Upcoming Events

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA • Anu Tali, Music Director

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s ultimate holiday tradition for over 30 years! Grammy Award®-winner Chip Davis’ show features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics along with selections from Chip’s groundbreaking Fresh Aire series which introduced the distinctive Mannheim sound to all of America.

Beyond Glory, starring award-winning playwright, stage and screen star, Stephen Lang, brings to the stage the stories of eight different men who received the Medal of Honor for their bravery in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. These poignant portraits of men at war, pushed into narrow corners and faced with hard choices, are spell-binding and thrilling. Stephen Lang has appeared as Col. Miles Quaritch in Avatar an

In a career that spans more than three decades, legendary and Grammy®-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz returns with his 21st annual Dave Koz Christmas Tour 2018.  Special Guests joining Dave this year will be: Mindi Abair, pop/blues saxophonist/singer who will be making her first Christmas Tour appearance; South African guitarist/singer, Jonathan Butler, returning fo

Grammy Award®-winner KC and The Sunshine Band has celebrated over 40 years of making booties shake!
Led by Harry Wayne "KC" Casey, a Florida native, and his band are best known for hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That’s the Way (I Like It)," "Boogie Shoes" and "Rock Your Baby." Come and "Shake Your Booty" – you’ll be dancing

Florida natives Wil Baptiste (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin) return to the Van Wezel stage with their Classical Boom Tour. They will delight you with an "unexpected blend of classically-trained musicianship and hip-hop beats and inventiveness."  - The Miami Herald

Be part of the holiday concert tradition of the season with Grammy®-nominated songwriter and piano sensation Jim Brickman as he celebrates A Joyful Christmas, delivering the sound and spirit of the season with carols, classics and original songs on his 22nd annual holiday tour.  Holiday music brings yuletide memories to life as he helps you escape from the holiday hustle-bustle and keeps your days

Two worlds collide in this "breathtaking and exquisite" (The New York Times) musical, based on the 2015 Tony Award®-winning Lincoln Center Theater production. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as "Getting To Know You," "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Hello Young Lovers," "Shall We Dance" and &ldqu

Harmonies. That’s what Christmas songs are all about for music legend Brian Wilson. From the seminal 1964 classic The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album to his acclaimed 2005 solo effort What I Really Want for Christmas Wilson has been bringing holiday cheer to the world for more than five decades. This holiday season, for the first time Wilson and his crack band of musicians and vocalists along with long time bandmates Al J

Victorian Winters

• Fri, Dec 14 • 7:30pm
• Sat, Dec 15 • 2:00pm & 7:30pm
   

Woven throughout Charles Dickens’ classic tale are beautiful new arrangements and moving renditions of holiday songs such as "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Good Christian Men Rejoice," "Greensleeves," "The Boar’s Head Carol" and many more.  Featuring a cast of 23 performers, live musicians, and Broadway-style scenery and costumes, audiences cherish this sumptuous holiday classic from

The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast presents Florida West Coast’s Premiere of "Itzhak Perlman – In The Fiddler’s House – A Night of Klezmer" on Monday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. Almost twenty-three years have passed since internationally-acclaimed violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman made his iconic album of klezmer music, "In the Fiddler

Just announced! Top-selling global super group Celtic Thunder returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 7:30 PM. Celtic Thunder’s dynamic live music experience and uplifting songs will be accentuated by a full symphony orchestra. The performance will include magnificent set displays and dazzling songs from their new 10th anniversary album Celtic Thunder X. Celtic Thunder’s five mal

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE! A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC is coming to the Van Wezel! The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®-, Grammy®- and Academy Award®- winning Best Score, including "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Climb Ev’ry Mountain," "Edelweiss" and the title song.

Christmas is coming and so is the one and only Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. Presenting world class Russian artists, hand-painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens, and jubilant Nesting Dolls – Great Russian Nutcracker brings the Christmas spirit to life for all ages. "Kids wide-eyed with delight!" says the New York Times. Experience the Dove of Peace Tour,

The beloved TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. See all of your favorite characters as they come to life in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" animated television special adapt

From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. ON YOUR FEET! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their

Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Van Wezel. Attend The "Sweet Caroline" Tour: A Neil Diamond Concert Celebration, starring the #1 Neil Diamond Performer in the world, Jay White. Proceeds benefit Parkinson Place and the Parkinson Research Foundation, supporting initiatives to increase awareness and fund research to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. The full New Year's Eve event encompasses a VIP cocktail reception, fi

This holiday season, the spirited romance of operetta, the glamour of ballroom dance, and the delicate beauty of ballet will waltz you into a triumphant New Year. A Sarasota tradition for 23 years, this charming celebration blends acclaimed European singers and dancers with full symphony orchestra for a rich cultural experience that will leave your toes tapping.

