Kravis Center Kicks Off 2017 with an Amazing Array of Concerts & Shows in January

By: Dec. 09, 2016
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The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts continues its star-packed 25th anniversary season in January 2017 with more than two-dozen amazing productions from a Broadway smash hit to comedy superstars, from musical legends to fascinating lectures.

January 1 at 8 pm (Sunday)

Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert

The Strauss Symphony of America

Christoph Campestrini, Conductor (Vienna)

Monika Rebholz, Soprano (Vienna)

Franz Gürtelschmied, Tenor (Vienna)

Featuring dancers from Kiev-City Ballet and International Champion Ballroom Dancers

More celebratory than a glass of champagne, Salute to Vienna's 20th Anniversary New Year's Concert is a delight for the eyes and the ears. This New Year's Day, a stunning new program featuring Strauss waltzes and sweeping melodies will be performed by a full orchestra, acclaimed European singers, and ballet and ballroom dancers. Fall for the Blue Danube waltz all over again.

Presented by the Kravis Center and Attila Glatz Concert Productions

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $29

Sponsored by Margaretta Taylor

January 3 at 1:30 pm (Tuesday)

Kickstart Your Writing Ability

Lecturer: Julie Gilbert

(The Writers' Academy at the Kravis Center)

A seminar for those who are on the cusp of initiation into writing. Learn how to release your inner writing self. Everyone has the potential to write truly and deeply. Instructor Julie Gilbert will show you how to unlock your very own muse. This lecture is for the curious and adventurous. Bring a pencil.

Cohen Pavilion

Tickets $30

January 3-8

+ Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 7:30 pm

+ Wednesday and Saturday at 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm

+ Sunday at 1:30 pm

Wiesenthal

Written by and starring Tom Dugan

Directed by Jenny Sullivan

Filled with hope, humanity and humor, Wiesenthal is the riveting true story of Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal, an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. Nicknamed the "Jewish James Bond," Wiesenthal devoted his life to bringing more than 1,100 Nazi war criminals to justice. Wiesenthal is honored in this one-man play, which gives equal weight to his wisdom and wit.

Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse

Tickets start at $35

January 3-8

+ Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8 pm

+ Wednesday, Saturday at 2 pm & 8 pm

+ Sunday at 2 pm

DIRTY DANCING

THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE

(Kravis On Broadway)
DIRTY DANCING - THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE
is a record-breaking live theater sensation, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing. Featuring the hit songs, Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart-stopping (I've Had) The Time of My Life. You'll have the time of your life.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $27

Kravis On Broadway sponsored by Helene and Al Kaplan

Beyond The Stage: Join us a pre-performance talk by Steven Caras on January 3 at 6:45 pmin the Cohen Pavilion, and a free musical presentation on January 3 at 7:15 pm in the Dreyfoos Hall lobby featuring the Third Row Center Singers. Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.

January 5 at 11:30 am (Thursday)

Lunch and Learn:

Sexual Healing: An Intimate Conversation

With Dr. Ruth Westheimer

Interviewed by Steven Caras

(A Kravis Center Cultural Society Event)

Dr. Ruth Westheimer may have pioneered talking explicitly about sex on radio and television, but it's a small part of an inspirational life that began with escaping the Holocaust at the age of 10. Only after joining the Israeli Freedom Fighters and before extensive studies at the Sorbonne, the New School of Social Research and Columbia University's Teacher's College did she begin to broach the subject of

sexuality. Meet this highly accomplished celebrity in a colorful dialogue with Steven Caras, covering everything you may still need to know about sex, and equally if not more stimulating, details of a life journey that continues for this ageless interNational Treasure.

Gimelstob Ballroom in the Cohen Pavilion

Tickets: $89

Note: Admission includes lunch prepared by Catering by The Breakers at the Kravis Center.

Sponsored by Susan Bloom

January 5-6 at 7:30 pm (Thursday & Friday)

Louise Pitre in Chasing Rainbows

The Music of Judy Garland

Best known for her Tony Award-nominated turn in the Broadway blockbuster Mamma Mia!, Louise Pitre arrives Just In Time to revisit the enduring classics of stage and screen star Judy Garland. From I'm Always Chasing Rainbows to Embraceable You and Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart to Stormy Weather, Canada's first lady of musical theater honors the iconic actress, whose performance of Over the Rainbow in The Wizard of Oz still resonates.

