September & October at the Kimmel

For the first time ever, Philadelphians will have a chance to experience the real estate experts Drew and Jonathon Scott, creators and hosts of the top-rated Property Brothers TV series. .Drew and Jonathon will offer fans an uncensored look into their lives during this one-of-a-kind show featuring audience participation, entrepreneurial do’s and don’ts , behind the scenes bloopers and plenty of laughs. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in partnership with HGTV Presents, welcomes The Scott Brother’s House Party to the Merriam Theater on Wednesday September 6, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. For years the Scott Brothers have won over the hearts of millions with their sibling rivalry, humor and remarkable ability to transform ordinary houses into extraordinary dream homes.

Great news for PJ Masks Fans! PJ Masks Live! Time To Be A Hero! will be appearing at the Merriam Theatre September 22 & 23, 2017. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in partnership with Entertainment One (eOne) and Round Room Presents are proud to announce PJ Masks Live! Time to Be a Hero! The brand-new, fully immersive musical production, starring the heroic trio from the beloved series PJ Masks, will take the stage at the Merriam Theater from September 22-23 2017, The live show is  based on eOne’s top-rated animated TV series which airs daily on Disney Junior. PJ Masks, the hit series, follows the nighttime adventures of three young friends who transform into their dynamic alter egos, Catboy, Owlette and Gekko when they put on their pajamas at night and activate their animal amulets. Together they embark on action-packed capers, solving mysteries and learning valuable lessons along the way. Shows are on September 22, 2017 at 6:30 PM and September 23, 2017 at 1:00 PM & 5:00 P.M.

The legendary rock band YES, after a 25 year hiatus, is kicking off a global tour with a stop in Philadelphia. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in association with BRE Presents & LME is proud to announce that the 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees will appear on the Verizon Hall stage on October 1, at 7:30 PM. Founded by Jon Anderson in London in 1968, the band has undergone various member formations throughout its history, featuring 19 musicians in all.  In 1983, guitarist Trevor Rabin joined the band bringing forth a more commercial musical orientation, resulting in the highest-selling album to date. Rick Wakeman joined the band in 1997. YES has sold 13.million albums. This past April it was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Back by popular demand, Kinky Boots returns to Philadelphia at the Academy of Music on Tuesday, October 3 and runs through Sunday, October 8, 2017. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots has won every major Best Musical Award. Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentleman’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son.  With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

After more than 60 years in the music business, Herbie Hancock continues to amaze audiences. Fourteen-time Grammy ®Award winner and Academy Award ®winner, Hancock returns to Verizon Hall on Wednesday,October 4, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. to dazzle audiences with his timeless music. He began his career at eleven, shocking audiences as he performed a Mozart piece with the Chicago Symphony orchestra. In high school, he perfected jazz. He then joined the Miles Davis Quintet at age 23. Hancock has recorded over 50 albums . Last year he was awarded  the Lifetime Achievement Grammy® Award for his distinguished career. 

The Kimmel Center, in association with Live Nation, welcomes back comedian, television and movie star Kevin James to the Merriam Theater on Saturday night, October 7, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. for a one night only event that is sure to be full of laughs. Kevin James is currently the star and executive producer of the  sitcom Kevin Can Wait  for Sony Television and CBS. which premiered in September 2016. James began his career as a stand-up comic and then developed his own sitcom, King of Queens, which ran for 9 years on CBS. James was the producer, co-writer and star of several hit comedies, among them Mall Cop 1 & 2, Zookeeper and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. 

Grammy ®Award winning soprano Renée Fleming is making her debut solo recital in Verizon Hall on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. Fleming was a host of the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series broadcast in theatres nationwide and PBS’ Live at Lincoln Center. She was also awarded the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama in 2013. A graduate of Julliard, Renée Fleming is celebrated both nationally and internationally. She appeared at the Beijing Olympic Games, at the Brandenburg Gate and at Buckingham Palace. Winner of four Grammy Awards, she is also the recipient of the Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal. 

