The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is bringing a star-studded, sensational season to Sarasota again this year. With new shows and returning favorites, this season will delight theatergoers of all ages. The upcoming season opens with the rescheduled Broadway show Shrek – The Musical on September 24-25 before heading into a variety of performances including The Commodores (Nov. 16), Straight No Chaser (Dec. 28), and of course, the 10-time Tony Award-winning production, Moulin Rouge! The Musical (March 18 – 25).

“Coming off an incredible season that featured the record-breaking Hamilton, I knew we needed to bring in a variety of shows that would meet our audiences’ expectations,” shares Mary Bensel, Executive Director for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. “We have done just that with the Broadway blockbusters Moulin Rouge! – The Musical and Beetlejuice, along with concerts like Air Supply, comedians like Jay Leno and Arsenio Hall, classics like Twyla Tharp, and the family fun of Disney Jr. Live on Tour! There is truly something for everyone this season.”

The diverse season will include premieres of musical greats including the legendary Billy Ocean (Oct. 15), rising classical crossover star Matteo Bocelli (March 12), music sensations Herb Alpert & Lani Hall in Concert (Feb. 12), pop idol Debbie Gibson with her Winterlicious holiday show (Dec. 12), and The Life and Music of George Michael (Oct. 20), which chronicles George Michael’s journey with his music and fans. Returning favorites include Yacht Rock Revue (Jan. 23), GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti (Feb. 14), Motown legends The Temptations & The Four Tops (March 3), and the Branford Marsalis Quartet (April 2).

This season is sure to give guests a laugh with a variety of comedians. On September 26, John Crist kicks off his Jokes For Humans Comedy Tour right here in Sarasota. Saturday Night Live superstar Leslie Jones (Nov. 22) brings her show to Sarasota for the first time. Returning favorites include Steve Solomon (Feb.10) and Paula Poundstone(Feb. 15), along with the final tour for Lewis Black (Dec. 6).

The holiday season is always an exciting time at the Van Wezel, and this year the lineup includes two different cirque shows, Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Nov. 19) and Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland (Dec. 22). Derek Hough will also return to the stage with his first every holiday show, Dance for the Holidays, on December 4. Fan-favorites The Four Phantoms (Dec. 18) will also bring a Christmas show to Sarasota this year, and the fantastic tribute show Top of the World: A Carpenters Christmas Show (Dec. 20) will round out the holiday season.

Families will also have a great time during this show season when Disney Jr. Live on Tour: Let’s Play (Nov. 23) comes to town with Mickey, Minnie, and all their friends.

The Van Wezel’s powerhouse Broadway season, announced earlier this year, features weeklong performances of Funny Girl (Jan. 14-19), Moulin Rouge! The Musical (March 18-23) Les Misérables (April 8-13), and Beetlejuice(April 22-27). Broadway shows making their Sarasota debut include Dear Evan Hansen (Nov.1-2), TINA – The Tina Turner Musical (Dec. 13-15) and CLUE (Dec. 30-23), a new comedic play. Returning favorites include The Addams Family (Jan. 28-29) and Come From Away (Feb. 18-20).

Single tickets for all shows are currently on sale. Tickets can be purchased at VanWezel.org, by calling the Box Office at 941-263-6799, or by visiting the Box Office in person at 777 N. Tamiami Trl. To see the entire list of shows, visit VanWezel.org/BoxOffice. To stay up to date on all the events happening at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, join the e-club. E-club members receive presale codes to buy tickets before the general public and are the first to know about new shows or discounted tickets.