Latest news with #AdrienneArshtCenterforthePerformingArts
Miami Herald
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
How your downtown Miami commute could change with a major event shutting roads
The 2025 Lexus Corporate Run returns to downtown Miami Thursday evening. The event, now in its 40th year, is a treat for the thousands who take part — it's a health and social and mood boost. For commuters? Not so much. The Corporate Run has to close or reroute several streets in the immediate area, so expect delays and detours for a few hours. If you aren't running or cheering on someone you might not have to be in the area Thursday afternoon and evening. The nearby Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Biscayne Boulevard is dark Thursday night. There are no Miami Heat home games scheduled along the race route that evening, either. When the run starts The 2025 Lexus Corporate Run starts at 6:45 p.m. April 24 in front of Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. About 18,000 runners and walkers are expected to participate this year. Closed roads Streets start to close by 6 p.m. Thursday, according to Miami police. A counter flow traffic pattern begins around 3 p.m. and continues until about 11 p.m. Northbound traffic on Biscayne Boulevard will be shifted into two southbound lanes at Southeast First Street and continue north, until Northeast Fourth Street, where traffic will be allowed to shift back into the northbound lanes. Southbound traffic on Biscayne Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes of traffic from Northeast Sixth Street and may continue traveling south on Biscayne Boulevard. Access to PortMiami will remain open on Northeast Fifth Street. Police recommend using the PortMiami Tunnel from Interstate 395. These road closings in downtown Miami are for Thursday, April 24: ▪ Biscayne Boulevard northbound lanes from Chopin Plaza to Northeast Third Street will be closed from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday. ▪ Biscayne Boulevard northbound traffic will be re-routed to the southbound lanes from Southeast First Street to Northeast Fourth Street from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Northbound lanes will be closed from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Northbound lanes will return to their normal trajectory from Northeast Fourth Street. Biscayne Boulevard southbound lanes will offer two-way traffic with specific attention given to all residents of the immediate area. ▪ Biscayne Boulevard from Southeast First St. south to Southeast Third Street will be closed from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. ▪ Southeast Second Street from Biscayne Boulevard to North River Drive will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. ▪ North River Drive from Southwest Second Street to Northwest Fifth Street will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. ▪ Northwest Fifth Street from North River Drive to Northwest Sixth Avenue will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 7:55 p.m. ▪ Northwest Sixth Avenue from Fifth to Sixth streets will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. ▪ Northwest Sixth Street from Sixth to Fifth avenues will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. ▪ Northwest Fifth Avenue from Sixth to Fifth streets will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. ▪ Northwest Fifth Street from Fifth to Fourth avenues will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ▪ Northwest Fourth Avenue from Fifth to Sixth streets will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. ▪ Northwest Sixth Street from Fourth Avenue to Third Court will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8:25 p.m. ▪ Northwest Third Court from Sixth to Third streets will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8:35 p.m. ▪ Northwest Third Street from Third Court to Biscayne Boulevard will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. The race course Here is the route participants will take for Miami's Corporate Run: ▪ South on Biscayne Boulevard in northbound lanes to Southeast Third Street. ▪ U-Turn onto Southeast Second Street. ▪ West on Southeast Second Street. ▪ North on North River Drive. ▪ East on Northwest Fifth Street. ▪ North on Northwest Sixth Avenue. ▪ East on Northwest Sixth Street. ▪ South on Northwest Fifth Avenue. ▪ East on Northwest Fifth Street. ▪ North on Northwest Fourth Avenue. ▪ East on Northwest Sixth Street. ▪ South on Northwest Third Court. ▪ East on Northwest Third Street. ▪ South on Biscayne Boulevard in northbound lanes with a finish at Northeast Second Street. Weather forecast Expect mostly clear skies with a 20% rain chance during the day Thursday and about 10% for the start of the Corporate Run. Highs around 80, lows about 76 as night falls. But expect a brisk wind with gusts around 18 mph, according to the National Weather Center in Miami. More information For more information, contact TeamFootWorks at 305-666-7223 or visit or
Miami Herald
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Piano Slam: Sounds of the future, music of the present and past
