South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s “Glitter and Be Gay Gala” at Broward Center for the Performing Arts

South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) invites patrons to celebrate South Florida community leaders and support its impactful artistic, educational, and community outreach initiatives during this year’s “Glitter and Be Gay Gala” to be held on Thursday, January 16, at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The gala will directly precede the Symphony’s 7:30 p.m. premiere performance of the dazzling spectacle of Leonard Bernstein’s satirical masterpiece Candide.

This separately ticketed formal gala evening will recognize Distinguished Corporate Leader honoree Mark Kravitz, president of Jenco Properties (owner of Aviah Flagler Village) and Sound of Success honorees BBX Capital Foundation, Alejandro Blasenheim, Shelly Bradshaw of Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Community Foundation of Broward, Funding Arts Broward, Kate and Brent Nelson, Nicklaus Children’s Health System and David Valkema of the Maval Foundation. These individuals have been instrumental in supporting SFSO’s impactful community outreach and programming initiatives.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. and include bubbles and hors d’oeuvres on the Wendt Terraces courtesy of Provocativo Cava Brut, a multi-course dinner in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom and the Candide performance at 7:30 p.m. in the Au-Rene Theater.

Led by SFSO’s award-winning music director Sebrina María Alfonso, this semi-staged concert version of Candide follows in the manner of Lonny Price’s 2004 production for the New York Philharmonic, made popular through the PBS series “Great Performances.” Bernstein’s acclaimed masterpiece is played out with the orchestra, minimal sets and costumes, a dynamic cast of actor-vocalists featuring David Walton (Candide); Chelsea Lehnea (Cunegonde); Jason Zacher (Dr. Pangloss/Voltaire); Alissa Anderson (The Old Lady), Lovell Rose (Maximilian), and the South Florida Symphony Chorus performing all together on stage. Dan Wallace Miller provides stage direction.

Patrons will experience Candide’s riotous journey as he embarks on a whirlwind adventure teeming with humor, unexpected twists, and profound philosophical reflections. Bernstein’s iconic music, adapted from Voltaire’s famed Enlightenment-era novella, sets the backdrop for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter and existential musings. An equal opportunity offender, Candide spares no one. Everything and everyone is fair game in this irreverent satire.

From the over-the-top heights of Cunegonde’s “Glitter and Be Gay” and the rarely heard comedic duet “We Are Women” to the stirring depths of Candide’s introspective ponderings, audiences will enjoy a provocative perspective on life’s absurdities and the enduring pursuit of optimism.

Closing the evening, gala attendees are invited for dancing and dessert with the artists post-performance in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, sponsored by Aviah Flagler Village.

Now in its 27th season, SFSO invites audiences to a tantalizing season featuring upcoming works by Mozart, Strauss, Berlioz, Prokofiev and Bruckner.

Individual tickets for South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s “Glitter and Be Gay Gala” start at $500 with VIP tables for 10 starting at $6,500 and can be purchased at southfloridasymphony.org/gala-2025. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this special evening.

For more information, please contact Jacqueline Lorber at (954) 522-8445 or email info@southfloridasymphony.org.