Building upon your ongoing support, we welcome you to the 23/24 season from Lesher Center Presents, including the Headliners Series, Center Repertory Company productions, and Bedford Gallery exhibitions. This year you’ll find a diverse array of genres, artists, and themes at your home for incredible, innovative arts experiences.
Together with our nonprofit partner, Diablo Regional Arts Association, we are expanding access to the arts all season long.
New this year: choose your own admission price to Bedford Gallery under a “Pay What You Can” model and experience Lesher Center in Your Neighborhood as we launch a new initiative to bring the arts outside our walls and into the community. These new offerings expand upon returning programs including free outdoor events, Arts Access performances for Title I schools, Center REP’s “Pay What You Can” preview performances, and affordable educational tours for all ages.
I look forward to seeing you this year – you won’t want to miss what you’ll find at the Lesher Center for the Arts!
Carolyn Jackson Carolyn Jackson General Manager Lesher Center for the Arts
Cover, The Doo Wop Project. Page
July 2, 2023
Buy a bundle of performances now and you'll be eligible to receive a discount on added events.
A celebration of female rising stars and established talent!
Sara Evans
September 22, 2023
Over the last two decades, Evans has carved a successful career anchored by her insightful songwriting and warm, evocative voice. With such enduring hits as “Suds in the Bucket,” “A Real Fine Place to Start,” “Perfect” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” she’s earned recognition as the fifth most played female artist in country radio.
Stay tuned for special guest performers!
September 23, 2023
An amazing evening of three sensational young ladies of country — Valerie Ponzio with two special guests to be announced. Soon they’ll all be selling out arenas, see them now in the intimacy of the Lesher Center!
Dedicated to blending Latin sounds with country music’s traditions, backed up by indomitable vocals, Ponzio is that rarest of things: something brand new in Music City. Ponzio’s message and voice draw in new and old country fans alike after she was catapulted into the spotlight by her showstopping turn on “The Voice.”
Photo by Hannah Burton.
SEPT 22, 2023
SEPT 23, 2023
Buy more shows and save! Buy 8+, save 25% Buy 6–7, save 20% Buy 4–5, save 15% Buy 3, save 10%
JAN 13, 2024
This epic show takes audiences on a journey from foundational tunes of groups like the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through their influences on the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to DooWopified versions of modern musicians like Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz and Maroon 5. Featuring stars of Broadway’s smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical, the Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate—and in some cases entirely reimagine—some of the greatest music in American pop and rock history!
For 40 years, Mountain Stage has been an institution, standing as one of the most beloved and enduring programs in public radio history, broadcasting thousands of unforgettable live performances by rising stars and veteran legends alike. This live taping features Kathy Mattea as host, Mountain Stage’s beloved house band, and 4–5 featured guest artists running the gamut of living legends and emerging artists.
An Australian jazz pianist, composer, vocalist, and bandleader, Sarah McKenzie’s breezy technical style, songwriting acumen, and pronounced lyrical sense of swing have drawn comparisons to Blossom Dearie and Diana Krall. She studied with Australian Jazz superstar James Morrison before earning a full scholarship to Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music. Her first three Australian ABC Music label albums received ARIA Music Award nominations, with her 2012 release Close Your Eyes winning for Best Jazz Album.
Ever charismatic, prolific and inspired, Grammy-nominated clarinetistsaxophonist Anat Cohen has won hearts and minds the world over with her expressive virtuosity and delightful stage presence. The Tentet features a vibrant mix of ace New York players drawing from a diverse range of musical inspirations.
The annual College Notes event features a cappella groups from top universities from across the country and is sure to be the perfect harmony of bright minds and bright voices! The evening will be emceed by Deke Sharon (Pitch Perfect, The Sing-Off) and Marcus Washington (“Today in the Bay,” NBC News at 11).
Presented by
This multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics and innovative contemporary works that celebrate Black culture and empowerment through the arts for all.
The week-long celebration of Latin American art and culture returns to the Lesher Center for the Arts! Stay tuned for special add on events, including a free weekend street fair.
