From Gipsy Kings to ‘Hamilton’ Van Wezel books favorites and new stars for 2023-24 season

With nearly two dozen premieres, including a two-week run of the groundbreaking musical “Hamilton,” the local debuts of the Gipsy Kings and Nick Carter and the return of some legendary artists, Van Wezel Executive Director Mary Bensel said she looks at the 2023-24 season as a return to normal after the pandemic.

Bensel often sounds as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning as she talks about some of her favorite shows and artists, but she is particularly excited about the coming season because it includes the biggest lineup of Broadway blockbusters plus a wide variety of music and comedy to appeal to a broad spectrum of the community.

The stars include Terry Fator, Sebastian Maniscalco, William Shatner, Barry Bostwick, Paul Anka, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and Kristin Chenoweth, who will headline the annual Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Inspiration Gala.

The hall announced its Broadway, dance and classical programs earlier this year, highlighted by “Hamilton,” along with the Broadway hits “Hadestown,” “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations” and “Jagged Little Pill.” Subscriptions for the Broadway series have been on sale for months. Patrons waiting for single tickets for “Hamilton” will need a little more patience. Bensel said “the producers determine the on-sale date,” and she doesn’t expect them to be available until at least November.

But for most of the rest of the season, ticket sales begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 9, though current subscribers and e-club members can take part in a pre-sale Sept. 7-8.

How to get tickets:

Box office: 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Phone: 941-263-6799. Online: vanwezel.org

Here’s a look at some of the season’s highlights, and a list of all the shows coming this season in chronological order.

Classic films with the stars

William Shatner has played many roles, but will always be Captain Kirk to millions of “Star Trek” Fans. He will host a conversation after a screening of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and answer questions. A VIP package will give some patrons a chance to meet him in person on Nov. 11. The Hall’s new season will open on Sept. 30 with a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture” show, featuring Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors in the film (opposite Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry). The screening will feature a shadow cast leading the audience through a variety of interactive elements, costume contests, “The Time Warp” and more. There also will be a VIP meet-and-greet with Bostwick.

Singers/groups making their Sarasota debuts

Former Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter will present his “Who I Am Tour” (Oct. 20), featuring music that reaches back to his debut at age 12. John Waite, former lead singer of The Babys and Bad English, presents his “40 Years of Missing You Tour” (Nov. 8) with a list of hits from the 1980s and 90s that includes “Missing You,” “When I See You Smile”  and “Isn’t it Time.” Marie Osmond has been a star almost since she was born, and the singer, actress, talk show host and more brings “An Orchestral Christmas” to the hall Dec. 13. Yacht Rock Revue, making its debut Jan. 24, is a group of musicians who capture the sounds of the past with original music of their own.

Bensel is most excited to bring in The Gipsy Kings (Feb. 13), who have sold more than 14 million albums internationally. The group, which has topped the world music charts, is led by its co-founder Nicolas Reyes. On Feb. 8, blues rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd comes to the Van Wezel. The legendary Canadian band The Guess Who makes its Sarasota debut Jan. 25 with the latest incarnation of a group that introduced such songs as “American Woman,” “These Eyes” and “No Time.”

Legends return

Three artists who have been regulars and consistent sell-outs at the Van Wezel over the last 30 or more years return once again. Bensel said the recent passing of Tony Bennett “just reminds me how much we cherish them and want to see them while they’re still doing concerts.” Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons return Nov. 18, Paul Anka will be back March 10 and Johnny Mathis will be singing on April 27.

Returning Favorites

Some other big names are part of the lineup this season. Composer and producer David Foster and his wife, singer Katharine McPhee (“American Idol,” “Smash”) will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in Sarasota. Musical styles range from the eclectic sounds of musician Bruce Hornsby on Nov. 9 to Celtic Thunder Odyssey on Nov. 1, Straight No Chaser on Nov. 17 and the Allman Betts Revival on Dec. 12. The Righteous Brothers are back on March 5. Founding member Bill Medley will share the stage with Bucky Heard, who takes the place of Bobby Hatfield, who died in 2003.

Holiday shows

“I wish we could make it Christmas season all year,” said Bensel, who has put together a seasonal lineup of familiar shows and new productions. In addition to Marie Osmond’s “An Orchestral Christmas,” she is offering the return of Sarah Brightman’s “A Christmas Symphony” (Dec. 14); the “Sweet Caroline Tour: A Neil Diamond Christmas” on Dec. 4; and a special holiday version of The Illusionists. The international crossover quartet Il Divo returns after delays caused by COVID and the death of one of its founding members, Carlos Marin. The group will present a holiday program Dec. 20 with guest singer baritone Steven LaBrie. Mannheim Steamroller will kick things off on Nov. 19 followed by Dave Koz and Friends on Nov. 29.

Broadway in Sarasota

Bensel has been building a subscription audience for Broadway shows over the last decade and she can’t get much more help than a two-week run of “Hamilton,” backed by “Hadestown” and “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations.” But there are other new shows coming, including “Pretty Woman: The Musical” (Nov, 27-28); “The Cher Show,” which was developed and originally produced by Sarasota’s Flody Suarez, (Jan. 11-12) and Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” (March 7-8).

Tribute shows

Bensel said she doesn’t “like to present tribute shows for performers who are still out there.” (though she’s making an exception for the return of The Simon and Garfunkel Story about two artists who rarely perform together).

