Whoopi postpones MCA gig

ORONO – Shock jock Howard Stern celebrated a year of success recently with his satellite radio show, but actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg is still in her first six months of hosting “Wake Up With Whoopi,” an early morning talk program on Clear Channel Radio. Commitments to the on-air show have forced her to postpone a March 9 performance at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono. Goldberg has rescheduled her 75-minute stage show for 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at MCA.

“Anytime you’re dealing with someone of that status, whether in music or comedy, there’s always a chance a movie or TV show could come up, and until a certain date, the performer can get out of a contract,” said Adele Adkins, associate director at MCA. “We’ve had performers with ‘out’ clauses in the past, but we’ve never had anyone exercise it.”

Goldberg’s scheduling change also affects the performance date of classical music personality Peter Schickele and his “P.D.Q. Bach” tour. Originally scheduled to bring his popular live show to MCA on April 14, Schickele now will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 15.

Those already holding tickets for either of the shows will have the same seats automatically reserved for the later performances. For changes, questions or refunds, contact the MCA box office at 581-1755 or (800) MCA-TIXX. Seats still available are to both shows.