Spotlight: Something for Everyone at Manatee Performing Arts Center

By Caitlin Bolton | November 2021

Started as a group of volunteers and performers nearly 75 years ago, The Manatee Performing Arts Center has evolved into a performing arts hub for the community. Fueled by creativity and a commitment to education, they now offer a host of educational opportunities and a robust repertoire of performances. 

Get Involved

Educational opportunities are integrated into almost everything the Manatee Performing Arts Center does. “Being an active part of the community is really important to us. We want to facilitate opportunities in the arts for as many people as we can,” says Artistic Director, Rick Kerby. 

Through their Conservatory for the Performing and Technical Arts program, the Manatee Performing Arts Center offers educational opportunities for individuals ages three to 90. 

Opportunities include workshops, technical and theater management internships, student ambassador programs, and a senior theater group, DraMature. 

The Show Goes On

Facing challenges during the pandemic, the Manatee Performing Arts Center learned a thing or two about resilience. “Creativity has been our saving grace. We’re creative people, and that has allowed us to adapt to overcome obstacles and find ways to carry out our mission of sharing arts with the community,” says Kerby. 

With a full and exciting schedule of performances leading into 2022, the organization is ready to bring theater and the arts fully back to life. Thanks to two theaters, all-star production teams, and talented performers, patrons can expect an experience like no other. 

“We’ve missed our audiences,” says Kerby. “The hours of work that production teams and actors devote to a performance are all in service to creating an unforgettable moment for the audience.”

December 2021

Cinderella (Broadway Version)

December 2, 2021 – December 19,2021

A clever retelling of the beloved fairytale sets Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic story of “the smart and beautiful Ella” and her wicked stepmother and stepsisters to the sounds of Broadway.

Crosley Christmas:
Holiday Songs & Fables

December 9, 2021 – December 19, 2021

Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer as the Crosley Theater shares “sing-a-long songs and fun-tastic fables,” followed by a presentation of Gwendolyn Crosley’s favorite Christmas classic, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. 

MTI’s Best of Broadway Junior Revue: 

Pure Imagination 

December 18, 2021 | 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. 

Broadway is coming to Manatee County! The Manatee Performing Arts Center is the first theater in the country to present this incredible show from participants of the MTI BROADWAY JUNIOR Fall Program, which provides children ages 7 to 17 immersive training in dance, theater, and music. 

JANUARY 2022

Crosley Theater Company: A Literary Feast: 

Ernest Hemingway & F. Scott Fitzgerald

January 13, 2021 – January 23, 2021

“For their last production of the season, the Crosley Theater Company will focus on two of the most famous American authors of the 20th century, Ernest Hemingway & F. Scott Fitzgerald.” This “feast of literary delights” will serve gems of the past to audiences in a delightful and creative way.

Chaplin: The Musical

January 20, 2022 – January 30, 2022

The story of an entertainment legend meets a musical twist in the area debut of “Chaplin: The Musical,” featuring an original score by Christopher Curtis. The show celebrates the screen icon’s turbulent childhood, frenzied love life, and political beliefs, to the making of his landmark films.

Tony Sands Presents: Rat Pack Together Again!

January 29, 2022 

The New York Post raves about the magic of this musical event. Enjoy the greatest hits of legends, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. including songs like “Come Fly With Me,” “You’re Nobody,” “That Old Black Magic,” and more. 

FEBRUARY 2022

Temps, Tops, and Gladys: Motown Review

February 11, 2022 | 8 p.m.  

Don’t miss out on an evening filled with music and soul in this special performance celebrating The Temptations, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and more.

Neil Diamond Tribute 

February 19, 2022 | 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

Calling all fans of “romance, magical surprises, comedy, and Neil Diamond music!” Stand-up comedian and talented musician Allynn “unveils the story of Diamond’s life through Neil’s own songs from the ‘60’s through today while weaving his own comedic career change from an international top 10 Elvis to Neil Diamond, all for the love of a woman.” 

The Marvelous Martha by Jane Plitt

February 23, 2022 | 4 p.m.

Celebrating the 100^th anniversary of women’s suffrage, this premiere production shares the forgotten story of Martha Matilda Harper, whose innovative launch of modern retail franchising drew support and adoration of “world royalty, U.S. Presidents and their wives, Bertha Palmer, Harp Rites, Susan B. Anthony and the suffragists.” 

MARCH 2022

Danny, King of the Basement 

March 3, 2022 – March 13, 2022

The heartwarming story of 10-year-old Danny “Delco” Carter is an honest exploration of “issues related to child poverty and homelessness and ultimately demonstrates how the power of friendship can change lives.” Earning the Dora Mavor Moore Award (Toronto’s Tony Awards) for Outstanding Production in Theatre for Young Audiences and the Canada Council Children’s Theatre Prize, this play balances a powerful message with a playful storytelling spirit. 

The Will Rogers Follies

March 10, 2022 – March 20, 2022

This Follies-style tribute to Will Rogers embodies the legend’s charisma and presents an insightful and entertaining look at the life and journey of the national sensation. 

Sinatra! The Musical 

March 12, 2022

A multimedia extravaganza for Sinatra fans presented by Tony Sands, who has spent more than twenty years perfecting his act as Sinatra. He leads audiences on a musical journey through the life of the iconic singer in this “one-of-a-kind musical that was three and a half years in the making.” 

APRIL 2022

Tim Boyd Comedy Show

April 9, 2022 | 7:30 p.m.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Boyd finds humor from real life experiences to create a “show perfect for anyone ten to 110.” 

Titanic The Musical

April 28, 2022 – May 8, 2022

Starting production nearly two years ago, the wait is over for the performance of this award-winning musical. Featuring music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Peter Stone, Titanic The Musical focuses on the “hopes, dreams, and aspirations of passengers who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own.” 

For more information, visit manateeperformingartscenter.com. Tickets can be purchased by phone, in-person, or online.