ASHLAND, Ky. — Fans of the homespun wit of Garrison Keillor will get to see their favorite, instead of just listening to him on the radio.

For three decades Keillor has hosted “A Prairie Home Companion,” sharing the tales from Lake Woebegon. Fans might also know him from the 12 books he’s authored including “Lake Woebegon Days,” “Homegrown Democrat,” and “Pontoon.”

But few may know Keillor also does standup from time to time and will be one of the featured performers in the new Paramount Artist Center’s upcoming series.

This season at the Paramount offers real variety from that heartthrob of the Oldies Generation — Engelbert Humperdinck — to

Celtic Crossroads that shows off the unique rhythms of percussive Irish music and dance. Dance is also the theme when the Song and Dance of West Africa comes to the stage, billed as a modern ballet from Mali.

Broadway theater fans will see a series almost top heavy with musicals with two veteran stage productions and a relative newcomer.

“Ain’t Misbehavin,” is the long-running

homage to the 1930s jazz great Fats Waller. This production features two American Idol veterans — Ruben Studdard, 2003 winner, and Frenchie Davis, 2003 Idol contestant and star of Rent.

Shows like this are part of the performing arts center’s mission after its massive renovation in 2001 when the physical structure was tripled in size.

“We have a lot of people who seem to enjoy the Broadway shows,” Tyson Compton, PAC marketing director, said. “They specifically enjoy the musical. We have had straight dramas, but they have not been as popular.”

Other productions in this season’s series will be “The Pajama Game,” known for the 1950s hit Rosemary Clooney made famous, “Hey There,” and the razzle dazzle dance number, “Steam Heat.” The Broadway series will also feature the 2006 Tony-award winning “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

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Paramount Arts Center

2008-2009 series

ENTERTAINMENT SERIES

4Engelbert Humperdinck

— Oct. 1, 2008

4Garrison Keillor

— Jan. 20, 2009

4Celtic Crossroads

— March 24, 2009

BROADWAY SERIES

4The Pajama Game

— Oct. 29, 2008

4The Drowsy Chaperone

— Feb. 28, 2009

4Ain’t Misbehavin’

— April 28, 2009

DISCOVERY SERIES

4Kentucky Symphony:

Phantoms of the Opera

— Oct. 18, 2008

4Song and Dance

of West Africa

— Nov. 6, 2008

4Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra

— Feb. 24, 2009

Tickets may be sold by series or individually. For more information, contact the PAC box office at 606-324-3175.