Poetry combined with hip-hop, classical and pop music has young poets competing for prizes from $100 to $1,000 at this year's Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion 'Piano Slam.' The music-poetry mashup is at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, April 23. Since its inception in 2007, Piano Slam has been a platform for young poets in Miami-Dade County to merge their creative writing with classical and contemporary music. 'It is a fully STEM-integrated creative writing program in schools inspired by music,' says Emily Cardenas, executive director of Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion, adding that for audiences it is a 'dynamic, professional show.' A curriculum is periodically adapted in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public School educators and administrators in line with the annual theme and integrated into classroom activities. The districtwide poetry competition was open to all students in Miami-Dade County's middle and high schools. Finalists have already been selected. Behind Piano Slam is Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion. Founded in 1987 by Loretta Dranoff, the organization was originally known as the Murray Dranoff International Foundation and focused on promoting the two-piano artform through an international competition. As the global landscape for piano duos expanded, the foundation shifted its focus under the leadership of Carlene Sawyer, leading to the creation of Piano Slam, according to Cardenas. The program's name draws inspiration from slam, the performance-based poetry movement that emerged in the 1980s. 'It is a form of performance poetry that combines the elements of performance, writing, competition, and audience participation and it is presented at events called poetry slams. Since Dranoff has its origins in classical piano music, the decision was made to fuse the words piano with slam to create Piano Slam,' explains Cardenas. This year's theme, 'Music of My Past … Sounds of the Future,' challenges students to explore their cultural musical heritage while envisioning the future. Part of the program requires students to integrate music and science terms into their poetry writing. 'The program inspires confidence and self-expression; it propels students to believe in the power of their opinions and express them in a creative way,' says Cardenas. Brenis Bostick, a former student at Miami Norland Senior High and now an English Creative Writing major at the University of Miami, was a finalist in the 2020 Piano Slam competition with his poem 'Mother Miami.' He reflects on how deeply the program influenced his life. 'The Piano Slam program was a turning point in my life—it truly saved me; this opportunity arrived during one of the darkest periods I've faced,' he shares. For the first time, Piano Slam will have a live judging panel led by presidential poet laureate Richard Blanco and including Haitian American poet Mecca 'Grimo' Marcelin, Miami-Dade poet laureate Caridad Moro-Gronlier and Miami Book Fair executive director Lissette Mendez. 'Poetry and music are kindred spirits, having the two come together will be magical,' says Blanco. He emphasizes the importance of live performance in capturing the essence of a poem. 'No matter what, there's nothing like hearing a poem recited. When we hear a poem out loud, especially in the voice of the poet, we catch all the nuances, cadences, pauses, etc. that make the poem come alive in a new way,' he explains. Blanco adds that his role would involve balancing the technical merits of the written work with the emotional impact of its performance. He also shares his expectations of the contestants. 'Poems can be over-performed. I'm looking for honest performances—that is to say performances that are informed by real and honest emotions. Not merely performances for the sake of performance. That can come across as disingenuous.' Director Teo Castellanos, returning after a seven-year hiatus from Piano Slam, discussed the unique challenges of directing an event that fuses live music with spoken word poetry. 'The challenge is working with non-traditionally trained performers. I'm speaking of the students, not the professional musicians, dancers, choreographers or adult poets,' he says. Despite having only about 10 days to work with the students, Castellanos finds the experience 'exciting' as it brings together professionals and young talent. He noted that the involvement of experienced coaches and musicians helps elevate the performances. The musical direction of the show is led by Martin Bejerano, a Miami-born Afro-Cuban jazz pianist. He outlines his approach to blending classical, jazz, and pop music elements for the show. 'We have a collaborative approach to picking both the classical and other contemporary music selections, as well as blending or 'mashing' them together,' he says. Bejerano detailed the musical selections, noting that the event will feature works by composers such as Mozart, Ravel, Stravinsky, Chopin, and Gershwin alongside contemporary tracks by Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Coldplay, Billie Eilish, and Sly and the Family Stone. 'The music of our youth will one day become the music of our past, and thus, the popular music we feature from today will one day be the sounds of these students' past,' he says. Bejerano further emphasizes that the music is designed 'to create a special vibe for each poem,' ensuring that the powerful spoken word performances remain at the forefront. Piano Slam combines classical and contemporary elements in a way that aligns with Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion's broader mission to bring together different cultural expressions through the arts, according to Cardenas. 'Piano Slam . . . gives them a voice they didn't know they had' while also providing 'valuable exposure of classical music to young people who have never experienced it or who have had little appreciation for it until now.' To the student performing, Castellanos advises, 'Dig. Dig into your soul. Express yourself to your fullest capability. Never mind being judged. Do you, and have fun doing it.' If you go: WHAT: Piano Slam 2025 WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 23 WHERE: Adrienne Arsht Center's Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami COST: Free with reservation; $80 VIP Seating and After Party INFORMATION: 305-572-9900 or is a nonprofit media source for the arts featuring fresh and original stories by writers dedicated to theater, dance, visual arts, film, music, and more. Don't miss a story at
