We suffer no shortage of events here in South Florida. From Palm Beach to Miami, there are literally dozens of entertainment options every day. While personal tastes vary, you can bet that these tasty treats coming up this spring and summer will satisfy just about any appetite. We have several South Florida debuts, a couple of original pieces, and some returning favorites, all enough to whet your appetite.
The Timekeepers opens at The Foundry in March (no specific date has been announced yet). Dan Clancy’s story of two prisoners, a heterosexual Jewish man and a Christian gay man in a concentration camp, in 1939, was originally produced by Island City Stage. It has since gone on to productions off-Broadway and around the world. It returns home with a new production. For tickets, go to playsofwilton.com.
Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now, March 6, at Aventura Center stars Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kerry Butler, and Laura Bell who met while performing in the original Broadway production of Hairspray. Kerry Butler went on to star in Xanadu, and Laura Bell Bundy in Legally Blonde. They celebrate 20 Years of Broadway hits, motherhood, and lifelong friendship. For tickets, go to aventuracenter.org.
Electra ...I Did It Their Way Final Bucket List Tour. What happens when a drag queen retires? She auctions off her amazing outfits starting Feb. 6, at the Wilton Collective 1414 NE 26th Street. Her final show will be March 15 at the Wilton Collective Event Space 1414 On 26. The show only seats 138 so buy your tables/seats early. Tickets are available on EventBrite.
“Broadway Blockbusters” from the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida on March 21 at The Parker. “Sing Out Louise!” as the chorus celebrates blockbuster tunes that originated on the Great White Way. These are not your average every day show tunes. These powerful songs had a life that reached beyond the stage. They made their way into our daily lives, were covered by pop artists, appeared quoted on T-shirts and memes, and are still celebrated as some of Broadway’s all-time eternal best. For tickets go to gmcsf.org.
Bare Bears if you dare! Lauderdale Tropical Bear Week takes place April 8-13 and features six days of hot bears, bears in the park, all sorts of entertainment, vendors, food, drink, and games. There will be no less than four pool parties, a sunset tea dance, welcome parties at numerous bars, a cabaret, and a cruise (on the water!). For more information go to lauderdaletropicalbear.com.
Fat Ham by James Ljames, running April 3 – May 4, is a co-production of Island City, Brevo Theatre, and Gable Stage. The 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning play is based on Hamlet but with more barbeque and disco. Swapping a Danish castle for a North Carolina BBQ pit, Fat Ham remakes Shakespeare’s story of murder and revenge into something hilarious and profound. Juicy, a black queer Southern kid, has a lot on his plate already when his father’s ghost shows up, demanding vengeance. As generations clash at the family’s backyard barbeque, Juicy must face the legacies of violence he’s been raised with and shape the man he wants to be. For tickets go to islandcitystage.org.
Symphony of the Americas’ season finale brings some of New York’s best from May 11-13 at The Broward Center in “Broadway Showstoppers! The Leading Men.” Broadway stands as quintessentially American. The Show features a quartet of Broadway’s up-and-coming stars; Sean Bell, Jacob Gutierrez (Alladin), Adam Hyndman (Hadestown), and Nic Rouleau (Book of Mormon). For tickets, go to browardcenter.org.
Margaret Cho is “Live and LIVID!” at The Parker on May 16. More than anything else, Margaret Cho is unconditionally, unapologetically herself. A comedian with more than a few albums and specials under her belt, Cho is the champion of debunking taboo subjects like sex, race, world politics, sexual orientation, and womanhood (to name a few) with her unabashed, sure-fire humor. Vogue Magazine named Margaret one of the best female comedians of all time alongside Joan Rivers, Gilda Radner, and Wanda Sykes. She has won countless awards for comedy, acting, and her anti-racism, anti-bullying, homeless, and gay rights efforts. For tickets go to parkerplayhouse.com.
Shucked, making its South Florida debut at The Broward Center June 10-22, as part of the Broadway in Fort Lauderdale series is a Tony Award-winning musical comedy featuring a score by the Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. This corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater, it contains adult themes, moments of adult language, and a harvest of corny innuendo. For tickets go to browardcenter.org.
Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida’s Pride Concert salutes Dazzling Divas on June 21, at The Parker. The Chorus gives a shout-out to the superstar women who gave us unforgettable music and have publicly and unapologetically stood behind the LGBTQ community, paying tribute to just a few of them in a concert filled with a rainbow of styles and surprises. For tickets go to gmcsf.org.
Superman with a release date of July 11, will not only serve as a reboot of the Superman franchise, but as the first film of the new DC Universe. The film is written and directed by James Gunn and stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. In the film, Superman's journey to reconcile his alien heritage with his human family is explored.
Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Feb. 20-23, is a star-studded, four-day destination event highlighting the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs, and culinary personalities. All net proceeds from the festival benefit the Florida International University School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. For tickets go to sobewff.org.
SAVOR SOFLO on Hollywood Beach’s Broadwalk offers tastes and sips to please every appetite on March 29-30. Smaller and easier to navigate than some of the bigger festivals, it still offers plenty to eat and drink, and lots of goodies to take home. For tickets go to savorsoflo.com.
