Festival of the Arts Boca, the linchpin of the city’s arts and culture scene, will celebrate its 20th anniversary next spring—a landmark occasion that festival organizers are leaning into. Clustered around a theme of “Legends, Luminaries and the Unexpected,” the lineup meets the lofty expectations of these superlatives.
“Unexpected” may well describe the concerts of Postmodern Jukebox, the New York City collective, founded in 2011 by bandleader and pianist Scott Bradlee, that reimagines modern hits in vintage styles—think Van Halen performed in the style of a ‘60s girl group, or Shaboozey captured a ‘50s soul vibe. The musicianship as well as the showmanship is peerless, and the group’s performance should make for a rousing opening night on Feb. 27.
As for legends, Patti LuPone, who closes out the festival on March 8, undoubtedly qualifies. A Broadway icon whose 40 years on the stage include such roles as Mama Rose in “Gypsy,” Nellie Lovett in “Sweeney Todd” and the title character in “Evita,” has won three Tonys, two Grammys and two Olivier Awards. Her cabaret-style shows include charismatic performances from her oeuvre, featuring the best of Sondheim, Bernstein, Lloyd Weber and more.
Literary luminaries include the return of Doris Kearns Goodwin, Boca’s favorite presidential historian, who will lecture on the “Enduring Significance of the American Revolution” on March 2. The following day, Walter Mosley, the great American crime novelist, National Book Foundation Medal winner, and creator of the hardboiled P.I. Easy Rawlins, will take audiences behind the pages of his career in fiction.
Musical luminaries include violinist-turned-pianist Conrad Tao, a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, who will lend his virtuosic skills to “Rhapsody in Blue,” one of the greatest compositions ever conceived for the piano, as well as an original work, on March 6. The following night, Time For Three, the inventive, Grammy-winning string trio that merges classical craftsmanship with indie-folk material, will return to the festival stage.
Last but certainly not least, the year’s immersive film screening with live orchestration will be “Jurassic Park” (Feb. 28), whose instantly recognizable score remains one of John Williams’ best; and “An Evening at the Ballet: From Tchaikovsky to David Bowie and the Rolling Stones” (March 1), in which classical dance training is wed to contemporary pop tunes.
All performances will take place at Mizner Park Amphitheater, the festival’s longtime host venue. For tickets and program updates, visit festivalboca.org or call 561/571-5270.
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