Lewis Van Wezel, an avid boater, wrote to Ringling Isles Inc. in 1939 for permission to build the structure where the Van Wezels stored a mahogany boat and housed the captain upstairs.

The future of the Van Wezel has been in question since plans were first announced by what is now known as the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation to create a new 2,250-seat performing arts ...

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was built nearly 60 years ago to serve the citizens of Sarasota by providing an incubator for creativity in Sarasota – and a magnet for other artistic endeavors.

The Van Wezel, she told Suncoast Searchlight, faced opposition before it was built, as well. “People thought it was foolish. People thought we didn’t need it,” Alpert said.

As with recent big Broadway hits, Moulin Rouge! w ill have a longer run here than used to be the Van Wezel norm and will be onstage March 18-23, 2025. Katerina McCrimmon as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.

Here are the 10 concerts, comedians and celebrities we're most excited about visiting Van Wezel in 2024 and 2025, presented in chronological order. Event details are subject to change.

If you have a ticket to the Van Wezel for any performance through Dec. 2024 that was canceled, officials say you will be refunded to the original point of purchase.

The extensive damage throughout the building forced the Van Wezel to cancel all its remaining shows in 2024. About 10 shows were able to be rescheduled for the 2025 spring set, and 2026.

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Center has come alive with enchantment and mischief as it hosts the touring performance of the Broadway musical Beetlejuice. Directed with flair and creativity, this ...

The Oak Ridge Boys recently announced additional holiday-themed shows for the tail end of their American Made farewell tour ...

Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.” He is an acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children's book author, in ...