Acrobats, Broadway's FUN HOME, Jazz Greats and More Slated for Kimmel Center's 2016-17 Season
By: BWW News Desk Jul. 27, 2016
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts announces programming for the 2016-17 season featuring internationally-acclaimed superstars in rock, dance, comedy, and jazz; family shows as part of the Family Discovery Series, returning favorites, the best of touring Broadway, and more!
The Kimmel Center's upcoming season features a wide range of programs intended to serve Philadelphia's broad and diverse audiences and further the Center's position as a world-class hub for performing arts in this region. For a full list of programs, please see below.
"Each season, our Kimmel Center team works to bring the very best performing arts disciplines to Philadelphia audiences and this season will be the most spectacular one yet," said Anne Ewers, President & CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. "With more than 650 performances, we are certain that there is something for everyone in Philadelphia and we cannot wait to welcome both seasoned and new friends to our campus."
2ND ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
On September 10, 2016, the KimMel Center will host its 2nd annual Open House from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., during which the entire campus (KimMel Center, Academy of Music, and Merriam Theater) will be activated with free performances, activities, tours, and more! Single tickets for most shows will go on sale during the Open House and patrons can purchase tickets fee-free at the Box Office during the hours of the event.
FAMILY DISCOVERY SERIES
The Kimmel Center's Family Discovery Series returns for a second consecutive season of family programming to help cultivate the next generation of art lovers and build lasting memories through popular and engaging shows for the whole family. The 2016-17 season lineup includes: Shanghai Acrobats of the People's Republic of China (October 30, 2016), Odd Squad Live (November 25-26, 2016), Cirque Eloize: Saloon (January 13-14, 2017), Elephant + Piggie: We are in a Play! (January 21, 2017), iLuminate (February 10-11, 2017), Paw Patrol Live! (March 3-5, 2017), and DRUMLine Live! (March 9-10, 2017). Building upon a successful first season, the Family Discovery Series aims to introduce children to the theater through a variety of events that families can attend together. 3-show ticket packages are available now.
Additionally, the Kimmel Center's FREE PNC Grow Up Great programs will continue in the 2016-17 season. Each month, Grow Up Great introduces kids to the vibrant worlds of jazz and musical theater.
JAZZ SEASON
The 2016-17 Jazz Season will celebrate Philadelphia's legendary jazz heritage with eight programs including: Jazz 100 with special guest Lizz Wright (September 30, 2016); an unprecedented presentation of the Chucho Valdes - Joe Lovano Quintet (November 4, 2016); the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (December 3, 2016 and June 10, 2017); singer-songwriter Kat Edmonson (February 12, 2017); the Joey Alexander Trio (March 18-19, 2017); Aaron Diehl Trio (April 1, 2017), Cyrus Chestnut Trio (April 13, 2017), and Kennedy Center Jazz Presents: A Tribute to Abbey Lincoln, featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, and Terri Lyne Carrington (May 5, 2017). 4- and 5-show ticket packages are now available.
BROADWAY PHILADELPHIA 2016-17 SEASON
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and The Shubert Organization proudly present the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season, featuring a sensational lineup of Tony Award-winning Broadway hits with a combined 29 Tony Awards and 18 Drama Desk Awards. This season also introduces four brand-new national touring shows making their Philadelphia Premieres. The 2016-17 season consists of the best of touring Broadway including: An American in Paris (November 22-27, 2016), Mamma Mia! (December 27-31, 2016), Cirque Eloize's Saloon (January 13-14, 2017), The Bodyguard (February 21-26, 2017), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (February 28-March 5, 2017), The King and I (March 22-April 2, 2017), Cabaret (April 4-9, 2017), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (April 18-23, 2017), Dirty Dancing (May 16-21, 2017), Motown The Musical (May 30-June 11, 2017), Fun Home (June 13-18, 2017), and Wicked (July 26-August 27, 2017).
ORGAN SERIES
The Kimmel Center announces details of the 2016-17 Organ Series which celebrates the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ, the largest mechanical pipe organ in a concert venue in the United States, which is housed in the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall. The Organ Series features a diverse lineup of programming to aid audiences in hearing the organ in new ways. This season includes British Organ Invasion with the Mendelssohn Club Chorus of Philadelphia and Alan Morrison (November 5, 2016), tenThing Brass Ensemble featuring Jeffrey Brillhart (March 29, 2017), Tanya Tagaq in Concert with Nanook of the North featuring AaRon Miller (April 13, 2017), a recital by Normal Mackenzie (May 20, 2017), the 7th annual Organ Day of free programming (June 10, 2017), and a full season of free organ demonstrations.
