AUDIENCES ARE IN FOR A TREAT THIS OCTOBER

Published: Sep 20, 2024

Audiences are in for a treat this October when The Parker ushers in an exciting new season of music, comedy and more featuring, among others, funny people David Sedaris and Ms. Pat, music from jazz vocalist Samara Joy, saxophonist Boney James, R&B great Billy Ocean, Broadway’s Jeremy Jordan, Jethro Tull's Martin Barre and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert in the Lillian S. Wells Hall.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Outback Presents bring Ms. Pat: The Hot and Flashy Tour to The Parker on Friday, October 4 at 7 p.m. Declared by The Washington Post as "unforgiving and darkly hilarious" and The Huffington Post as "the real hero of sitcom TV," Patricia Williams (a.k.a. Ms. Pat) is a comedian, author, radio host, podcaster and actress who can currently be seen on her critically acclaimed, multiple Emmy^®^-nominated series, The Ms. Pat Show, streaming on BET+ and Paramount+. She recently debuted the weekly court show, Ms. Pat Settles It, on BET, and her hour-long standup special, Y'All Wanna Hear Something Crazy?, directed by Robert Townsend and executive produced by Wanda Sykes, is currently streaming on Netflix. She serves as co-host on The Morning Culture with Big Tigger on V103.5 in Atlanta and hosts her own wildly popular podcast, The Patdown. This event contains adult language or content.

Fresh from his Broadway leading role as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby, Jeremy Jordan comes to The Parker as part of the Red Carpet Series in a concert presented by the Broward Center and Mark Cortale on Sunday, October 6 at 7 p.m. The stage, film and TV star earned a 2012 Tony^® Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Jack Kelly in Disney's Newsies and a Theatre World Award for his portrayal of Clyde Barrow in Bonnie & Clyde. He has also been seen in Waitress, Rock of Ages, West Side Story, American Son, Finding Neverland and Little Shop of Horrors. On television, he's portrayed Jimmy Collins in NBC's Smash and Winn Schott on the CW series Supergirl. He also starred in the film adaptation of The Last Five Years opposite Anna Kendrick. He made his solo Carnegie Hall debut in October 2019 and performs with his band, Age of Madness. Jordan’s many honors include nominations from the Grammy^® Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Drama League Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards and The Astaire Awards. A VIP package is available.

An Evening with David Sedaris, presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Innovation Arts, brings the best-selling humorist and regular National Public Radio contributor to The Parker on Thursday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, Sedaris slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness as a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today. He recently released A Carnival of Snackery and Pretty Ugly following his previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. Sedaris will be offering a selection of all-new readings and recollections, as well as a Q&A session and book signing. This event contains adult language or content.

After having rocked Broadway with more than 10,000 performances in the five-time Tony^®Award-nominated show Rock of Ages, Broadway's Rock of Ages Band takes the stage as part of the Cleveland Clinic Rock Series on Friday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m. Rock of Ages is known as "Broadway's Best Party," and Broadway's Rock of Ages Band was the force behind the party. Playing the greatest rock hits from the glam metal bands of the '80s, this show delivers songs by Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Foreigner, Journey, Poison, Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, Styx and Pat Benatar. In addition to performing on Broadway, many of the musicians and lead singers in the band have played with several of these original artists as well.

Four-time Grammy^® Award nominee Boney James comes to The Parker as part of the TD Bank Jazz Series on Wednesday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. After touring as the sax and keyboard player for Morris Day, the Isley Brothers and many others, James launched a solo career that has delivered 18 studio albums, including 2022’s Detour, with a dozen reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album chart. This saxophonist's honors include a Soul Train Award and two NAACP Image Award nominations. This concert is presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and AEG Presents.

As part of the Red Carpet Series, Billy Ocean performs on Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Britain's top-selling Black recording artist, Ocean has seen his chart-topping hits span the globe, including the U.S., Australia, Germany, Holland and the UK. Winner of the Grammy^® Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male) for the single "Love Zone," he also saw his singles "Caribbean Queen" and "Get Outta My Dreams; Get Into My Car" soar to the top of the charts. After a hiatus, this multiple Gold and Platinum recording artist returned with a bang, touring extensively and releasing albums including Because I Love You, Here You Are and One World. A VIP Package is available.

Presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Outback Presents, the Girls Gone Bible Live Tour is guaranteed to make audiences laugh and cry at the same time when faith-based podcasters Angela and Arielle take the stage on Friday, October 18 at 7 p.m. Girls Gone Bible is the beloved and quickly growing hit podcast that is accepted and loved by any and all people no matter their religion. These two cover all topics from faith to mental health, relationships and life in general, and they bring it all back to Jesus. The Girls Gone Bible ministry has grown rapidly because of the heavy-hitting conversations. Angela and Arielle double as hardcore Jesus freaks and a ridiculous comedic dynamic duo.

Celtic Thunder: Odyssey comes to The Parker as part of the Allegro Fort Lauderdale Mosaic Series in a concert presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and AEG Presents on Saturday, October 19 at 8 p.m. Not simply a concert, Odyssey weaves music, storytelling and atmospheric stagecraft into a rich tapestry of emotional and musical tones to deliver a powerful theatrical experience that honors Celtic Thunder's rich musical legacy and simultaneously blazes new trails. Through innovative, original arrangements that are emblematic of the ensemble's unique sound, Celtic Thunder invites audiences on a sweeping voyage through the heartlands of traditional Irish music and the rhythmic pulse of contemporary Irish music. Their expert musicianship underscores the music's Irish roots, while the band's versatility ensures that every song, regardless of genre, is treated with the respect and creativity it deserves.

Three-time Grammy^® Award winner Samara Joy performs as part of the TD Bank Jazz Series on Wednesday, October 23 at 8 p.m. Her Verve Records debut, Linger Awhile, made a case for her addition to the ranks of that label's artists Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. That release won the Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2023 Grammy Awards, the same year Joy won the prize for Best New Artist and one year before she took home the award for Best Jazz Performance. With a rich and velvety voice, she has earned millions of likes on TikTok and fans like Anita Baker and Regina King. She has also been seen on Today, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS Mornings and Kelly Clarkson.

Jethro Tull's Martin Barre: A Brief History of Tull is presented on Thursday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Cleveland Clinic Rock Series. The heart of the legendary Jethro Tull band that sold over 65 million records, this guitarist is known for his historic riffs, power chords and melodic solos. His celebration of Jethro Tull's music features a visual presentation highlighting Tull's 50-year career, with classic hits from albums including Thick as a Brick, Aqualung and Stand Up. Performing with Barre will be Dan Crisp on lead vocals, Alan Thomson on bass and Darby Todd on drums. A VIP package may be added to any ticket.

Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert invites audiences to experience Jim Henson and David Bowie's original masterpiece as never before on Sunday, October 27 at 7 p.m. at The Parker as part of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Imagination Series. The full movie will be shown on a massive HD screen accompanied by a combination of live rock band, synth, percussion and fantastic lighting effects. This journey to Goblin City brings beloved characters, epic music and breathtaking visuals from the Labyrinth universe to life in a heartwarming fusion of film and live music. This event is presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and AEG Presents.

Also at The Parker this October, The Sinatra Experience (Oct. 5); Yesterday Once More! A Musical Tribute (Oct. 7); and MRC Productions/60s Rock ‘n Roll Revival (Oct. 26).

Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of The Parker. Buy tickets online at ParkerPlayhouse.com and Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222; and in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office.

Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker is located in Holiday Park at 707 N.E. Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. The Parker is an affiliated venue of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which provides programming and management of the facility. The performance season at The Parker is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation.

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About The Parker

The Parker is Fort Lauderdale’s iconic, heritage theater presenting concerts, comedy, dance, family fare and more. Beautifully renovated in 2021, The Parker offers audiences enhanced entertainment and hospitality experiences. The neo-classical Lillian S. Wells Hall features outstanding acoustics, unobstructed sightlines, wide rows and continental seating. The grand S. Donald Sussman Lobby, Bernie Peck’s Bar, the intimate Haller Club, and the private members’ lounge, The Place To Be, provide ample opportunities for audiences to enjoy culture, cocktails and conversation with every visit to the theater. For more information, visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.

Complete October Schedule at The Parker

Oct. 4 Ms. Pat – The Hot and Flashy Tour

Oct. 5 The Sinatra Experience with Dave Halston

Oct. 6 Jeremy Jordan – Red Carpet Series

Oct. 7 Yesterday Once More!

Oct. 10 An Evening with David Sedaris

Oct. 11 Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band – Cleveland Clinic Rock Series

Oct. 16 Boney James – TD Jazz Series

Oct. 17 Billy Ocean – Red Carpet Series

Oct. 18 Girls Gone Bible

Oct. 19 Celtic Thunder: Odyssey – Allegro Mosaic Series

Oct. 23 Samara Joy – TD Jazz Series