Among the tribute shows coming this season “The Rocketman,” featuring the music of Elton John (April 24) as he winds down his own international touring; “Rumours of Fleetwood Mac” (Nov. 25); “Always Olivia,” a salute to the music of the late Olivia Newton-John (April 10); and “Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience,” produced in collaboration with Cash’s estate (Nov. 26).

Dance and more

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance marks its 25th anniversary with a show on Nov. 24. The hall welcomes back “Dancing with the Stars” veteran Derek Hough with his “Symphony of Dance” on Dec. 9, and Les Ballets Trocadero de Monte Carlo bring some humor to ballet traditions Jan. 14. Paul Taylor Dance Company marks its 70th anniversary on March 18.

Variety

In a season filled with variety there are always some shows that are more difficult to categorize, like “Hyprov,” a mix of hypnosis and improvisation featuring hypnotist Asad Mecci, who will get some volunteers ready for improv on Jan. 21. TV host Mark Wahlberg will help audience members spin the “Wheel of Fortune” in a live version of the popular game (Dec. 17). Ventriloquist Terry Fator, the second-season champion of “America’s Got Talent,” is “on the Road Again” (March 9) and Champions of Magic will showcase their illusions March 12. The Midtown Men, four of the original stars of “Jersey Boys,” returns March 6, and there’s more of that era’s sound on March 20 with the Doo Wop Project. Comedy comes early in the season with the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour on Oct. 13, and the return of Sebastian Maniscalco (Oct. 22), who has gained even more notice since his Sarasota debut after the release of his semi-autobiographical film “About My Father” in which he starred with Robert DeNiro. Neil Berg is back with two shows: “50 Years of Rock and Roll” (Nov. 9) and his long-running "114 Years of Broadway” (March 14).

A gala star

Bensel said she has the perfect star for this year’s Inspiration Gala (March 22), supporting the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation’s education programs, which bring thousands of area students to performances and otherwise get them engaged in the arts. Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth, who returns for her third Van Wezel performance, has long focused on arts education (she operates Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp in her hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma). Chenoweth will be in Sarasota for a two-day residency that includes speaking to arts administrators and leading one or two master classes in addition to her main gala concert.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

2023-24 season

“Rocky Horror PIcture Show” with Barry Bostwick, 8 p.m., Sept. 30

“Bored Teachers Comedy Tour,” 7 p.m., Oct. 13

Nick Carter: “Who I Am” Tour, 8 p.m., Oct. 20

Sebastian Maniscalco, 5 and 8 p.m. Oct. 22

Celtic Thunder Odyssey, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1,

John Waite: 40 Years of ‘Missing You’ Tour, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8

An Evening with Bruce Hornsby, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9

Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll, 8 p.m. Nov. 10

William Shatner and “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” 7 p.m. Nov. 11

Straight No Chaser, 8 p.m. Nov. 17

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, 8 p.m. Nov. 18

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, 7 p.m. Nov. 19

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, 25th Anniversary Tour, 8 p.m. Nov. 24

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, 8 p.m. Nov. 25

Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience, 7 p.m. Nov. 26

“Pretty Woman: The Musical,” Nov. 27-28

Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29

Sweet Caroline Tour: A Neil Diamond Christmas, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4

Derek Hough Symphony of Dance, 8 p.m. Dec. 9

Allman Betts Family Revival, 7 p.m. Dec. 12

Marie Osmond: An Orchestral Christmas, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13

Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14

Daniel O’Donnell, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15,

The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays, 8 p.m. Dec. 16

Wheel of Fortune Live!, 7 p.m. Dec. 17

Il Divo, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20

Celtic Angels Christmas, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21

Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland, 7 p.m. Dec. 23

Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 30

“The Cher Show,” Jan. 10-12

Mutts Gone Nuts, 5 p.m. Jan. 13

Les Ballets Trocadero de Monte Carlo, 7 p.m. Jan. 14

The Four Phantoms in Concert, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17

Robert Dubac’s Stand Up Jesus, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18

Hyprov, 7 p.m. Jan. 21

Yacht Rock Revue, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24

The Guess Who, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25

“Hadestown,” Jan. 30-Feb. 4

The Simon and Garfunkel Story, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8

Gipsy Kings, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13

An Intimate Evening with David Foster and Katharine McPhee, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14

Chris Botti Live in Concert, Feb. 17 (time to be announced)

“Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations, Feb. 21-25

“Jagged Little Pill,” Feb. 27-28

Celtic Woman: 20th Anniversary, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29

Stayin’ Alive, 7:30 p.m. March 4

The Righteous Brothers, 7:30 p.m. March 5

The Midtown Men, 7:30 p.m. March 6

“Little Women,” March 7-8

Terry Fator: On the Road Again, 7:30 p.m. March 9

Paul Anka Seven Decades Tour, 7 p.m. March 10

Champions of Magic, 7:30 p.m. March 12

Neil Berg’s 114 Years of Broadway, 7:30 p.m. March 14

Paul Taylor Dance Company, 7 p.m. March 18

Doo Wop Project, 7:30 p.m. March 20

Kristin Chenoweth, Inspiration Gala, 8:30 p.m. March 22

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with Joshua Bell, March 23

“Hamilton,” March 26-April 7

Always Olivia, 7:30 p.m. April 10

“Shrek The Musical,” April 16-17

“The Rocket Man Show,” 7:30 p.m. April 24

Johnny Mathis: The Voice of Romance, 8 p.m. April 27

One Night of Queen, 8 p.m. May 10

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Van Wezel season offers Broadway hits, music stars, holiday favorites