Florida is a tropical paradise, even this time of year. Is it any surprise that everyone wants to come down here right now to enjoy the wonderful weather? So while the North is freezing cold, you can take advantage by getting a tan during the day and enjoying some interesting shows at night. I have the dish on twenty entertainers and shows who will be here in South Florida this winter.
December/January
Y100 Jingle Ball
The annual all-star concert, sponsored in South Florida by Y100 and Capital One, brings some of the hottest musicmakers of the year direct to you. The lineup this year includes The Chainsmokers (who had a major hit with “Closer”), Hailee Steinfeld (“Starving”), Fifth Harmony (“Work From Home”), Meghan Trainor, Nicky Jam, Alessia Cara, Charlie Puth, Tove Lo and Lukas Graham.
When and Where? BB&T Center, Sunrise, December 18
Murray & Peter Present A Drag Queen Christmas
Start your engines! Your favorite RuPaul’s Drag Race queens are coming to the Sunshine State to close out their holiday tour! Bob the Drag Queen will host, and South Florida audiences can expect to see Bob, Milk, Naomi Smalls, Trixie Mattel, Chi Chi DeVayne, Pearl, Roxxxy Andrews, and Thorgy Thor.
When and Where? Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale, December 26
An American in Paris
Paris was, and still is, a city of lovers and dreamers, and the atmosphere in the city after World War II was absolutely electric. A soldier named Jerry falls in love with the city, along with a mysterious local girl named Lise. Enjoy such musical numbers as “I Got Rhythm”, “The Man I Love”, and of course the ending ballet!
When and Where? Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami, December 27-January 1
My Big Funny Peter in “Stuff Me for the Holidays!”
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is bringing back Peter Bisuito, perhaps the most popular gay muscle bear comedian in the country, for a special holiday show. In this show, he mixes theatre and musical performances with his signature wit while ensuring everyone is in the “holiday spirit”!
When and Where? Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, December 28
Dancing with the Stars Live!
The hit ABC show comes to life on-stage, as dancers cross the country and perform fan-favorite routines for audiences on the viewers’ turf. See some of your favorite professional dancers, such as Val Chmerkovskiy, Gleb Savchenko, Artem Chigvintsev, Keo Motsepe, Sharna Burgess, and more!
When and Where? Hard Rock Live Hollywood, December 29
Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story On Stage
Nobody puts Baby in a corner! The story, introduced to millions on the silver screen with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the lead roles, is now fleshed out as a musical, with even more songs, along with the ones we know by heart, such as the show-stopping “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”!
When and Where? Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, January 3-8
Cabaret
Welcome to the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly so everyone can leave their troubles behind. Will the decadent allure of pre-World War II Berlin nightlife be enough to get them through their dangerous times?
When and Where? Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, January 10-22
Well-Strung
This openly gay music quartet has taken the world by storm with their mix of classical training and performances of current pop melodies. Last winter, they performed three shows across Florida, and now they return to the Broward Center for the first time since that well-received and popular show.
When and Where? Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, January 15
Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight, from Atlanta, Georgia, made a name for herself with The Pips for many years, a time period in which she recorded some of her biggest hits, such as “Midnight Train to Georgia”, “If I Were Your Woman”, and “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination”. Watch her perform her greatest hits live for one night only!
When and Where? Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, January 27
February/March
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
How did singing-songwriting powerhouse Carole King make it to where she is today? This musical profiles the first dozen years of her career, her first marriage to musical partner Gerry Goffin, and her friendships with Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, leading up to her legendary 1971 performance of the Tapestry album at Carnegie Hall.
When and Where? Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, February 1-5; Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami, February 13-19
Xanadu
The Slow Burn Theatre Company presents the stage musical version of the kitschy cult classic from 1980, starring Olivia Newton-John. You can hear quite a few Olivia hits in this musical, such as “Magic”, “Have You Never Been Mellow”, and of course “Xanadu”! Music and lyrics are courtesy of longtime Olivia producer John Farrar and ELO’s Jeff Lynne.
When and Where? Aventura Center, Aventura, February 2-5; Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, February 23-March 5
Lisa Lampanelli
The self-titled “Queen of Mean” doesn’t disappoint when she performs live for her fans! We all know she has a heart of gold deep down, but we love it when we hear her tear everybody (and we do mean everybody, no thin-skinned people allowed!) to shreds in her hilarious comedy act.
When and Where? Hard Rock Live Hollywood, February 4
Alan Cumming
What a perfect Valentine’s Day gift! Alan Cumming, best-known for his work on Broadway in musicals such as Cabaret and on TV in The Good Wife, brings to South Florida a show called “Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs”. A true professional, you will get to experience a side of Alan you’ve never seen before.
When and Where? Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami, February 10
Kristin Chenoweth
I’ve had the chance to see quite a few shows in the time I’ve worked at Hotspots, but Kristin Chenoweth’s show is by far one of my favorites. Her folksy Oklahoma charm makes you feel right at home, and then you will immediately become entranced by her flawless vocals. She brings a little bit of everything to her performances. I’m sure you’ll love her as much as I do!
When and Where? Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, February 14; Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, February 15
Chaka Khan
One of the divas of R&B music, Chaka Khan stepped up her game after leaving the band Rufus to give us such chart-toppers as “I’m Every Woman” (redone by many artists but never duplicated!) and “I Feel For You”. She may be in the studio recording a new album right now but she’s taken time out to perform twice in South Florida just for you!
When and Where? Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami, February 17; Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, February 18
Michael Carbonaro
Openly gay magician Michael Carbonaro is the star of truTV’s hidden camera magic TV show “The Carbonaro Effect”, where he wows everyday people with a variety of magic tricks. Now on his second nationwide tour, Carbonaro brings the charm and the magic direct to audiences here in South Florida.
When and Where? Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, February 17
Matthew Morrison
Mark Cortale presents Matthew Morrison, star of TV’s Glee, in a special Broadway Concert Series show at Parker Playhouse, hosted by Seth Rudetsky. In this format, Rudetsky plays the piano while sharing Broadway and performance memories with Morrison, as he sings his favorite songs as well as tried-and-true standards.
When and Where? Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale, February 17
Annie
The sun will come out tomorrow! Adorable and plucky eleven-year-old redhead Annie, living at the Municipal Girls Orphanage under the stern eye of Miss Hannigan, befriends the billionaire Oliver Warbucks, and worms her way into his heart, proving money can buy everything — except love.
When and Where? Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, March 2; Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami, March 3-5
Patti LaBelle
Patti is enjoying a career resurgence thanks to the delightfully delicious “Patti Pies”, and soon you will have the chance to eat some Patti pie and see Patti herself in concert on the same day! Enjoy her entire songbook, ranging from “New Attitude”, which starts out every one of her shows, to the legendary “Lady Marmalade”.
When and Where? Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, March 14
Carol Burnett
Many Hotspots readers cherish the memories they have of Carol Burnett’s long-running CBS variety series. You will definitely be glad you had this time together with the comedy legend when you attend this special show, in which Ms. Burnett reflects on her career and her best comedy bits. Yes, she will “bump up the lights” for a Q&A as well!
When and Where? Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, March 19
Make sure to check out our Winter TV Preview in next week’s Hotspots!