PHILLY ¡EN VIVO! SERIES
The celebrated Philly ¡En Vivo! series at the Kimmel Center honors the diversity of Latino cultures, music, and heritage through the presentation of eclectic, world-class performances throughout the Kimmel Center campus. 2016-17 performances on the series include Mexrrissey (October 29, 2016), the Chucho Valdes - Joe Lovano Quintet (November 4, 2016), and Balé Folclórico da Bahía (February 17, 2017).
Additional initiatives will return including the Center's jazz and theater residency programs, education programs, and free programming like Sittin' In and Grow Up Great among others.
On-sale dates and prices vary per show, check www.kimmelcenter.org/openhouse for the most up-to-date information. Tickets for most shows go on sale to Kimmel Center Members, subscribers, and groups on August 8, 2016. Single tickets for most shows go on sale to the general public on September 10, 2016 at the Kimmel Center's Open House event (fee-free in person at the Box Office from 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m.).
Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling (215) 790-5883. More information at kimmelcenter.org.
A complete list of 2016-17 Season programming can be found below:
BRING IT LIVE
Presented in association with Mills Entertainment
Merriam Theater
August 5, 2016
This show features dancer and instructor Miss D and her Dancing Dolls, the stars of Lifetime's hit series, Bring It! Fans will get the chance to become part of the action as the cast performs never-before-seen routines live onstage, as well as participate in voting for their favorite routine. This promises to be a stunning night of dancing sure to impress both die hard Bring It! followers and new fans alike.
Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally
SUMMER OF 69: NO APOSTROPHE
Presented in association with Live Nation
Merriam Theater
August 20, 2016
Best known for their iconic television comedy roles (Ron Swanson on "Parks and Recreation" and Karen Walker on "Will and Grace" respectively, the real life married couple will provide an evening of comedy and music. They will tell stories about their relationship as well as sing original songs about love, America and everything in between. It promises to be a hilarious, raunchy, one-of-a-kind night.
Presented in association with Larry Magid Entertainment
Academy of Music
September 9, 2016
For more than twenty years, Bill Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television. First on "Politically Incorrect" (Comedy Central, ABC, 1993-2002), and for the last thirteen years on HBO's "Real Time," Maher's combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 34 Emmy nominations.
AMOS LEE
Presented in association with Live Nation
Academy of Music
September 11, 2016
Born in Philadelphia, Amos Lee is best known as a singer-songwriter than mixes folk, blues and rock. In 2011, his album Mission Bell debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. His most current album, Live at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony, was released in June 2015.
JAZZ 100
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF MUSIC BY DIZZY, ELLA, MONGO, AND MONK
Merriam Theater
September 30, 2016
This performance will honor the Centennial Birthdays of jazz legends Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo Santamaria, and Ella Fitzgerald. Jazz 100 features Danilo Perez, Chris Potter, Avishai Cohen, Wycliffe Gordon, and Lizz Wright. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Jazz Series.
KANSAS
Presented in association with BRE Presents
Merriam Theater
October 1, 2016
The classic rock band of the 70s that is known for the hits "Dust in the Wind" and "Point of No Return" will play the KimMel Center for one night only. Kansas appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the '70's and '80's and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan.
SIGUR ROS
Presented in association with AEG Live
Academy of Music
October 8, 2016
Sigur Ros is a minimalist band that has been popular in the US since the late 1990s. Known for their ethereal sound, frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals, and the use of bowed guitar, the band's music is also noticeable for its incorporation of classical aesthetic elements.
JOAN BAEZ
With Mary-Chapin Carpenter
Presented in association with Larry Magid Entertainment
Academy of Music
October 9, 2016
A vital force in both the music world and the world of social justice, Ms. Baez will perform her best known songs and some new ones, including "Diamonds and Rust", "Forever Young", and many others in this tour celebrating her 75th birthday. The show will feature Mary-Chapin Carpenter, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who has sold over 12 million records and is best known for her songs "Down at the Twist and Shout" and "Passionate Kisses."
LAMPEDUSA: CONCERT FOR REFUGEES
Featuring Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, and The Milk Carton Kids
Merriam Theater
October 19, 2016
An intimate evening of acoustic performances 'in the round' featuring renowned singer-songwriters Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, The Milk Carton Kids, and additional very special guests to be announced. All proceeds will support Jesuit Refugee Service's Global Education Initiative, designed to provide educational opportunities for refugees living in camps and in urban settings worldwide.
