An Exciting New Season at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Tickets for all Shows on Sale Now!

Presented by Van Wezel What’s This? September 8, 2022

Paul Anka: Greatest Hits – His Way comes to the Van Wezel on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

David Foster and Katharine McPhee bring their viral Instagram show, The Kat and Dave Show, from their living room to the Van Wezel stage.

Postmodern Jukebox – Life in the Past Lane Tour is a celebration of the greatest 20th century musical genres, fused with the recognizable hits of our own modern era, for the perfect patina of "vintage" and "modern."

Discover “A Whole New World” when Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical, comes to the Van Wezel in January.

The original team behind the Tony Award®-winning Broadway hit reunites with Million Dollar Quartet Christmas the heartwarming, holiday rock ‘n’ roll musical.

MOMIX’s internationally acclaimed dancer-illusionists conjure the magical world of the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts in this stunning reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s novel, Alice in Wonderland.

Direct from Broadway, Mean Girls is the hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team, including book writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon).

On Your Feet! is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

The long-awaited Sarasota Premiere of Blue Man Group comes to the Van Wezel this season.

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is thrilled to share the 2022-2023 season filled with exciting Sarasota premieres and returning favorites. The upcoming season features some of the top names in live entertainment and includes something for everyone. Come experience A Whole New World this year.

Mary Bensel, Executive Director of the Van Wezel shares her thoughts on the upcoming season: “After the past few years, we could all really use a laugh, so we’re bringing in an incredible lineup of comedians. The season kicks off with America’s premier comedian Jerry Seinfeld; followed by one of Hollywood’s most prolific creatives and Mad About You star, Paul Reiser; award-winning TV personality, Jay Leno; and comedy legends Rita Rudner and Robert Klein.” Other comedians coming to the Van Wezel include the King of Rant, Lewis Black; Floridian and Comedy Central star, Daniel Tosh; and Sarasota locals, The Smothers Brothers.

In addition to the hilarious lineup of comedians, the Van Wezel will also have a star-studded list of musicians. Making her Sarasota debut is ten-time Grammy® Award winner Bonnie Raitt. Raitt, whose unique style blends blues, R&B, rock, and pop, will come to the Van Wezel stage with her Just Like That…tour. Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn will be joining Raitt on this tour.

The diverse musical season will also include top-notch performances by world-renowned Motown groups The Temptations and The Four Tops, the Sarasota premiere of chart-topping country music star Scotty McCreery, one of the most successful singer-songwriters in music Paul Anka, and Tony® Award-winning Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin. Legendary singer, pianist and performer Michael Feinstein will celebrate the Judy Garland Centennial, as he takes us on a spectacular musical journey of Judy Garland’s illustrious career. Emmy® Award-nominated singer and voice of Riverdance on Broadway, Michael Londra, will combine music, dance, and stories of Ireland in a multimedia experience with Ireland with Michael – LIVE in a Sarasota premiere. Patrons will also enjoy an evening with Michael Bolton, the Grammy® Award winner and Emmy®-nominated singer, songwriter, and humanitarian.

Sixteen-time Grammy® Award winner David Foster and acclaimed singer, TV and Broadway star Katharine McPhee bring their viral Instagram show, The Kat and Dave Show, on the road. Coming directly from their living room to the Van Wezel stage, this intimate show with the married, powerhouse duo will be packed with David’s hits from Chicago, Whitney Houston, Josh Groban and more, and Kat’s biggest songs from American Idol, Smash and Waitress.

Audiences will be on their feet dancing and singing along to Post Modern Jukebox: Life in the Past Lane Tour. This Sarasota premiere is a celebration of the greatest 20th century musical genres, fused with the recognizable hits of our own modern era, for the perfect patina of "vintage" and "modern."

There will also be an encore presentation of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Buddy tells the true story of Buddy Holly’s meteoric rise to fame until his tragic death less than two years later on “The Day the Music Died.”

The Van Wezel’s dynamic Broadway season features several Sarasota premieres, such as crowd-favorite and Broadway sensation, Disney’s Aladdin, Tina Fey’s iconic Mean Girls and in a limited engagement, Blue Man Group. For those who enjoy seeing the classics, the lineup features returning favorites such as Chicago, My Fair Lady and CATS.

The Dance Series includes the widely acclaimed Momix: Alice, which will take you on a journey filled with visual opulence and astonishing choreography, the universally renowned dance company Ailey II and the fresh Pilobolus Big Five-OH!, which promises to put a spin on tradition in their 50th anniversary show.

“We are ready for the return of a full-blown, star-studded season,” adds Bensel. “Every year, the Van Wezel strives to provide bigger and better performances that keep our patrons entertained. Get ready for another incredible season of spectacular live entertainment!”

Tickets can be purchased at the Van Wezel Box Office, by phone at 941-263-6799, or online by visiting www.VanWezel.org.