Kravis Center Celebrates The Holidays With BLAST On New Year's Eve

(Wanda Sykes Is Pictured)

Kravis Center Celebrates the Holidays with a Month-Long Line-Up of Knock-Out Super Shows  

Laughs from Wanda Sykes & Second City Improv All Stars

Music from the Emerson String Quartet & Matisyahu

Moscow Classic Ballet's The Nutcracker

BLAST, CELTIC WOMAN, MY FAIR LADY,

Masters of Illusion Live & More!  

'Celebrating 20 Years of Artistic Excellence and Commitment to the Community' 

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts kicks-off the holiday season with a crowd-pleasing roster of world-class entertainers. 

DECEMBER 2011: 

December 1 – 8 p.m.  (Thursday)

MASTERS OF ILLUSION LIVE!

Masters of Illusion Live! is bringing the art of stage illusion to magic fans all over. Inspired by the hit television show Masters of Illusion, this live show gives you the immediacy of live theater with exotic animals, beautiful dancers, escapologists, comedy magic, quick change artists,…everything you could possibly imagine and others that you'd never dream possible. All LIVE! No camera tricks, no computer graphics – just amazing illusions in real time in front of a live audience. Nothing is more exciting, and it's an experience your family will cherish for a lifetime.

(Sponsored by Steven A. Tendrich Charitable Trust)

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $25 

December 3 – 8 p.m.  (Saturday)

MY FAIR LADY

When a snobbish phonetics professor agrees to a wager that he can turn a working-class flower peddler into a proper lady, the stage is set for romance and glitter. Featuring such memorable melodies as "On The Street Where You Live," "The Rain In Spain" and "I Could Have Danced All Night," this timeless classic based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, with book, music and lyrics by Lerner and Loewe, is sure to be an evening to treasure. The Chicago Sun-Times called it, "A masterpiece … don't miss it."

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $25

(With support from WXEL TV42)

Beyond the Stage: Join them for a free musical presentation by Wellington Landings Middle School in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm. 

December 6 – 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.  (Tuesday)

AMERICA'S HITS ON PARADE WITH

THE Jimmy Dorsey ORCHESTRA AND THE PIED PIPERS

(Adults at Leisure Series)

Come and enjoy a virtual songbook of legendary tunes that topped the charts during the World War II years, sung by one of the best-known and most popular groups of the era – The Pied Pipers. You'll be dancing in your seat to a medley of Jimmy Dorsey Big Band hits including "Amapola," "Tangerine," "I'm Glad There Is You" and "Green Eyes."

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets $30 

December 6 – 8 p.m.  (Tuesday)

EMERSON STRING QUARTET

Regional Arts Concert Series / MUSIC "At Eight"

Winner of nine Grammy® Awards-including two for Best Classical Album-this superb ensemble returns to the Kravis Center for the first time in 12 years. The astonishing versatility of violinists Philip Setzer and Eugene Drucker, violist Lawrence Dutton and cellist David Finckel will be on full display in masterworks from the 18^th century to today. The Times of London could not have put it better: "With musicians like this, there must be some hope for humanity."

+ Haydn / String Quartet No. 67 in F, Op. 77, No. 2 ("Lobkowitz")

+ Thomas Adès / The Four Quarters – Florida Premiere

+ Beethoven / String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131

(Regional Arts Concert Series sponsored by Leonard and Sophie Davis; Concert sponsored by Harriett M. Eckstein New Art Fund)

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $20

Beyond the Stage: Join them for a free pre-concert discussion by Sharon McDaniel at 6:45 pm and a free musical presentation by Palm Springs Middle School in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm. 

December 7 – 8 p.m.  (Wednesday)

CELTIC WOMAN

A Christmas Celebration

The Symphony Tour

Due to overwhelming demand and for the first time ever, the enchanting Irish music sensation Celtic Woman will perform their beloved Yule songs and carols in a reverent yet dynamic symphonic setting, accompanied by the stirring instruments of a full symphony orchestra.

