About the Theatre
The Manatee Performing Arts Center, located in downtown Bradenton, Florida, serves as a cultural cornerstone, offering a diverse array of performances and community programs. Managed by Florida Cultural Group, Inc., the center features two main stages—Stone Hall for Broadway musicals and the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater for intimate dramas. With a mission that extends beyond theater, the center also hosts art exhibits, educational initiatives, and programs like 'Action Through Acting,' which addresses socially relevant issues. This dynamic venue reflects the cultural fabric of the community and provides entertainment, education, and engagement for audiences of all ages.
RELATED STORIES
Review: A Powerful PARADE Sparks the Conversation at Manatee Players
by Drew Eberhard - March 10, 2024
From the moment the lights dim to the opening chords of the Prologue, the audience knew they were in for a treat. A haunting and stirring rendition of The Old Red Hills of Home, led by young actor Elijah Zurek as the Young Soldier, will have you in a chokehold from the very start....
PETER PAN & More Lead Florida's Spring 2024 Top Theatre Shows
by Team BWW - March 01, 2024
Florida is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for Spring 2024 include Peter Pan and more....
RAGTIME, SUNSET BOULEVARD & More Lead Florida's April 2023 Theater Top Picks
by BWW Staff - March 21, 2023
Orlando is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Our picks for April 2023 include Misery, Ragtime, Sunset Boulevard, and more!...
The Hat Theater Collective Announces Its Cast For THE BALLAD OF OLD MANATEE
by A.A. Cristi - March 03, 2023
The Hat Theater Collective has announced the cast and creative team of the World Premiere of The Ballad of Old Manatee, co-created by Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Danae DeShazer, and Derek Brookens. ...
LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL & More Lead Florida's March Theater Top Picks
by BWW Staff - February 21, 2023
Florida is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. This month's picks include LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL and more....
Review: NEXT TO NORMAL Asks the Hard Questions at Manatee Players
by Drew Eberhard - January 28, 2023
Next to Normal is a 2008 Rock Musical written by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt. The plot tells the story of a mother (Diana) who struggles with progressive Bipolar Disorder and how managing the disease and its effects take a toll on her family. The award-winning musical covers such topics as depression,...
Past Shows
I Do! I Do!
4/22 - 5/9/2021
The story of a marriage is at the center of I Do! I Do!, an intimate and nostalgic work by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones ...
Love in Revue
2/12 - 2/14/2021
Make your Valentine's weekend reservations and bring your special someone to the Manatee Performing Arts Center. See some of your favorite performers live in concert ...
Doubt, A Parable
3/19 - 4/5/2020
John Patrick Shanley Manatee Performing Arts Center...
Dancing Lessons
10/10 - 10/27/2019
Mark St. Germain Manatee Performing Arts Center...
Tuesdays with Morrie
10/10 - 10/27/2019
Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, based on the book by Mitch Albom Manatee Performing Arts Center...
Grey Gardens
9/5 - 9/22/2019
book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie Manatee Performing Arts Center...
The Music Man
7/20 - 7/21/2018
By turns wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, The Music Man is family entertainment at its best. Meredith Willson's six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy has ...
The Lion King JR.
6/22 - 6/23/2018
The Lion King has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world. The African savannah comes to life with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast ...
Tony n' Tina's Wedding
6/5 - 6/10/2018
Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding is an "environmental/immersive theatre" event based on a traditional Italian-American wedding and reception, with warm and intrusive stereotypes exaggerated for comic ...
Menopause the Musical
5/22 - 6/3/2018
This hilarious musical parody staged to classic tunes from the '60s, '70s and '80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. See what ...
Nice Work if You Can Get It
4/26 - 5/13/2018
It's the Roaring Twenties a cast of outrageous characters gather in New York to celebrate the wedding of a wealthy playboy. Things don't go as ...
A variety show like no other. Featuring the talents of the Manatee Performing Arts Center's resident senior theatre troupe, DraMature. Come enjoy the hard work ...
Godspell JR.
4/28
The original Godspell was the first major musical theatre offering from three-time Grammy and Academy Award-winner, Stephen Schwartz, and it took the world by storm. ...
Good
4/5 - 4/22/2018
Pre-war Germany, it shows how a liberal-minded professor whose best friend is Jewish, could not only be seduced into joining Nazism, but step-by-step end up ...
Teen Idol Contest
4/13
The Manatee Performing Arts Center would like to invite aspiring young performers to apply for the Teen Idol Contest. All teens ages 13-18 are eligible ...
