The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is once again offering audience members a dazzling, star-packed lineup of amazing shows, memorable concerts, insightful lectures and very special events during the months of March and April.
MARCH
March 1 at 1:30 pm (Thursday)
ArtSmart Lecture Series:
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor
Lecturer: Richard René Silvin
René Silvin was an escort and personal confidant to the aging Duchess of Windsor in Paris in the early 1970s. He infuses this presentation with some of his own encounters with the Duchess as well as a detailed account of her life, her marriage to the Duke and their many travels and adventures-including their ill-advised trip to Nazi Germany in 1937. See rare photographs, learn about the Abdication crisis and the first paparazzi chase in history, which left the Duchess fearing for her life and fleeing England, and much more.
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion
Tickets $25
+ Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm
+ Wednesday and Saturday at 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm
+ Sunday at 1:30 pm
Capitol Steps
The Capitol Steps promise to bring down the house and Senate with their entertaining blend of bipartisan political satire. The parody pundits have recorded more than 30 albums since 1981, including their latest, Orange is the New Barack. Putting the "mock" in democracy are ditties such as Hey, Mr. Tangerine Man; Oops, I Tweeted Again; Don't Think Twice, It's Alt-Right; and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Korea?
Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse
Tickets $40
Sponsored by Donald and Linda Silpe
Steve Ross Celebrates Irving Berlin
The incomparable Steve Ross has been a Manhattan cabaret fixture for more than 40 years. His first big break was at Ted Hook's Backstage piano bar, followed by a stint at the Algonquin Hotel's legendary Oak Room. Described by The New York Times as "the personification of the bygone dream world that his music summons," Ross is renowned for revisiting Fred Astaire, Noël Coward, Cole Porter and more.
Helen K. Persson Hall
Tickets $39
March 4 at 8 pm (Sunday)
For the last 23 years, Bill Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television. First on Politically Incorrect (Comedy Central, ABC, 1992-2002), and for the last 15 years on HBO's Real Time, Maher's combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 40 Emmy nominations. In recent years, this same combination was on display in Maher's uproarious and unprecedented swipe at organized religion, Religulous, the 7th highest grossing documentary ever. In addition to his popular TV series, Maher has written five best-selling books and done 10 HBO stand-up comedy specials, in addition to more than 50 concert appearances each year. (For mature audiences.)
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $40.50 ** SOLD OUT **
March 6-11
+ Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8 pm
+ Wednesday, Saturday at 2 pm & 8 pm
+ Sunday at 2 pm
THE ILLUSIONISTS
Live from Broadway
(Kravis On Broadway)
Hailed as "a high-tech magic extravaganza" by The New York Times, this mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of five of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. THE ILLUSIONISTSTM - Live From BroadwayTM has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions. Direct from Broadway, this is the world's best-selling magic show.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $28
Kravis On Broadway sponsored by Judith and Ronald Berk
Beyond the Stage: Join us March 6 for a free performance by the Singing Manatee Chorus in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm. Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.
Note: On March 7, the Helen K. Persson Society Luncheon, sponsored by Bernstein Private Wealth Management, will be held in the Gimelstob Ballroom in the Cohen Pavilion. (Invitation only)
March 8 at 1:30 pm (Thursday)
ArtSmart Lecture Series:
The Life, History and Grand Performances of World Famous Jazz Pianists
Lecturer: Roni Stein-Loreti
Take a nostalgic journey through the era and life of some of the world's greatest jazz pianists including Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Erroll Garner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chano Dominguez, André Previn, Michel Camilo, Victor Borge, and many more. Enjoy witnessing their brilliant performances in world-renowned concerts and festivals as well as their great compositions projected on screen.
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion
Tickets $25
Mountainfilm on Tour
(PEAK)
Colorado's annual Telluride Mountainfilm Festival, which seeks to inspire audiences to create a better world, includes some of the most poignant, evocative and unforgettable stories of the human spirit and issues that stimulate ideas and encourage introspection. Mountainfilm on Tour presents selected works from the nearly 40-year-old event, which screens notable documentaries as well as short gems and rare movies that leave an indelible impression on viewers. A Mountainfilm host will introduce each film, followed by audience discussion after the presentation.