Don’t miss this year’s Fiesta Cultural!
June 20–25, 2023
Details on page 16.
JULY 17, 2024
Wednesday, July 17 at 7:30pm
A renowned cultural treasure, Ballet Hispánico boasts over 50 years of innovative artistry that brings communities together to celebrate Latinx cultures through dance.
JULY 18, 2024
Thursday, July 18 at 10:00am
Bring the whole family for smart, crafty lyrics with irresistibly fresh pop beats. The Lucky Band’s Latin GRAMMY® award-winning, dual language songs explores the wonder and joy of a young person’s life.
JULY 19, 2024
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Friday, July 19 at 7:30pm
The three-time GRAMMY® winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band sets the gold standard for excellence in authentic, New York style, hard core salsa.
Photo by Theik Smith.
APR 20–21, 2024
Photo by Ben Krantz Studio.
I’m over the moon to join the team at Center REP and the Lesher Center. This season promises to be a joy-filled, thought provoking adventure not to be missed. I’m especially grateful for the thoughtful care Markus Potter has taken in programming this dynamic and inclusive season of plays and musicals. It’s an honor to help bring these vibrant, relevant stories to life on the stage for you!
M. Morrow Artistic Director Center REPSEP 9 – OCT 6, 2023
by Regina Taylor
adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marbe directed by Donya K. Washington
A celebration of song, dance, cultural history— and glamorous headwear.
Crowns is a musical play about honoring your roots, finding your groove, and embracing your own style. When Chicago-born Yolanda is sent down South after the death of her brother, she finds strength in the tales of the wise women who surround her and the powerful rituals connected to their dazzling hats. This jubilant musical traces the roots of Gospel through contemporary hip-hop, fusing rich storytelling in a stirring coming-of-age tale.
NOV 4–26, 2023
by Matthew López directed by Elizabeth Carter
A big-hearted, music-filled comedy.
Casey is an Elvis impersonator with everything going for him, including a flashy sequin jumpsuit. But just like that, he loses his gig, rent is overdue, and his wife announces a baby on the way. So when Elvis leaves the building and a drag show moves in, “The King” transforms into an all-out queen with the help of some new friends who become the second family Casey never saw coming. With snappy zingers and dance-worthy numbers, this wildly entertaining story will challenge your assumptions with extraordinary humor and depth.
$228–$256 for 5 shows — Crowns, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Mystic Pizza, The Great Leap, and Cabaret. Add special events A Christmas Carol for $42/ticket and Every Brilliant Thing for $25/ticket. Single tickets on sale starting July 21.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience live theatre at a price they can afford. Tickets for “Pay What You Can” shows are available for reservation and purchase online at any time — no discount code needed.
DEC 7–21, 2023
by Charles Dickens
directed by Scott Denison
choreographed by Jennifer Perry
Celebrate the season of giving.
Brimming with music and dance, love and laughter, and spectacular special effects, it’s no wonder the critics have called it “THE Christmas Carol to see in the Bay Area.” Join the thousands who make this theatrical event a part of their annual holiday traditions.
JAN 6–28, 2024
by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe directed by Jeffrey Lo/Markus Potter
A poignant journey through grief and healing.
If you were to make a list of things that make life worth living, what would be at the top? Ice cream? Family?
The even-numbered Star Trek films? Who would you share your list with?
For our character in this uplifting solo performance, it’s their mother. This surprising and immersive theatrical experience openly discusses depression, mental illness, and suicide. With poignant humor and joy, Every Brilliant Thing takes us on a journey through grief, healing, falling in love, and (re) discovering all that life has to give. You’ll be part of the story, with opportunities for warm, fun audience participation.
