent FIM season announcement event, provided by FIM
Written by Tanya Terry
The Courier recently had the opportunity to speak with Rodney Lontine, president and CEO of the FIM about the amazing lineup FIM has planned for the community.
Charlie Wilson kicks off the FIM 2024-2025 season at FIM Capitol Theatre from 8-9:30 p.m. June 20.
Just two weeks after Usher tied Charlie Wilson for the most No. 1s by a male artist on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, Wilson reclaimed the title when his hit “Superman” topped the list dated May 11, 2024.
“Charlie Wilson-my God-he’s iconic!” exclaimed Lontine. “What a career! We’re lucky, lucky, lucky to have somebody of his caliber to kick off the Capitol season…He just came out with new single, too. So, anything from the Gap Band to now is just iconic.”
After Wilson, the Wallflowers, an iconic group from the ’90s, will perform at 8 p.m. June 29 FIM Capitol Theatre.
Multi platinum artist Sara Evans will perform at 8 p.m. August 2 at the Capitol.
Later in the summer, The Chicago Funk will perform A tribute to the Legendary Earth, Wind and Fire at 8 p.m. August 24 at the Capitol.
“Just speaking on the Capitol alone, there’s a little bit of music for everybody across all genres,” said Lontine. “We have rhythm and blues, rock and roll, country western, classic jazz in there….We’ll have the National Arab Orchestra & Flint Symphony Orchestra play later in the year around September, which is a really cool blending of the east and the west. We did it last year and it was just beautiful to have two different cultures come together.”
The Godspell kicks off the FIM Repertory Theatre shows for the season on September 27 – October 20 at Elgood Theatre.
Lontine pointed out the Repertory Theatre has “every major theatrical award in Michigan,” and said the theatre has won some national awards as well.
“The Elgood Theatre is a special theatre. It’s a real intimate setting. You almost feel like you’re part of the stageplay. There’s not a bad seat in the house.”
Lontine said the upcoming showing of Godspell is a revival, or a fresh look, at the Godspell, or “Godspell Reinvented.”
“There will be a pool of water right on stage. In Godspell, there’s a baptismal scene. We’ve taken this to the next level.”
Lontine pointed out the Flint Symphony Orchestra is over 100 years old and is one of the top regional orchestras in the nation. This year, their season will feature themes from movies. This will include excerpts from such as movies “Car” and “Fantasia.” Lontine said showgoers can also look forward to seeing “The Godfather Live” March 29, 2025 with a full orchestra playing the incredible score while they are watching the movie at the Whiting Auditorium!
Lontine said Christmas is also a big time this year for FIM as it has been for years with The Nutcracker December 7- 8 , Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Dec. 10 and Holiday Pops on Dec. 21, 2024.
One of the last shows of the season the FIM will feature is the Broadway play Tina – The Tina Turner Musical on June 22, 2025 at Whiting Auditorium. Lontine describes this as “the story of the iconic queen of rhythm and blues and the impact she has had on our culture.”
Also later in the season, on October 5, Morris Day & The Time will present a benefit concert in collaboration with the United Way. A portion of the funds raised will support the United Way. The other portion will support Kids Tix, a program through FIM designed to provide tickets to those who may not otherwise be able to afford some of FIM’s shows. Families can choose the shows they would like to attend through Kids Tix and “get the complete box office experience.”
The Hip Hop Orchestra Experience will be offered March 8, 2025, at Whiting Auditorium and is a benefit concert to support Black Classical Origins. Lontine said it will be a fun show held for an excellent cause.
“Black Classical Origins is a program we’ve had for a number of years. It raises money to provide scholarships for African American students at the School of Performing Arts in music, dance or theatre. Black Classical Origins is not only intended to celebrate, but also learn the influence that African American composers and musicians have had on not only classical music, but there’s a nice blending of the classical music with hip hop.”
According to Lontine, benefit concerts line up with FIM’s mission of serving the Flint community.
Lontine said Genesee County residents are eligible for discounts on FIM shows of up to 50% , with most Broadway plays and concerts being 30% off for Genesee County residents. This is due to the Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage which voters approved on the August 7, 2018 ballot.
For more information about FIM, visit https://thefim.org/
