Herberger Theater Center

“If you get the chance to see this show live: run, don’t walk.” Newsweek

“A complete triumph” The Scotsman “I’d go again in a heartbeat.”

5 stars ***** Broadway World

Solve-Along-A Murder She Wrote is outrageous fun, a nostalgic giggle and a great night out whether you’re a fan of Jessica Fletcher or a complete newcomer.

It’s part interactive screening, part comedy show, and is jam-packed with the silliest games, prizes and audience participation.

Time Out London rated it one of London’s “50 Great Nights Out”. It’s played to sell-out audiences across the UK, Ireland, Australia…and now it’s in Phoenix!

Join the madness as the audience races to solve the crime, gauged by the Fameometer and Suspiciometer, compete in the Cabot Cove quiz and even arrive dressed-up as Jessica Fletcher.

The funniest, silliest night out this year!

Solve-Along-A Murder She Wrote comes to the Herberger Theater Center in Downtown Phoenix November 28-29 at 7:30PM. Get your tickets today at herbergertheater.org.

REZA | Edge of Illusion is a high-energy theatrical production that brings a modern approach to large-scale illusion. The show comes to the Herberger Theater Center in Downtown Phoenix on November 15, 2026.

Recognized as The World’s Top Touring Illusionist and honored with the 2026 Merlin Award for Illusionist of the Year, REZA has developed a distinctive style built around large-scale illusions, sleight of hand, Las Vegas production quality, comedy, and direct audience involvement.

The production moves quickly between major visual moments and more intimate demonstrations, creating a show that feels both expansive and immediate. Large illusions unfold across the stage, while other effects take place only feet from the audience.

More than a traditional magic show, REZA | Edge of Illusion is a complete live entertainment production incorporating music, theatrical staging, humor, suspense, and audience participation throughout the performance.

REZA’s contemporary approach to illusion has taken him to audiences across the country and led to appearances on television programs including Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Masters of Illusion.

Audience members are frequently brought into the performance, making each show interactive and slightly different from the one before it.

Designed for audiences of all ages, REZA | Edge of Illusion delivers a polished, fast-paced production built around spectacle, personality, and modern illusion. Get your tickets today at herbergertheater.org.

REZA | Edge of Illusion is presented by Encore Entertainment.

PHOENIX, AZ — Downtown Phoenix will come alive with music, movement, creativity, and community as the Herberger Theater Center presents its 17th Annual Festival of the Arts on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This free, family-friendly event brings the community together to experience the remarkable talent thriving across the Valley while celebrating the many artistic traditions, creative voices, and forms of expression that enrich Phoenix. Guests can enjoy a vibrant lineup of 27 local arts organizations and performers, presented across multiple stages and showcasing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, disciplines, and excellence.

Audiences at the outdoor Pavilion Stage will be treated to captivating performances spanning classical ballet, high-energy rhythm, global dance traditions, and theatrical storytelling. Featured performers include Phoenix World Arts Collective, Arizona Repertory Ballet, Third Space Dance, Kriti Dance Bollywood Academy, Fushicho Daiko Dojo, Order Chaos Theatre Company, the Hungarian Cultural Association of Phoenix, Arizona School for the Arts, and many others. The Monroe Stage will offer an exciting mix of musical performances and additional live acts throughout the day, including the heartfelt sounds of Mariachi Hermana Del Corazon, vocalist Brooke Leigh Davis, the Diann Shumate Quartet, and the sought-after SOULITIFY, an R&B, pop, and Latin-driven cover band.

Families will love exploring the dedicated Kids Zone, featuring circus arts, aerial experiences, an enchanting bubble activation, and interactive hands-on arts activities led by Valley arts and children’s organizations.

“As someone who cares deeply about this community, this festival is close to my heart. It’s more than a fun day of creativity—it’s how we build a stronger, more connected Phoenix. We bring talent from every corner of the Valley into a free, welcoming space where everyone can experience high-quality art and live performances without barriers. It gives local artists, vendors, and youth groups a vital platform, supports downtown businesses, and creates memories that last.” – Cescily Wiener, Director of Community Engagement

In addition to continuous entertainment, visitors can shop among 30 artisan and vendor market booths featuring local makers and creative entrepreneurs, enjoy live art demonstrations, sample delicious offerings in the food court, or relax in the beer and wine garden with a Paint & Sip experience.