FEB 15–25, 2024
book by Sandy Rustin
based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Motion Picture
story and characters by Amy Holden Jones
musical arrangements and orchestrations by Carmel Dean
presented in partnership with La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment
choreographed by Connor Gallagher
directed by Casey Hushion
Featuring feel-good pop hits from the ’80s & ’90s
Based on the beloved 1988 MGM romcom, Mystic Pizza is a new musical about three working-class girls who navigate the complexities of life, love and family in a small-town pizza joint. The infectious score features mega hits of the ’80s and ’90s, from “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”
MAR 16 – APR 7, 2024
by Lauren Yee
directed by Nicholas C. Avila
When an American basketball team travels to Beijing for an exhibition game in 1989, the drama goes deeper than the strain between countries. For two men with a past and one teen with a future, the game is a chance to claim personal victories on and off the court. Tensions rise right up to the final buzzer as a pivotal moment in history collides with the action in the arena. Driven by rapid-fire dialogue, this perceptive new play explores the cultural and political risks of raising your voice and standing your ground.
MAY 25 – JUN 23, 2024
book by Joe Masteroff
based on the play by John Van Dutren and stories by Christopher Isherwood
music by John Kander
Willkommen to the Kit Kat Klub.
lyrics by Fred Ebb
directed by Markus Potter
choreography by Jessica Chen
musical direction by Eryn Allen
In this provocative, multiple Tony Award-winning musical, the euphoria of free expression, new relationships, and the seedy nightclub scene slowly fades away against the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party. An ominous and violent situation emerges; some remain oblivious or apathetic, while others sound the alarm or flee. With grit, dance, and a highly celebrated musical score, Cabaret ultimately proclaims, “it can happen here.”
Adrienne Kaori Walters and Amy Lizardo in Center REP production of Red Bike.
Photo by Alessandra Mello.
We are thrilled to start our Pay What You Can community model July 1 to remove barriers for entry and continue our journey to make Bedford Gallery and the Lesher Center a place where everyone belongs.
This season, we’ll present four exhibitions that explore perspective as a theme. From photographers with vision impairments and artists who create in tiny-scale, to statespecific representations in ceramics and a deeply impactful celebration of Indigenous people, this inspiring season will allow you to reflect on your place in the world. I am honored to share these amazing stories with you!
This exhibition presents work by the world’s most accomplished blind photographers as they explore ideas about the nature of seeing. Most artists in the exhibition are completely blind, while some are legally blind, but all perceive an image of the physical world in varying degrees. With photography as their medium, each artist brings their inner visions into the seeing world, revealing a visually rich and emotionally complex blend of physical and conceptual artworks. Sight Unseen is curated by Douglas McCulloh of UCR/California Museum of Photography and toured by Curatorial Assistance Traveling Exhibitions.
Image: Bruce Hall, Isolation 7759
BG’s fall exhibition explores the cultural phenomenon of miniature things. From teacup dogs and ships in a bottle, to tiny dinner tables set with a feast, fascination with pint-sized items has endured the test of time. The featured artists work in micro and small-scale, creating intricate paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and installations in direct opposition to their standard-sized counterparts. With a focus on minute, precise details, this exhibition celebrates the quirky anomaly that permeates our world.
Image: Mahnaz Miryani, Miniature Cherry Pie
Dedicated to all things fired, BG’s winter exhibition presents a survey of California artists working in clay. In response to the recent ceramics renaissance in the contemporary art world, California Clay features an intriguing mix of functional and aesthetic works that highlight the versatility of the medium and celebrates ceramics as both functional and decorative art, showcasing the artistry and creativity of ceramicists living in our state.
Image: Untitled
Guest curated by photographer Carlotta Cardana and artist Danielle SeeWalker, this exhibition highlights inspiring stories of contemporary Indigenous people and celebrates the individuals and communities that are changing the conversation around Native American cultures and legacies. With the vast and complicated historical trauma that Indigenous American people have endured, the curators’ intention is to feature the positive actions and resilience of Native American people, allowing them to tell their stories from the past, present, and future in their own voices and words.
Image: The Red Road Project, Sarah
Donato Cabrera, Artistic and Music Director
Copland—American Traditions
September 30, 2023 at 7:30 PM
October 1, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Black, folk, and Mexican music converge in a celebration of the American story.