Little Women
3/22 - 4/8/2018
Based on Louisa May Alcott's American classic, this Civil War story of love and family stands the test of time. Rating: G...
Baby
3/1 - 3/18/2018
Three couples work their way towards parenthood under three VERY different sets of circumstances. Rating: G...
Members of this group include past cast members of Disney Orlando. This group has played it all from corporate shows to sold out theaters. This ...
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
2/15 - 3/4/2018
From the Academy Award-winning team comes a lushly scored retelling of Victor Hugo’s epic story following Quasimodo’s journey of love, acceptance and what it means ...
Driving Miss Daisy
1/25 - 2/11/2018
Driving Miss Daisy follows the relationship of an elderly white Southern Jewish woman, Daisy Werthan, and her African-American chauffeur, Hoke Colburn, from 1948 to 1973. ...
Gallagher Smash!
2/2
One of the most popular and recognizable comedians of the 1980's, Gallagher has to his credit fourteen comedy specials for Showtime, ran for Governor, and ...
Nine
1/11 - 1/28/2018
Guido Contini is a wreck. Torn between his wife, mistress, and the star he needs to make a great movie, he runs off to Venice, ...
Guys and Dolls SR.
1/17
Manatee Performing Arts Center's resident senior theatre troupe, DraMature presents Guys and Dolls Sr. Frank Loesser's celebrated musical comedy about rolling the dice and falling ...
Sarasota Musica Viva presents "Peter and the Wolf" and other youthful classics performed by the Sarasota Musica Viva Woodwind Quintet. This program will celebrate the ...
Sleigh Ride: Decades Rewind
12/22 - 12/23/2017
Decades Rewind is an incredibly memorable & nostalgic show that you’ve been dreaming of! Featuring the top hits of the golden age of music (from ...
Annie
11/30 - 12/17/2017
Leapin' Lizards! The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. Rating: PG...
Flowers for Algernon
11/30 - 12/17/2017
The compelling story of Charlie Gordon, willing victim of a strange experiment - a moron, a genius, a man in search of himself. Poignant, funny, ...
Annie JR.
12/9
Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan, ...
Sarasota Musica Viva presents "Divine Inspiration", a program of flute and harp repertoire. This refreshing program includes a variety of styles of music with interactive ...
The Goldtones
11/17
Florida's hottest Doo-Wop/Oldies Group singing all of your favorites from the 50s and 60s. Nostalgic street corner harmonies, just the way you remember them. TheGoldTones.com...
BASE Talks
11/14
BASE (Business, Arts, Science and Entertainment) Talks is an outreach lecture series designed to enhance community engagement, add value to the arts and entertainment in ...
A Little Night Music
10/26 - 11/12/2017
Stephen Sondheim's romantic 19th century waltz whisks us away to a weekend in the country. Rating: PG...
Sylvia
9/15 - 10/2/2016
The world of a middle-aged New York couple is turned topsy-turvy when the husband brings home an exceptionally engaging canine running loose in Central Park. ...
Decades Rewind
9/3 - 9/4/2016
Take a trip down melody lane with Decades Rewind, featuring over 60 songs effortlessly blended into unique medleys from the most prominent decades in music ...
42nd Street
8/11 - 8/28/2016
When Broadway director Julian Marsh falls on hard times with both his health and his finances, he helms an ambitious musical as a final production ...
The Wiz
7/22 - 7/23/2016
Dorothy, a restless Kansas farm girl eager to see more of the world, is transported by a tornado to a magical world of Munchkins, witches, ...
Videos
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2024-2025 Bank of America Broadway at The Straz Season
Straz Center for the Performing Arts (10/1 - 6/8) | |
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The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical
Stageworks Theatre (11/29 - 12/22) | |
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The Sunshine Boys
Francis Wilson Playhouse (4/3 - 4/13) | |
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A Christmas Carol
Carrollwood Players Theatre (12/6 - 12/22) | |
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Powerstories Speaking for Our liveS (SOS)
Powerstories @Shuffle (1/14 - 1/14) | |
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STOMP
Ruth Eckerd Hall (3/25 - 3/26) | |
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C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters
Carol Morsani Hall at Straz Center for the Performing Arts (2/9 - 2/9) | |
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Letterhead
Carrollwood Cultural Center (1/24 - 1/26) | |
| VIEW SHOWS ADD A SHOW | ||
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