It’s the 89th season for The State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton, which qualifies it as one of the longest-running, if not the longest-running, venues in continuous operation for professional entertainment in the Lehigh Valley.

Season highlights include Brian Wilson, Johnny Rivers, Joel McHale, Jackie Evancho, David Sedaris, Rockapella, “Elf The Musical” and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.”

The State Theatre is coming off another successful season. Attendance topped 70,000 for 2014-15, with 67 shows presented, according to Jamie Balliet, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Producer of the Freddy Awards. The theater seats 1,500.

“The facility has never been better, especially with the improvements backstage,“ says Shelley Brown, State Theatre President and CEO. Brown cites improvements to the theater loading dock, freight elevator and stage grid. While these may not be seen by the theater-going public, the results are.

“We have one of the largest freight elevators anywhere. It’s 10 feet by 10 feet. It just changed everything in terms of loading shows here. Material can be stored inside,” says Brown.

“We have a steel grid 55 feet above the stage that can hang more scenery, backdrops, much more than anybody else in the region. And it’s fabulous for Broadway shows. That’s why we have these shows with as many as five or six tractor trailers for scenery.

“People say when they see a show, ‘It’s just like Broadway,’ it’s not a stripped-down show. It is just as good as Broadway,” says Brown, who is in her 24th season as head of the nonprofit State Theatre.

The theater’s curtain was replaced last year with a successful $50,000 public fundraising drive matched by a $50,000 grant. Five years ago, more bathrooms were added, among other amenities.

“When I first got here, lo, those many years ago, it was: ’Can we get enough people to fill the seats?’ There were three venues at the time, and now, last I counted, there were 17,” Brown says.

“What we’ve been trying to do, since the advent of the intense competition, is build in some new things: Frankie Valli compared to ‘Under The Streetlamp.’ We’ve been trying to is find our niche going forward.”

When she introduced Tony Bennett for his May 1 concert at the State Theatre, Brown told the sold-out audience that presenting him was on her “bucket list” of performers to book at the State. “He exceeded my expectations,” Brown says, adding the theater may not always net as much money on a particular event as people might think.

“Bennett was extremely expensive. Add to that travel, catering, advertising and other costs and Brown says, “You make a few thousand dollars. It’s a fabulous business, but it’s a business.

“We will always try to play to play the big-name artists. But we will always keep our eye out for new talent, new shows. Our strength is our setting and our personal attention to people. We are not a big room. We are an experience that’s different.”

The success of the State Theatre has been key to downtown Easton’s revival.

“When I came here, I did the listening tour. People said, ‘I don’t want to go downtown.’ It was the perception, but not the reality. Yet people would go to Philly,” says Brown, who instituted a block watch, trolley transportation from the downtown parking garage, and a minimal parking fee (usually $2). “And now there’s so many more restaurants. There’s so much going on. And now it’s really enjoying a renaissance. With so many people moving in, there’s a vibrancy, with more people on the street. You can feel it.

“We’ve been here through thick and thin,” Brown says. ”Our business is far more complex on the other side of the curtain. We need the revenue to survive. We’re nonprofit. If you love these organizations, support them. We need the audiences.”

There were 400 people waiting in line when State Theatre members’ sales began Aug. 4. “We had people sleeping on the sidewalk for three days. It’s not some rock star. They’re building their whole year around our shows. What a wonderful compliment.”

The State Theatre has built upon the success of the annual Freddy Awards for high school musical productions. The Freddys telecast show is at capacity. “We can’t sell a ticket. Preview night with the TV rehearsal, that’s really catching on.”

Brown says performers enjoy the State Theatre: “The Fab Faux, they tell me it’s their second home. They sell out Radio City Music Hall.”

Whereas the Lehigh Valley not too many years ago was considered a “tertiary,” or third-tier, market, it’s now a secondary market. The State Theatre draws its audience from a 50- mile radius.

“The other thing that’s changed is that people follow artists online,” Brown notes. “So, you might have people who come down from Vermont to see an artist and they stay overnight. They take a road trip. They plan a vacation.”

Brown encourages support of theaters such as the State Theatre. The present facility dates to 1926 when it was a “combination house” (vaudeville and movies): “To really support the beautiful old theaters, we depend so dearly on the support of the people,” Brown says.

Here’s the lineup, as of Press time, for the 2015-16 season at the State Theatre. Check the web site for possible additional shows.

The “Movies At The Mill,” a Lehigh Valley film festival, returns to the State Theatre, 5 p.m. Sept. 26.

Platinum-selling, 14-year-old vocal sensation Jackie Evancho takes the State Theatre stage, 6 p.m. Sept. 27. Evancho debuted on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” She signed with Columbia Records, releasing “O Holy Night, Dream With Me” and “Songs From The Silver Screen.” Her first PBS special was one of the top pledge-producing performances in PBS history. Her second is set for December. Her newest release, “Awakening,” features lush classical-crossover compositions for which Evancho has become famous, but extends her stylistic reach with contemporary material on songs such as music from HBO’s hit series “Game Of Thrones” and a version of U2’s “With Or Without You.”