Miami Herald
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Florida Grand Opera's ‘Carmen' has plenty of legacy and a ‘Real Housewife' of Miami
Behind the scenes of Florida Grand Opera's 'Carmen,' there are intriguing legacies: This will be the 24th production for mezzo soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson who will be singing the role of 'Carmen'; Julia Lemigova, one of the stars of the reality television series 'The Real Housewives of Miami,' is in the production in a role that has always been miniscule but now has more stage time; and director Maria Todaro comes from a long line of 'Carmen' history – her mother, a celebrated Brazilian mezzo-soprano, has sung the role of Carmen 250 times. Todaro has reimagined the production, taking it out of George Bizet's early 19th century Spain and placing it in the midst of the Spanish Civil War in 1937. Todaro, who has been with Florida Grand Opera (FGO) since October 2023, first as its interim general director and general director and CEO since 2024, conceived and directs FGO's 'Carmen,' opening Saturday, April 12, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. It will also be performed in Fort Lauderdale at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25. 'This is for me, an enormous joy,' says Todaro, who has sung the role as a mezzo soprano in her own professional career, 'because I'll be working with exquisite artists that I've chosen and without changing a word, without changing the music, we are telling a very powerful story. [It is] the same story, but with layers that are deeper and empowering for women.' For the French-born Todaro, 'Carmen' is not just an opera, but a deeply personal, artistic and familial touchstone. 'When I was an opera singer, I performed many Carmens,' says Todaro. 'And my mother was the youngest singer in the history of 'Carmen.' She is the daughter of opera singers José Todaro, a Spanish/Italian operatic tenor, who frequently played the role of Don José, and Brazilian mezzo soprano Maria-Helena de Olivera who, at 21 was the youngest singer to debut in the role, performing at La Monnaie in Brussels. She went on to perform the Spanish gypsy 250 times. In FGO's production of 'Carmen,' Todaro cast Ginger Costa-Jackson in a role that has become her signature, performing as Carmen in productions with major companies in Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, Nashville, Detroit, Vancouver and Tokyo. In a first, her soprano sisters, Marina Costa-Jackson and Miriam Costa-Jackson, will alternate performances as Micaëla, the first time all three have performed in a production together, albeit only sharing a brief scene. 'There's only one moment that In Act 3 where Micaëla and my character interact on stage. She's disguised as a boy and I am actually the one that removes her hat because she is in disguise and the minute I take off her hat, I see all of her hair falling down and I say, 'It's a woman.' ' Ginger Costa-Jackson recalls that during rehearsals the sisters would all 'break down laughing because we have this face off and we would just crack up when I would reveal Micaëla's identity.' She says they have been working to remain serious when the curtain goes up. While Ginger Costa-Jackson has worked with Todaro in other productions, this will be the three sisters debut with FGO. 'And you've heard that we have a Miami housewife with us,' says Costa-Jackson. Lemigova, the wife of tennis star Martina Navratilova, and the first LGBTQ+ housewife to be featured in Bravo's reality television show, has been studying voice with Florida Grand Opera for the past year, and is making her opera debut in a non-singing role as Manuelita, a factory work and Carmen's rival. 'We have some cat fighting scenes together and it's so fun,' says Costa-Jackson. Todaro says it is a very physical role she's given Lemigova. 'Usually, the character is seen for about ten seconds and, in some productions you don't even see her, she is just mentioned. In my version, you'll see her in all four acts,' says Todaro, who worked with Lemigova on stage combat, a disfiguration sequence, and 'intense interactions' with the cast. Todaro says deliberately expanding the character's presence in the opera emphasizes the role of women in the director's Spanish Civil War setting. 'The Spanish Civil War offers a context that Carmen is a freedom fighter,' says Todaro. She references the book 'Carmen' by Prosper Mérimée, the original novella from 1845 that inspired the classic opera by Bizet. 'Before Carmen dies, she says 'I was born free and I will die free.' So this statement from Mérimée is really the epitome of who Carmen is,' she says. 'Placing it in the Spanish Civil War allowed me to give another sense to the word freedom that is always so emphasized. It's not just her sexual freedom. She says, 'I have had many lovers. And one day they are here and one day they are gone.' Now, her mission is the fight for freedom during a war.' 'Carmen,' Bizet's opera of a free-spirited Gypsy woman, has become one of the most frequently performed operas. Some of the French opera's arias have become part of pop culture, such as the recognizable 'Habanera,' with its familiar pizzicato strings and orchestra used as a soundtrack for television and movie comedic moments — such as the Swedish Chef and Beaker singing together on 'The Muppets,' in a Doritos commercial during the 2008 Super Bowl, and to dramatize Mr. Carl Fredricksen's long descend down the stairs to start his day in Disney Pixar's film 'Up.' 