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Photo: The Kentucky Center

“Full of pathos, honesty and boomerang hippos, Believe Me is a wonderful show which gives a fascinating glimpse into what drives this remarkable man.” – Manchester Evening News

In his New York Times best-selling book Believe Me, Eddie Izzard writes with the same candor and insight evident in his comedy to reflect upon a childhood marked by the loss of his mother, boarding school, and alternative sexuality, as well as life in comedy, film, politics, and philanthropy.

Over his thirty-year career, Eddie Izzard has proven himself to be a creative chameleon. In Believe Me, he recounts his dizzying rise from the streets of London to West End theaters, and on to Wembley Arena, Madison Square Garden, and the Hollywood Bowl. With his brand of keenly intelligent and wide-reaching comedy, he has built an extraordinary international fan base that transcends age, gender, and race.

The Kentucky Center is the official ticket service for this event. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, July 13, at 10 a.m., online and by phone at 584-7777.

The Kentucky Center Presents

EDDIE IZZARD: Believe Me Tour

Sunday, September 30, 8 p.m.

Brown Theatre

315 W. Broadway, Louisville 40202

Photo: The Kentucky Center

Please be advised that we were notified by officials at The Kentucky Center that WAITRESS, originally scheduled to play The Kentucky Center June 26-July 1, must be cancelled due to recent fire damage within the venue. As the owner of the building, the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, working in partnership with officials at The Kentucky Center, decided to close the building for next week’s performance based on initial assessments.

Safety of patrons, staff, and performers is of utmost importance. All purchased tickets will be automatically refunded within the next several weeks.

“It’s regrettable that the presentation of WAITRESS must be cancelled, but safety is a priority”, said Leslie Broecker, President of PNC Broadway in Louisville. “We appreciate all of the hard work that The Kentucky Center staff and contractors have done thus far, but because the venue must have more time to ensure the safety of our patrons, the engagement must be cancelled and we will unfortunately be unable to reschedule or relocate this production.”

“The producers of WAITRESS are appreciative of the efforts put forth by The Kentucky Center and Broadway Across America, but are extremely disappointed not to be able to bring the show to the fantastic audiences in Louisville.”

For more information from each authorized ticket source, please contact:
PNC Broadway in Louisville subscribers: 502-561-1003
The Kentucky Center single ticket buyers: 502-584-7777
Ticketmaster: 800-982-2787

A Message from Kim Baker, President and CEO of The Kentucky Center:

On Wednesday, June 13, The Kentucky Center sustained considerable damage when a fire started within its arched ceiling above the lobby.  All staff and employees were immediately evacuated and there were no reported injuries.

The Kentucky Center building – including the physical Box Office – and Kentucky Center garage remain closed at this time in an effort to expedite the repair process.

Tickets for scheduled programming are available online and by phone at (502) 584-7777.

  • NEWSIES update! The Floyd Central Theatre Arts’ performances of Disney’s Newsies scheduled June 22-23 at The Kentucky Center have been moved to the Floyd Central Auditorium on Thursday, June 21 at 8pm, Friday, June 22 at 8pm and Saturday, June 23 at 2pm.  Tickets can be purchased at www.floydcentraltheatre.org or over the phone at (812) 542-2284.  The Floyd Central Box Office will be open from 9am-9pm daily.
  • ALADDIN update! Aladdin on sale Monday, 6.18.18-Due to the building closure, tickets for PNC Broadway in Louisville’s production of Aladdin can be purchased in person at the PNC Broadway in Louisville office, 620 West Main Street, as well as by phone at 502-584-7777 and online at www.kentuckycenter.org

Regarding the fire, the majority of damage appears to be from water and is primarily contained to the Main Lobby.  Whitney Hall and the Bomhard Theater also sustained minor damage. We are still in the process of assessing the damage.

We are working diligently with crews to clear the damage, eliminate water from the building, and to reopen as soon as possible.

There were a handful of shows scheduled to take place in the venue in the coming days. We are thankful to a generous community outpouring of support and assistance from nearby facilities and venues (some of which have no connection to The Center) who have offered access to their spaces – and we are working closely with these groups to find alternative venues for them.

Many have asked about the condition of the Center’s permanent art collection, displayed throughout the building. Owned by The Kentucky Center Foundation, the value of the artwork in the affected area – the lobby – is estimated at $18 million. We are working with representatives from the Speed Art Museum to assess any potential damage and will report those findings when available.