Merriam Theater
October 20, 2016
Rosanne Cash's music draws on many genres, including folk, pop, rock, blues, and most notably Americana. Her 1981 breakthrough hit "Seven Year Ache" topped the U.S. country singles charts and reached the Top 30 on the U.S. pop singles charts. Cash is a three-time Grammy Award winner as well as a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of fame. She is touring in support of her acclaimed 2014 album The River & The Thread. This is an XPN Welcomes event.
THE HUNGER TOUR
Presented in association with Innovation Arts & Entertainment
Academy of Music
October 26, 2016
An American chef, author, TV host and producer, Anthony Bourdain burst onto the scene in 2000 with his best-selling memoir "Kitchen Confidential." His TV shows, No Reservations on The Travel Channel and Parts Unknown on CNN, have won numerous awards, including an Emmy and a Peabody. In this show, audiences experience a brutally honest monologue by Bourdain and live Q&A.
An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your Life
Presented in association with Larry Magid Entertainment
Academy of Music
October 28-29, 2016
Two comedy legends, Steve Martin and Martin Short, will share an evening of stories, stand up, and songs, featuring highlights of their friendship and collaborations over many decades, plus, of course, banjo playing. Joining them onstage will be the Steep Canyon Rangers, a bluegrass band and frequent collaborator with Steve Martin.
MEXRRISSEY
Merriam Theater
October 29, 2016
Morrissey's songs of love, loss and longing, with powerful imagery and metaphors have found a huge audience and chimed with generations raised on rancheras. Now the love has been returned, with a band made in Mexico City reinventing Morrissey's and The Smiths' songs south of the border.
Together they sound like a brass and string led combo from the smallest village with the biggest bleeding heart. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Philly ¡En Vivo! series.
SHANGHAI ACROBATS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: SHANGHAI NIGHTS!
Verizon Hall
October 30, 2016
The company of Shanghai Acrobats of the People's Republic of China 2016 was founded in 1959. It has become one of the most influential and competitive acrobatic companies in China. The tour of Shanghai Acrobats of the People's Republic of China 2016 will bring the company to North America in the debut performance of "Shanghai Nights!" This show is part of the Kimmel Center Family Discovery Series.
CHUCHO VALDES - JOE LOVANO QUINTET
Merriam Theater
November 4, 2016
This will be the first presentation of this unique, world-class ensemble. Pianist Chucho Valdes, who first appeared on Blue Note in 1985, has been a key figure in the evolution of Afro-Cuban jazz for the past 50 years. Saxophonist Joe Lovano started at that label in 1990 and has recorded more albums on Blue Note than any other artist. Both fearless innovators at the forefront of artistic expression, this collaboration expands their shared quest for the leading edge in jazz expression. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Jazz Series and Philly ¡En Vivo! series.
Presented in association with Live Nation
Academy of Music
Saturday, November 5, 2016, 8:00 p.m.
Lewis Black is known for his biting, yelling and acerbic comedy that skewers everything that upsets him in politics, society and the world in general...which is quite a lot. He's a frequent commentator on "The Daily Show," and his many standup specials have been seen on Comedy Central and numerous other cable outlets. He was recently featured as the voice of Anger in the Oscar winning animated film Inside Out.
BRITISH ORGAN INVASION WITH THE MENDELSSOHN CLUB CHORUS OF PHILADELPHIA
Verizon Hall
November 5, 2016
This presentation is a collaboration with the Mendelssohn Club Chorus of Philadelphia (MCC) featuring organist Alan Morrison in a program of works by Benjamin Britten, William Walton, and more.
MARIAN ANDERSON AWARDS
Verizon Hall
November 15, 2016
The Marian Anderson Award honors critically acclaimed artists who have impacted society in a positive way, either through their work or their support for an important cause. This year's honorees, Patti LaBelle and Gamble & Huff, will be celebrated at the annual Gala and concert with performers and special guests to be announced at a later date.
PHILADANCO
Straight Outta Philly
Perelman Theater
November 18-20, 2016
In their first presentation at the Kimmel Center for the season, PHILADANCO will present "Straight Outta Philly" in collaboration with Rennie Harris Puremovement. In this unique presentation, two of Philadelphia's greatest dance institutions will meet on stage in a fusion of hip-hop and ballet.
