Staged Readings Series

Friday, October 7, 2022; 7:30pm

Featuring poignant selections of written works carefully selected to enthrall and amuse, Staged Readings come from short stories, essays, plays, speeches, the inside of fortune cookies, or anywhere else we feel the written word might be made more impactful as read by local thespians. Each staged reading will be unique, powerful, funny and thought provoking evening of entertainment as actors take on different roles.

Watch the transformative power of acting as directors and actors introduce all of us to works that may illuminate our mainstage work or introduce us to future programming possibilities. After readings, you’re invited to meet the cast and discuss the play with director and actors. This lively and informative discussion brings new insight to the art of theater.

Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical - General Admission Youth Production

October 14 - 16, 2022

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller, Jekyll & Hyde is the gripping tale of a brilliant mind gone horrifically awry, set to a powerful pop-rock score by Frank Wildhorn with book & lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. In an attempt to cure his ailing father’s mental illness by separating “good” from “evil” in the human personality, talented physician Dr. Jekyll inadvertently creates an alternate personality of pure evil, dubbed Mr. Hyde.

Just for Laughs - A Comedy Variety Show

Friday, November 4, 2022; 7:30pm

Another fantastic evening of everything funny we can find, including four professional comedians, vocalists and actors accompanied by pianist Lin Hart in a variety show format, minus the sequins (though there may be a few). This show is meant for mature audiences who want to laugh…a lot…and then laugh some more.

Live at The Garden: A Tribute to Billy Joel

Friday, November 18, 2022; 7:30pm

Every month since 2014, Billy Joel has headlined a sold-out show at world-famous Madison Square Garden. After 33 Top 40 Hits, all of which he wrote, there’s no sign of his slowing down. But if you can’t make it to his show at The Garden, there is no group that delivers the experience like David Clark and his Billy Joel tribute band. David has performed with Billy Joel’s musicians Larry Russell, Rhys Clark and Don Evans, just because they “like performing with him so much!”

Off the Walls!

Friday, December 2, 2022; 6:00pm

Everyone is a winner in this amazing ‘lottery’ event, hosted annually by Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs, our signature fundraiser, ‘Off the Walls’ creates scholarships that are awarded to thousands of local youth throughout the year.

Those who have attended this unique event in the past know what a great evening it is---the amazing selection of art, collections and collectibles. No auction, no bidding. Your purchased ticket enters you into a random drawing for beautiful artworks, collectibles, travel experiences, cuisine adventures, décor and luxury living items valued from $275.00 to $6,000.00.

Which unique, beautiful object will you select? Every ticket is a winner as all tickets are drawn. But wait, what if you are the last ticket drawn that evening? No worries, we always install many more terrific items than tickets sold. And, you’ll receive a ticket to next years ‘Off the Walls!’ absolutely free! As we said, everyone is a winner!

Enjoy Off the Walls 2022 and enrich thousands of children’s lives!

Staged Readings Series

Friday, January 13, 2023; 7:30pm

Featuring poignant selections of written works carefully selected to enthrall and amuse, Staged Readings come from short stories, essays, plays, speeches, the inside of fortune cookies, or anywhere else we feel the written word might be made more impactful as read by local thespians. Each staged reading will be unique, powerful, funny and thought provoking evening of entertainment as actors take on different roles.

Watch the transformative power of acting as directors and actors introduce all of us to works that may illuminate our mainstage work or introduce us to future programming possibilities. After readings, you’re invited to meet the cast and discuss the play with director and actors. This lively and informative discussion brings new insight to the art of theater.

Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS - General Admission Youth Production

February 3 - 5, 2023

The jungle is jumpin’ with a jazzy beat in Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS. Featuring a host of colorful characters and songs from the movie. Banished by the ferocious tiger, Shere Khan, a human boy named Mowgli and his panther friend, Bagheera, are on the run in the jungle. The two meet a sinister snake named Kaa, a herd of elephants and a giant bear named Baloo, who teaches them the musical rhythms of the jungle. After surviving a dangerous encounter with a band of monkeys, Mowgli and Bagheera are forced to run for their lives. Shere Khan returns and our heroes must rally the animals into battle and restore peace throughout the jungle.

This performance is approximately 35-minutes, there is no intermission.

The Hit Men of Country: The Ultimate Country Concert!