Helen K. Persson Hall / Theater-style seating
Tickets $20
This PEAK performance is made possible by a grant from the
MLDauray Arts Initiative in honor of Leonard and Sophie Davis
March 12 at 8 pm (Monday)
National Symphony Orchestra Of Cuba
Enrique Pérez-Mesa, Conductor
Yekwon Sunwoo, Piano, 2017 Cliburn Competition Gold Medalist
(Regional Arts Concert Series)
+ Tchaikovsky/1812 Overture
+ Roldán/Tres Pequeños Poemas (Three Poems)
+ Rachmaninoff/Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
+ De Falla/The Three-Cornered Hat, Suite No. 2
+ Dvo?ák /Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ("From the New World")
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $35
Series sponsored by Leonard and Sophie Davis
Concert sponsored by
Penny and Harold Blumenstein
Nancy and James Grosfeld
Beyond The Stage: Join us for a pre-performance talk by Sharon McDaniel at 6:45 pm in The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center, and for a free performance by the Bak Eighth Grade Chamber Ensemble in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm. Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.
March 13 at 1:30 pm (Tuesday)
ArtSmart Lecture Series:
Charmed Lives: Up Close and Personal with Fabled People
A Presentation by Pamela Fiori; Moderated by Steven Caras
Throughout the course of her career, Pamela Fiori has met, interviewed and socialized with scores of famous individuals, especially during her years at Town & Country where she served as Editor-in-Chief. Ms. Fiori will candidly share her right place/right time insider's scoop on quality time spent with these iconic celebrities-from Robert Redford and Sophia Loren, to Prince Albert, Ralph Lauren, Brooke Astor, Truman Capote, Helen Gurley Brown, and many more. Don't miss this fascinating talk accompanied by a showing of many images, some never before seen.
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion
Tickets $25
Featuring Storm Large
Larry Blank, Associate Conductor
Experience jewels from these iconic women's songbooks with such classics as Big Spender, Don't Rain on My Parade and Lover with a special birthday tribute to the indomitable Marilyn Maye.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $30
Sponsored by
Carol and Mike Cohen
Donald M. Ephraim and Maxine Marks for the Donald M. Ephraim Family Foundation
With support from CBS 12
Beyond the Stage: Join us for a free performance by the Palm Beach Chamber Orchestra in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm. Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.
March 14 at 8 pm (Wednesday)
Amadeus Live with Orchestra
Experience the Academy Award-winning 1984 film Amadeus on a vast high-definition screen while Mozart's most celebrated works are performed live and in sync by a full orchestra and choir. Amadeus is a masterful movie that tells the story of Vienna court composer, Antonio Salieri, and his all-consuming jealousy of the bawdy but divinely talented young Mozart. Amadeus Live is a captivating performance for both movie lovers and classical music aficionados alike.
Presented by the Kravis Center and Attila Glatz Concert Productions.
Amadeus Live is an Avex Classics International Production.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $25
March 16 at 8 pm (Friday)
An Evening with Jason Mraz, Solo Acoustic
Opening Act: MILCK
Direct from his Broadway debut performance in the hit musical Waitress, Jason Mraz has quietly amassed a diverse fan-base throughout all parts of the globe with his positive message and soulful, folk-pop sound to rapt audiences around the world through his vibrant recordings, humorous live performances, and philanthropic efforts. Along the way, he has earned numerous platinum certifications for his various releases, made pop history with his record-breaking classic single, I'm Yours and I Won't Give Up, racked up two Grammy Awards, won the prestigious Songwriter Hall of Fame Hal David Award, and has sold out amphitheaters and arenas across the globe, including sell-outs at The Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden and London's O2 Arena. Limited seating available.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $45
Sponsored by
Ann-Britt Angle and Christian Angle
Michelle and Joseph Jacobs
March 17 at 8 pm (Saturday)
Audra McDonald
Versatile singer and actress Audra McDonald, winner of six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, was named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people of 2015. The Juilliard-trained soprano played Mother Abbess in NBC's The Sound of Music Live! and Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC's Private Practice.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $25
Sponsored by
Sheila Engelstein
Zelda and Allen Mason
Note: The Kravis Center's Founder Members' Dinner at 5:30 pm is sponsored by Northern Trust (Invitation Only)
Beyond the Stage: Join us for a free performance by the Third Row Center Singers in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm. Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.