Academy of Music
November 18, 2016
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson makes his Academy of Music debut in this one-night-only presentation of the artist behind classic songs like "Cruisin'," "I Second That Emotion," and "Tracks of My Tears."
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
Academy of Music
November 22-27, 2016
An American in Paris is the new Tony Award-winning musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl, and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Acclaimed director/choreographer and 2015 Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon brings the magic and romance of Paris into the perfect harmony with unforgettable songs from George and Ira Gershwin in the show that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2014-2015 season! This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
ODD SQUAD LIVE
Merriam Theater
November 25-26, 2016
Odd Squad Live features characters from the popular Odd Squad series on PBS. The show follows the extraordinary adventures of two young government agents, Olive and Otto, who use math skills and teamwork to solve unusual cases ranging from disappearing zeroes to runaway dinosaurs. Designed to help kids ages five to eight build math skills, Odd Squad is a little Men In Black for kids, mixed with some Airplane, and sprinkled with elements of Get Smart. Odd Squad Live features digital appearances by the original Odd Squad team, and a whole new team of investigators working interactively with the audience to solve cases. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Family Discovery Series.
AN EVENING WITH DR. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON
An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies
Academy of Music
November 30, 2016
The popular astrophysicist and head of New York City's Hayden Planetarium returns to the Kimmel Center for An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies. From Star Wars to Frozen to The Martian, this entertaining and enlightening review of all the science that our favorite movies got wrong, combined with some of the stuff they got right. The program incorporates the latest films as well as some classics that you may not have known had any science in them at all.
THE OUTER SPACE BY Ethan Lipton
SEI Innovation Studio
December 1-3, 2016
The Kimmel Center welcomes back Ethan Lipton to present the World Premiere of The Outer Space, a work which he began writing during his involvement in the 2014-15 Theater Residency Program, before the work runs on The Public Theater's Main Stage Season at Joe's Pub in New York City. With music by Vito Dieterle, Eben Levy and Ian Riggs and performed by the quartet (Ethan Lipton & his Orchestra), The Outer Space follows one married couple as they leave the noise, pollution, and overpriced rents of Earth for the vast beauty and treacherous terrain of the final frontier. Leigh Silverman (No Place to Go, Well, Violet) directs this out-of-this-world musical about the sacrifices we make for sustainable living and love. The New York Times calls Obie-winning playwright and songwriter Ethan Lipton an "expert at keeping music, jokes and personal narrative tightly knitted together into one consistent human package."
Hasan Minhaj: HOMECOMING KING
Perelman Theater
December 2, 2016
Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King is the theatrical debut of humorist and The Daily Show correspondent Hasan Minhaj. Homecoming King, the story of the "New Brown America," is based on true events from Minhaj's first generation Indian-American experience. Navigating between two worlds, it follows Minhaj's arrival in the US, meeting his sister, interracial love, racism, bullying, and his family's quest to achieve the elusive American Dream.
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER
Academy of Music
December 3, 2016
Created by Chip Davis, the popular pop/rock/fusion Christmas show Mannheim Steamroller returns to the Academy of Music after a five year hiatus.
JAZZ ORCHESTRA OF PHILADELPHIA
Perelman Theater
December 3, 2016
Philly's hometown jazz orchestra returns to the Kimmel Center with "Trane-ing Day," a tribute to John Coltrane.
A WELL-STRUNG CHRISTMAS
Perelman Theater
December 8, 2016
New York City-based string quartet Well Strung derives their unique blend of vocals and strings by fusing classical music with the pop music of today. The group, conceived by producer Mark Cortale and Chris Marchant, will present A Well-Strung Christmas in their debut engagement at the KimMel Center.
A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS
Verizon Hall
December 13, 2016
The Kimmel Center's Soulful Christmas returns for a spiritual evening of music, semornettes, dance, and more. The treasured holiday program features local pastors and choirs. This year's special guest will be Richard Smallwood.
TUBA CHRISTMAS
Commonwealth Plaza
December 18, 2016
There's nothing more comforting than hearing the holiday classics. This December, the holidays come to life as more than 100 regional tuba, sousaphone, and euphonium players join together in a free performance for people of all ages.
