Musicals in Paradise: Manatee Performing Arts Center’s 2023-2024 Season of Performances

By Tom Reese | December 2023

The exciting winter season of performances at Manatee Performing Arts Center, also known as MPAC, is in full swing, with the current musical production of “She Loves Me” taking place on the mainstage, and the recent conclusion of “The Rocky Horror Show” on the Bradenton Kiwanis stage.

MPAC has a long and storied history in Bradenton and Manatee County, beginning as a traveling band of artists and writers in 1947. Today, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, The Manatee Players, Inc. is a year round professionally staffed corporation of 10 full-time employees, 3 part-time employees and more than 70 contracted directors, musicians, and designers.

There are two different stages for performances at MPAC, the mainstage where famous and beloved musicals are performed to large audiences, and the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater, where a mix of musicals and plays are performed to a smaller, more intimate audience. The Kiwanis performances typically feature performances more edgy in nature that may be intended for niche audiences. 

MPAC really is a hidden gem in Bradenton. The state of the art facility hosts much more for the community than just musicals and drama. They are constantly lending the use of the building to other non-profit organizations and arts and cultural events. You can even sign up to take a tour of the facility and see how the performances are produced and walk through backstage areas. 

“I can’t tell you how many people walk through our doors for the first time and can’t believe that this is here and they didn’t know about it,” says Rick Kerby, Producing Artistic Director. “We’re always improving and making adaptations to our building. I think once you realize how easy it is to get to the facility and how beautiful it is, you’ll fall in love and really enjoy yourself. 

While the season of performances at MPAC is currently underway, there is still plenty of time to see seven different shows yet to debut. 

She Loves Me (Mainstage)

“She Loves Me” is widely considered as one of the most charming musicals ever written. Based on the 1937 play, “Parfumerie,” it is a family friendly performance described by MPAC as “a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old-world elegance.” 

The musical follows Amalia and Georg, two parfumerie clerks who are always getting on each other’s nerves. Despite the troubles in the workplace, they both dive deeply into an anonymous pen-pal style relationship with each other without realizing it. The story follows what happens when it is revealed the two have inadvertently fallen in love with each other without even realizing it. “She Loves Me” will conclude its performances on Sunday, December 10 at 2 p.m. at the MPAC.

Oklahoma! (Mainstage)

“Oklahoma!” opens on Thursday, January 18, 2024 and concludes on Sunday, January 28, 2024. This classic is one of the most globally acclaimed musicals ever written. It made its Broadway debut in 1941 and ran for a record 2,212 performances before eventually being made into an Oscar winning film in 1955.

“Oklahoma!” is a romantic comedy set in 1906 outside the town of Claremore in the farm country of Indian Territory. The story follows two men, cowboy Curly and farm hand Jud, as they quarrel for the love of a local farm girl, Laurey. The tensions rise between the two men and their antics capture the interest of the whole town as the love story progresses. 

Parade (Mainstage)

“Parade” opens on Thursday, March 7, 2024 and concludes on Sunday, March 17, 2024. The daring and bold musical features a heart wrenching story about the 1913 trial and imprisonment, and 1915 lynching, of Jewish American Leo Frank in Georgia. The overall nature and theme of this performance is geared more toward adults than family. 

Following its Broadway debut in 1998 and subsequent US tour, “Parade” got a major revival in February 2023. The modern adaptation of the musical went on to be nominated for six Tony Awards, winning two, including Best Revival of a Musical.

Kiss Me Kate (Mainstage) 

“Kiss Me Kate” opens on Thursday, April 25, 2024 and concludes on Sunday, May 11, 2024. This Tony Award winning musical made its Broadway debut in 1948, with two more revivals in 1999, and 2019. 

“Kiss Me Kate” is a comedic musical about a divorced couple, who finds themselves working together as the leads in a production of “The Taming of the Shrew.” The backstage banter between the two mirrors what is happening onstage. The unique play-within-a-play storyline shines on topics such as love, marriage, gender, politics, and the joyful world of theatre people. This funny and whimsical performance is fun for the whole family to see. 

Crimes of the Heart (Kiwanis Theater)

“Crimes of the Heart” is a dark comedy play that premiered in 1979 and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1981 while on Broadway. The play was later adapted to a feature film that received three Academy Award nominations. This play features adult themes and is not suitable for younger children. This performance will take place at MPAC from Thursday, January 11, 2024 until Sunday, January 21, 2024. 

Set in Mississippi during the mid-20th century, the main plot follows three sisters that grew up in a dysfunctional family and were prone to causing incidents. Babe, one of the sisters, shoots her abusive husband, bringing the sisters back together to deal with all of their past drama and work things out for the future. 

The Glass Menagerie (Kiwanis Theater)

“The Glass Menagerie’’ is a memory play written by Tennessee Williams that premiered in 1944 in Chicago. The play later moved on to Broadway and won the 1945 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for excellence in theater. This play will take place from Thursday, February 29, 2024 until Sunday, March 10, 2024. 

The plot follows the main character and narrator, Tom, as he recalls stories from his past in St. Louis, Missouri during the 1930s. The story focuses on Tom’s mother and sister as they navigate how to adapt to the changing world around them. The play tackles themes of gender roles, desire, responsibility, and struggling to fit in. 

Working (Kiwanis Theater)

“Working” is a musical that premiered in Chicago during 1977, and moved to Broadway a year later. It was nominated for several Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards. Since then it has been adapted into a book and revived as a musical all over the country. It will premiere at MPAC on Thursday, March 28, 2024 and run until Sunday, April 7, 2024. 

The witty musical follows events based on true stories of various types of people working various types of jobs. It spans a 24 hour period and shows the audience what it’s like for these workers as they balance their jobs and personal lives. 

How to buy tickets or get involved

If you are interested in attending one of these incredible performances or volunteering with the organization, please visit www.manateeperformingartscenter.com or call (941) 748-5875 from Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you are interested in auditioning for the final shows of the season, “Working” and “Kiss Me Kate,” you can email a video audition or inquire about in-person auditions to Rick Kerby at artisticdirector@manateeperformingartscenter.com.