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts welcomes back the famed humorist, writer for The New Yorker and NPR  contributor, David Sedaris for one night only at the Academy of Music on October 16, 2017, at 8:00 p.m.  An Evening With David Sedaris will include the speaker’s satirical observations, in-depth stories, a Q & A session with the audience, as well as a book signing.  In addition to his numerous books, Sedaris has penned pieces for The New Yorker for over two decades.

The Kimmel Center, in partnership with Team Never Quits and Mills Entertainment, presents The Patriot Tour featuring retired  Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, Taya Kyle, retired U.S. Army Capt. Chad Fleming and retired Navy SEAL David Goggins at the Merriam Theater on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.. This evening will highlight the incredible stories of perseverance of four remarkable patriots who have had their lives profoundly changed by their service and their sacrifice. Featured speaker Marcus Luttrell is the recipient of the Navy Cross for combat heroism and  founder of the Lone Survivor Foundation Taya Kyle is the author of the The New York Times best-selling book American Wife, Executive Director of the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation and the wife of the late U.S. Navy SEAL Sniper Chris Kyle. Captain Fleming has been deployed overseas six times with the U.S. Army’s elite 75^th Ranger Regiment in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was wounded in combat three times and has undergone 23 surgeries. Chief Petty Officer David Goggins is a former Navy Seal and is the only member of the U.S, armed forces to have completed  SEAL training, U.S. Army Ranger School, and Air Force tactical air controller training. He is now considered to be one of the greatest endurance athletes in the country.

Grammy® and Latin Grammy® Award-winning singer Lisa Downs will appear at the Merriam Theater on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. following the release of her latest album Salón Lágrimas y Deseo.  Downs’ album bridges a variety of genres as she blends sounds she learned during her upbringing in the American Midwest and Mexico. Her music  mixes jazz, hip-hop, blues and folk with South American and Mexican roots. Her lyrics focus on the human condition and the fights of many for civil liberties. Downs’ cross cultural success and human rights work has made her a voice for people everywhere.

2017 AFROPUNK BATTLE OF THE BANDS WINNER & Kimmel Center Theater Resident Alum Courtnee Roze Presents The Culture in SEI INNOVATION STUDIO October 26-28,2017. She will be performing the music she created in Philadelphia during her Kimmel Center Theater Residency. Roze is a percussionist, lyricist, writer and bandleader based out of New York. She will take audiences on a musical journey through her life, highlighting various influences that have inspired her sound - hitting on issues such as racism and love. The Culture will not only feature a diverse musical soundtrack but will also include non-traditional vocal patterns, dance and tactical staging. These will be designated BYO performances. Acceptable forms  of BYO are a 6-pack of beer or a 750ml bottle of wine per two patrons. No corkscrews or rolling coolers permitted.  Ice, cups and corking services are available at no costs. 

Five-time Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald brings his new album and greatest hits to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, along with special guest Marc Cohn. Wide Open is his first new studio album since 2008 and his first original material in more than 17 years. Presented in association with BRE Presents, Michael McDonald and Marc Cohn will appear on October 27, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. at the Merriam Theater. Michael McDonald’s musical career began  in the 1970’s  when he joined the Doobie Brothers. He was largely responsible for evolving the group’s boogie rock sound into a combination of jazz and soul. After multiple award-winning songs with The Doobie Brothers, McDonald moved on to a solo career. He recently co-founded a record label and is touring along with other artists. Marc Cohn has a distinctive soulful croon. He is best known for his Grammy Award-wining hit “Walking in Memphis.”

Appreciated around the world  for his concerts, famous sound tracks and record career, Italian composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi will have a one night only performance at the Merriam Theater on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. His performance will integrate an array of musical genres as well as songs from his latest album Elements. A native of Turin Italy, Ludovico Einaudi was introduced to the piano at an early age by his mother. He graduated as a composer from the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan. Called “a classical artist for the YouTube age” Einaudi has composed music for some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

Tickets for all above mentioned performances are on sale now. They can be purchased by calling 215-893-1993, visiting online at kimmelcenter.org. or visiting the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales for groups of 10 or more can be purchased by calling 215-790-5883.