MAMMA MIA
Merriam Theater
December 27-31, 2016
Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now it's your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA's greatest hits, including "Dancing Queen," "S.O.S.," "Super Trouper," "Take A Chance on Me" and "The Winner Takes It All," with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Whether it's your first visit or your 14th, see the show that has the whole world coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at Mamma Mia! This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
NEW YEAR'S DAY CELEBRATION
Commonwealth Plaza
January 1, 2017
The Kimmel Center's highly-anticipated annual New Year's Day Celebration returns for the 12th consecutive year. The Kimmel Center opens its door throughout the day providing a safe, warm space filled with activities and performances, along with a birds-eye view of the famed Mummers Parade.
CIRQUE ELOIZE: SALOON
Merriam Theater
January 13-14, 2017
Cirque Eloize will present its brand new original creation: Saloon - A Musical Acrobatic Adventure. Entering the Saloon means meeting inspiring characters and immersing yourself in a mythical world created by live music and the exhilarating pace of spectacular acrobatic performances. Imagine this: American is expanding. The railroad is snaking westward. A town comes to life. The Saloon doors swing open revealing a motley cast of characters, each with a tale to tell. In Saloon, dynamic folk music and strains of fiddle set the tone for an acrobatic comedy that sweeps up the audience in a flurry of energy. This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season and the Kimmel Center Family Discovery Series.
THE JONES FAMILY SINGERS
SEI Innovation Studio
January 15-16, 2017
This Texas gospel powerhouse ensemble consists in part of five sisters, two brothers and their father who have been tearing up churches and festivals alike for over two decades.
ELEPHANT & PIGGIE: WE ARE IN A PLAY
Merriam Theater
January 20-21, 2017
Elephant & Piggie: We are in a Play! is based on the beloved children's bestseller by Mo Willems. Elephant and Piggie are best friends who star in a musical that features singing and dancing in musical numbers that answer important questions including what do you wear to a fancy pool costume party? Should you share your ice cream? And how can two friends play with one toy? Elephant & Piggie: We are in a Play! is an interactive show that invites children of all ages to join in the fun. Elephant & Piggie: We are in a Play! is a production of the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Family Discovery Series.
Verizon Hall
January 28, 2017
Radio legend and Philadelphia's King of Rock and Roll Jerry Blavat returns to the Kimmel Center with his signature flare for an evening that will showcases his electrifying personality as well as an all-star lineup of performers.
Alvin Ailey AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
Merriam Theater
February 3-4, 2017
The world's most popular modern Dance Company returns to Philadelphia with the season's hottest new works by today's most in-demand choreographers, plus returning repertory favorites including the beloved Revelations, which continues to move audiences around the world with its powerful storytelling and soul-stirring music. Whether it's classics or cutting-edge, Ailey is guaranteed to keep audiences on The Edge of their seat.
THE SECOND CITY
Perelman Theater
February 3-4, 2017
This is the return of touring company of the legendary improv comedy group from Chicago that has launched the careers of many comedy legends, ranging from Bill Murray to Tina Fey.
Ryan Raftery IS THE MOST POWERFUL WOMAN IN FASHION - THE Anna Wintour MUSICAL
SEI Innovation Studio
February 9-11, 2017
Anna Wintour is an untiring powerhouse, seemingly untouched by the mundane realities the rest of us plebians face. Her impassive, shaded eyes, and stern expression could kill (or at least destroy careers), but in comedian Ryan Raftery's one-man-musical, Ryan Raftery is the Most Powerful Woman in Fashion, we see a more human side of the icy editor - one where she fears losing her job, suffers from chronic constipation, and hides booze beneath her desk. Dressed as Wintour in drag, Raftery lampoons the stalwart fashionista, singing and dancing about Vogue, and what will happen now that she put Kimye on the prestigious magazine's cover.
iLUMINATE
Merriam Theater
February 10-11, 2017
iLuminate, a company is based on the fusion of technology and dance, is quickly becoming a household name after being called "the best new act in America" during their run on America's Got Talent in 2011. Audiences will see dancers in electrified glow-in-the-dark suits performing dynamic routines and illusions on a darkened stage. It's a show that's completely incomparable to any other dance performance. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Family Discovery Series.
KAT EDMONSON
Perelman Theater
February 12, 2017
Jazz chanteuse Kat Edmonson may have had no formal training, but the young vocalist possesses one of the most authentic voices to ever croon selections from the Great American Songbook. After her appearance on American Idol in 2002, she found success opening for acts like Jamie Cullum, Michael Kiwanuka, Gary Clark Jr., and more. Edmonson's third album The Big Picture was released on September 30, 2014, through Sony Masterworks. Like her second album, it reached #1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. This performance will be in support of a new album release. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Jazz Series.
