Waiting until the last minute to buy those holiday gifts for everyone on your list? Don’t worry--the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus has you covered. See below for the best selections for all the people in your life, from the Broadway lovers to jazz enthusiasts, podcast listeners to nature lovers, and everything in between!
1. For the kid in your family (or the kid-at-heart), get them tickets to see The SpongeBob Musical. This fun-loving show brings the hit Nickelodeon series to life with humor, heart, and pure theatricality. And don’t worry, moms and dads, there’s a specialty cocktail available at the theater! (December 3 – 15, Forrest Theatre)
2. For the family member obsessed with adventure, get them tickets to the National Geographic Speaker Series. National Geographic Explorers journey to the unknown edges of the world - and they are bringing the spirit of exploration LIVE to you. Join today’s leading Explorers, scientists, and photographers as they bring their stories to the stage in this TedTalk-style engaging presentation. (March 18 and May 21, Merriam Theater)
3. For the science nerd in your family, surprise them with tickets to see The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe! Watch the hosts you know and love as they entertain with science-y games and challenge your perception of reality LIVE on stage. (February 1, Perelman Theater)
4. For the classic rock music fan in your family, a ticket to see The Simon & Garfunkel Story is the perfect holiday present! This immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry, to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60s, to their dramatic split in 1970. (January 29 – 30, Merriam Theater)
5. For the “bando” in your family constantly reminiscing on their college marching band days, get them tickets to see DRUMline Live! DRUMline Live embodies the soulful, high-stepping style of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band experience. With its riveting rhythms, bold beats, and ear-grabbing energy, DRUMline Live is a high octane musical roller coaster ride that is guaranteed to touch every emotion in your body. We promise you will be on your feet by halftime! (January 10 – 11, Merriam Theater)
6. For a perfect girls-night-out present, get tickets for “The Second City: She The People-- Girlfriends' Guide to Sisters Doing It for Themselves”! The all-female cast of She The People take the stage with their brand new show entirely created, designed, and performed by the fearlessly funny women of Chicago’s Second City. In their latest exploit, they roast the patriarchy, taking on everything from having it all…to having that sick feeling your government is trying to send you back to the middle ages. It’s time for women everywhere to collectively reclaim comedy! (April 9—11, Perelman Theater)
7. For the lover of everything musical theater, tickets to see Broadway legends Kristin Chenoweth or Audra McDonald is the perfect holiday present. Kristin Chenoweth is an Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actress and singer whose career spans film, television, voiceover, and stage. Audra McDonald is the most decorated performer in American Theater, with a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and a 2015 National Medal of Arts bestowed on her by President Barack Obama. Two of the best and brightest Broadway talents, any theater fan would be thrilled to receive tickets to one of their performances! (Kristin Chenoweth -- March 13,Verizon Hall and Audra McDonald -- April 11, Verizon Hall)
8. For the Jazz aficionado in the family, check out tickets to see Ethan Lipton & his Orchestra! With Ethan Lipton, former artist of the Kimmel Center’s Theater Residency program, this quartet has been playing together since 2005 and has released four studio albums. Winners of several awards, the band played at SF Jazz and Pitchfork Paris, and was featured on Amazon's Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Previous appearances include MASS MoCA, Dublin’s Pavilion Theatre, the Gate in London, and ATP. (March 14, SEI Innovation Studio)
9. For the fan of experimental theater and new works, tickets for Grey Rock or Turn are fantastic gift ideas. Grey Rock tells the story of a young Palestinian so enamored with the 1969 American moon landing that he muses, "shouldn't Palestine, the land of prophets, also have a presence on the moon?" Director and playwright Amir Nizar Zuabi creates a humorous, fantastical play exploring how US culture has permeated and influenced Palestinian culture.
Turn, a new theatrical project by M’Balia Singley, confronts her experience as a black woman in America with equal parts humor and honesty using themes from Shakespeare’s Othello in this brand-new theatrical work. Both performances allow the viewer to consider and think more deeply about the world we live in today, plus they are both BYOB events! (Grey Rock – Feb 6—9, SEI Innovation Studio and Turn – Feb 26—29, SEI Innovation Studio)
10. Can’t decide what tickets your friend or family member may enjoy, then get them a gift certificate! Your loved one can then decide what show best suits their interest. Gift certificates are redeemable for events across the Cultural Campus. Purchase online here!