Friday, February 10, 2023; 7:30pm

If you love Country Music, you’re in for a treat—The Hit Men of Country are coming to Bonita! This Country Music mashup features five of the finest musicians who have performed, toured or recorded with Country’s greatest artists—hitmakers like Wynonna Judd, Keith Urban, Trace Adkins, Lee Greenwood, Travis Tritt, Jason Aldean and more. This superb show delivers hit after hit, including fan-favorites like “God Bless The USA,” “No One Else,” “Somebody Like You,” “Big Green Tractor,” and “I Swear,” plus, you’ll hear great backstage stories about being on the road with the legends they have worked with. It’s a County Music lover’s dream come true!

Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats

Saturday, February 18, 2023; 7:30pm

Lee Rocker made his mark singing, playing, standing on, spinning and rocking his giant upright bass as a founding member (along with Brian Setzer and Slim Jim Phantom), of the Grammy nominated music group The Stray Cats, who sold over 10 million albums and garnered 23 gold and platinum certified records worldwide. He has since been named “Greatest of All Time” in Bass Player Magazine’s 2022 listing of the top 100 bassists ever. Come hear Lee and his band perform Stray Cats hits like “Sexy and Seventeen,” “Stray Cat Strut” and “Rock This Town,” plus lots of other rockin’ songs Lee performed post-Stray Cats with music legends—from Ringo Starr and George Harrison to John Fogerty and The Rolling Stones.

Funny Shorts Live!

Friday, March 10, 2023; 7:30pm

10-Minute Plays will be performed throughout the year, every four months, in rotation with The STAGED READING SERIES and JUST FOR LAUGHS. Each series will include five 10-minute plays (total of 15 performed through the year), and each of these performances includes one LOCAL playwright such as Leslie Sanderson and Peter De Fresco. Many of these plays were published as part of CFABS' Stage It, the annual international 10-Minute Play Competition where 200+ plays were entered in the 2021 competition. And by "Funny Shorts LIVE!" we also mean "funny shorts!" We will give away free tickets for upcoming shows at Center for the Performing Arts to the person wearing the funniest shorts!

The Divine Sister

March 23-26 & March 30 - April 2; 2023

The Divine Sister pays homage to nearly every film involving nuns, such as The Song of Bernadette, The Bells of St. Mary’s, The Singing Nun, and Agnes of God. This outrageous comedy tells the story of St. Veronica’s indomitable Mother Superior, who is determined to build a new school for her Pittsburgh convent. Along the way, she must deal with a young postulant experiencing ‘visions,’ sexual hysteria among her nuns, a sensitive schoolboy, a mysterious nun visiting from Berlin, and a former suitor intent on luring her away from her vows. This madcap trip through Hollywood religiosity evokes the wildly comic but affectionately observed theatrical style of the creator of Die, Mommie, Die!; Psycho Beach Party; and another audience favorite Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You.

Footloose - Reserved Seating Youth Production

April 14 - 16, 2023

Footloose is the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago. He and his mother move to the small town of Bomont. Ren finds himself at odds with most of the town, including the Reverend Bomont, who has convinced the town to outlaw dancing. With the help of the Ariel (the Reverend’s daughter) and Willard (a country boy who becomes his best friend), Ren convinces the Reverend to let the teenagers dance, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy that affected them all.

Staged Readings Series

Friday, May 5, 2023; 7:30pm

Featuring poignant selections of written works carefully selected to enthrall and amuse, Staged Readings come from short stories, essays, plays, speeches, the inside of fortune cookies, or anywhere else we feel the written word might be made more impactful as read by local thespians. Each staged reading will be unique, powerful, funny and thought provoking evening of entertainment as actors take on different roles.

Watch the transformative power of acting as directors and actors introduce all of us to works that may illuminate our mainstage work or introduce us to future programming possibilities. After readings, you’re invited to meet the cast and discuss the play with director and actors. This lively and informative discussion brings new insight to the art of theater.

Staged Readings Series

Friday, June 9, 2023; 7:30pm

Featuring poignant selections of written works carefully selected to enthrall and amuse, Staged Readings come from short stories, essays, plays, speeches, the inside of fortune cookies, or anywhere else we feel the written word might be made more impactful as read by local thespians. Each staged reading will be unique, powerful, funny and thought provoking evening of entertainment as actors take on different roles.

Watch the transformative power of acting as directors and actors introduce all of us to works that may illuminate our mainstage work or introduce us to future programming possibilities. After readings, you’re invited to meet the cast and discuss the play with director and actors. This lively and informative discussion brings new insight to the art of theater.

The Odd Couple

July 27-30 & August 3-6; 2023

Female version of the Neil Simon classic. Perfect Felicia has been dumped by her spouse and escapes to her slovenly friend Olive's place to stay. If it's going to work long-term, some things are going to have to change. The play retains its heartfelt look at those suffering from the end of a marriage and reminds us that even a stormy friendship can help us weather anything.