From "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, lovable TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist…it’s no wonder that Jay Leno is widely characterized as "the hardest working man in show business."

SOMETHING ROTTEN! is "Broadway’s big, fat hit!" (New York Post). Set in 1595, this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who are desperate to write a hit play. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first MUSICAL! With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequin

3 Redneck Tenors is a mixture of down-home laughs with big city music! It has been said that if "Larry the Cable Guy, Il Divo, and Mrs. Doubtfire had a baby, that child would be The 3 Redneck Tenors." These trailer park singing sensations have a great many stories to tell, taking us on one sidesplitting ride of comedy and audience interaction. Audiences spend an evening wowed by veteran singers showcased through a smo

Delivering the most authentic "King of Rock ‘n Roll" Experience this side of Heaven, Scot Bruce and Mike Albert will knock your socks off! "Powerful, Reverent, Rockin’! - Newsweek

Graham Russell & Russell Hitchcock have been singing together for over 40 years and this season they return to the Van Wezel to share some of their famous hits including "Lost in Love," "All Out of Love," "The One That You Love," "Sweet Dreams," "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All," "Goodbye," "It's Never Too Late" and "Dance With Me."

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center - Thur, Jan 24 at 7:30pm Czech National Symphony Orchestra - Mon, Feb 11 at 7:30pm
John Mauceri, conductor  /  Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano Academy of St Martin in the Fields - Thur, Feb 21 at 7:30pm
Jeremy Denk, piano Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra - Wed, A

The Lovin’ Feelin’ is Back – The Righteous Brothers Live! Blue-eyed soul pioneers The Righteous Brothers are back! Original Brother Bill Medley is joined by Bucky Heard in a concert experience that features their biggest hits, including the most played song in radio history:  "You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’." "Soul & Inspiration," "Unchai

Welcome Linda Eder, one of the original stars of Broadway’s Jekyll & Hyde, back to the Van Wezel! Showcasing one of the greatest voices of our time, her diverse repertoire spans Broadway, standards, pop, country and jazz, making her one of America’s most beloved singers and dynamic live performers.

Town Hall 2019

In 2009, Pilobolus created Shadowland, the first show of its kind, which it has since performed in 32 countries for over a million people. Now, Pilobolus is proud to present Shadowland: The New Adventure. Employing animation, video, and live shadow theater, this madcap adventure dips its toe into the genres of science fiction, film noir, and romantic comedy to tell a love story about two people and their quest to save a magical bird.

Howie Mandel’s versatile career of more than 30 years has encompassed virtually all aspects of the entertainment spectrum, including television, film and stage. From his work on the Emmy-Award®-winning St. Elsewhere to the international animated children’s series Bobby’s World, Howie has become a mainstay of the American comedy scene, with specials on both cable and network TV. Don’t miss this special night of co

This sensational production reunites Four Stars from the Original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys. Tony Award®-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award-nominee J. Robert Spencer star in this one-of-a-kind concert experience celebrating the music that defined the '60s. Don't miss this electrifying and soulful new production with its top-shelf choreography, incredible vocal performances and legendary on

Gladys Knight, the "Empress of Soul," returns to the Van Wezel stage!  This seven-time Grammy winner has enjoyed #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television and live performance. Hits include:

• You and I Ain’t Nothin’ No More
• Midnight Train to Georgia
• I Heard it Through the Grapevine
• If I Were Your W

Jerry Lee Lewis, one of the original Million Dollar Quartet along with Elvis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, is one of the all-time best singer-songwriters, musicians, and pianists. A true American Stylist, he is an architect of great genres such as Rock n' Roll and Rockabilly as well as a commander of Country music and the Blues. "The Killer" holds numerous awards including Grammys® and the Recording Academy's Lifeti

Grammy® Nominee Tony Orlando has sold millions of records, including five number one hits: "Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree," "Knock Three Times," "Candida," "My Sweet Gypsy Rose" and "He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)."  He is one of America’s most endearing and enduring iconic stars and 2019 finds him bringing his exhilara

\Teen heartthrobs in the late 50’s and 60’s, Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell have been performing together as Dick Fox’s Golden Boys in packed venues across the country since 1985. Always a fan favorite, they return to the Van Wezel stage to take the audience on a trip down memory lane! Hear all-time greatest hits like "Venus" (Frankie Avalon); "Tiger" (Fabian) and "Volare"

Neil Berg returns to the Van Wezel celebrating a record-breaking decade of annual performances with an exciting all new show! 110 YEARS OF BROADWAY recreates the finest moments from the most memorable shows of the century featuring the actual Broadway stars of shows like Jersey Boys, Wicked and Mamma Mia! Backed by an excellent New York-based band, Neil Berg presents skillful arrangements of Broadway classics as well as electrifying numbers