Electro hip hop violinist Svet performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3. Svet was on Season 7 of “America’s Got Talent.” His sound fuses classical with hip hop, house and reggae, backed by a DJ for Top 40 covers and original numbers as he sings, raps, beat boxes and dances while playing the violin.

Comedian Joel McHale takes the State Theatre stage for the first time, 8 p.m. Oct. 9. McHale stars on the hit comedy series “Community,” which is on Yahoo for its sixth season after five seasons on NBC. McHale, who has appeared in several movies, continues to satirize pop culture and current events each week on E!’s “The Soup.”

Under The Streetlamp, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10, a quartet of cast members from the Tony Award-winning musical “Jersey Boys,” delivers doo-wop, Motown and rock ‘n’ roll with songs by The Drifters, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio, who wrote and produced Four Seasons’ hits.

David Sedaris, who has shows on NPR and is an author, delivers a lecture and takes questions, 8 p.m. Oct. 15. His books include “Barrel Fever,” “Holidays On Ice,” “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” “Dress Your Family In Corduroy And Denim” and “Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls.” He’s been nominated for three Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album.

Chaise Lounge, 7 p.m. Oct. 17, Acopian Ballroom, has five of Washington, D.C.’s top jazz musicians, including Easton native Charlie Barnett, playing arrangements of standards and originals and featuring singer Marilyn Older.

Michael A. Smerconish delivers “Angry Is Over,” a lecture and takes questions, 8 p.m. Oct. 22. He’s a radio and TV talk show host, newspaper columnist and author. In 2011, the National Association of Broadcasters selected him as a Marconi Award finalist as Best Network-Syndicated Host. Smerconish is the author of six books, two of them New York Times’ best sellers: “Muzzled: From T-Ball To Terrorism, True Stories that Should Be Fiction” and “Murdered By Mumia: A Life Sentence Of Loss, Pain And Injustice,” the latter co-authored with Maureen Faulkner.

Brian Wilson, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, returns to the State Theatre with Al Jardine, also a founding member of The Beach Boys.

“A Night Of Doo Wop Rock ‘N’ Roll,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, features The Duprees, Charlie Thomas Drifters, The Original Chantels, Maurice Newton, The Harptones, and Jimmy Gallagher & The Passions.

Celebrity chef Anne Burrell is at the State Theatre as part of the Fifth annual “Girls’ Night Out,” Oct. 28. Burrell will present on the Main Stage at 7 p.m. Her show includes a question and answer portion and cooking demo and she will sign books after the show. “Girls’ Night Out,” 5 - 8 p.m., Easton Hospital Gallery and Acopian Room, is a free evening of physician interactions, wellness information, culinary arts and shopping from more than 60 local vendors.

“Haunted Illusions, The Magic of David Caserta,” 7 p.m. Oct. 31, promises never before seen illusions created for the show, a Halloween tradition at the State Theatre.

Direct from Beijing, The National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China presents “Peking Dreams,” 7 p.m. Nov. 6. The troupe, founded in 1953, is acclaimed for Great Teeterboard, Grand Flying Trapeze, Group Contortion, Straw Hats Juggling, Girls’ Balance With Bowls and other outstanding acts. The company is credited with changing the concept of the “animal circus” to a new style of “non-animal circus” which influenced Cirque du Soleil.

“Elf The Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 11, is a modern-day Christmas classic sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf.

Johnny Rivers, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, followed his hits, “Memphis” and “Maybelline,” with 17 gold records, two Grammys and 29 charted hits: “Secret Agent Man,” “Mountain Of Love,” “Tracks Of My Tears,” “Baby I Need Your Lovin,’” “Summer Rain,” “Poor Side Of Town,” “Seventh Son,” “Slow Dancin,’” “Rockin’ Pneumonia” and “Midnite Special.”

The Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India present “The Spirit Of India,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14, with artistic director Rahis Bharti in a lively musical journey from Rajasthan to Mumbai.

“John Muller’s 50’s Dance Party,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20, recreates Buddy Holly’s, Ritchie Valens’ and the Big Bopper’s final, fateful tour with the hits “That’ll Be The Day,“ ”Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy,” “Rave On,” “La Bamba” and “Chantilly Lace.”

Comedians Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood take the stage, 8 p.m. Nov. 21, for a live version of “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” with audience suggestions and participation.

The Irish Rovers’ Christmas concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, is a 50th anniversary tour, with favorites “The Unicorn,” “Whisky On A Sunday,” “Wasn’t That A Party” and “Christmas In Killarney.”

The Wizards of Winter perform The Trans Siberian Orchestra’s Greatest Hits, 7 p.m. Dec. 5, including “Christmas Eve Sarajevo,” “Old City Bar,” “Christmas Cannon Rock” and “Queen Of The Winter Night” and music from their holiday rock opera, “Tales Beneath A Northern Star.” The concert benefits research to save Mark DeVoe and others afflicted with the retina eye disease Choroideremia.

