Upcoming Events
The Fantasticks
September 19 – October 6
Feel the magic and witness the timeless romance of “The Fantasticks” as it makes its grand premiere at MPAC.
The Fantasticks is the longest-running musical in the world and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. The result is a timeless fable of love that manages to be nostalgic and universal at the same time. The Fantasticks is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, and their two fathers who try to keep them apart. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart, and finally find meaningful love punctuated by a bountiful series of catchy and memorable classic songs. Rated PG
Caribbean Chillers Tribute to Jimmy Buffet
Tuesday, October 8 – 2 PM & 7 PM shows
The Caribbean Chillers are a dynamic Florida-based Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band that brings you the sights and sounds, and the FUN of a real Jimmy Buffett Concert! Close your eyes and you’ll be transported to that “Magical Musical place” Jimmy calls… Margaritaville!
Merrily We Roll Along
October 24 – November 3
Sondheim’s semi-autobiographical musical turns back the clock on friendship and the high price of success. Spanning three decades in the entertainment business, Merrily We Roll Along charts the turbulent relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends—writer Mary and lyricist & playwright Charley. An inventive, cult-classic ahead of its time, Merrily We Roll Along features some of Stephen Sondheim’s most celebrated and personal songs. Rated PG-13
Merrily From Center Stage
Monday, October 28 at 7:30 PM
Merrily From Center Stage recalls a very specific time in 1981 when the legendary musical theater team of Hal Prince, Stephen Sondheim and George Furth were creating Merrily We Roll Along for Broadway. Through the eyes of Ann Morrison’s award-winning character, Mary Flynn, her solo musical describes, ingeniously, the story of that time, only in her unique (and uniquely individual) way. What she and Musical Director John Shirley have done is take all of those memories, deconstruct them, reconstruct them, and then layer in the original Merrily score, also de- and re- constructed, to tell what becomes a richly layered, dramatically and emotionally satisfying tale of triumph.
Honored with the 2023 Bistro Award for Outstanding Solo Musical.
A solo musical based on the memories of Ann’s award winning, Broadway debut as Marry Flynn in the 1981 Stephen Sondheim musical, Merrily We Roll Along.
On Golden Pond
November 7 – 17
This is the love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the forty-eighth year. They are visited by their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the summer. A heartwarming and hilarious show about generations of a family learning to communicate and care.
Rated PG-13
This show is sponsored by MCR Health and is part of our Action Through Acting Series. Learn more about MCR Health at their website .
Brand New Day-Tribute to Sting & The Police
Tuesday, November 12 – 2 PM & 7 PM
Brand New Day is a very different type of band. This Sting and The Police tribute band is pulling out all the stops to present a show that you just can’t take your eyes off for fear of missing something! This show recreates the incredibly diverse catalog of both The Police and Sting – from the reggae-tinged new wave of the late 70s to the jazz & pop stylings of Sting’s eclectic solo catalog.
The Wizard of Oz
December 5 – 15
We’re off to see the wizard! This timeless tale of a Kansas farm girl who travels over the rainbow – only to discover there’s no place like home – has been charming audiences for generations. Follow the yellow brick road all the way to the Emerald City in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s enduring classic. Filled with brains, heart, and courage, and featuring the iconic score from the MGM film, The Wizard of Oz is fun for the whole family
Rated G-Appropriate for the entire family
Matt Stone as Elvis
December 10 at 2 PM & 7 PM
Matt Stone, a nationally-acclaimed Elvis Tribute Artist, who was named by Graceland as one of the top performers on the planet, will be BACK in the building at Manatee Performing Arts Center to recreate these jaw-dropping performances! Each concert will be a different performance so get your tickets for BOTH shows.
Pursuant to s. 817.36, Florida Statutes, tickets may not be resold for more than $1.00 over the original admission price
Accessibility
The Manatee Performing Arts Center strives to make its performances and facilities accessible to everyone. We want to ensure every member of our community feels like our space is a space for them and is dedicated to making everyone’s visit comfortable and enjoyable.
We’re here to help. Please contact us at 941-749-1111 or go here for more information.
“Artistic Inspiration for Everyone”
“The mission of the Florida Cultural Group, Inc. is to create, entertain and strengthen an artistic, creative, curious, and thriving community by bringing people together.”