Enjoy a special evening with CMA and Grammy award® -winning country artist, Travis Tritt. Experience this rare opportunity featuring the multi-platinum artist in an intimate solo-acoustic setting where his powerful voice and his guitar are the subject of the spotlight. In this up-close and personal event, punctuated by personal stories and anecdotes about his life and musical influences, Tritt performs some of his biggest hits, includin

The Lords of 52nd Street are Billy Joel’s original band. They do not need to copy or reinvent the original music, since they are the guys you saw playing at Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, Nassau Coliseum and the countless other venues during those Billy Joel concerts of the 1970’s and 1980’s! The Lords of 52nd Street are the legendary bandmates who recorded and toured the world for many years with t

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1936 by Bronislaw Huberman and its inaugural concert was conducted by Arturo Toscanini. The IPO plays in subscription and in special concerts and series throughout Israel as well as the world. In 1969 Zubin Mehta was appointed Music Advisor to the IPO and in 1977 he became Music Director. Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was named IPO Laureate Conductor in 1988, in 1992 Kurt Masur (1927-2015) wa

Philadelphia maven Patti LaBelle returns to the Van Wezel by popular demand to belt out her Soul and R&B classics, pop hits, blues and spirituals – as only Ms. Patti can! As time continues to evolve, the soulful songbird’s name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance and class. From her days in the girl group Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells, to the top of charts as a solo Superstar, she is simply

New Shanghai Circus, founded in 1951, has won more Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals in domestic and international circus competitions than any other Chinese acrobatic company. Breathtaking and polished to perfection, their skills have their roots in everyday lives of the village peasants, farmers and craftsman of the Han Dynasty. "Feats of circus art that reach literally breathtaking heights of skill…t

Boston Pops on Tour returns to the Van Wezel with Lights, Camera, Music...Six Decades of John Williams. Conducted by Keith Lockhart, this blockbuster program will immediately bring you back to some of the greatest movies ever to hit the silver screen. Hear some of your most beloved film themes performed live, including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Schindler's List, Star Wars

From "When a Man Loves a Woman" to "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" and more, Michael Bolton’s time, love and tenderness has created the soundtrack of our lives. Join the Grammy Award®-winner for an evening of timeless hits and a musical journey through pop, rock, soul, standards and even classical, specially arranged for symphony orchestra. 

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. Named in 2007 by TIME magazine as one of "100 Best Television Shows of All Time," The Carol Burnett Show ran for 11 years, averaged 30 million viewers per week, and received 25 Emmy Awards, making it one of the most

TV’s biggest dance show returns on tour this winter with "Dancing with the Stars: Live!" featuring fan favorite professional and troupe dancers in a brand-new production showcasing every type of dance style as seen on ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars, ranging from ballroom and jazz to modern and hip-hop.   For the American Express pre-sale, View More Buy Tickets

• Friday, Feb 15 at 8pm
• Packages
• FRONT ROW VIP MEET & MINGLE PACKAGE ($599.00)
• PREMIUM VIP MEET & MINGLE PACKAGE ($389.00)
• VIP MEET & MINGLE PACKAGE ($299.00)
• VIP HOT SEAT PACKAGE ($190.00)

In a remarkable career that spans more than two decades, London-born multi-platinum singer-songwriter Seal has been focused on a single creative pursuit: expressing the full experience of love through song. Known for his one-of-a-kind soaring, husky baritone voice and classic songwriting, Seal has seen success across numerous genres of music. His smooth vocal delivery on hits like "Crazy" and "Kiss from a

STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique—an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to

The winner of Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, this breathtaking smash "captures the kid-at-heart," says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, "It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!" Directed by visionary Tony®-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award®- winning film, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story behind one of the world&

Best known for her work in the theater, Bernadette Peters recently starred on Broadway as Dolly Gallagher Levi in the hit musical, Hello, Dolly! One of Broadway’s most critically-acclaimed performers, she has won numerous accolades including three Tony® Awards, a Golden Globe, two Grammy® Awards, a Drama Desk Award, three Emmy® nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You’ve seen her on

The Beach Boys are led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, who, along with Jeffrey Foskett, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill, Keith Hubacher, Christian Love and Scott Totten continue the legacy of the iconic American band. Hits include: "Surfin’," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "I Get Around," "Help Me Rhonda," "California Girls," "Good Vibrations," and "Kokomo.&r

The Sleeping Beauty, a crowning jewel of Marius Petipa’s career, is often considered the finest achievement of the Classical ballet. It is a grandiose and refined blending of the traditional mime, expressive pas d’action and spectacular divertissements in a lavish theatrical setting and set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.  Founded in Moscow during the transitional period of Perestroika in the late 1980s, t

Sixteen-time Grammy®-winner David Foster makes his Sarasota premiere at the Van Wezel! A prolific songwriter, David played a key role in the discovery and career launches of Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Michael Bublé and has written for dozens of other stars. A performer in his own right, he hosted "Foster & Friends" — two star-studded concert events that were filmed for Great Performances

Experience the Grammy® Nominated Celtic Woman Live in Concert on their 2019 World Tour celebrating Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage, Celtic Woman combines the country's finest musical talents with epic stage production to present a uniquely inspiring live experience. 