Eighteen-time Grammy winner Jimmy Sturr and his orchestra return for “Jimmy Sturr Christmas: From Our House To Your House,” 3 p.m. Dec. 6, with guest Gary Puckett of The Union Gap, as well as Matt and Elaine, the Jimmy Sturr Singers, Pokolenie Dancers and Santa.

David Phelps, from the Gaither Vocal Band, performs Christmas songs, 7 p.m. Dec. 8, backed by a full band.

“A Rockapella Christmas,” 7 p.m. Dec. 10, raises voices in songs of the season.

Moscow Ballet’s “The Great Russian Nutcracker” returns to the State Theatre, 3, 7 p.m. Dec. 12.

The Band of the Royal Marines And The Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guards, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9, has as special guests, the Liberty High School Grenadier Band.

“Saturday Night Fever,” 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, includes the Bee Gees’ hits “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “Jive Talking,” “You Should Be Dancing” and “How Deep is Your Love.”

The Hit Men, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, has former stars of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, including Gerry Polci, lead vocalist on “Oh What a Night,” performing the hits “Oh What a Night,” “Who Loves You,” “Sherry,” “Peace Train,” “Crocodile Rock,” “The Loco Motion,” “Leroy Brown” and “Mony Mony.”

The 20th Annual “Elvis Birthday Bash,” 3 p.m. Jan. 24, stars Mike Albert as “Vegas Elvis” and Scot Bruce as young Elvis, backed by the Big E Band.

The legacy of the beloved “Mister Rogers” lives on with the hit television series, “Daniel Tigers Neighborhood,” 2, 5 p.m. Jan. 30.

“42nd Street,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3, 4, tells the Broadway fable of a starry-eyed young dancer named Peggy Sawyer who leaves her Allentown home and comes to New York to audition for the new Broadway musical, “Pretty Lady.” Based on a novel by Bradford Ropes and Busby Berkeley’s 1933 movie, the musical includes the popular songs, “We’re In The Money,” “Lullaby Of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” “Dames,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and the song title.

Teatro Lirico D’Europa presents Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida,” 7 p.m. Feb. 13.

Disorderly duo, Scott and Joan Houghton, and their hilarious pack of pooches return with the comedy dog thrill show, “Mutts Gone Nuts,” 2, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 14. The presentation includes high-flying Frisbee dogs, tight-wire dogs, dancing dogs and Sammie the Talking Dog.

“Abba Mania,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19, includes the group’s hits “Mamma Mia,” “Voulez Vous,” ”Dancing Queen,” “Winner Takes It All” and “Super Trouper.”

The Italian teen pop opera trio, Il Volo, returns to the State Theatre, 7 p.m. Feb. 21. Il Volo, including Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble, is to release its fifth album in September. The group last appeared at the State Theatre in October 2012.

“Annie,” 7 p.m. Feb. 26, features the songs “It’s The Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and that eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”

“Pinkalicious,” 11 a.m., 2 p.m. March 6, is a musical based on the popular children’s book.

“PFX: The Pink Experience,” 7:30 p.m. March 9, recreates the seminal rock band’s concerts.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, 7:30 p.m. March 11, fuse the sound of traditional pipe tunes and contemporary rock and pop songs. Guests are the Liberty High School Grenadier Bagpippers.

The Fab Faux, 8 p.m. March 12, presents the “Solo Years and Beatles’ Hits,” with the Crème Tangerine Strings & Hogshead Horns.

“Ricky Nelson Remembered,” starring Nelson’s sons, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, is a multi-media concert of Ricky Nelson’s hit songs, including “Hello Mary Lou,” “Travelin’ Man” and “Garden Party.”

“Rhythm In the Night: The Irish Dance Spectacular,” 7:30 p.m. March 24, features an original soundtrack and a dramatic storyline.

IBEX Puppetry’s, presents “Sing Along With The Muppet Movie,” 3 p.m. April 3. Heather Henson’s production company provides family-friendly interactions with Heather’s legendary father, Jim Henson.

Jim Witter”s Coffee House, 7:30 p.m. April 8, returns audiences to the 1960s folk scene.

“Dancing With The Lehigh Valley Stars,” 7 p.m. April 21, benefits the Freddy Awards.

Barrage 8, 7:30 p.m. April 29, brings fiddles and the other strings, viola, cello and bass, with vocals for high-energy music.

“Nobodies Of Comedy,” 7 p.m. May 6, is back at the State Theatre for the 14th year.

The State Theatre presents the 14th Annual Freddy Awards, 7 p.m. May 26.

The Bronx Wanderers, 7:30 p.m. June 11, sing and play hits from the heart of rock ‘n’ roll.

Ticket information: statetheatre.org; 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132; State Theater Box Office, 453 Northampton St., Easton.