Kravis Center Announces 26th Annual Season

Responding directly to audience requests for "more Broadway, more comedy, more music superstars from Bach to rock," the 26th annual season of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts promises a dynamic playbill of award-winning shows, world-class talents and powerful performances that will generate enthusiastic standing ovations from our discerning audience members of every age and demographic.

"Our 2017-2018 season will be particularly exciting," says Judith Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer. "With such a well-rounded roster of performances, the Kravis Center provides something for everyone and this season once again reflects our ongoing commitment to offer programming that is as broad and diverse as the various communities we serve."

"The Kravis Center's Board of Directors, staff and volunteers all continue to be focused on and faithful to our mission, which - in addition to presenting world-class entertainment - also includes offering arts education programs for all-ages, providing a home for local and regional arts organizations to showcase their work, and offering a comfortable, safe and state-of-the-art gathering place for our entire community," she adds.

"Each season, our challenge is to surpass the already lofty expectations of our audience members, whether they be longtime donors or first time guests," says Mitchell. "We do so by offering performers and shows that will appeal to audiences of all ages and every entertainment preference, from traditional Broadway to offbeat musical sensations to delightful shows for children."

"The best of everything, that's what audiences expect when they come to the Kravis Center, and that is what we will be presenting during our coming season," promises Lee Bell, Senior Director of Programming at the Kravis Center. "For example, theater fans can expect the best from our popular Kravis On Broadway series, which this season will present such award-winning shows as Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, THE BOOK OF MORMON, FINDING NEVERLAND, CABARET, THE ILLUSIONISTS Live from Broadway, THE BODYGUARD and SOMETHING ROTTEN."

"In addition, Kravis Center audiences can revel in numerous memorable performances by international headliners," he adds. "Classical music lovers will appreciate Cameron Carpenter, Itzhak Perlman, and Yo-Yo Ma, as well as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra with Zubin Mehta, Conductor; Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Riccardo Muti, Conductor; the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba with Yekwon Sunwoo, 2017 Cliburn Competition Gold Medalist; and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman, Conductor and Violin.

"Pop fans will cheer musical performances by The Beach Boys and Chris Botti, Audra McDonald and Wynton Marsalis, even Paul Anka George Benson, Dudu Fisher and Johnny Mathis; and comedy raconteurs will enjoy side-splitting masters like Tim Allen, John Cleese, Howie Mandel, Jackie Mason and the delightful duo of Brad Garrett and Rita Rudner."

In addition to performances in the 2,195-seat Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall, the Kravis Center will present a diverse array of drama, music and dance in the intimate 300-seat Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse, and the flexible 300-seat Helen K. Persson Hall.

For more information and full listings visit kravis.org.

Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik

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