In celebration of the anniversary of Abbey Road, Rain will bring the greatest hits of this epic recording to life, in addition to all your early Beatles favorites. This mind-blowing performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is "the next best thing to seeing the Beatles" (Associated Press). Experience the worlds’ most iconic band

NOTE: Subscriptions are now available, but individual tickets will not go on sale until November 2, 2018 Giraffes strut.  Birds swoop.  Gazelles leap.  The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before.  And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s THE LION KING, making its premiere at the Van Wezel in March 2019! More tha

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary season, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo is a company of professional male dancers performing the full range of the ballet and modern dance repertoire, including classical and original works. The troupe incorporates comedy by exaggerating the foibles, accidents, and underlying incongruities of serious dance. The men dance all the parts — heavy bodies delicately balancing on toes as swans, sylphs,

More than two decades ago Jonathan Larson’s RENT opened on Broadway and forever changed American theatre. It continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and the world. And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning masterpiece returns to our stage with its vibrant 20th anniversary tour. A re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows the lives of seven artists struggling to follow

In his popular live presentations, Peter Gros (Original Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom) shares his exciting animal world, travel experiences and timeless tales. He highlights his many adventures with a mix of video clips and bloopers while introducing friendly exotic animals to audience members, and telling inspirational stories dealing with issues of conservation, travel, and wildlife filming. Peter’s fasc

Cream was a chemical explosion like no other, the blueprint for every supergroup to follow and the heavy blues precursor to Hendrix, Zeppelin and so much more. The bloodlines of that hallowed trilogy come together on the Van Wezel stage to pay tribute to Cream's legendary four-album reign over the psychedelic frontier of the late 1960s.  Feel the fire and the freedom of "Spoonful," "Strange Brew,&rd

The Second City has been laughing at love and its various side effects for decades. It’s Not You, It’s Me, The Second City takes shots at heartbreak, missed connections, and the mire of human relationships. Your friends, parents and blind date will all find something achingly familiar to laugh at!

Come join our sisterhood! Four women at a lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace bra AND memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more! This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles! See what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for 16 years! It’s the Hilarious Celebration

Grammy Award®-winner ("Lowdown") Boz Scaggs returns to our stage with his Out of The Blues Tour, celebrating his new album. It’s appropriate since the blues is what first sparked his five-decade musical career. "Music has been a constant companion and I'm feeling more free with it than ever," Scaggs comments. "I feel like I've found my voice through all these yea

Tony Award®-winner (Cabaret) Scottish-born Alan Cumming returns to the Van Wezel with his new show Legal Immigrant, celebrating his ten years as a US citizen, growing older and what it feels like to be an immigrant in today’s America. The show is a true old-fashioned cabaret, a smorgasbord of songs and tales; laughter, tears and, of course, provocation! Alan is also known for his role as Eli Gold on The G

Known across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch, Lea Salonga is a singer and actress who is best known for her Tony Award®-winning role in Miss Saigon. She has also won the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards. Lea is a "Disney Legend" for her singing voices of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and Fa Mulan for Mulan and Mulan II.<

She Remembers Everything, Rosanne Cash’s highly anticipated follow-up to her triple-Grammy®-winning masterpiece The River and The Thread is a powerfully insightful and strikingly universal collection of new songs.  Both confessional and cathartic the material reverberates with an urgency of a woman who has found and owns her story and her voice and who is driven to speak when time feels ever

The Temptations were known for smooth stepping: The Temptations Walk became a staple of American style. Their legendary tunes include "My Girl," "Ain’t Too Proud to Beg" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." The Four Tops, who have been marveling audiences since 1954, are known for chart-topping hits "I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),&rdq

Whoopi Goldberg is one of a very elite group of artists who have won a Grammy® ("Whoopi Goldberg," 1985), an Academy Award® (Ghost, 1991), a Golden Globe (The Color Purple, 1985 and Ghost, 1991), an Emmy® (host of AMC’s "Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel," 2002), a Daytime Emmy for "The View," 2009) and a Tony®

Award-winning country music icons Lee Greenwood and Crystal Gayle bring their hits to the Van Wezel! Lee’s hits include: "It Turns Me Inside Out," "Dixie Road" and "Somebody’s Gonna Love You," just to name a few! Lee also won CMA Song of the Year for writing "God Bless the USA," voted the most recognizable patriotic song in America. Reno

This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw-dropping talents of five of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists™ Live from Broadway™ 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, packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.