Handel—Rivers Of Inspiration
November 11, 2023 at 7:30 PM
November 12, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Lush melodies flow through a world premiere, Baroque classic, and symphonic journey.
Gershwin In New York
January 27, 2024 at 7:30 PM
January 28, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Rhapsody in Blue turns 100 in a program that explores the American Dream.
Mozart Serenades
March 16, 2024 at 7:30 PM
March 17, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Showcasing the unique and individual sounds of woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
Brahms Obsessions
May 4, 2024 at 7:30 PM
May 5, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann reunite, and we meet new resident composer Saad Haddad.
Subscriptions available at CaliforniaSymphony.org
Zlata Chochieva
February 10, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Known for her distinctive musical “voice,” Chochieva has risen to the top ranks of pianists worldwide.
Esmé Quartet
March 2, 2024 at 2:30 PM
The sensational Esmé Quartet won the first prize and all special prizes at the Wigmore Hall String Quartet Competition. They will be joined by Yekwon Sunwoo, Gold Medalist at the Van Cliburn Competition.
Boccherini String Trio
March 23, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Three exceptional artists comprise this brilliant trio, remarkable for its transparency and vibrancy of expression.
Steven Isserlis
April 13, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Acclaimed worldwide for his profound musicianship and technical mastery, British cellist Steven Isserlis enjoys a uniquely varied career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, author, and broadcaster.
Mayuko Kamio
May 11, 2024 at 2:30 PM
In 2007 this extravagantly gifted Japanese artist won the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky.
Subscriptions available at ChamberMusicSF.org
Image: Mayuko Kamio, by Hirofumi Isaka.
The Nutcracker Suite
November 3–4, 2023
Make your holidays merry and bright with Julia Adam’s The Nutcracker Suite, Diablo Ballet’s magical take on the classic.
Sleeping Beauty’s Wedding
February 9–10, 2024
Step into this romantic fairytale with the enchanting Sleeping Beauty’s Wedding; a world premiere ballet by Penny Saunders; and an encore presentation of Gerald Arpino’s festive Confetti
Stars and Stripes
March 22–23, 2024
Celebrate Diablo Ballet’s 30th Anniversary with Stars and Stripes by George Balanchine; an encore presentation of Forward Thinking by Michael Wells with music by Justin Levitt; and the classical Pas D’Action from La Bayadere.
The Firebird
May 17–18, 2024
A brand-new production of The Firebird by award winning choreographer Brian Enos, and the iconic pas de deux from Light Rain by Gerald Arpino.
Subscriptions available at DiabloBallet.org
SEPT 2023 – MAY 2024
Photo by Kristen Loken.
FEB – MAY 2024
Image: Sleeping Beauty, photo by Rosselyn Ramirez.
JUNE – AUG 2023
Opera in the Park
June 22, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Orinda Community Park
An annual tradition! Bring a picnic, or enjoy a selection of food & wine trucks with family and friends while Festival Opera artists bring you a stunning concert of Opera and Broadway hits! Don’t miss this fun, casual, FREE event!
August 6, 2023 at 4:00 PM at Civic Park in Walnut Creek
Join us for a Sunday afternoon of operatic hits, with a special preview of our mainstage production of Bizet’s classic hit Carmen! Bring a picnic and your family & friends for a fun, casual, and free event.
Carmen
August 18, 2023 at 7:30 PM
August 20, 2023 at 2:00 PM
Famous for its use of Spanish and Cuban dances such as the Habañera and Seguidilla, Carmen has some of the most well-known music of the operatic repertoire. Inspired by the real, scandalous tales collected by Prosper Mérimée, the author of the original 1845 novella, Carmen is a dramatic tale of love, jealousy, and tragedy. Festival Opera’s production will update this story to the present-day, with situations and settings that feel very familiar.
Tickets on sale now!
Visit LesherArtsCenter.org
For more information visit FestivalOpera.org
JUNE – OCT 2023
Lesher Speaker Series
Sarah Thomas
June 6, 2023
The NFL’s First Female Official. One of the Sports Illustrated 100 Most Influential NFL Figures of All Time.
