Tickets for Lincoln Theater’s winter/spring 2008 season go on sale today. In the fourth season since its $20 million restoration, the theater hits its stride with a schedule that includes Broadway shows, classical, country, rock, pop and gospel music, dance and family entertainment.

“With three successful years of presenting in this venue under our belts, we’re able to put together some more adventurous programming, while bringing back a few of the most popular shows from past seasons,” said Lincoln Theater’s acting executive director Deb Stallings. “It’s rewarding to have established with our audiences a reputation for artistic excellence, because it gives us the opportunity to bring some truly fantastic shows that people probably haven’t heard of. It’s a mutual trust that you build with your patrons. They learn to trust your programming, knowing that you bring quality shows. And you learn to trust that your audience is smart and savvy and looking for new experiences.”

Lincoln Theater’s expanded season includes 28 presentations of nearly 20 shows beginning Jan. 19 with the  Southern Gospel music group Eternal Vision and wrapping up in June with “Love, Janis,” the musical that flashes back to the Summer of Love as it brings to life the ’60s rock icon.

Along the way, they’ll present everything from A Tribute to Rock ’n’ Roll with members of the original Comets, “Peter Rabbit and Friends,” “Voices of Latin Rock” and the Sumin Ballet.

Other new performers at Lincoln include Imago Theater’s FROGZ, the a capella group Rockapella and country music star John Berry.

Some returning hits include the comedic “Defending the Caveman, the rising San Francisco Opera Stars the Adler Fellows and the Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats, and Paramount’s LaserSpectacular featuring the music of Pink Floyd

Gilbert and Sullivan’s masterpiece “The Mikado,” Donazetti’s “The Elixir of Love” and San Francisco Opera’s rising stars, the Adler Fellows, will bring opera to the Lincoln stage, and Neil Berg’s “101 Years of Broadway” is a star-filled historic revue. Nothing however, will outshine the newest edition of  Napa Valley’s own Follies du Valle starring our local talent in the every other year fundraiser for the theater.

For ticket information, contact the Lincoln Theater Box Office by calling 944-1300 or by going to www.lincol ntheater.org.

Eternal Vision

Saturday, Jan. 19, 7 p.m.

Tickets $15, $25

Eternal Vision’s energetic style, superb musicianship, harmonious vocals and inspirational message of Southern Gospel music has won five Southern Gospel Music Fan Favorite Awards in 2006.

“Defending the Caveman”

Saturday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m.

Tickets $25, $35, $45, $55

This return engagement of Rob Becker’s “Defending the Caveman” brings back the longest-running solo play in Broadway history. With its hilarious insights on feminism, masculinity and erogenous zones, it mines the common themes of relationships, and nails the funny bone.

California Theatre Center’s

“Peter Rabbit and Friends”

Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m.

Tickets $10

Join Beatrix Potter’s mischievous Peter Rabbit and friends Benjamin Bunny, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail and a host of other characters as they bring to life four classic tales: “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” “The Tailor of Gloucester,” “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny” and “The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies.” Suitable for ages 5 and up.

A Tribute to the Birth of Rock and Roll

Friday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m.

Tickets $30, $40, $50, $60

When the Comets hit the music scene in 1952 with the late Bill Haley, they changed the face of music with hits like “Rock Around The Clock.” The five surviving original band members reunited in 1987 and have been performing ever since. Chance Tinder and his “Tribute to Elvis” makes a guest appearance.



“The Mikado”

Friday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m.

Tickets $30, $40, $50, $60

Opera A La Carte, the foremost Gilbert and Sullivan repertory company in the country, known for its authentic production style, outstanding artists and high production standards, performs the comic opera masterpiece.

Rockapella

Thursday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.

Tickets $20, $30, $40, $50

This five-man vocal powerhouse sweeps through sold-out venues year-round.

www.rockapella.com

Imago Theater’s FROGZ

Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $20, $30, $40

FROGZ brings Cirque du Soleil-inspired acrobatics and innovative theatrics in this family-friendly production.