March 18 at 8 pm (Sunday)
The Righteous Brothers
Bill Medley and Bucky Heard
That lovin' feelin' is back as blue-eyed soul pioneers The Righteous Brothers return with ageless classics such as You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', Ebb Tide, Soul and Inspiration, Rock and Roll Heaven and Unchained Melody. Original member Bill Medley, a baritone who has won a Grammy, an Oscar and more, joins vocalist Bucky Heard for a smooth evening of chart-topping favorites from the emotive duo that swooned generations.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $25
+ Franck/Prélude, Fugue et Variation, Op. 18 (arr. Bauer)
+ Medtner/Sonata in E Minor, Op. 25, No. 2 ("Night Wind")
+ Bach/Toccata in C Minor, BWV 911
+ Barber/Piano Sonata in E-flat, Op. 26
Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse
Tickets: $30
Young Artists Series sponsored by Harriett M. Eckstein New Art Fund
Concert support from The Raymond and Bessie Kravis Foundation
March 26 at 1:30 pm (Monday)
ArtSmart Lecture Series:
Loving Lilly: The Legacy and the Lady
Lecturer: Steven Stolman
Beginning as a consulting designer in 1993 and later as the official curator of Lilly Pulitzer's 50th Anniversary Retrospective, author and designer Steven Stolman enjoyed unique access to both the Lilly Pulitzer label and, more importantly, Lilly herself. With both words and evocative images, he will share his experiences and recollections of Palm Beach's very own fashion legend. A must-see for all fashionistas!
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion
Tickets $25
March 26 at 8 pm (Monday)
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Orchestra
Joshua Bell, Conductor and Violin
(Regional Arts Concert Series)
+ Mendelssohn/Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21
+ Wieniawski/Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22
+ Edgar Meyer/Overture for Violin and Orchestra (Academy Commission)
+ Mendelssohn/Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 ("Italian")
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $35
Series sponsored by Leonard and Sophie Davis
Concert sponsored by
Marjorie and Jack Levins
Carl Marks Foundation
Beyond The Stage: Join us for a pre-performance talk by Sharon McDaniel at 6:45 pm in The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center.
March 27 at 2 pm (Tuesday)
Zurich Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Hope, Conductor and Violin
"Tribute to Yehudi Menuhin"
(Regional Arts Concert Series)
+ Elgar/Introduction and Allegro for Strings, Op. 47
+ Bechara El-Khoury/Unfinished Journey for Violin and String Orchestra
+ Mendelssohn/Concerto in D minor for Violin and Orchestra (1823)
+ Bach/Concerto for Two Violins, Strings, and Continuo in D minor, BWV 1043
+ Schubert/String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, "Death and the Maiden" (arr. for orchestra)
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $25
Series sponsored by Leonard and Sophie Davis
Beyond The Stage: Join us for a pre-performance talk by Sharon McDaniel at 12:45 pm in The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center.
