THE BROWARD CENTER DELIVERS THE GIFT OF ENTERTAINMENT THIS DECEMBER
Published: Nov 8, 2023
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts has a sleigh-load of spectacular events this December with music, comedy, Broadway shows and stars, and fun for the entire family.
The Broward Center and The Performance Project present A Christmas Carol in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center on Thursday, November 30 and Friday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 2 at 7 p.m. Family Fun Series performances will take place on Saturday, December 2 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Join Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of colorful characters for a traditional holiday tale. Especially adapted for family audiences, this musical production of the Charles Dickens classic is a wonderful way to celebrate the season with the entire family. This show features the talents of The Performance Project students and the adult professional actors who mentor them.
Experience an unforgettable evening in the Broadway Concert Series as Tony® Award-winner Levi Kreis presents Home for The Holidays in the intimate Abdo New River Room Friday, December 1 at 8 p.m. Delivering a seamless blend of jazz, gospel, country and rockabilly, Kreis gives a fresh and unique perspective to a flawless collection of Christmas classics and holiday favorites. From uproarious storytelling to soul-stirring renditions, Kreis will leave you laughing, crying, and filled with the spirit of the season. Don't miss this extraordinary evening from one of Broadway's finest.
It's a political party with Randy Rainbow for President as part of the TRUIST Comedy Series in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center on Sunday, December 3 at 7 p.m. Rainbow’s musical parodies and political spoofs have garnered him worldwide acclaim and four consecutive Emmy® nominations for Outstanding Short-Form Variety Series. The American comedian, producer, actor, singer, writer, satirist and New York Times best-selling author has also been nominated for a Grammy® Award and is known for his popular web series, The Randy Rainbow Show. His debut memoir, Playing with Myself, received rave reviews by such venerable outlets as the Los Angeles Times, which noted that Rainbow "vividly recollects the alienation so many LGBTQ+ youth experience." Musical theater was an escape for Rainbow that ultimately helped catapult his career. He currently hosts The Randy Rainbow Podcast through Sean Hayes and Hazy Mills Productions and continues to take on the hottest topics as only he can.
No experience is necessary to enjoy this interactive and engaging All Abilities Holiday Sing-a-long on Sunday, December 3 at 11 a.m. in The JM Family Studio and The David & I. Lorraine Thomas Creative Learning Suites, led by Artist-in-Residence Tammy Holder and followed by refreshments. All Abilities classes are designed for children (5-12) and adults on the autism spectrum as well as individuals with other developmental disabilities and their families. All Abilities classes are made possible with support from the Taft Foundation.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and AEG Presents bring The Outlaws Green Grass and Yuletide Jam to the Amaturo Theater as part of the Cleveland Clinic Rock Series on Thursday, December 7 at 8 p.m. Formed in Tampa in 1972, The Outlaws, with their triple-guitar rock attack and three-part country harmonies. are known as “The Florida Guitar Army” by their fans. The band's first three albums The Outlaws, Lady In Waiting and Hurry Sundown – featuring such rock radio favorites as “There Goes Another Love Song,” “Green Grass & High Tides,” “Knoxville Girl” and “Freeborn Man” – would become worldwide gold and platinum landmarks of the Southern Rock era. The Outlaws earned a formidable reputation as an incendiary live act touring with friends The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band and The Charlie Daniels Band as well as The Doobie Brothers, The Who, Eagles and The Rolling Stones. The concert features special guest Artimus Pyle from Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Celebrate the holidays in style with A Well-Strung Christmas coming to the Amaturo Theater as part of the Allegro Fort Lauderdale Mosaic Series on Friday, December 8 at 8 p.m. This much anticipated reunion tour of the talented all-male singing string quartet is back to take the musical world by storm once again with its signature pop-classical mashups. The New York Times called the band "a talented quartet of men that brilliantly fuses pop and classical music from Madonna to Beethoven.”
