The Parker Playhouse: New Name, Look and a Star-Studded Lineup

Taking its name from the affectionate shorthand fans have long-used, the beautifully renovated Parker Playhouse will reopen in September as The Parker, with new guest experiences and a line-up of top artists that builds on its more than hal of a century tradition, as a stage for great entertainment.

“When the Broward Center began managing The Parker in 2005, it was immediately clear that the performers and audiences loved the hall, but that it was in need of upgrades after so many years,” said Broward Center President and CEO Kelley Shanley. “As a reflection of the important role The Parker has had in the cultural development of Fort Lauderdale, the City of Fort Lauderdale provided the initial funding to jumpstart the campaign for The Parker. Thanks to the City of Fort Lauderdale’s early support and that of many generous donors, we are now ready for The Parker’s revival as a vibrant, contemporary home for outstanding cultural and educational programming that honors its history as it forges its own place in the cultural landscape of South Florida, for generations to come.”

From the iconic exterior that has been incorporated into the soaring grand entrance of the S. Donald Sussman Lobby to the beloved continental seating and wide rows inside the warm elegance of Lillian S. Wells Hall, The Parker pays homage to the venue’s cherished aspects while enhanced hospitality spaces offer new opportunities for audiences to enjoy culture, cocktails and conversation, throughout the theater.

The Linda B. Haller Club debuts an all-new premium lounge with a stylish retro design, spacious bar and ample seating. For one inclusive price of $35 added on to any admission ticket, The Haller Club offers exclusive use, starting one hour prior to show time and during intermission, with complimentary soft drinks, premium beer and wine, coffee and tea plus a seasonal selection of delicious hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and desserts. (Mixed drinks and spirits available at preferred pricing, lower than the lobby's concession prices).

Audiences will be able to create the perfect night on the town without ever leaving The Parker, as they enjoy a season of extraordinary entertainment. Among the headliners coming to The Parker this season are: legendary musicians Lindsey Buckingham, Chris Botti, Keb’ Mo,’ The Manhattan Transfer, Bruce Hornsby, a double bill of Los Lobos and Taj Mahal, and a triple bill of Janis Ian with Tom Chapin and Livingston Taylor; hilarious comics Bianca Del Rio, Paula Poundstone, Lewis Black and Patton Oswalt; tributes to music icons Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Journey and Led Zeppelin; Broadway stars Alan Cumming and Todrick Hall; and Seth Rudetsky’s Broadway Concert Series featuring Stephanie J. Block, Santino Fontana and Laura Benanti.

The Broward Performing Arts Foundation led the $30 million Campaign for The Parker and will formally rededicate the venue in mid-September. For more than 30 years, the Broward Performing Arts Foundation has been instrumental in providing support for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Foundation was established in 1985 to deliver the required private funding to build the Center and create an endowment to sustain its operations. Over the years, the Foundation has successfully raised funds to support the Broward Center’s innovative and diverse programming, arts-in-education initiatives, community engagement activities and capital projects. Prior to the Campaign for the Parker, the Foundation raised more than $60 million to complete the Encore! capital campaign to renovate, renew and revitalize the Broward Center.

For more information about the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, call: (954) 468-3284. Or e-mail at: Foundation@BrowardCenter.org

The Parker is located in Holiday Park
at 707 N.E. Eighth Street in Fort Lauderdale. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of The Parker. Buy tickets on-line at: www.ParkerPlayhouse.com. Or at: www.Ticketmaster.com. The Parker 2021/2022 Season Below is a listing of performances scheduled as of today’s date at The Parker. Additional performances will continue to be scheduled throughout the season.

• Firefall, Orleans & Pure Prairie League: Sept 22nd
• Rick Springfield: September 26th
• Leonid & Friends: September 29th
• Lindsey Buckingham: September 30th
• Under the Streetlamp: October 9th
• Pablo Cruise: October 10th
• The Monkees Farewell Tour: October 12th
• Bianca Del Rio: Unsanitized: October 18th
• Frontiers: Journey Tribute Band: Oct 22nd
• Taylor Tomlinson: October 23rd
• A Solo Evening with Keb’ Mo: November 2nd
• Jackie Evancho: November 7th
• Bruce Hornsby: November 14th
• Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll: Nov 19th
• The Outlaws w/Guest Pat Travers: December 3rd
• Friends! The Musical Parody: December 4th
• Whose Live Anyway?: December 5th
• Paula Poundstone: December 9th
• Lewis Black: December 10th
• Village People 40th Anniversary Tour: Dec 11th
• Bee Gees Christmas: Holiday Tribute: Dec 22nd
• Patton Oswalt: December 27th
• Ballet Theatre of Ukraine: Cinderella: Dec 29th
• Stephanie J. Block w/Seth Rudetsky: January 7th
• The Righteous Brothers: January 15th
• Proud Tina: Tribute to Tina Turner: January 16th
• In the Light of Led Zeppelin Tribute: Jan 22nd
• Tango Fire: January 30th
• A Tribute to Aretha Franklin on February 3rd
• Santino Fontana w/Seth Rudetsky: February 5th
• The Life & Music of George Michael: February 6th
• Los Lobos and Taj Mahal: February 9th
• The Simon & Garfunkel Story: February 11th
• Gino Vannelli: February 27th
• Little River Band: March 5th
• Les Violons Du Roy w/Jeremy Denk: March 8th
• Chris Botti: March 11th - March 12th
• Laura Benanti with Seth Rudetsky: March 26th
• The Manhattan Transfer: March 27th
• Abba The Concert: A Tribute to Abba: March 31st
• Alan Cumming: April 1st
• Janis Ian w/Tom Chapin: April 2nd
• Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox:April 8th
• Todrick Hall: The Femuline Tour:April 13th
• Steve Hackett, Genesis Revisited: Apr 23rd 2020
• One Night of Queen by Garry Mullen on May 12th

The 2021/2022 Dance & Classical Series is presented by PNC Wealth Management and Hawthorn. Les Violons du Roy featuring Jeremy Denk is supported by Funding Arts Broward. Chris Botti is underwritten by Marie Morris and The Howland Group. One Night of Queen is underwritten by Mary and Dean Middleton and The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation.

The performance season at The Parker is underwritten by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. All dates, times, programs, artists and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

About The Parker
Introducing The Parker. Parker Playhouse, reimagined for a new era. The stage is set for entertainment at its best at The Parker where concerts, comedy, theater, dance, family fare and more all shine in the spotlight at Fort Lauderdale’s iconic heritage venue. Beautifully renovated and set to reopen in September 2021, The Parker offers the ultimate theater experience from the soaring grand entrance of the S. Donald Sussman Lobby to the warm elegance of Lillian S. Wells Hall with its wide rows, continental seating, remarkable acoustics and sight-lines. Enhanced hospitality spaces offer ample opportunities for audiences to enjoy culture, cocktails and conversation throughout the theater. For more information, visit: www.ParkerPlayhouse.com

About the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Club Level, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 130,000 students, annually. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 Southwest Fifth Avenue, in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit: www.BrowardCenter.org