If you have made a generous donation of $125 or more to the Turnage Theaters Foundation this year, then you can expect to receive the new 2011-2012-season flier in your mailbox any day.

Once again, our patrons at the Rachel Futrell Society level and above will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets to our season of shows — and what a season! We’ve got 15 incredible performances lined up to entertain the most discerning of audience members. Also, we are again offering the opportunity to save by purchasing your tickets as part of a package. When you buy tickets to three or four shows, you will save 15 percent off of your order; when you buy tickets to five or more shows, you will save 20 percent.

What are the shows, you ask? Well, there are too many awesome performances to describe them all here, but I can share a few highlights. This season, we have four fabulous theatricals with which to tempt you, including two musicals — “Stand By Your Man” and “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show” — that hark back to the life and times of specific musicians.

We also have two repeat performances brought back by audience demand. The Tar River Swing Band will bring its “Big Band Christmas” back to the Turnage in December, this time under the new direction of Jonathan Wacker. We can expect the same high quality and some delightful new changes in arrangement.

Also, we’ll again be closing out the season with Keith Henderson. Keith is a fan favorite and a true professional. This is a show that is certain to sell out because audiences love his charisma and talent.

This year, we are bringing you two comedy shows. Etta May, winner of the Stand-Up Comedian of the Year award, will chase away the post-holiday blues in January, and in the fall you have a chance to pit your wits against Adam Growe, host of Canada’s “Cash Cab” TV game show. He’ll bring his comic quiz show to our stage, and if you answer the questions correctly, you could go home with the cash!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a season without a variety of music, and we have a stellar act for every taste this season. Included in the lineup we have The Good Lovelies to play folk music; Jennifer Licko will bring us a Celtic Christmas; Frank Vignola, one of the most-celebrated guitarists out there today, will serenade us; Grammy-nominated John Brown brings his Little Big Band and Rolling Stones lovers can join us for the number one rated, internationally known tribute show, “Satisfaction.”

Finally, we have two great children’s shows to wow our youngest patrons, their parents and grandparents.

ECU’s Storybook Theatre will be back to bring us “Stinky Cheese Man: The Musical” and “The Secret Garden.” Both of these excellent productions are designed to capture the imaginations of children ages 3 to 83.

So, patrons at the Futrell level and above keep an eye on the mailbox and get your orders in before Aug. 19, when tickets go on sale for everyone. Don’t want to wait to get your tickets? It’s not too late to become a patron at the Futrell level or above; just call the box office (252-975-1191) or stop by the theater today (summer hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays) to make or increase your donation.

Remember to purchase your tickets in a package to save, and we cannot wait to see you here at the Turnage Theater for our fifth season.

Katherine Buchholz is the box-office manager for the Turnage Theater.