Helen K. Persson Hall

Tickets $39

January 9 at 11 am (Monday)

Kravis Film & Literary Club:

Bonfire of the Titans

Moderated by Lee Wolf and Naomi Levine

Author Neal Gabler, in his extraordinary book, An Empire of Their Own, chronicles the history of the Hollywood motion picture industry and how the titans, who were immigrants, created it. Through the vehicle of film, this unique group of uneducated yet highly resourceful Jews influenced the ethics, fashion and culture of American life. They were in every sense pragmatic oligarchs without a sound moral compass, businessmen working in a creative environment. The magnitude of their accomplishments is undeniable, and yet their spineless acquiescence in the face of McCarthyism and the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigations was deplorable. Wolf and Levine will discuss both Gabler's book and the film The Way We Were, which not only is a moving romance with two extraordinary stars - Barbra Streisand (Katie) and Robert Redford (Hubbell) - but also the story of a frightening time in American history called the McCarthy Era, a period that plagued the nation from approximately 1950-1956.

Helen K. Persson Hall

Tickets: $49

Note: Admission includes water and a box lunch prepared by Catering by The Breakers at the Kravis Center.

January 9 & 23, February 6 & 20, March 6 & 20, April 3 & 17

Mondays from Noon to 2 pm

Writers' Circle

Instructor: Julie Gilbert

(The Writers' Academy at the Kravis Center)

In our 12th season of Writers' Circle, we will physically and psychically become a true circle. There will be one session every two weeks comprised of dedicated, working writers who have either been published or are actively working to get published. Writers who wish to participate must have either worked with Julie Gilbert or submit a 10-page writing sample prior to admission. Writers will read from their works in progress for five sessions, and for two sessions will receive and develop "prompts." There will be one session devoted to the art and craft of marketing. Writers will be assigned a slot in advance to read a maximum of five pages per session so that approximately four writers may be heard per session. There will be a reading of prompts at Showcase the Writing, which will be open to the public, on Friday, April 7.

Cohen Pavilion

Registration $525

January 10, 17, 24 & 31, February 7, 14 & 21

Tuesdays from 1:30 pm to 3 pm

Writers' Launch

Instructor: Julie Gilbert

(The Writers' Academy at the Kravis Center)

Writers' Launch is just that - a pad from which to raise written expression. Within every human being there are unspoken thoughts and memories: There is buried treasure. This course is designed to alchemize the unexpressed bounty into a discipline of form, content, technique and style, which will result in a story. The focus and goal is toward a fictional short story.

Cohen Pavilion

Registration $325

Note: The final class on February 21 will end at 4:30 pm.

January 10 at 8 pm (Tuesday)

Prague Philharmonia

EmManuel Villaume, Conductor

Sarah Chang, Violin

Andrew von Oeyen, Piano

(Regional Arts Concert Series)
+ Smetana/The Moldau (Vitava)

+ Dvo?ák/Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53

+ Mendelssohn/Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25

with Andrew von Oeyen

+ Dvo?ák /Symphony No. 8

World-renowned violinist Sarah Chang and pianist Andrew von Oeyen join the Czech orchestra for a captivating night of Dvo?ák. French Music Director Villaume anticipates Debussy's centennial with an early taste of Impressionism.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $30

Series sponsored by Leonard and Sophie Davis

Beyond The Stage: Join us for a pre-concert talk by Sharon McDaniel at 6:45 pm in The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center. Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.

January 12 at 11 am & 2 pm (Thursday)

Golden Dragon Acrobats

(Adults at Leisure Series)

Ever balanced a stack of champagne glasses on your foot while you were flipped upside down and supported only by your shoulders? That's just another day at the office for the lavishly costumed Golden Dragon Acrobats, whose spellbinding feats of beauty, power and precision have left audiences awestruck for more than 25 years. Cutting-edge theatrical techniques and ancient and modern music intensify the troupe's spectacular stunts.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets: $29

January 12 at 6 pm (Thursday)

Tenth Annual

Palm Beach Wine Auction

Dinner & Live Auction

To Benefit the Education Programs at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

The Palm Beach Wine Auction is a multi-event benefit culminating in the main event, the Dinner and Live Auction, which features a five-course dinner prepared by an all-star line-up of local and national chefs, paired with specially selected wines from all over the world. The live auction takes place throughout the dinner and includes wines presented during the evening as well as some of the world's most renowned and highly rated wines, travel experience and unique treasures. This elegant evening appeals not only to the wine connoisseur but also to anyone who enjoys world-class cuisine.

The Mar-a-Lago Club, Palm Beach

Tickets are $1,000 per person (by invitation)

Note: For more information, call 561-651-4320 or visit

palmbeachwineauction.org.

