Wonderland: A New Alice. A New Musical.

WONDERLAND: A New Alice. A New Musical. returns to Tampa for TWO WEEKS ONLY, Jan. 4-16!

The WONDERLAND Tampa engagement is a new musical featuring a new score.

WONDERLAND is a story about a new Alice who has lost her joy in life. Estranged from her husband, alienated from her daughter and in danger of losing her career, Alice finds herself in Wonderland where she encounters strange though familiar characters that help her rediscover the wonder in her life.

WONDERLAND is the first production of the Broadway Genesis Project, an initiative by the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to develop and prepare new musical theater for Broadway. From a show’s inception to final staging, the Project provides a safe and nourishing environment in a state-of-the-art complex with artistic, technical and administrative resources.

Wonderland is opening on Broadway in the Marquis Theatre!

Don't miss your chance to see it in Tampa before it moves to Broadway!

Reviews:
"One insanely catchy pop song after another. A visual feast ... a triumph. (Janet Dacal is) a star in the making." - St. Petersburg Times

"Musical 'Wonderland' excites, delights." - The Tampa Tribune

"... pleasures from an engaging cast, top Broadway designers and a catchy score." - Variety

"Dazzling musical numbers that get audience members of all ages out of their seats and cheering." - Miami Herald

"Catchy songs by Frank Wildhorn, inventive costumes by Tony-winner Susan Hilferty, varied chroeography by Marguerite Derricks, lively performances and a clever set and video projections provide fun in this new musical." - Sarasota Herald Tribune

"Four Stars ... Inspired, dazzling ... spectacular." - Creative Loafing

Hyde Park Village Tree Lighting brings Holidaze

Each year over 4,000 people across the Bay area unite for the tree lighting ceremony that takes place in Hyde Park Village. This family-friendly celebration has become one of the most anticipated events to kick off the holiday season.

Children of all ages will enjoy a delightful evening filled with free cookies, hot cocoa, live entertainment, a special appearance by jolly Old St. Nicholas. Plus, the highlight of the evening when attendees gather around the fountain in the heart of Hyde Park Village for the magical lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree.

The Entertainment schedule includes the Gulf Coast Girl’s Choir, America’s Ballet performing The Nutcracker, Cirque Dreams Holidaze and many more holiday favorites. The enjoyable evening will end with Santa’s special appearance as he sings the last song.

Cyber Monday 2010

We have Cyber Monday Savings on Nov. 29, 2010! One-day-only ticket offers!

Happy Holidays from the Straz Center!

Enjoy these one-day-only special ticket offers on holiday performances and some of the great shows coming up in the new year!

Use promo code CYBER on Monday, Nov. 29, from midnight to 11:59 p.m. to take advantage of any of the offers noted below.

Offers are valid online, by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) (outside Tampa Bay 800.955.1045) or by visiting the Straz Center Ticket Office. All offers are limited to 4 tickets per show title per household. Not applicable to prior sales. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Subject to availability. Service charges apply.

White Christmas Nov. 30 – Dec. 5 Save 25% off the Tuesday and Wednesday performances in price levels 2 and 3.

Forbidden Broadway ON STAGE NOW! 50% off all December performances.

The God of Isaac Dec. 2-19 Save 25% off all Thursday and Friday evening performances.

Fiddler on the Roof Dec 11 & 12 Save 25% off all performances in price levels 1, 2 and 3.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze Dec. 17-19 Save 25% off the Friday performance in price levels 2 and 3.

Straight No Chaser Christmas Cheers Dec. 21 Save 25% off all price levels.

The Nutcracker Dec. 22 & 23 $15 off all performances in price levels 2, 3 and 4.

Wonderland Jan. 4-16 Save 25% off Tuesday and Wednesday performances, excludes VIP and price level 1.

The Color Purple Jan. 8 Save 25% off all performances in price levels 1, 2 and 3.

The Improvised Shakespeare Company Jan 14 & 15 Save 25% off all performances and price levels.

Los Vivancos Jan. 26 Save 25% off all price levels.

Billy Elliot The Musical Feb. 2-20 Save 25% off Feb. 2, 3 and 6 evening performances in price levels 1, 2 and 3.

West Side Story March 1-6 Save 10% off Tuesday and Wednesday performances in price levels 2 and 3.

Jobsite Theater 30% off a mini-season ticket package ($68.60 + one $10 handling fee per order) which includes The Odd Couple, Yellowman, reasons to be pretty and The Taming of the Shrew. This ticket special is only available by phone or in person.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2010

The 84th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will kick off the holidays in New York City and on NBC on Thursday, November 25th! Every year, Macy’s exciting holiday tradition is seen by more than 3.5 million people who line the streets in New York and another 50 million people who tune into NBC to watch the giant balloons, one-of-a-kind floats, the nation’s best matching bands, hundreds of cheering clowns and a host of celebrities!