Whether discovering a new art form, cheering on local performers, enjoying live entertainment with family and friends, or simply soaking in Phoenix’s creative spirit, attendees will find something to inspire and delight them throughout the day.
The Herberger Theater Center warmly welcomes the community to come together for a memorable day of art, connection, discovery, and fun. Admission is free, and everyone is invited to attend.

For more information, visit HerbergerTheater.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Pictured: Richard Glazier and Ira Gershwin in 1975.

Acclaimed pianist and Gershwin authority Richard Glazier joins award-winning vocalist Natalie Cordone for From Gershwin to Garland, a captivating concert celebration of the composers, performers, and songs that shaped American popular culture on Stage West at the Herberger Theater Center in Downtown Phoenix on November 21.

Richard’s lifelong connection to the Gershwin legacy began as a child, when a correspondence with lyricist Ira Gershwin led to a personal invitation to visit him in Beverly Hills and play George Gershwin’s piano in the Gershwin home. Inspired by Ira’s encouragement, Richard dedicated his career to preserving and sharing the timeless music of George Gershwin and the Great American Songbook.

Featuring stunning vocals, virtuosic piano artistry, rare archival footage from the Gershwin family collection, and personal stories from Hollywood’s golden age, From Gershwin to Garland brings the unforgettable music of Broadway and Hollywood to life. Audiences will rediscover beloved classics from Gershwin and Judy Garland, including “’S Wonderful,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Summertime,” “The Man I Love,” “The Trolley Song,” “The Man That Got Away,” “Over the Rainbow,” and more.

Visit herbergertheater.org to get your tickets to From Gershwin to Garland.

Free, Family-Friendly Downtown Phoenix Celebration Features Live Performances, Art Demonstrations, a Vibrant Kids Zone, 30 Artisan Vendor Booths, and More

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Downtown Phoenix will come alive with music, movement, creativity, and community as the Herberger Theater Center presents its 17th Annual Festival of the Arts on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

This free, family-friendly event warmly invites neighbors, families, and art lovers of all ages to gather at the Herberger Theater Center, located at 222 E. Monroe Street in downtown Phoenix, for a full day of artistic celebration.

The festival brings the community together to experience the remarkable talent thriving across the Valley while celebrating the many artistic traditions, creative voices, and forms of expression that enrich Phoenix. Guests can enjoy a vibrant lineup of 27 local arts organizations and performers, presented across multiple stages and showcasing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, disciplines, and excellence.

The Monroe Stage will offer an exciting mix of musical performances and additional live acts throughout the day, including the heartfelt sounds of Mariachi Hermana Del Corazon, vocalist Brooke Leigh Davis, the Diann Shumate Quartet, and the sought-after SOULITIFY, an R&B, pop, and Latin-driven cover band.

Families will love exploring the dedicated Kids Zone, featuring circus arts, aerial experiences, an enchanting bubble activation, and interactive hands-on arts activities led by Valley arts and children’s organizations.

In addition to continuous entertainment, visitors can shop among 30 artisan and vendor market booths featuring local makers and creative entrepreneurs, enjoy live art demonstrations, sample delicious offerings in the food court, or relax in the beer and wine garden with a Paint & Sip experience.

The Herberger Theater Center warmly welcomes the community to come together for a memorable day of art, connection, discovery, and fun. Admission is free, and everyone is invited to attend.

Event Details

What: Herberger Theater Center’s 17th Annual Festival of the Arts
When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ
Admission: Free and open to the public

When the lights go down and the curtain rises, something unforgettable happens. The ordinary world melts away and the audience is transported to a place of beauty and magic.

But many children never get to experience the magic of the performing arts in the first place. Their families and their schools simply don’t have the resources. Children in our own communities grow up not knowing what they’re missing.

Today, you can give children an incredible gift: the joy of experiencing the performing arts.

Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, every dollar you give to the Herberger Theater Center will be MATCHED up to $5,000 – doubling your impact for children in need.

Bringing the Arts Directly to Students

When you give, you sponsor programs like ARTS 360, our in-school arts education program designed to overcome the barriers that keep schools and families away from the performing arts.

For many schools, a trip to the theater simply isn’t possible. Limited budgets, transportation challenges, and restrictive field trip policies can create barriers that keep students from experiencing the transformative power of live performance.

That’s why we pioneered a mobile version of ARTS 360 – bringing the magic of live performance directly into Title I schools. Instead of asking students to find their way to the theater, we bring the arts to them.

