Bothell’s Northshore Performing Arts Center Foundation (NPACF) announced its lineup for the coming season at a “producer’s party” held earlier this month.

According to foundation board member Dale Amundsen, the season kicks off with probably Broadway’s best known “Phantom,” Franc D’Ambrosio.

But the NPACF also plans plays and music running from African and Brazilian sounds to an appearance from ’60s icon and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Sebastian.

The new season opens Oct. 2 with “Franc D’Ambrosio’s Broadway,” a salute to, well, Broadway. According to the NPACF, the show’s star has played the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” more than 3,000 times, making him perhaps the longest-running lead in the show’s lengthy history.

D’Ambrosio has played in numerous other Broadway and film productions, as well, including portraying the son of Al Pacino and Diane Keaton in the “Godfather III.”

For his local appearance, D’Ambrosio will perform well-known songs from Broadway productions such as “Chicago,” “Les Mis” and, of course, “Phantom.”

Other highlights from the NPACF season include:

• Sebastian, the former lead singer of the pop group The Lovin’ Spoonful, takes the local stage March 12. With the Lovin’ Spoonful, Sebastian had a string of pop hits including “Do You Believe in Magic,” “Summer in the City” and “Nashville Cats.” Since leaving Lovin’ Spoonful, Sebastian has spent 40 years as a solo artist, working mostly with American roots music. Some might remember him as having penned and sang the popular theme song to the 1970s TV show “Welcome Back, Kotter.”

• Plays planned for the coming season include a new Patrick McManus comedy, “Pot Luck,” Feb. 27. The Tony Award-nominated “Say Goodnight, Gracie” arrives Feb. 20, telling the tale of the late George Burns, who can’t join his wife in heaven until he gives the Command Performance of his life before God.

• Kasumai Africa returns to Bothell Nov. 1. The show presents singing, dancing and the traditional drum music of West Africa and includes performer Thione Diop. A narrator will explain the meaning of each performance and talk about the origins of the music presented. A short film about Africa will start the show.

• Jazz artist Greta Matassa appears Nov. 7 as part of the annual Earshot Jazz Festival. Matassa’s appearance is one of several opportunities for local youths to get involved in NPACF’s productions. Local high-school jazz choirs will participate in a workshop with Matassa, then be invited to sing on stage with her in concert.

• Holiday-themed shows will include the return of the Emerald Ballet Theatre production of “The Nutcracker.” Amundsen said last year’s shows were so successful, the company will mount five shows this year over the first two weekends in December.

Another holiday show features Grammy Award-winning musicians Tingstad and Rumbel, with bassist Garey Shelton, Dec. 19. The headlining duo is known for its work with guitar, oboe, English horn and other instruments. They last appeared on the NPACF stage two years ago.

• Other shows include well-known gospel act the Blind Boys of Alabama on Jan. 23. The group has taken home five Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement prize presented this year.

Brazilian music fills the air March 27 delivered by the Show Brazil Band and Eduardo Mendonca.

In a different vein, featuring stage effects and a light show while working with everything from hip-hop to ethnic Japanese dance styles, dance group Kenichi Ebina arrives April 17.

Finally, no date is confirmed, but the foundation has lined up a tribute to Ray Charles featuring popular Northwest entertainers, a show that is currently touring the U.S.

Tickets for the new season will go on sale in early August at the earliest, according to Valerie Edmonds, NPACF managing director. All shows are held at the home of the arts foundation, the Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. N.E., Bothell. The center is a 600-seat theater on the Bothell High campus.

The NPACF is a certified nonprofit organization. For further show and ticket information, visit its Web site at www.npacf.org.