Contemporary and classic theater takes center stage in Florida’s Cultural Capital^®

Take your tickets, unwrap the crinkly candy and grab a seat for theatrical excellence in The Palm Beaches! There’s nothing quite like a night of theater after a dinner date, so take that special one out to one of many stage-based sensations during the height of season.

Palm Beach Dramaworks

The mantra behind the incredible work going on at Palm Beach Dramaworks: “theatre to think about.” It’s no surprise that this company brings some of the highest-quality productions to West Palm Beach’s Clematis Street (the heart of the city’s Arts & Entertainment District) because of its dedication to local talent and expert craftsmen. While the set design and costumes alone could leave you staggering, there’s nothing quite like seeing a classic play (or brand-new work) onstage as it premieres to audiences young and old. The company’s 2017–2018 season includes two world premieres from established playwrights: Terry Teachout’s “Billy and Me” and Joseph McDonough’s “Edgar & Emily.”

Theatre Lab at Florida Atlantic University

If you’re more into the bleeding edge of theater and playwriting, to the point that you’d much rather see a reading of a new play than a full-fledged production of something tried and true—there’s always an experiment being worked on at Florida Atlantic University’s Theatre Lab. The concept is simple: give brand-new, never-before-seen work written by some of the best contemporary American playwrights to university students to read, stage and perform for a small audience. This season, eager theatergoers can see new work from Peter Sagal (host of NPR’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me”), Lauren Gunderson and Deborah Zoe Laufer onstage for the first time. What could be better than that?

Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Looking to add a bit of style and razzmatazz to your sojourn of Palm Beach County’s stages? Maltz Jupiter Theatre has the distinction of being the entire state of Florida’s only B-rated League of Resident Theatres (LORT) facility, which speaks to its popularity among locals and visitors alike. The theatre produces a full season every year, punctuated by incredible plays and extravagant musicals, and this upcoming season is no different—look for “Disney Newsies,” “South Pacific,” “Hairspray” and more at one of the area’s grandest venues.

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

For over 25 years, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts has cemented its place as one of South Florida’s premier venues for ballet, music, comedy and theatre. Not only is Dreyfoos Hall one of the county’s largest performance spaces at over 2,000 seats, it’s also the only place to see national tours of Broadway favorites. This year’s Kravis on Broadway season includes big hits such as “The King and I,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Finding Neverland” and more.

Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival

Ask any local arts insider—there’s nothing quite like packing a picnic lunch and heading up to Jupiter’s Carlin Park every summer for a packed performance of a classic work from The Bard’s oeuvre. Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespeare by the Sea comes only once a year, but it’s the place to be if you call yourself a servant to the stage. The festival celebrates its 28th year of bringing Shakespeare to minds both young and old in July 2018 with a performance of “Antony and Cleopatra.”

Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center

Photo by National Dance Company of Siberia

With a wide variety of performances including dance, music, theatre, musicals and more, Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center in Belle Glade is a must-see for those interested in seeing a great show. This venue is located on Palm Beach State College’s Belle Glade campus and serves as the city’s art and performance center. Throughout the year, Dolly Hand features dozens of shows and performances from around the world—most of which are perfect for those traveling with a family!