March 28 at 8 pm (Wednesday)
Dudu Fisher Celebrates Jerusalem
Dudu Fisher is renowned for his stirring performance as Jean Valjean in Broadway's Les Misérables and his latest PBS special, Dudu Fisher in Jerusalem, but his career began in Tel Aviv where he studied with renowned cantors. In addition to stage and synagogue appearances, he has released more than 25 albums and also sang the part of Moses in the Hebrew version of Steven Spielberg's The Prince of Egypt.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $25
March 29 at 8 pm (Thursday)
Maks, Val and Peta
Live on Tour: Confidential
Following a smash hit first tour, Maks and Val, the hottest stars of ABC's Dancing With The Stars, are back with an all new spectacular show, and this time the family has grown. Joining them in their brand-new show Confidential, is the stunningly talented, Peta Murgatroyd, a two-time Dancing With The Stars Mirror Ball champion, actress and Mrs. Maks Chmerkovskiy. The trio, along with a dazzling cast of the industry's best dancers, will inspire and delight, combining the elegance of the ballroom, some confidential revelations and a true love story.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $25
APRIL
April 2 at 11 am and 2 pm (Monday)
We've Only Just Begun
Carpenters Remembered
(Adults at Leisure Series)
Celebrating the music of one of the most successful recording acts of all time, Michelle Berting Brett, accompanied by a 7-piece Nashville Band, recreates the Carpenters' original sound. This heartfelt tribute will transport you back to the early '70s, when siblings Karen and Richard made their rise to stardom and on the charts.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets: $29
Concert organists David Baskeyfield and Thomas Gaynor will perform music for four-hands and four-feet, including their own transcription of Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals, and a newly commissioned symphony in four movements. They will perform classical and not-so-classical solo repertoire including Baskeyfield's own edition of a newly discovered transcription by Marcel Dupré of The Sorcerer's Apprentice, made famous by Disney's Fantasia, as well as music by Mozart, Bach and Liszt.
(Note: The Baskeyfield-Gaynor Duo will play the Kravis Center's Marshall & Ogletree digital organ, The George W. Mergens Memorial Organ, a gift to the Center from Alex W. Dreyfoos.)
Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse
Tickets: $30
Young Artists Series sponsored by Harriett M. Eckstein New Art Fund
Concert support from The Raymond and Bessie Kravis Foundation
April 10-15
+ Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8 pm
+ Wednesday, Saturday at 2 pm & 8 pm
+ Sunday at 2 pm
THE BODYGUARD
Starring Deborah Cox
(Kravis On Broadway)
Based on the smash hit film, the award-winning musical will star Grammy® Award-nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox. Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don't expect is to fall in love. A breathtakingly romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics including "Queen of the Night," "So Emotional," "One Moment in Time," "Saving All My Love," "Run to You," "I Have Nothing," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and one of the biggest selling songs of all time - "I Will Always Love You." Based on Lawrence Kasdan's Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. film and adapted by Academy Award- winner (Birdman) Alexander Dinelaris, THE BODYGUARD had its world premiere in London's West End where it was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and won Best New Musical at the Whatsonstage Awards. The Southern Daily Echo raved, "It started with a gunshot and kept us on the edge of our seats from the outset. Exciting, thrilling, uplifting, moving - THE BODYGUARD is a truly exceptional show! ... A five gold star-winning show. Miss it at your peril!"
(Note: Deborah Cox is not scheduled to perform at the Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances.)
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $28
Beyond the Stage: Join us April 10 for a free performance by the Plumosa School of the Arts' K-2 Chorus in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm. Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.
April 11-12 at 7:30 pm (Wednesday and Thursday)
Ranky Tanky
(PEAK)
Gullah originated in West Africa and means "a people blessed by God." And Ranky Tanky translates loosely as "work it" or "get funky"! It's in this spirit that jazz musicians Quentin Baxter, Kevin Hamilton, Charlton Singleton and Clay Ross, with celebrated Low country singer Quiana Parler, perform Gullah music that evolved from the coastal region of South Carolina and Georgia. Selections range from rambunctious game songs to soulful spirituals.
Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse
Tickets $32
This PEAK performance is made possible by a grant from the
MLDauray Arts Initiative in honor of Leonard and Sophie Davis
+ Friday at 7:30 pm
+ Saturday at 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Carole J. Bufford in
You Don't Own Me
The Fearless Females of the 1960s
With unforgettable hits from Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Carole King, Lesley Gore and more, sizzling cabaret and jazz star Carole J. Bufford returns to Persson Hall, putting her signature spin on classics by bold and daring vocalists of a bygone era. The New York Times describes the soulful Southern belle, named BroadwayWorld.com's 2013 Cabaret Vocalist of the Year, as "an earthier, more acerbic, 21st-century Barbra Streisand."
Helen K. Persson Hall
Tickets $35
+ Friday at 7:30 pm
+ Saturday at 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Che Malambo
(PEAK)
Explosive all-male Argentinian dance company Che Malambo pounds the stage with percussive moves that blend precision steps, stomping, drumming and song that evolved from competitive duels among South American cowboys. What began as a 17th-century test of agility, strength and dexterity is now zapeteo, the fast-paced footwork inspired by the rhythm of galloping horses. Director and choreographer Gilles Brinas, a former ballet dancer, adds unbridled zest to this powerhouse production.
Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse
Tickets $32
This PEAK performance is made possible by a grant from the
MLDauray Arts Initiative in honor of Leonard and Sophie Davis
Beyond the Stage: Join us for a free post-performance talk by Steven Caras immediately following the April 13 performance.
April 18 at 8 pm (Wednesday)
An Evening with Chris Botti
A commanding trumpet player and consummate showman, Chris Botti reigns as the world's top-selling jazz instrumentalist. Audience favorite When I Fall in Love, a reimagined take on a classic, highlights the talent and intensity of this charming virtuoso and his longtime band.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $25
Sponsored by Sunny Sessa In Loving Memory of Leonardo Sessa
Sponsored by Sandy and Richard Bornstein
April 20-21 at 7:30 pm (Friday and Saturday)This is musical theater in its most pure form! Its celebration and true-to-life depiction of performers and their struggle to achieve greatness on the Broadway stage has earned the show unanimous praise as one of the true masterpieces of live theater. The enduring musical, which first hit Broadway in 1975, tells the true-life stories of 17 ensemble hopefuls through gripping dialogue, dazzling choreography and legendary lyrics.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $25
Sponsored by John D. Herrick
Beyond the Stage: Join us in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby for a free pre-performance talk by Steven Caras at 6:45 pm, followed by a free performance by the Sunshine Singers from Morikami Park Elementary School at 7:15 pm.Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.
April 21 at 8 pm (Saturday)
The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma
Eager to forge connections across cultures, disciplines and generations, master cellist Yo-Yo Ma created the Silk Road Ensemble, which redefines classical music by mixing the foreign with the familiar. The Wall Street Journalhas called the internationally acclaimed group, which plays instruments ranging from world percussion to Western strings to the Chinese sheng (mouth organ), "one of the 21st century's greatest ensembles."
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $35
Sponsored by
Bessemer Trust
Jane M. Mitchell
Beyond the Stage: Join us for a free performance by the Conservatory School Symphony Orchestra at 7:15 pm in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby . Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.
April 22 at 8 pm (Sunday)
An Intimate Evening with David Foster
Hitman Tour
Winner of 16 Grammy Awards, an Emmy, a Golden Globe and numerous other accolades, David Foster is known as one of the most successful record producers in history. Throughout his more than four decades as a musician, songwriter, arranger, producer and recording artist, he's created hit songs and award-winning albums for numerous artists including Whitney Houston, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, and many more. Foster will share his legendary talent as he performs on the Kravis stage along with a few famous friends (to be announced) for an unforgettable evening of music.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall
Tickets start at $20
Sponsored by Bonnie Osher
Tickets are available for purchase online through the Kravis Center's official website at kravis.org; in person at the Box Office, located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; or by phone at 561-832-7469 or 800-572-8471.For Group Sales please call 561-651-4438 or 561-651-4304.
The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and International Artists and companies of the highest quality; by offering comprehensive arts education programs; by providing a Palm Beach County home in which local and regional arts organizations can showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County. The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. For more information, please call 561-832-7469 or visit the official website at kravis.org.
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