South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s “Glitter and Be Gay Gala” 1/16/25

South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s “Glitter and Be Gay Gala”
Thursday, 01/16/2025-, 05:00 pm-09:30 pm
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
201 SW 5th Ave.,
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33312
Website
Cost: $500

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.

Island City Stage presents Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance 1/16/25 – 2/9/25

Island City Stage presents Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance
Thursday, 01/16/2025-, 07:00 pm-09:00 pm
Island City Stage
2304 N. Dixie Highway,
Wilton Manors, Florida, 33305
Website
Cost: $43 – $60

Family secrets, friendship and loyalties drive the heart of Island City Stage’s milestone production of Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play A Delicate Balance, running January 16 – February 9. This ambitious creative endeavor featuring highly acclaimed regional actors will be the first time Island City Stage has produced a show penned by America’s greatest playwright of the last half of the 20th century.

In Albee’s three-act play, audiences are introduced to Agnes and Tobias, a wealthy, middle-aged couple whose complacency is shattered when unexpected friends Harry and Edna disrupt their household with unfounded anxiety. Add-in Agnes’ witty, yet alcoholic, sister Claire with her quick quips and their troubled daughter Julia’s return home and a pressure cooker of drama and dysfunction ensues.

A Delicate Balance premiered in 1966 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1967, the first of three Albee received for his work (the others being Seascape (1975), and Three Tall Women (1994)). The Master American Dramatist also received a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement (2005), the gold medal in Drama from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters (1980); as well as the Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts (both in 1996), among many other prestigious theatre and literary awards.

The original Broadway production of Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance starred Hume Cronyn as Tobias, Jessica Tandy as Agnes, Rosemary Murphy as Claire, Henderson Forsythe as Harry, Carmen Mathews as Edna, and Marian Seldes as Julia. It has been staged several times since, in the U.S. and abroad, with notable stars of stage and screen including Dame Maggie Smith, Glenn Close, Imelda Staunton, Clare Higgins, Bob Balaban, Martha Plimpton and John Lithgow. In 1996, a revival production starring Rosemary Harris, George Grizzard, John Carter, Elizabeth Wilson, Elaine Stritch and Mary Beth Hurt won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, as well as Tony Awards for acting and directing, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play.

Island City Stage’s riveting revival of A Delicate Balance is directed by Leeds and stars highly acclaimed Carbonell and regional award-winning actors Patti Gardner (Agnes), Tom Wahl (Tobias), Betty Ann Hunt Strain (Claire), Margery Lowe (Edna), Christopher Dreeson (Harry) and Sabrina Lynn Gore (Julia).

A Delicate Balance is co-produced by FAB (Funding Arts Broward) and Jeffrey Danielson. Lights and Sound Sponsor is Scott Bennett, Set Sponsor is Glenn Goldberg and Costumes Sponsor are Arthur and Fran Greenberg. Additional funding is provided by the following: The Our Fund Foundation, The Schubert Foundation Inc., the SHS Foundation, The Maval Foundation, the Warten Foundation, OutClique and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

Island City Stage kicked off its 2024-25 season of powerful storytelling focusing on the nature of families with sold out performances of The Fantasticks. Upcoming shows include Fat Ham by James Ijames from April 3 – May 4, 2025; The Dying Gaul by Craig Lucas from May 22 – June 15, 2025 and At The Wedding by Bryna Turner from August 21 – September 21, 2025.

Individual show tickets start at $43. A Mimosa Sunday Brunch sponsored by Judith Paskoski will take place on January 26 with tickets at $60. A special Women’s Night sponsored by Leslie Fine will take place on January 31. The show runs for two hours and 40 minutes with two intermissions.

Island City Stage will also be offering two Flexpass options this season. The Flexpass5 ($215) offers five tickets that can be used all for one show or one for every show (no processing fees) and $5 off additional tickets purchased ($52 upfront savings). The Flexpass3 ($130) offers three tickets that can be used all for one show or one for every show (no processing fees) and $5 off additional tickets purchased ($33 upfront savings). Discounts are available for groups.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.islandcitystage.org, call (954) 928-9800 or email boxoffice@islandcitystage.org. Follow Island City Stage on Facebook at facebook.com/IslandCityStageFL and on Instagram at @islandcitystage1.

The Killing Joke Mode Miami Comedy Night 1/16/25

The Killing Joke Mode Miami Comedy Night
Thursday, 01/16/2025-, 09:00 pm-11:00 pm
Mode Miami
2 S Miami Ave,
Miami, Florida, 33130
Website
Cost: Free

Get ready for an unforgettable Thursday night experience at Mode Miami Comedy Night, featuring The Killing Joke—a comedy show that combines hilarious stand-up with a bold twist: a roast panel for the brave (and the bold).

Here’s what makes this night special:

Live Stand-Up Comedy: Miami’s top comedians take the stage, plus a roast panel during the open mic for a mix of humor and heat.

Speakeasy Vibes: Mode Miami’s intimate, underground setting is perfect for a night of laughter and connection.

Craft Cocktails Pair the comedy with expertly mixed drinks.

Ticketing Options:

Ticket Packages:
$25: Priority Seating + BOGO Drinks Wristband
$35: Priority Seating + BOGO Drinks Wristband + Limited-Edition Miami Comedy T-Shirt
Why Mode Miami?
This sleek, underground venue is a hidden gem in the heart of Miami. With its intimate ambiance and incredible cocktails, Mode Miami sets the perfect stage for a night of bold comedy and good vibes.

Step into the speakeasy, sip on a cocktail, and laugh your way into the weekend with Mode Miami Comedy Night. See you Thursday!