BALÉ FOLCLÓRICO DA BAHÍA
Merriam Theater
February 17, 2017
This 38-member troupe of dancers, musicians, and singers performs a repertory based on a "Bahian" folkloric dances of African origin and includes capoeira (a form of martial arts), samba, and those that celebrate Carnival. The company presents the Brazilian region of Bahia's most important cultural manifestations under a contemporary theatrical vision that reflects its popular origins. The only professional folk Dance Company in Brazil, Balé Folclórico da Bahía was formed in 1988. Under the artistic direction of José Carlos Arandiba, the company's many national and international tours have earned it a prestigious reputation throughout its native Brazil and around the world. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Philly ¡En Vivo! series.
Alan Cumming SINGS SAPPY SONGS
Verizon Hall
February 19, 2017
The award-winning television and Broadway performer presents his cabaret that The New York Times cheered "an emotional firestorm." Cumming is known for a range of work from his Tony-winning reimagining of the Emcee in Cabaret, his Emmy-nominated role on TV's The Good Wife to Shakespeare and the X-Men film franchise. Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs debuted at New York City's famed Café Carlyle and has since traveled through America, Canada and Australia. The cabaret is a collection of songs from the theater and pop world. With music direction by Emmy-winner Lance Horne, also on piano, and Eleanor Norton on cello, and Chris Jego on drums, Cumming offers an array of songs that have deep meaningful connection to his life. From Annie Lennox's "Why" and Miley Cyrus's "The Climb," to "The Ladies Who Lunch" from Company and Rufus Wainwright's "Dinner at Eight," Cumming doesn't just perform, he molds these songs into an intimate, unforgettable evening. This show is recommended for mature audiences.
THE BODYGUARD
Starring Deborah Cox
Academy of Music
February 21-26, 2017
Based on the hit film by the same name, 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." This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
Academy of Music
February 28-March 5, 2017
Hailed as "one of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway" by The New York Times, this "dazzling" (Associated Press) adaptation is the Tony Award-winning new play by Simon Stephens, adapted from Mark Haddon's best-selling novel and directed by Tony winner Marianne Elliott. Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor's dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever. This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
PAW PATROL LIVE!: RACE TO THE RESCUE
Merriam Theater
March 3-5, 2017
PAW Patrol Live!: Race to the Rescue is based on the enormously popular children's show that airs on Nickelodeon. Led by 10-year-old Ryder, the plucky pups of PAW Patrol are rescue dogs in training. Each pup is inspired by a real-world job like fire fighter, police officer, and construction worker. Whether it's a cat in a tree or a train off the tracks, they always find a way to help those in need. In Race to the Rescue, the team is called in to find missing Mayor Goodway of Adventure Bay. For PAW Patrol, "no job is too big, no pup is too small." This show is part of the Kimmel Center Family Discovery Series.
SHAPING SOUND: AFTER THE CURTAIN
Merriam Theater
March 7, 2017
Travis Wall's Shaping Sound Dance Company begins a fourth year of touring with an exciting new show, After The Curtain. The Emmy Award-winning choreographer known by his work on "So You Think You Can Dance" and frequent guest appearances on "Ellen" continues to electrify the dance world with innovative and explosive choreography and mash-ups of dance and musical genres.
DRUMLINE LIVE
Merriam Theater
March 9-10, 2017
DRUMLine Live, the show-stopping attraction created by the musical team behind 20th Century Fox's hit movies, Drumline and Drumline: A New Beat, has already paraded onto some of the biggest theatre stages in America, Japan, and Korea. After performing over 300 shows since 2009, it's time for a BRAND NEW show with new music and choreography. Complete with dazzling choreography and an explosive percussion, DrumLine Live combines a unique style of drumming, mesmerizing musicianship, and lively choreography to create a production never before seen on stage. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Family Discovery Series.
JOEY ALEXANDER TRIO
Perelman Theater
March 18-19, 2017
An extraordinary and uniquely gifted pianist from Bali, 13-year-old prodigy pianist Joey Alexander marks his recording debut with the release of My Favorite Things (May 12, 2015). Alexander brings a delicate, profound, and soulful touch to his own interpretation of such classics as My Favorite Things, Giant Steps, and Over the Rainbow, and showcases his talents as an arranger, composer, and bandleader. He taught himself to play piano by listening to classic jazz albums with his father. In 2014 Wynton Marsalis 'discovered' Joey performing in Jakarta, and flew him in to New York City to participate in his all-star Jazz At Lincoln Center Gala. Of Alexander, Marsalis has said, "I've never heard anyone who could play like him."