An Evening with San Francisco Opera Center’s Adler Fellows

Saturday, March 1 at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $45, $55, $65, $75

The rising young stars of the San Francisco Opera Center will present some of the world’s most-loved arias, duets and ensembles in concert and are accompanied by a full orchestra.

The Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats

Monday, March 3 at 7 p.m.

Tickets $20, $30, $40

With their daring skill, strength and discipline the Golden Dragon Acrobats made their sold-out Broadway debut in 2005 and have traveled worldwide performing the breathtaking, time-honored tradition of Chinese acrobatics.

The Fab Four

Friday, March 7 at 8 p.m.

Tickets $20, $30, $40, $50

Following their sold-out debut, the Fab Four returns with more favorites from the Beatles’ vast collection of hits.

Smuin Ballet in

“Carmina Burana”

Friday, March 14 at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $45, $55, $65, $75

The late Michael Smuin’s Smuin Ballet, known for an accessible and innovative repertory that adheres to the philosophy that ballet should be a living dance form that engages and delights modern audiences, performs the richly theatrical, sensual “Carmina Burana.”

The Passing Zone “When Gravity Attacks”

Saturday, March 29 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $20, $30, $40

Take two guys. Put them in tights and throw in a Garden Weasel, and what do you get? The Passing Zone, side-splitting comedy and mind-boggling talent. You’re likely to recognize them from their hit turn on America’s Got Talent.

Follies du Valle

Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $15, $25

In 1997, the idea of Follies du Valle sprang up as a fun- and funds-filled way to raise money for Lincoln Theater. A musical revue starring locals young and old, the tradition has continued past the completion of the theater’s complete renovation and transformation. A veritable Napa Valley “who’s who” always makes up the cast.

Voices of Latin Rock

Friday, April 11 at 8 p.m.

Tickets $30, $40, $50, $60

The roots of Latin rock began more than 30 years ago in San Francisco’s Mission District where bands melded acid guitar and Latin percussion. The stars on this tour include Jorge Santana and members of Malo, Pablo Cruise, War and Sly & The Family Stone.

Neil Berg’s “101 Years of Broadway”

Saturday, April 19 at 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 19 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 20 at 5 p.m.

Tickets $45, $55, $65, $75

“101 Years of Broadway” features the actual stars of shows such as “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Misérables,” “Cats,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Jekyll & Hyde” supported by an all-star New York band.

Berkeley Opera’s “The Elixir of Love”

Sunday, April 27 at 5 p.m.

Tickets $20, $30, $40, $50

In its 28th season of presenting opera as lively, compelling musical theater, Berkeley Opera has performed 82 operas by 38 different composers. In Gaetano Donizetti’s opera a shy young nobody falls in love with a rich and beautiful woman. Will a con artist’s “magic elixir” be enough to win her affections? Or will true love need to work its magic? In Italian with English supertitles.

John Berry

Saturday, May 3 at 8 p.m.

Tickets $25, $35, $45, $55

Country star John Berry is best known for his country music chart topping hits “Your Love Amazes Me” and “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye.” Berry has been recognized by the Grammys, the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association as a nominee in the Best Male Vocalist category.

Paramount’s LaserSpectacular

Saturday, May 31 at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $20, $30, $40

Paramount’s LaserSpectacular featuring the Music of Pink Floyd returns to Lincoln Theater with new technology that heightens this legendary rock music experience broadcast via 10,000 watts of concert quality sound with a cutting-edge laser light show that can be viewed in 3D. This cult classic has toured for more than 23 years.

“Love, Janis”

Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 28 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 29 at 5 p.m.

Tickets: $45, $60, $75, $90

Flashback to the Summer of Love with musical reminders of songs such as “Piece of My Heart,” “Try,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Ball and Chain” — all music of Janis Joplin, the icon of 1960s rock music. Joplin comes back to life in both her music and her words in the Broadway smash, “Love, Janis,” which explores the performer through her legendary songs and the poignant letters she wrote home.