January 12 at 8 pm (Thursday)

What's Going On:

The Marvin Gaye Experience

When it comes to Marvin Gaye, Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing. But soul master Brian Owens comes pretty close. From politically charged cuts like What's Going On to intimate ballads like Let's Get It On, the Motown pioneer's music is still relevant today. With a refined style that combines classic soul with a modern touch, Owens revisits hits in a show that honors both Gaye's memory and social message.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $15

January 13 at 8 pm (Friday)

Grammy Award Winner

Michael Bolton

From How Am I Supposed to Live Without You to How Can We Be Lovers and beyond, Michael Bolton's iconic voice has sold more than 60 million records. The two-time Grammy Award winner and social activist became a viral sensation in Captain Jack Sparrow, a video by comedy troupe Lonely Island, that launched on Saturday Night Live in 2012, received 150 million-plus views and has gained him a new generation of fans.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $26

January 14 at 8 pm (Saturday)

Pink Martini

featuring China Forbes

Drawing inspiration from classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop, pianist Thomas Lauderdale formed Pink Martini in 1994 to provide more beautiful and inclusive soundtracks for fundraisers that supported civil rights, affordable housing, the environment and other causes. Today the spunky little orchestra, featuring lead singer China Forbes, still tours the world and performs in 22 languages. In 2014, Pink Martini was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $25

Sponsored by Julie and Amin Khoury

January 15 at 8 pm (Sunday)

Jay Leno

Special Guest: Emily West

The former host of NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno now revs up fans with Jay Leno's Garage, an Emmy-winning series about his passion for all things automotive. But the stand-up comic is best known for dominating late-night TV for more than 20 years. A tireless entertainer, the likeable Leno often pops in to Comedy Clubs to test out new material, which remains relevant, family friendly and full-throttle funny.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $29

Sponsored by Denise and Bill Meyer

With support from WPEC

January 16 at 2 pm (Monday)

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Vadim Gluzman, Violin

(Regional Arts Concert Series)
+ Mendelssohn/Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 ("Scottish")

+ Michael Hersch/End Stages

+ Tchaikovsky/Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35

When the Ukrainian-born Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman appeared with Orpheus in 2011, The New York Times praised a performance that "balanced thoughtfulness and visceral power." Gluzman will be performing on the very same 1690 'ex-Leopold Auer' Stradivarius for which the concerto was composed. Mendelssohn's symphonic recollections of Scotland fill the concert hall with splashes of local color and long lost folk melodies while composer Michael Hersch reflects on sketches by artist Kevin Tuttle as he processes the impacts of physical illness and mortality.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $29

Series sponsored by Leonard and Sophie Davis

Beyond The Stage: Join us for a pre-concert talk by Sharon McDaniel at 12:45 pm in The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center. Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.

January 17 at 7 pm (Tuesday)

Gospel Gala featuring Kirk Franklin

(A Kravis Center Community Outreach Event)

Seven-time Grammy winner Kirk Franklin, who blends gospel, hip-hop and soul, dominatesBillboard gospel charts and is racking up more hits, including Wanna Be Happy? and 123 Victory, since the release of his album Losing My Religion. The Texas native, who led an adult church choir when he was just 11 years old, hosts BET singing competition Sunday Best. Hosted by the Kravis Center's Community Relations Committee, the Gospel Gala is a soul-stirring annual event that seeks to uplift and inspire.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $15

Sponsored by Jane M. Mitchell

January 17-18 at 7:30 pm (Tuesday & Wednesday)

Compagnie Hervé KOUBI

What the Day Owes to the Night

(PEAK)

Born and raised in France with Algerian roots, Hervé Koubi is being hailed as one of Europe's most distinctive choreographers. His company of 12 French-Algerian and West African male dancers makes its Florida debut with What the Day Owes to the Night, a stunning work resplendent with backflips, head spins and emotional intensity. Powerful imagery evocative of Orientalist paintings and the stone filigree of Islamic architecture accompanies the provocative performance.

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

This presentation of Compagnie Hervé KOUBI What the Day Owes to the Night on January 17-18 is made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Beyond the Stage: Join us for a free post-performance talk by Steven Caras immediately following the January 17 performance. Beyond the Stage is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker.

January 18 at 8 pm (Wednesday)

Kenny Rogers: Final World Tour

The Gambler's Last Deal

With Special Guest Linda Davis

After five decades of accolades, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and more than 120 million albums sold, Kenny Rogers knows when to walk away. "I'm excited about making one more sweep around the world," the Houston native told Rolling Stone. "And I know each night will be truly special." Rogers racked up an astonishing 24 No. 1 hits, including The Gambler, Lucille and Lady, making him one of the best-selling male soloists of all time.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $30

Sponsored by Penny and Harold Blumenstein

January 19 at 1:30 pm (Thursday)

ArtSmart Lecture Series:

Normandie: The Tragic Story of the Most Majestic Ocean Liner

Lecturer: Richard René Silvin

When Richard René Silvin was a child, his parents lived on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and he traveled frequently on the great French and British ships that survived World War II. These crossings gave rise to the New York native's lifelong study of ocean liners, most notably the SS Normandie. Although the vessel met her tragic end in 1942, several years before Silvin was born, those who sailed on her successors constantly talked about the Normandie. Silvin envisioned himself as one of the workers on the ship and imagined stories of how it would have been to sail on the Normandie, eventually turning those tales into a book. With photos and videos, Silvin, a former international hospital executive, brings the Normandie to life.