ARTS 360 introduces movement and dance through fun, engaging activities; builds skills and confidence through hands-on activities; strengthens literacy by connecting arts experiences to classroom learning; and brings literature to life through professional dancers, beautiful costumes, and music.

Last year, we partnered with Midtown Primary School to bring ARTS 360 directly to them, reaching hundreds of children who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to experience the arts.

One educator described the impact:

“The Herberger Theater came to us, bringing professional dancers and the magic of live performance straight to our students. For so many of our kids, it was the first time they had ever seen a professional dancer move across a stage, the first time they felt the energy of a live performance wash over them. You could see it in their eyes pure amazement and joy.”

Helping Young People Heal Through the Arts

Another outreach program is Camp 360, a performing arts program in collaboration with Art Heals Arizona specially designed for teens living in group homes, shelters, and residential treatment programs.

Through a two-week camp experience, teens are given the opportunity to create, explore, and experience a wide range of theater activities, including improvisation, costumes, props, and technical theater, in a safe and supportive environment.

These teens have experienced hardships no child should face. Your generosity will help at-risk teens heal as they find new possibilities of expression through the arts.

“It was hands-down one of the best experiences of my life,” one teen told us.

ARTS 360 and Camp 360 are both part of the Herberger Theater’s SPARK youth education program: Strengthening Potential through Arts, Resilience, & Knowledge. SPARK programs are designed to help Arizona children excel, learn, and heal through the arts.

Share the Joy of Live Performance

This year, we hope to bring the joy of live performance to more than 1,200 children in Title I and under-resourced schools through ARTS 360. And we want to provide the healing power of Camp 360 to teens facing difficult circumstances.

But we can’t do it without your help.

You can extend the magic and healing of live performing arts to kids around the Valley by making a tax-deductible gift of $25, $50, or $100 – or whatever amount is meaningful to you – today.

Every dollar you give today will be MATCHED dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000.

Will you share that feeling with children who need it the most?

Click here to make a gift.

Get ready, Phoenix – international comedy phenomenon The Umbilical Brothers are coming to the Herberger Theater Center in Downtown Phoenix for ONE NIGHT ONLY on October 2nd at 7:00 PM!

Known for their wildly inventive mix of physical comedy, vocal sound effects, movement and quick-fire banter, David Collins and Shane Dundas have performed in more than 40 countries and earned fans around the world.

Now they’re bringing The Distraction to Phoenix – a fast-paced, brilliantly absurd comedy experience that twists theatrical rules and everyday situations completely upside down.

One night. Two Umbilical Brothers. Absolutely no idea what’s going to happen.

Get your tickets now at HerbergerTheater.org!

★★★★★
“An unmissable and unforgettable comedy experience.”
— Broadway Baby

“Wildly funny, wildly creative.”
— The New York Times

“My faith in comedy was restored.”
— The Times, London

PHOENIX, AZ – Award-winning pianist and music historian Richard Glazier joins vocalist Natalie Cordone for “From Gershwin to Garland: A Musical Journey with Richard Glazier & Natalie Cordone” at the Herberger Theater Center on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Known for his interpretations of the Gershwin songbook and nationally broadcast PBS specials, Glazier brings a personal connection to the music through his friendship with lyricist Ira Gershwin. Performances take place at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Stage West.

The concert marks the duo’s return to the Herberger Theater two years after appearing in “Rhapsody & Rhythm,” a multimedia celebration of Gershwin’s music. It is the second production in the Herberger Theater’s 2026–27 Spotlight Series, now in its fourth season presenting main stage shows.

Blending live piano and vocals with rare film footage and personal stories, “From Gershwin to Garland” celebrates the music of George Gershwin and the songs made famous by Judy Garland. The program includes Glazier’s solo piano performance of “Rhapsody in Blue,” bringing Gershwin’s landmark composition into an intimate concert setting.

Glazier’s connection to the Gershwins began at age nine, when watching the film “Girl Crazy” inspired him to write a fan letter to lyricist Ira Gershwin. Their correspondence developed into a friendship that helped shape his career. During a visit, Glazier played for Ira on the piano that had belonged to George Gershwin. Today, he brings that personal connection to his performances, combining his interpretations of the music with stories that connect audiences to its history. Glazier has built a career bringing the American Songbook to life through piano performance, storytelling and music history. His three nationally broadcast PBS specials include “From Broadway to Hollywood,” exploring the music and personalities behind stage and screen classics.