Ana Navarro
June 20, 2023
GOP Strategist, Political Contributor to CNN and Telemundo, and Co-Host of ABC’s The View
Claire McCaskill and Kelly Ayotte
August 12, 2023
McCaskill: U.S. Senator, 2007-2018
Ayotte: U.S. Senator, 2011–2017; Attorney General of New Hampshire, 2004–2009
Michele Norris
October 17, 2023
Washington Post Opinion Columnist, Former NPR Host and Special Correspondent, and Founding Director of The Race Card Project
2024 speakers will be announced soon! For information, visit LesherSpeakerSeries.org
SEPT 2023 – MAY 2024
Smuin Ballet
Dance Series 1
September 15–16, 2023
The Man in Black by James Kudelka, Tutto Eccetto il Lavandino (everything but the kitchen sink) by Val Caniparoli AND a World Premiere by Darrell Grand Moultrie.
The Christmas Ballet
November 18–19, 2023
Smuin’s annual holiday extravaganza is back! Celebrate the festive season with a show that’s a little ballet, a little Broadway, and a whole lot of Smuin. As always, look for new numbers alongside iconic mainstays like Santa Baby
Dance Series 2
May 24–25, 2024
World Premiere by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Broken Open by Amy Seiwert
Untwine by Brennan Wall
Starshadows by Michael Smuin
Dance Series 2 celebrates where we’ve been and where we’re going. Annabelle Lopez Ochoa takes inspiration from the life of Elvis in her first creation for Smuin. Amy Seiwert’s Broken Open, which the San Francisco Chronicle called “fresh, challenging, and relevant” at its 2015 premiere, returns, as well as Smuin Artist Brennan Wall’s Untwine, with its inventive and swirling lifts. Michael Smuin’s Starshadows, a dreamy piece for three couples to a Ravel score and one of his earliest works for the Company, completes the program.
For more information visit SmuinBallet.org
Looking for a unique, educational, and fun outing for your social group? Bedford Gallery provides group tours by appointment! Fees are $45 for adult groups with fewer than 15 people and $70 for adult groups up to 30 people.
Email gallerytours@bedfordgallery.org or call 925-295-1416 for more information.
Step into a world of art and culture with our 2023 Public Art Walking Tours! Join us for scenic strolls around downtown Walnut Creek and uncover the beauty of public art in your community. Tours begin at 10 am from the Lesher Center Plaza and last approximately 1 hour. Bring your friends and family! Admission is $5 per person, cash only, and 18 and younger are FREE!
Dates: June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21, and November 18.
Photo courtesy of Ria Burman, Ben Krantz Studio.
Well-known as a professional training ground, Young REP teaches the discipline, concentration and skill necessary to all areas of theatre. Students will have the opportunity to explore and grow as individuals and ensemble performers. Class exercises and projects will focus on the assessment and effective use of the actor’s basic skills in voice, movement and characterization.
Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) is proud to produce inclusive educational and outreach programs in our region. Since 2008, Arts Access has offered more than 65,000 East Bay students the opportunity to experience high-quality performances and visual arts exhibitions. This outreach program makes arts programs accessible to students who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity.
Transport Bedford Gallery right to your classroom! Our trained docents arrive with a specially designed suitcase containing art supplies and teaching materials to guide students through an art lesson and project. Each handson lesson is centered on an art element or concept, like color, line or poetry.
Join BG’s talented volunteer docents on an exhibition tour and engage in a stimulating art project! Grades K-12, scout troops, camps, clubs and other youth groups are welcome. Tours are $85 per group and scholarships are available. Contra Costa County schools tour for free thanks to generous funding from DRAA!
Photo by Mackenzie Crane.
Artwork: Erin Fong, Color Corridor. Photo courtesy of Shaun Roberts.
Photo courtesy of Ben Krantz Studio.
The popular outdoor concert series returns to the Rudney Plaza at the Lesher Center! Concerts are free and begin at 5:30pm.