THE KING AND I
Academy of Music
March 22-April 2, 2017
One of Rodgers & Hammerstein's finest works, The King and I boasts a score which features such beloved classics as "Getting To Know You," "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Hello Young Lovers," "Shall We Dance" and "Something Wonderful." Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist king, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
TENTHING BRASS ENSEMBLE
Featuring Organist Jeffrey Brillhart
Verizon Hall
March 29, 2017
Formed in 2007 in Norway, tenThing is a 10-piece all-female brass ensemble. The group will perform alongside Jeffrey Brillhart on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall. The program will consist of three sections including a work for solo organ, selections from tenThing's tour program, and a trumpet and organ duet featuring tenThing's Helseth and organist Jeffrey Brillhart. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Organ Series.
AARON DIEHL TRIO
SEI Innovation Studio
April 1, 2017
Pianist Aaron Diehl is one of the most sought after jazz virtuosos, consistently playing with what The New York Times describes as "melodic precision, harmonic erudition, and elegant restraint." Diehl's meticulously thought-out performances, collaborations, and compositions are a leading force in today's generation of jazz contemporaries, spearheading a distinct union of traditional and fresh artistry. The performance will be the intimate trio of piano, bass, and drums. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Jazz Series.
CABARET
Academy of Music
April 4-9, 2017
Direct from Broadway, the acclaimed masterpiece returns to Philadelphia! As part of their 50th Anniversary Season, the critically acclaimed and award-winning Roundabout Theatre Company is proud to present Sam Mendes' (Skyfall, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall's (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Tony Award-winning production of Cabaret. Come hear some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including "Cabaret," "Willkommen" and "Maybe This Time." Leave your troubles outside - life is beautiful at Cabaret, John Kander's, Fred Ebb's, and Joe Masteroff's Tony-winning musical about following your heart while the world loses its way. This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
Carol Burnett: AN EVENING OF LAUGHTER AND REFLECTION
Academy of Music
April 12, 2017
Carol Burnett, award-winning actress and best-selling author, is widely recognized by the public and her peers for her work on stage and screen, most notably The Carol Burnett Show. During An Evening of Laughter and Reflection, Burnett will take questions from the audience, and show video clips from her shows in a format that harkens back to the legendary openings of The Carol Burnett Show where her studio audience had an unfiltered opportunity to engage Carol with questions and receive spontaneous answers.
Cyrus Chestnut TRIO
SEI Innovation Studio
April 13, 2017
Chestnut has earned a reputation for his skillful versatility, his ability for blending sounds and for unabashedly bringing gospel into the club performances he gives. Despite his sense of playful showmanship, he takes jazz very seriously and believes that jazz has great staying power. Throughout his career, Chestnut has worked with an array of artists, including saxophonists James Carter, Donald Harrison and Joe Lovano; trumpeters Roy Hargrove and Freddie Hubbard; jazzman Chick Corea, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, and opera singer Kathleen Battle, with whom he tours occasionally since 1995. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Jazz Series.
PHILADANCO
Perelman Theater
April 13-15, 2017
PHILADANCO returns for their second program at the Kimmel Center in the 2016-17 season with "Director's Choice" - a selection of favorite dances from PHILADANCO founder Joan Myers Brown.
TANYA TAGAQ IN CONCERT WITH NANOOK OF THE NORTH
Featuring Organist Aaron Miller
Verizon Hall
April 13, 2017
In this live concert with film, Inuit throat singer and tour-de-force vocalist Tanya Tagaq creates a mesmerizing, improvisatory soundscape for the controversial silent film Nanook of the North. Presented in 2016 as part of The Public Theater's Under the Radar Festival, this performance will feature accompaniment on the organ for the first time ever, as performed by AaRon Miller. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Organ Series.
CELTIC WOMAN
Academy of Music
April 14, 2017
The internationally renowned all-female ensemble Celtic Woman celebrates both the traditional and contemporary music of Ireland.
HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH
Forrest Theater
April 18-23, 2017
Brilliantly innovative, heartbreaking, and wickedly funny, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the landmark American musical by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask that is "groundbreaking and undoubtedly ahead of its time" (Entertainment Weekly). This genre-bending, fourth-wall-smashing musical sensation, with a pulsing score and electrifying performances, tells the story of one of the most unique characters to ever hit the stage. Directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) and winner of four 2014 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Revival, Hedwig and the Angry Inch played to record-breaking sell-out crowds on Broadway and promises to take Philadelphia by storm with what Time Magazine proclaims is "the most exciting rock score written for the theatre since, oh, ever!" This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
BRIT FLOYD
Presented in association with CMP Entertainment
Academy of Music
April 15, 2016
Brit Floyd bills itself as "The World's Greatest Pink Floyd Show." Brit Floyd is a Pink Floyd tribute band that formed in 2011 in Liverpool. Their live shows strive to emulate and recreate the sound and soundscape of Pink Floyd's live shows. Damian Darlington formed the band after playing with The Australian Pink Floyd Show for 17 years and the group has been touring around the world successfully for many years.
TRIBUTE TO ABBEY LINCOLN
Merriam Theater
May 5, 2017
Born in Chicago in 1930, American jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actress Abbey Lincoln was raised in rural Michigan and went to a one-room school. From the late 1980s almost until her death in 2010, she recorded albums that introduced, piece by piece, in her own voice, the Abbey Lincoln songbook. Toward the end of her life, Lincoln asked her friend Dee Dee Bridgewater to help keep the Abbey Lincoln songbook alive and on May 20, 2011 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Bridgewater began to fulfill her promise with A Tribute to Abbey Lincoln. This is a redesigned version of that original performance. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Jazz Series.
DIRTY DANCING: THE MUSICAL
Merriam Theater
May 16-21, 2017
Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance, and sensational dancing. Seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Featuring the hit songs, "Hungry Eyes," "Hey Baby," "Do You Love Me?," and the heart-stopping "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." London's Sunday Express says, "This crowd-pleasing stage adaptation hits the jackpot!" Don't miss your chance to see this record-breaking Live Theatre sensation. You'll have the time of your life! This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
NORMAN MACKENZIE
Verizon Hall
May 20, 2017
Organist Norman Mackenzie will perform a solo organ recital. The program will be announced at a later date. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Organ Series.
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL
Academy of Music
May 30-June 11, 2017
It began as one man's story... became everyone's music... and is now Broadway's musical. Motown the Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy's journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Featuring classic songs such as "My Girl" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," experience the story behind the music in the record-breaking smash hitMotown the Musical! This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
JAZZ ORCHESTRA OF PHILADELPHIA
Perelman Theater
June 10, 2017
Philly's hometown jazz orchestra presents their second program at the Kimmel Center for the 2016-17 season titled "A Night in Havana" featuring the music of Dizzy Gillespie and other jazz greats. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Jazz Series.
7TH ANNUAL ORGAN DAY
Verizon Hall
June 10, 2017
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in association with the Philadelphia Chapter of The American Guild of Organists (AGO), will present the 7th Annual Organ Day, a marathon of FREE organ music performed on The Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ Day. Audiences of all ages are invited to explore "Fred," the largest mechanical pipe organ in a concert venue in the United States, through a diverse lineup of programming tailored to include something for everyone. This show is part of the Kimmel Center Organ Series.
FUN HOME
Forrest Theater
June 13-18, 2017
Every once in a while a Broadway musical comes along that surprises, moves and excites audiences in ways only a truly landmark musical can. The groundbreaking, life-affirming and exquisite new musical Fun Home was the event of the Broadway season, receiving raves from critics and audiences alike, winning five 2015 Tony Awards® including "Best Musical" and making history along the way. Based on Alison Bechdel's best-selling graphic memoir, Fun Homeintroduces us to Alison at three different ages as she explores and unravels the many mysteries of her childhood. A refreshingly honest musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes, "Fun Home is extraordinary, a rare beauty that pumps fresh air into Broadway" (The New York Times). This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
WICKED
Academy of Music
July 26-August 27, 2017
Wicked, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz...but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another girl, born with emerald-green skin-smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships...until the world decides to call one "good" and the other one "wicked." With a thrilling score that includes the hits "Defying Gravity," "Popular" and "For Good," Wicked has been hailed by The New York Times as "the defining musical of the decade." Time Magazine cheers, "if every musical had the brain, the heart, and the courage of Wicked, Broadway really would be a magical place." This show is part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, The Kimmel Center's mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the University of the Arts' Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly Pops, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center's 2016-2017 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.
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