'The traditionalist will look at it with an eye of 'ooh, I'm surprised,''' says Todaro about her 'Carmen.' 'There are things in this production like the treatment of 'Habanera,' for instance and the first time Carmen enters the stage. Usually, you see her as a femme fatale, but I've done something very different. But I don't want to give away the secrets.' She does divulge that she inserted writer Ernest Hemingway into her version – the novelist was in Spain during the Civil War as a correspondent. Since her opera is set in the midst of Francisco Franco's dictatorship she had to consult with her prop master about elements on the set that would be relevant to 1937. Should a poster say 'Libertad' like she had used in a previous production she directed in 2018 or would she rather 'Unidad' in 2025? 'In my other shows I always had 'libertad,' like a cry for freedom. In today's context, we debated about the purpose of art and the responsibility that we have. Whatever is happening in the world does not belong to me, the interpretation is for the audience. This company is a place of connection, of unity, a place where we want to create dialogue and where it should be a safe place for everyone to come and to discuss.' Todaro says as the executive director, CEO of FGO and the director of its current production,' she sees her job as this: 'My role is not to influence. My role is to present.' If you go: WHAT: Florida Grand Opera's 'Carmen' (Sung in French with English and Spanish projected translations) WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. April 15; also in Fort Lauderdale, 7:30 p.m. April 24 and 26. WHERE: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., and Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. COST: Miami: $22- $258; Broward: $25 – $215 INFORMATION: 800-741-1010 or is a nonprofit source of theater, dance, visual arts, music and performing arts news. Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a story.
Miami Herald
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Inside Zoetic Stage's ‘Fiddler' and what it means to present the musical now
'Fiddler on the Roof' has been on Zoetic Stage Artistic Director Stuart Meltzer's wish list for quite for some time. The director has been waiting to stage a production for years, he confides. This season, his wish is granted. Playwright Joseph Stein's 'Fiddler on the Roof' is an ageless classic for many reasons. While its story depicts the struggle of a traveling Jewish milkman named Tevye, who, yes, knows how to play the fiddle, it ultimately is a tale about family and love. It features such universal — and timeless — themes that it's no wonder it has been revived countless times and still being produced since its Broadway debut in 1964. Although 'Fiddler on the Roof' is a classic musical, there's always room for artistic interpretation. While Zoetic Stage is a small, 11-person company, Meltzer says he used this as an opportunity to get creative. On par with the theater company's mission to create bold interpretations of plays, Meltzer and his team dreamed up the idea of using puppets to help move the story along. 'We have a rabbi puppet, we have an innkeeper puppet, we have our Russians,' lists Meltzer. 'If we can bring a little joy to the audience through the puppets, let's go ahead and do it.' Zoetic Stage's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' begins with a preview Thursday then opens on Friday through April 6 in the Carnival Studio Theater at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Meltzer believes that the play's fundamental storyline about family automatically makes it relatable and relevant, no matter the place or decade. 'We keep coming back to 'Fiddler' in different periods of time and we ask ourselves, 'What can we see from it? What can we learn from it? What can we gain from it?' Aside from everything, it also has this wonderful music that is not necessarily incredibly complex but is something that is memorable and wonderful.' The plot concerns Tevye, a father and husband, and his family dynamics. His eldest daughter, Tzeitel, wants to get married to a man she loves rather than the future husband her family has picked for her. Set in 1905 in the Empire of Russia, such notions were unheard of. However, being a man of faith and a father who loves his daughter, Tevye decides he needs to work through what he should do while the world changes around him. Meltzer says the choice to produce 'Fiddler on the Roof' was a deliberate one, especially with what's happening around the world. Since last October's Hamas attack in Israel, reports of antisemitism around the globe continue to be on the rise. 'It is absolutely because of everything going on in the world that we chose this musical,' says Meltzer. 'Antisemitism is at an all-time high and the access to true Jewish stories becomes muddled by the media… I think that there is a bit of an importance within our Jewish community to identify that and to bring people together in a space of dialogue.' The Jewish faith is predominant throughout the musical — references to certain prayers are made, Yiddish phrases are baked into the dialogue, and many Jewish traditions are brought to life on stage. 'Everyone deserves to tell their own stories,' says actress Shayna Gilberg, who plays Tzeitel. 