The Lincoln Theater continues its year-long 50th anniversary celebration with a summer and fall that features a wide selection of world, traditional and classical music, dance, comedy, family entertainment as well as two full-scale Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway musicals.

“We promised that Lincoln Theater’s 50th Anniversary Season would provide stellar performing arts to match our stellar region,” said Lincoln Theater Executive Director Michael Savage. “Because of the support of our patrons we have been able to keep our promise by providing the highest-quality entertainment represented through a diverse selection of critically acclaimed acts. And we are honored to again be featured as the primary venue for the second annual Festival del Sole classical music festival set for this July.”

Coming up first is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Cats” with a just-added fourth performance May 20. It’s followed by Luis Bravo’s “Forever Tango.”

The Festival del Sole takes place throughout the Napa Valley July 13 through July 22. The summer continues with Broadway’s comedic “Defending the Caveman.”

Coming in September is “Mark Nadler — In a Nutshell,” as well as a return performance by Paula Poundstone.

Mexico City’s Ballet Gran Folklorico de Mexico provides a snapshot of the wide and varied culture of Mexico through song and dance Oct. 5, and then the world music continues with the fiery, passionate and visually stunning “Benise — Nights of Fire!” recently featured on PBS.

Music from American roots takes the stage with Music from the Crooked Road Oct. 28, featuring bluegrass and mountain gospel sounds.

For the Thanksgiving weekend there are three performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Evita,” winner of seven Tony awards. Holiday season includes a performance of “The Elves and the Shoemaker,” Second City’s “Dysfunctional Holiday Revue” (with a limited enrollment Second City Improv Master Class) and the Oak Ridge Boys — Christmas Cookies Holiday Show.

For tickets and information, contact the Lincoln Theater Box Office at 944-1300 or www.lincolntheater.org.

“Cats”

Friday, May, 18, 8 p.m.

Saturday, May, 19, 3 and 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 20, 3 p.m.

Tickets: $45-$125

Since “Cats” opened in London in 1981 it has been presented in more than 250 cities in over 20 countries. Lincoln Theater presents the 25th anniversary tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s winner of seven Tony awards.

“Forever Tango”

Tuesday, June 5 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $50-$75

Created and directed by Luis Bravo, “Forever Tango” features 26 performers including 14 dancers who trace the tango’s colorful-yet-checkered history.

“Defending the Caveman”

Saturday, Aug. 25,

3 p.m, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 26, 3 p.m.

Tickets: $25-$55

Rob Becker’s “Defending the Caveman,” the longest running solo play in Broadway history, has been presented in more than 30 countries and 15 different languages. With hilarious insights on contemporary feminism, masculine sensitivity and erogenous zones, “Defending the Caveman” has found a way to mine the common themes of relationships that goes straight to the funny bone.

Mark Nadler — In a

Nutshell

Sunday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m.

Tickets: $20-$50

If Victor Borge had been able to sing and tap dance, he would have been Mark Nadler in his performance of comedy, great songs and madcap merriment performed with spot-on comedic timing as well as perfect pitch. Nadler was heralded by the New York Times as “a comic spark plug touched with brilliance.”

Paula Poundstone

Saturday, Sept. 29, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $25-$55

A bar stool, a microphone and a can of Diet Pepsi — that’s all Paula Poundstone needs to make an audience laugh. Poundstone, returns to Lincoln Theater with new material, after promoting her new book, “There’s Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say.”

Ballet Gran Folklorico

de Mexico

Friday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $20-$50

Mexico City’s Ballet Gran Folklorico de Mexico, Mexico’s ambassadors of song and dance, is a troupe of 35 singers, dancers and musicians who present a colorful and rhythmic show in a swirl of authentic costumes. Mariachi, marimba and jorocho bands provide a panorama of dance and song.

Benise — Nights of Fire!

Sunday, Oct. 14, 5 p.m.

Tickets: $45-$100

Roni Benise celebrates “life, love and music” with exotic drums, gypsy violin, flamenco dancers, cirque performers, Brazilian samba dancers, Brazilian samba percussionists, African tribal drummers, Havana horns and brilliant theatrical lighting work. A journey through world music and dance, “Nights of Fire,” is influenced by Spain, Africa, Brazil, the Mediterranean, Cuba, France and Egypt.

Music from

the Crooked Road

Sunday, Oct. 28, 5 p.m.

Tickets: $25-$55

Winding for over 200 miles across Virginia, the Crooked Road passes through some of the most musical places on Earth. For generations, tiny rural Appalachian communities have created bluegrass and mountain gospel sounds and profoundly influenced the development of American music. The Music from the Crooked Road celebrates this living musical culture with artist who link the past, present and future of these deep American traditions

“Evita”

Saturday, Nov. 24,

3 p.m., 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 25, 3 p.m.

Tickets: $45-$125

The wife of  the Argentine dictator, Juan Peron, Eva Peron captivated a nation by championing the working class.  Winner of seven Tony Awards, “Evita” brings to life the larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Latin, pop and jazz influenced score.

“The Elves and the

Shoemaker”

Saturday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m.

Tickets: $10 all seats

This live theater holiday performance from the California Theatre Center is for the young and the young at heart. Two merry elves arrive in a small Black Forest village and discover a poor, gentle shoemaker in need of help.

The Second City — Dysfunctional Holiday Revue

Saturday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $25-$55

Funny, fast-paced and just in time for the holidays, Second City presents Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue, a raucous blend of sketches, songs and improvisation with a dose of seasonal satire. Holiday film classics, family gatherings, improvised Christmas carols — nothing is too sacred. Second City alumni include Alan Alda, Joan Rivers, Peter Boyle, John Belushi, Bill Murray, John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Jim Belushi, Mike Myers and Tina Fey.

The Second City — Improv Master Class

Saturday, Dec. 1, 1-3 p.m.

Tickets: $50

Here’s your chance to learn from legendary artists in the Second City Improv Master Class, which explores the fundamentals of improvisation for those with little or no acting or improvisation experience. For performers age 15 and up, limited to 16 students.

The Oak Ridge Boys — Christmas Cookies Holiday Show

Sunday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.

Tickets: $50-$75

Like a fine red wine, the Oak Ridge Boys just get better with time. Their distinctive four-part harmonies and upbeat songs include the pop chart topper “Elvira,” as well as “Bobbie Sue,” “Dream On” and “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made.” This holiday show serves up traditional holiday favorites sprinkled with Oak Ridge Boys’ classics and country hits.