(Sponsored by Mr. George T. Elmore; Mr. and Mrs. George W. Weaver)

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $25

Beyond the Stage: Join them for a free musical presentation by a Palm Beach County Elementary School in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm.

December 11 – 8 p.m.  (Sunday)

Wanda Sykes

Whether you know her from her stand-up work, or her roles on TV sitcoms Curb Your Enthusiasm and The New Adventures of Old Christine, or her appearances in films such as Monster-In-Law starring opposite Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda, you know her most of all for her unique blend of stinging humor and outspoken honesty on topics ranging from politics, gay marriage, healthcare, racial profiling, the pressure of being a woman and the perks of getting older. Don't miss this funny lady in person. Contains Adult Language.

(Sponsored by Bonnie and John Osher)

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $20 

December 21-24

+ Wednesday, Thursday & Friday – 8 p.m.

+ Saturday – 2 p.m.

MOSCOW CLASSICAL BALLET

The Nutcracker

From its colorful fairy tale set to journeys through enchanted kingdoms and forests, Tchaikovsky's timeless tale of friendship and love never fails to bring family and friends together to enjoy the magic and merriment of this beloved holiday treasure.

(Sponsored by Margaretta Taylor)

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $25

Beyond the Stage: Join them for a free pre-performance discussion by Steven Caras at 6:45 pm and a free musical presentation by Seawind Elementary School in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm on December 21. Also, a free musical presentation by Diamond View Elementary School in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby at 7:15 pm on December 22. 

December 29 – 8 p.m.  (Thursday)

An Acoustic Evening with

MATISYAHU

Few artists make an impact as complete as the one Matisyahu made with his Top 40 hit "King Without A Crown." Here was a true original, the song announced – a Hasidic Jewish musician from New York singing reggae songs about his religious devotion. Fans responded to this one-of-a-kind voice, driving Youth, Matisyahu's Grammy®-nominated 2006 studio disc to the top spot on Billboard's reggae albums chart, and his latest single "One Day" served as the official anthem for the NBC 2010 Winter Olympics. For his Kravis Center debut, Matisyahu and guitarist Adam Weinberg will perform a special acoustic evening featuring a rare Q&A session with the audience.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $25 

December 30-January 1  (Friday-Sunday)

+ Friday – 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

+ Saturday – 7:30 & 10 p.m.

+ Sunday – 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

THE SECOND CITY'S IMPROV ALL-STARS

For more than 50 years, The Second City has been the world's premier improv and sketch comedy theatre, introducing generations of comedy legends. Sans scripts and inhibitions, the Second City's Improv All-Stars use audience suggestions to create comedy on the spot – never seen before and never to be seen again. It's a one of a kind evening with the most legendary improv artists in North America.

Helen K. Persson Hall

Tickets $35 (except for December 31 at 10 p.m., $50*)

* Includes New Year's Eve Toast  

December 31 – 8 p.m.  (Saturday)

BLAST!

Winner of the 2001 Tony Award® for Best Special Theatrical Event and the 2001 Emmy® Award for Best Choreography, BLAST! is comprised of 35 brass, percussion and visual performers brought together in a unique explosion of music and theatre.  Born on athletic fields across the nation, BLAST! is a novel art form evolved from the showmanship of outdoor pageantry.  According to Bruce McCabe of the Boston Globe: "BLAST! is an exuberant 15-number show that doesn't falter while bridging the categories of classical, blues, jazz, rock 'n roll, and techno-pop music. BLAST! stands, blows, pounds, marches, and whirls with panache. It sent a full house into repeated bursts of cheering and applause."

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $25 

Tickets are available for purchase at the Kravis Center box office, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in downtown West Palm Beach; online at www.kravis.org; or by phone at (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471.

FALL IN LOVE TODAY!  ADOPT A PET FROM YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER