Compton & Bennett in A Cracker at the Ritz

Tuesday, January 10 & 24, 2023
Tuesday, February 7 & 21, 2023
Tuesday, March 7 & 14, 2023
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
7pm

Satirists Compton & Bennett present their newest musical, A Cracker at the Ritz. Enjoy a 85-minute satirical roasting of all things Florida in song and sketch comedy. You'll hear Snowbird Come and He Won't Go Home, Swampland Scam, Migrant Worker Man and many more! Includes a 15-minute intermission.

Generously sponsored by Northern Trust.

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!

Just for Laughs - A Comedy Variety Show

Friday, February 17, 2023; 7:30pm

Another fantastic evening of everything funny we can find, including 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.

Generously sponsored by Northern Trust.

The Weight Band

Featuring members of The Band, Levon Helm Band, and Rick Danko Group

Friday, February 24, 2023; 7:30pm

Performing the timeless hits of The Band—like The Weight, Up On Cripple Creek, Ophelia, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Rag Mama Rag, and more—THE WEIGHT BAND is keeping the spirit and the music alive that helped define an era. These master musicians were either actual members of The Band or are directly and deeply connected to their legacy. Experience the most authentic presentation of The Band’s music performed live on stage, and see why the Chicago Sun Times proclaimed, “THE WEIGHT carries on where THE BAND left off!”

The Devon Allman Project

Featuring Very Special Guest Donavon Frankenreiter

Sunday, February 26, 2023; 7:30pm

The Devon Allman Project is a six-piece blues-inspired rock band led by award-winning musician Devon Allman and features two members of the Allman Betts Band. They are joined by special guest Donavon Frankenreiter, whose soulful, laid-back grooves compliment the group. They will be playing the songs of The Allman Brothers and Gregg Allman in their sets, as well as Devon's fan-favorite originals, and some surprise covers. You don't want to miss this high-energy, exceptionally entertaining show.

Said of the former leader of Honeytribe and Royal Southern Brotherhood, son of Gregg Allman: "He's an elegant, soulful singer.” —Relix “... well-crafted, more reflective than fiery, and soulful.” —USA Today

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!

Generously sponsored by Northern Trust.

Bruce in the USA: The World's #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Friday, March 17, 2023; 7:30pm

Much more than just another tribute… Bruce In The USA is a high-energy, note-perfect, and visually accurate musical experience of a Bruce Springsteen & The E St. Band show.

Matt Ryan, from the World Famous “Legends In Concert” cast, began playing the Springsteen character in 2000, in Legends “full scale” Las Vegas show. The great success in the famous Las Vegas show brought him to performances across the world, eventually evolving his character into the Bruce In The USA show.

The Bruce In The USA Band consists of seasoned world class professional musicians. The show has hosted musicians from such acts/bands as Queen/Paul Rogers, Meatloaf, Blue Oyster Cult, Hall and Oats, Joe Cocker, The Ojays, Aretha Franklin, David Cassidy, The Temptations, Slash… and so many more.

This high end, powerhouse, band has taken this genre of performance art to a whole new level, making it the World’s #1 Tribute to the E Street Band’s musical legacy.

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.

Generously sponsored by Northern Trust.

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.

Empire Trio: You Raise Me Up

Saturday, April 22, 2023; 7:30pm

Empire Trio is an exhilarating and uniquely talented classical crossover ensemble, that has been taking concert halls by storm all over the world.

Empire Trio features the lush and mesmerizing voice of soprano Erin Shields, the versatile and virtuosic David Shenton on piano and violin, the world’s first (and possibly only) musician to play violin and piano simultaneously. The third member of the trio is the illustriously talented baritone Adam Cannedy.

From deliciously witty to incredibly moving, Empire Trio's shows have it all; they breathe new life into familiar toe-tapping favorites with their unique and innovative arrangements. The trio has garnered rave reviews from audiences and critics alike.

Empire Trio's show, You Raise Me Up features the glorious music made popular by the legendary Josh Groban and some of his best-known contemporaries, including Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. This uplifting show will feature beloved songs such as You Raise Me Up, Time to Say Goodbye, The Prayer, Besame Mucho, Almost Like Being in Love and many more.

Appalachian Road Show

Saturday, April 29, 2023; 7:30pm

With Appalachian Roadshow, Abernathy, Webb and their talented compadres (including fiddle beast Jim VanCleve and legendary upright bassist Todd Phillips) seek to honor the music, traditions and history of the great Appalachian people and region. The group takes influences from other sources and applies that Appalachian style, as they've done with a grassy version of the Steve Miller Band's Dance, Dance, Dance.

Stage It! 7 - 10 Minute Play Festival

Now in its seventh year, the festival will adjudicate short plays sent in from around the world. Twenty to thirty plays will be chosen for publication in our ongoing book series, and at least 10 short plays will be performed at the festival, which always boasts a great turnout, and is always memorable.

Just for Laughs - A Comedy Variety Show

Friday, July 14, 2023; 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.