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and AEG Presents bring Colin Quinn and his “Small Talk” tour to the Amaturo Theater as part of the TRUIST Comedy Series on Saturday, December 9 at 8 p.m. Quinn has generated a legion of fans from his appearances on MTV's Remote Control, Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central's Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn as well as his Broadway shows Colin Quinn: An Irish Wake and Colin Quinn: Long Story Short (also an HBO special). His off-Broadway show, Colin Quinn: Unconstitutional, is available on Netflix as is Colin Quinn: The New York Story directed by Jerry Seinfeld. Past credits include Trainwreck, Girls and his web series Cop Show streaming now on LStudio.com. Quinn is also the successful author of The Coloring Book and Overstated: A Coast to Coast Roast of the 50 States. This event contains adult language or content.
Talented students from the Broward Center's Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center kick off the holiday season with The Broward Center's Holiday Spectacular 2023 on Sunday, December 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center. The Broward Center Spotlights, Broward Center’s top-level vocal ensemble, promise to delight with a variety of group and solo performances including holiday favorites and greatest hits from Broadway. Students from the Advanced Musical Theater Workshop class will showcase their work through song, dance and original holiday scenes. Guests can attend early to participate in free activities for the family. Activities include Christmas Carols, letters to Santa, the dreidel game, arts and crafts, giveaways and a holiday-themed photo station.
Broadway in Fort Lauderdale presents The Book of Mormon in the Au-Rene Theater Tuesday, Dec. 12 - Sunday, Dec. 17. The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.” Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it "Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal." It’s The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony® Award winning Best Musical. This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language. The Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale 2023/2024 season is made possible with the generous support of title sponsor Bank of America and presenting sponsor Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale is presented by Florida Theatrical Association in partnership with Broadway Across America and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Performance times vary.
The Broward Center and Art Prevails Project present The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape, Volume V | A Hip-Hop Love Story, Friday, December 15 - Sunday, December 17 with five performances in the Abdo New River Room. The 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop serves as the soundtrack for this multidisciplinary journey of the rhythms and rhymes of life, love and everything in-between. Created and directed by Darius V. Daughtry, this latest in the Art Prevails Project's annual series takes the 'theatrical mixtape' to its next level while taking the audience on a journey of beats, rhymes, and life. Audiences will be treated to a talk-back with the cast following the performance. This event is part of the Broward Center’s Arts for Action: Black Voices initiative presented by Baptist Health and JM Family Enterprises, Inc.
Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid delivers a theatrical holiday treat from Slow Burn Theatre Company in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center Saturday, December 16 through Sunday, December 31 with an open captioned performance, generously underwritten by the Amaturo Family Foundation, on Sunday, December 24 at 2 p.m. This splashy musical extravaganza puts the “sea” in the holiday season with a love story for the ages. When Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, she bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs, but the bargain is not what it seems. With music by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright, the musical features irresistible songs including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl" and "Part of Your World." Performance times vary. For an extra-special experience, the “Under the Sea Family Celebration” on December 16 offers a family-friendly brunch, craft activities, and a dance party in addition to a matinee performance of the show, with proceeds to benefit the Broward Center’s arts-in-education programs. The 2023/2024 Slow Burn Theatre Company Season is presented by American National Bank. This production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid delivers a theatrical holiday treat in a welcoming and supportive environment for children and adults on the autism spectrum as well as individuals with other sensitivity issues or developmental disabilities at the Broward Center on Saturday, December 23 at 1:30 p.m. Slight adjustments have been made to the production including reduced sound levels, no flashing or strobe lights and minimal special effects. An area adjacent to the theater has been designated as the ABA Centers of Florida Sensory Quiet Room with a specially trained therapist to provide audience support.