'Everyone deserves to tell the story of their people and their history. And that's why I think it's really important to put Jewish people in Jewish pieces.' This will be Gilberg's first performance with Zoetic Stage and one that she says holds a special place in her heart. The actress says as a Jewish person herself, it's always been a dream of hers to be in a production of 'Fiddler on the Roof.' 'My whole life, my family has sung the songs of the musical and we've always joked that 'Sunrise, Sunset' is going to be my father-daughter dance at my wedding,' says Gilberg. 'It's not very often, especially being Jewish, that you're actually given the opportunity to play a role that pertains to your heritage,' says the actress. As for her character's story? 'I'm telling the story of a girl who cares deeply about her family and her traditions but also cares about herself as an individual.' Gilberg will be sharing the stage with actor Ben Sandomir, who plays Tevye. Sandomir was in the last musical produced at Zoetic Stage, 'Cabaret' in 2024. The veteran actor is excited to once again grace the intimate stage and step into such an iconic role. For Sandomir, the voice of Tevye has always been the actor Topol, who brought the character to life in the 1971 film version of the musical. 'It's been hard getting Topol's voice out of my head,' reveals the actor. In order to prepare for his version of Tevye, Sandomir says he created a world in his mind. Closing his eyes to envision that reality, he says, 'I went through stories . . . and tried to just see that from a different perspective and to take it in without anything else. I tried to ground myself in the world of a man who's living at that time.' Since the sets are minimal and the 200-seat house is incredibly intimate, it's up to the actors to help build this world for the audience to see, says Sandomir. And the creation of that world starts with the actor before they step foot underneath the spotlight, he emphasizes. 'It's really about the connection with the people,' says Sandomir. 'When you're so close to the audience, there's no hiding the reality of your character. You have to ground that in something in order to be believable.' If you go: WHAT: Zoetic Stage's 'Fiddler on the Roof' WHERE: Carnival Studio Theater at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami WHEN: 7:30 p.m. preview, Thursday. Opens Friday. Performances 7:30 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Through April 6. COST: $76, $66. INFORMATION: 305-949-6722 or is a nonprofit media source for the arts featuring fresh and original stories by writers dedicated to theater, dance, visual arts, film, music and more. Don't miss a story at
Miami Herald
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Love stories, hot musicals, Tony winners: Here are all the Broadway hits coming to Miami
Start spreading the news. Some of Broadway's hottest shows are coming to Miami — so mark your calendar stat. The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts just announced its 2025-2026 season, and the lineup is a doozy, consisting of six stellar productions from the Great White Way. You've got a nice mix of old school faves mixed with movie adaptations and Tony winners, the majority South Florida and Miami premieres. The season begins in October with a high energy revival — 'The Wiz,' a retelling of L. Frank Baum's children's fave 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' with an R&B twist. Gen Xers and older will recall the 1978 flick of the same name, with an unforgettable Michael Jackson as The Scarecrow. Dorothy's contemporary journey is set to a score packed with soul, gospel, rock and funk. In December, audiences will be treated to the ultimate whodunit, 'Clue,' inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, and set at a creepy mansion in the middle of nowhere. Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? If you're still single around the Christmas holidays, think about treating yourself to '& Juliet,' created by David West Read of 'Schitt's Creek' and set to breakup anthems from such pop stars as Britney Spears and Alanis Morrissette. The oh so fun musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, asking, What would happen if Juliet didn't tragically end it all over Romeo? Baz Luhrmann's revolutionary 2001 film about a performer at the famed Parisian nightclub who falls in love with a penniless composer comes to life onstage in March 2026. You'll need a scorecard to keep up with all the snippets of familiar tunes, e.g. 'Lady Marmalade,' 'Shut Up and Dance' and 'Your Song.' The New York Times called this so-called jukebox musical both 'euphoric' and 'gasp-inducing.' Based on the bestselling novel that inspired the 2004 tearjerker, 'The Notebook,' coming in May 2026, tells the story of Allie and Noah, whose passion endures for decades, despite obstacles. Pro tip: Bring a hankie to this hot ticket production that Entertainment Weekly said was 'full of butterfly inducing highs and beautiful songs.' Ye of little faith, the 'Book of Mormon' will be back in June 2026. The nine-time Tony Award winner follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. NPR called this NSFW smash hit, written by the 'South Park' guys, 'blasphemous, hilarious and oddly endearing.' Broadway in Miami 2025-2026 Season Oct. 7-12: 'The Wiz' Dec. 2-7, 2025: 'Clue' Dec. 30-Jan. 4, 2026: '& Juliet' March 17-22, 2026: 'Moulin Rouge!' May 5-10, 2026: 'The Notebook' June 9-14, 2026: 'The Book of Mormon' Season ticket packages are on sale, with prices ranging from $252 to $932 for all six shows. Tickets are available online or by calling the Arsht Center box office at 305-949-6722 or the season ticket holder hotline at 800-939-8587.
