Performing Arts Announces its 40th Season

AVON PARK, Fla. – Sept. 27, 2023 – Croce Plays Croce, the national tour of the Broadway musical “Little Women,” and Piff the Magic Dragon highlight the 2023–24 season at the 1,460-seat Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts at South Florida State College (SFSC) in Avon Park. The season includes the MidFlorida Credit Union Artist Series with evening performances of national and international tours, the Lampe and Kiefer Hearing Aid Center Matinee Series, the Spiegel Chiropractic Syncopated Sundays Matinee Series, the AdventHealth Trending Now Series, and Young People’s Theater for elementary school students.

“The very popular Kaleidoscope Series returns with free performances of Holiday Traditions Around the World, USF Gospel Choir, and Bits n Pieces Puppet Theater with a delightful puppet performance of The Legend of Robin Hood,” said Cindy Garren, director of cultural performances at SFSC. All performances in the Kaleidoscope Series are free and open to the public and support is provided in part by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Subscription packages, which offer substantial discounts, are available for each series. “A subscription to the Artist Series starts at $165,” Garren said. “That’s less than $35 per show for world-class performances.”

Groups of 12 or more can save up to 50% on regular admission plus the group leader gets a free ticket. Group discounts vary by performance. Groups are recognized prior to the show from the stage.

Teacher Rush tickets are offered to local educators with a valid school ID on the day of show. “Discounts of 50% or more are extended to our teachers for specific performances,” Garren said. Discounted shows are posted on the website at sfscarts.org/box-office/teacher.

Teacher Rush tickets are not available online and must be purchased on the day of the show at the SFSC Box Office.

The MidFlorida Credit Union Artist Series includes: Croce Plays Croce; I’m Still Here starring Debbie Wileman in a salute to Judy Garland; The Johnny Cash Experience which is endorsed by the Cash family; Forever Tango; and the musical “Little Women.” The Artist Series is sponsored by Dr. Gale Obermayr and Dr. Michael Kirsch at Heartland Endodontics.

The AdventHealth Trending Now Series presents: the 60th anniversary tour of country/pop band Exile; Country Music Award winners Thompson Square in an acoustic performance; Rumours, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac; and The Brothers Doobie.

Spiegel Syncopated Sundays, which are held at the intimate 250-seat University Center at 3 p.m., will feature: The New Orleans Nighthawks; Hot Club SRQ; The Glynn Dryhurst Dixieland Band; and internationally acclaimed The Lynne Arriale Trio.

The Lampe and Kiefer Matinee Series stars Christian comedian Tim Lovelace, The Bronx Wanderers, The Nelson Brothers with their hit tribute “Ricky Nelson Remembered,” Portrait of Aretha, Always Olivia (an Olivia Newton John tribute), Super Duos, country acoustic An Afternoon in the Round, Daybreak: The Music of Barry Manilow, Yesterday: A Tribute to The Beatles, and Vivacity Radio Show, reminiscent of a 1930s radio program. The Matinee Series is sponsored by Dr. Gayle Obermayr and Dr. Michael Kirsch of Heartland Endodontics.

Special engagements include: A Christmas Carol ($15 children/student tickets are available), Piff the Magic Dragon, former Journey lead singer Steve Augeri, and Phil Dirt and the Dozers.

The Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts is supported by a grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Wildstein Center is located at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park on the SFSC Highlands Campus. Videos and information can be viewed online at sfscARTS.org. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased online or by calling the SFSC Box Office at 863-784-7178. In-person window sales are not available at this time. The Box Office opens Monday, Oct. 23 at 11:30 a.m.