Something WE look forward to every year is the Broadway performances. Word on the street is that this year there will be performances from Billy Elliot, Memphis, American Idiot, Elf, Million Dollar Quartet and the Radio City Rockettes. Also look out for RAIN, A Tribute to the Beatles.

Other fun things include a giant balloon of Shrek, a float of Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure from Nickelodeon, clowns and talent.
For a full list of line-up click HERE.

National TV Exposure for RAIN

The RAIN band will be performing on the following two national programs:

Thursday, November 25 – CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade (CBS)
Friday, December 3 – Today Show II with Kathy Lee and Hoda (NBC, 10 am hour ET)

Experience what beatlemania was all about. From Ed Sullivan to abbey road – RAIN looks and sounds just like the Beatles.

RAIN's Tampa engagement covers the Fab Four from the earliest beginnings through the psychedelic late ’60s and their long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days.

Tune in and see what is coming to the Straz Center next year, June 2, 2011!

Purchase tickets HERE.

“The next best thing to seeing The Beatles.” – Denver Post

Les Misérables In Concert - The 25th Anniversary

Les Misérables In Concert - The 25th Anniversary

One Night Only - TOMORROW, Wednesday, Nov. 17

This October, the legendary musical Les Misérables celebrated its 25th birthday with a 25th anniversary concert at the O2 Arena in London. Don't miss your chance to experience this historical event broadcast to local movie theaters at Woodland Square 20 with IMAX, Regency 20, Lakeside 18 Cinemas, Cobb Grand 10 Cinemas, Hyde Park Cinebistro, Grove 16 Cinemas, Hollywood Stadium 20-Sarasota, Citrus Stadium Park Mall 20 and Park Place Stadium 16!

The 25th anniversary concert event in movie theaters includes a company of more than 500 actors and musicians, including Alfie Boe as "Jean Valjean," Nick Jonas as "Marius," Norm Lewis as "Javert," Matt Lucas as "Thenardier," Lea Salonga as "Fantine," Jenny Galloway as "Madame Thenardier," Ramin Karimloo as "Enjolras," Katie Hall as "Cosette," Samantha Barks as "Eponine," the casts of the original production at the Queen's Theatre, the new 25th anniversary production at the Barbican, London and members of the original 1985 London cast.

The magnificent score includes the songs, "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," "Stars," "Bring Him Home," "Do You Hear the People Sing?," "One Day More," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Master Of The House" and many more.

Tickets are on sale now! Enter your zip code to find your closest participating theater location and to purchase tickets online. Limited seats available. Please check back if tickets are not yet available for your selected theater.

Maestro’s Restaurant & Tours of the Great Wine Regions

A Wine Dinner in the French Countryside
The First in a Series of Tours of the Great Wine Regions of the World

Maestro’s Restaurant at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts will host A Wine Dinner in the French Countryside on Thursday, Nov. 11 starting at 5:30 p.m.

This special culinary dinner at Maestro’s Restaurant will feature a four-course meal with wines from the best French vineyards. Click HERE to see a menu!

Hors d’oeuvres reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m.

This event will be $75 per person, including tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online at www.strazcenter.org.

A Wine Dinner in the French Countryside is the first in a series of special culinary dinners at Maestro’s Restaurant that will feature scrumptious meals with wines from around the world.

Other dinners in the series include:
The Wines and Cuisine of Chile on Jan. 12
An Italian Bacchanalian Wine Dinner on March 9
The Fine Wines and Cuisine of Spain on May 18

Movies on the Lawn are back!

Friday, Nov. 5th will be the first free movie on the lawn of this new season! Come by the Straz Center Riverwalk at 8 p.m. and enjoy the free movie on the lawn, West Side Story.

West Side Story is a Romeo and Juliet-inspired love story brings star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony together on the streets of New York City while the rival Jets and Sharks fight for turf. This timeless film features Hollywood legends Natalie Wood as Maria and Rita Moreno.

The Broadway revival of West Side Story will be in Carol Morsani Hall March 1-6, 2011. We will be raffling off 2 tickets for the Tuesday, March 1, 2011 performance of the Broadway show so don’t forget to pick up raffle tickets on your way in!

Concessions will be available for purchase. Stadium chairs and blankets welcome. No coolers, please. In the event of rain or inclement weather, the film will be cancelled and possibly rescheduled.

Run-time: Approx. 152 minutes

For more information on the free movie series click HERE!