• June 29: Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Terrie Odabi
• July 6: Wobbly World
• July 13: Tom Rigney and Flambeau
• July 20: Mads Tolling & The Mads Men
NOV
Join us at Bedford Gallery to shop from local, independent makers and designers producing the finest handmade crafts, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, home goods, artisanal foods, clothing, and more. Public admission is always free.
Saturday, November 18, 2023 10am – 5pm Bedford Gallery
OCT 7, 2023
Hosted by our nonprofit partner, Diablo Regional Arts Association, our annual fundraiser helps to keep the Lesher Center for the Arts at the forefront of arts and culture in the East Bay. With every bid and donation you make through this event, you’ll enrich the lives of students across the region through our accessible arts education outreach and commitment to bringing world-class artists to our region.
Launching this year, the Lesher Center In Your Neighborhood series will bring performances and special events outside the Center’s walls directly to our local community. The Concert Truck, created by award winning pianists Nick Luby and Susan Zhang, will bring their mobile music venue to multiple locations in Spring 2024 as a way to make live music accessible to everyone!
SUMMER 2023
18, 2023
SPRING 2024
Support our mission by donating at LesherArtsCenter.org/support!
Donors of $250+ annually will receive invitations to exclusive events throughout the year.
For more than three decades the Lesher Center, Bedford Gallery, and Center REP have provided meaningful opportunities for all ages to engage with the arts. Your tax-deductible donations through our nonprofit partner, Diablo Regional Arts Association, make an incredible impact!
Together, we can drive excellence, innovation, and diversity in the arts through performances, exhibitions, and educational programming.
What does that mean for our community?
With you by our side, we can ensure that art remains essential in our community by reducing barriers to participation and making meaningful investments in our Education and Outreach programming.
More top-notch performances and exhibitions from artists from across the nation and around the world! More opportunities to connect with other art lovers and community members at special events. More entertainment and inspiration at every turn.
Left page, clockwise from top: Bedford Gallery patrons attending Erin Fong: The Sensation of Color, photo courtesy of Shaun Roberts; Artist Alexandra Bowman painting Lesher Center’s new office mural; Center REP’s Clue featuring Dorian Lockett, Corey Rieger, David Everett Moore, Sarah Mitchell, Keiko Shimosato Carreiro, Wilma Bonet, photo by Kevin Berne.
Right page, Lesher Center patron and artist Meaghan Maples at Summer Sounds 2022.
LEARN
By Phone Wed – Sun, 12 – 6pm (925) 943–7469 In Person Wed – Sun, 12 – 6pm 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Walkable from Walnut Creek BART station. Parking available in the adjacent garage at 1625 Locust St.
Surprise your loved ones with the gift of art and entertainment. Our gift cards never expire, and can be redeemed online, by phone, and in person for any tickets sold at the Lesher Center Ticket Office, including admission to Bedford Gallery!
Want to join the team that helps the Lesher Center run smoothly? Visit LesherArtsCenter.org or call the Volunteer Coordinator at (925) 295-1402 to learn more. To become a Docent or Guild member at Bedford Gallery, call (925) 295-1417 or visit BedfordGallery.org/support/volunteer
View current entry protocols and learn more about the ways we are keeping artists and audiences safe at LesherArtsCenter.org
We’d love to assist you in organizing a group outing to the Lesher Center for the Arts! Call (925) 295-1471 or email grouptickets@LesherArtsCenter.org
The Lesher Center for the Arts is home to three lovely theatres, Bedford Gallery and the Encore Room, a boutique conference space. Rentals are available for celebrations, meetings, performances, and more. Review our rental policies and submit a request online at LesherArtsCenter.org/venue-rental.
Diablo Regional Arts Association
Lesher Center for the Arts 1601 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
LesherArtsCenter.org
(925) 943–7469
23/24
Season Announcement
Lesher Center Presents Headliners
Center REP Productions
Bedford Gallery Exhibitions
Season Highlights and more!
CONCORD, CA
23/24
Season Announcement
Lesher Center Presents Headliners
Center REP Productions
Bedford Gallery Exhibitions
Season Highlights and more!