Patrons may bring their own headphones, fidgets and other calming items into the theater. The Broward Center also offers sensory-bags for all performances at Broward Center and the Parker that contain noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidgets and sunglasses clips to accommodate families that might be overwhelmed by the lights, sounds and crowds. Sensory-bags can be requested at the front of house desk. Admission includes complimentary pre-show arts and crafts activities provided by Young at Art Museum and a post-show meet and greet with cast members after every sensory-inclusive performance. Ticket buyers will receive an email prior to the performance with a link to a character guide and short video about attending the theater.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and AEG Presents bring Nurse Blake to the Au-Rene Theater as part of the TRUIST Comedy Series on Tuesday, December 19 at 8 p.m. A unique entertainer, Nurse Blake uses his experience as a nurse for a fun-filled comedy event that celebrates the hard work of healthcare providers as he tells candid and raw stories from his time in nursing school and from his shifts at the bedside. His upbeat attitude and hilarious spins on the obstacles nurses face day-to-day offer a fun and interactive experience for audience members. By using masterful storytelling to captivate audiences, Blake uses humor to advocate for nurses. He is known for using visuals, crowd participation and live sketches to keep audiences engaged and laughing from start to finish.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Live Nation present a once in a lifetime New Year’s Eve residency with Bobby Weir & The Wolf Brothers featuring The Wolf Pack in the Au-Rene theater on Friday, December 29 at 7 p.m., Saturday, December 30 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 31 at 8 p.m. One of the founding members of the legendary Grateful Dead, Weir has become one of rock's finest and most distinctive rhythm guitarists. The band has received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and appeared on Forbes' list of top-grossing entertainers. Bob Weir & Wolf Bros formed in 2018 by Weir along with Don Was and Jay Lane. In 2020, Jeff Chimenti joined the Wolf Bros around the same time the band started featuring The Wolfpack, a string and brass quintet which brings an orchestral, symphonic element to the music of Grateful Dead and features Alex Kelly, Brian Switzer, Adam Theis, Mads Tolling and Sheldon Brown. The band is also now joined by Barry Sless on pedal steel.
Other events on the schedule include; Florida Grand Opera presents La Traviata (Nov. 30 & Dec. 2);
Dance NOW! Miami presents Program 1 - Random Patterns of Falling Leaves (Dec. 3); Symphony of the Americas: Holiday Pops! (Dec. 4 & 5); Gold Coast Jazz: A Jazzy Holiday with Billy Mays Ensemble (Dec. 6); Miami City Ballet presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (Dec. 8 – 10); and Shen Yun 2023 (Dec. 26-28).
Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center and The Parker. Buy tickets online at BrowardCenter.org, or Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222; in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information visit BrowardCenter.org, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BrowardCenter and Facebook.com/BrowardCenterEducation, follow us on X and Instagram @BrowardCenter, subscribe to our channel at YouTube.com/user/BrowardCenter and join the conversation with #BrowardCenter.
The Broward Center 2023/2024 season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. AutoNation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spirit and UHealth University of Miami Health System. Programs are also sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Complete December Schedule at the Broward Center
Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 A Christmas Carol
Nov. 30 & Dec. 2 Florida Grand Opera presents La Traviata
Dec. 1 Levi Kreis: Home for the Holidays
Dec. 3 Randy Rainbow for President
Dec. 3 All Abilities Holiday Sing-a-long
Dec. 3 Dance NOW! Miami: Program 1 - Random Patterns of Falling Leaves
Dec. 4 & 5 Symphony of the Americas: Holiday Pops!
Dec. 6 Gold Coast Jazz: A Jazzy Holiday with Billy Mays Ensemble
Dec. 7 The Outlaws
Dec. 8 A Well-Strung Christmas
Dec. 8 – 10 Miami City Ballet presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 9 Colin Quinn “Small Talk” Tour
Dec. 10 Broward Center Holiday Spectacular
Dec 12 – 17 Broadway in Fort Lauderdale: The Book of Mormon
Dec 15 – 17 The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape, Volume V | A Hip-Hop Love Story
Dec. 16 – 31 Slow Burn Theatre Co.: Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Dec. 19 Nurse Blake
Dec. 22 Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Sensory-inclusive performance
Dec. 26-28 Shen Yun 2023
Dec. 29 – 31 Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros
About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Spirit Club Level and UHealth-University of Miami Health System Intermezzo Lounge, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 130,000 students annually. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.