The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion

Tickets $25

January 19-22

+ Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm

+ Saturday at 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm

+ Sunday at 1:30 pm

The Martin & Lewis Tribute Show

You'll be convinced that you're back at the Copa as acclaimed tribute artists Tom Stevens and Tony Lewis revisit one of the most famous comedy duos of all time, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Performing with a live band, the swaggering pair incorporates such classic characters as The Bellboy, The Nutty Professor and The Chinese Chef, all while capturing the stage presence and chemistry of the original comedians.

Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse

Tickets start at $30

January 20-21 at 7:30 pm (Friday & Saturday)

Downton Abbey Road:

The Best of Britain

Starring Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano

Did you know that many standards in the Great American Songbook started in the United Kingdom? In Downton Abbey Road, New York's top cabaret couple, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, celebrate Great Britain's greatest songs by artists such as Noël Coward, Ivor

Novello, Sting and The Beatles. Winners of the 2016 MAC Award for Major Duo Artists of the Year, the married pair blends music and stories to salute timeless classics from across the pond.

Helen K. Persson Hall

Tickets $35

January 22 at 8 pm (Sunday)

Billy Crystal

Spend the Night with Billy Crystal

With Special Guest Bonnie Hunt

"This show is unique. There's stand up, and 'sit down' which gives me great freedom to tell stories, show film clips and talk about my life and career and the world as I see it," says Billy Crystal. "It's loose, unpredictable and intimate. The most fun I've had on stage in a long time." A stand-up comic turned television star, Crystal found fame as a movie funnyman with starring roles in blockbusters such as When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers and Analyze This. He was much loved as the acclaimed nine-time host of the Academy Awards, an achievement topped only by Bob Hope, who hosted the Oscars 19 times. Also an award winning author, Crystal's latest memoir, Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys? was an instant NY Times best seller. Bonnie Hunt is a popular stand-up comedian, actress, TV host, director/producer and voice artist who has appeared in numerous films and TV series.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

Tickets start at $61.50 ** SOLD OUT **

January 23 at 11:30 am (Monday)

Lunch and Learn:

Judy Garland: You Made Me Love You

Moderated by Lee Wolf and Steven Caras

(A Kravis Center Cultural Society Event)

Even keeping the birth name Frances Ethel Gumm wouldn't have thwarted her path. A star was born on June 10, 1922 - a star who would win the hearts of millions, yet sadly, never her own. With the likes of Ava Gardner and Liz Taylor as contemporaries, Judy Garland's physical appearance created a dilemma for MGM studio chief Louis B. Mayer, who referred to her as "my little hunchback." This start was challenging enough before adding five husbands, drug and alcohol addiction, and serious money problems to the mix. Join Lee Wolf with Steven Caras in a celebration of Garland's legacy tracing the triumphs and tragedies of an American icon.

Gimelstob Ballroom in the Cohen Pavilion

Tickets: $89

Note: Admission includes lunch prepared by Catering by The Breakers at the Kravis Center.

Sponsored by Leona F. Chanin

January 26-27 at 7:30 pm (Thursday & Friday)

Aquila Theatre

Agatha Christie's

Murder on the Nile

The acclaimed Aquila Theatre, in its 25th anniversary season, brings its innovative touch to this deliciously dangerous whodunit, with stellar direction, dynamic physicality and stunning designs. Murder on the Nile, Agatha Christie's own staging of her famous novel, Death on the Nile, is set on a paddle steamer in 1940s Eygpt. Class, money and reputation are all at stake, and then deceit, theft and murder create even deeper waves.

Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse

Tickets $39

This performance is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

Sponsored by Stephen Brown and Jamie Stern

January 28-29

+ Saturday at 7:30 pm

+ Sunday at 2 pm

Aquila Theatre

William Shakespeare's

Much Ado About Nothing

Spying, subterfuge, false identities, slander, manipulation and love all collide in William Shakespeare's mature romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, thought to have been written in 1598. The New York based Aquila Theatre, which features actors drawn from top British and American stages, brilliantly takes on one of the Bard's most exuberant battles of the sexes, which is wonderfully intricate, flush with surprising twists and turns, and replete with combative wit.

Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse

Tickets $39

This performance is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

About the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts:

Celebrating 25 Seasons of Success, Thanks To The Community:

This season, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts celebrates a Quarter-Century on Stage. And while we celebrate our silver anniversary, we renew our commitment to the community to present the gold standard of excellence in the performing arts.

Today, the Kravis Center is a thriving cultural complex, serving as the gateway to downtown West Palm Beach. Thanks to so many who have and continue to support the Center; it has become one of the premier performing arts centers with a renowned national and international reputation.

The Kravis Center 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 http://www.kravis.org/.



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