This has obviously been a challenging time for our Kentucky Center family, friends, fellow arts groups and the entire community that loves this building.

I wish to thank the many men and women of the Louisville Metro Fire Department, emergency workers, and the Louisville Metro Police Department for ensuring the safety of everyone. I also want thank downtown workers and commuters for their patience as well.

We are doing everything in our power to get The Kentucky Center up and running again – and will issue an announcement soon when we expect that date to take place.

The PNC Broadway in Louisville production of WAITRESS is scheduled for June 26 through July 1.  We are optimistic that – as they say – “the show will go on” – but will confirm 100% regarding that decision early next week.

Thank you for your support during this difficult time.

Photo: The Kentucky Center

JENNA & BARBARA BUSH: SISTERS FIRST

Wednesday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.

The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater

501 W. Main Street, Louisville 40202

 

Grab your sister (or a friend who is just like one!) and settle in for an evening of personal stories and universal revelations with former first daughters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush during their Sisters First tour. Celebrate sisterhood and all the complicated, messy, hilarious, life-defining moments that accompany it.

Jenna and Barbara will take the audience on a revealing, funny, and thoughtful tour behind the scenes of their lives, sharing never-before-told stories about their family, their adventures, loves and losses, and the special sisterly bond that ties them together.

Ticket prices start at $50, reserved seating, fees apply. ALL TICKET PURCHASES INCLUDE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF SISTERS FIRST, Jenna and Barbara’s highly-anticipated book of personal essays. The VIP Package ($85) also includes premium seating and a pre-show Meet & Greet and photo opportunity.

Tickets go on sale Friday, August 4, at 10 a.m., through The Kentucky Center Ticket Service online, by phone (502.584.7777), and at the box office (501 W. Main).

Photo: The Kentucky Center

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA with Wynton Marsalis

Tuesday, September 26, 7:30 p.m.

The Kentucky Center

501 W. Main Street, Louisville 40202

 

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (JLCO) comprises 15 of the finest Jazz soloists and ensemble players today. This remarkably versatile orchestra performs a vast repertoire ranging from original compositions and commissioned works, to masterworks by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and more.

Wynton Marsalis, an internationally-acclaimed, award-winning trumpeter, composer, teacher, and music educator, also serves as the JLCO Managing & Artistic Director.  Marsalis’ core beliefs and foundation for living are based on the principals of Jazz. He promotes individual creativity (improvisation), collective cooperation (swing), gratitude and good manners (sophistication), and faces adversity with persistent optimism (the blues).

Tickets for this exciting live event go on sale through The Kentucky Center Ticket Service Friday, August 4, at 10 a.m., online, by phone (502.584.7777), and at the box office (501 W. Main Street).

Photo: The Kentucky Center

Following a nationwide search process, The Kentucky Center is announcing the appointment of Julie Roberts to the role of vice president of development.

Since 2013, Roberts has served as the director of development for Actors Theatre of Louisville, one of the most respected regional theaters in America and known worldwide for the Humana Festival of New American Plays. She previously served as vice president of development and communications at Maryhurst and as vice president of marketing & advancement for Sunrise Children’s Services.

Roberts has experience with multiple capital campaigns, building community partnerships and short- and long-term strategic planning. She is a graduate of the Fund for the Arts NeXt! Leadership program and serves on its alumni board. She also is a board member with Friends of the Waterfront. Roberts is a Kentucky native who studied print journalism at Western Kentucky University and has lived in Louisville with her husband, Jonathan, for 20 years.

Photo: The Kentucky Center

Dixie Longate, the fast-talking Tupperware Lady, packed up her catalogs, left her children in an Alabama trailer park, and took Off-Broadway, the United Kingdom, and Australia by storm!

Join Dixie as she travels the country throwing Tupperware Parties filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, FREE giveaways, audience participation, and the most fabulous assortment of Tupperware ever sold on a theater stage.

See for yourself how Ms. Longate became a member of the illustrious “#1 Tupperware Seller in the World” club, as she educates her guests on the many alternative uses she has discovered for her plastic products.

The Kentucky Center is the official Ticket Service for this production. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, June 23, at 10 a.m. online, by phone (584-7777), and at the box office (501 W. Main Street, Louisville, 40202). Ticket prices start at $27.50 reserved seating, fees apply.

DIXIE’S TUPPERWARE PARTY

  • Thursday, October 26, 8 p.m.
  • Friday, October 27, 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 28, 8 p.m.

The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater

 

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