Cordone’s career spans musical theater, opera and concert performances. She has headlined with the Colorado Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Greensboro Symphony and Orlando Philharmonic, and starred in “Rhapsody & Rhythm: The Gershwin Concert Experience” and “The Gershwin Big Band Experience.”

A limited number of VIP packages are available, including premium seating, a pre-show meet-and-greet, a complimentary signature cocktail, access to a dedicated intermission bar area and one Arizona Center parking validation per ticket order. The VIP reception begins at 1 p.m., with the performers in attendance until 1:30 p.m.

The Herberger Theater Center is located at 222 E. Monroe St. in Downtown Phoenix. For tickets and additional information, visit HerbergerTheater.org.

One of Broadway’s most celebrated musicals takes the stage in downtown Phoenix this fall. Arizona Musicfest and the Herberger Theater Center present Man of La Mancha for four performances only, October 23–25, 2026, at the Herberger Theater Center.

Starring Tony Award winner Paulo Szot as Cervantes/Don Quixote and Broadway’s Maria Bilbao as Aldonza/Dulcinea, this fully staged theatrical concert production brings together acclaimed Broadway guest artists, leading musical theater talent from the Valley, and the on-stage Musicfest Pops Ensemble.

Whether you already know every word of “The Impossible Dream” or are discovering the musical for the first time, here’s what to know before Man of La Mancha arrives in Phoenix.

A Tony Award-Winning Broadway Classic

Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote, Man of La Mancha tells a story of courage, imagination and the determination to pursue an impossible dream.

Written by Dale Wasserman, with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, the musical premiered on Broadway in 1965 and went on to win the 1966 Tony Award for Best Musical. Its enduring score includes some of musical theater’s most recognizable songs, including “The Impossible Dream (The Quest),” “Dulcinea” and “I, Don Quixote.”

At the center of the story is Cervantes, who transforms himself into the idealistic Don Quixote and invites those around him into a world where courage can triumph over cynicism and ordinary people can become something greater than they imagined.

More than 60 years after its Broadway debut, its central question still resonates: What is possible when we choose to see the world not only as it is, but as it could be?

Tony Award Winner Paulo Szot Stars as Don Quixote

Leading the cast as Cervantes/Don Quixote is Tony Award winner Paulo Szot, an internationally acclaimed actor and singer whose career spans Broadway, opera and concert stages around the world.

Szot won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Emile de Becque in the 2008 Broadway revival of South Pacific. This October, Phoenix audiences can experience his commanding voice and stage presence in another of musical theater’s iconic leading roles.

Opposite Szot, Broadway performer Maria Bilbao takes on the role of Aldonza/Dulcinea. Bilbao’s Broadway credits include Sweeney Todd, and she previously appeared in Man of La Mancha, bringing firsthand experience with the beloved musical to this new production.

The principal cast of Broadway guest artists will be joined by top musical theater talent from across the Valley, bringing national and local performers together on the Herberger Theater Center stage.

Experience the Music of Man of La Mancha Live

The score of Man of La Mancha is central to its lasting legacy, and Phoenix audiences will experience it performed live by the Musicfest Pops Ensemble.

Performed on stage alongside the cast, the ensemble brings the musical’s Spanish-influenced sound to life, from Flamenco-inspired rhythms to sweeping, classical-influenced anthems.

And then, of course, there is “The Impossible Dream.”

The musical’s signature song has endured far beyond the stage, becoming an anthem for perseverance and the pursuit of seemingly unreachable goals. Hearing it within the story that inspired it—and performed live with a full theatrical production—offers audiences the chance to experience the classic in its original dramatic context.

Arizona Musicfest and Herberger Theater Center Join Forces

Man of La Mancha continues a growing collaboration between Arizona Musicfest and the Herberger Theater Center to bring large-scale musical theater productions to Valley audiences.

Following the acclaimed Musicfest Theatricals productions of Carousel in 2025 and Ragtime in 2026, the organizations are collaborating on two fully staged theatrical concert productions for the 2026–27 season.

The season begins with Man of La Mancha in October and concludes in April with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific.

Together, the productions pair Broadway guest artists with outstanding Arizona performers and musicians, creating an opportunity to experience classic works of American musical theater right here in downtown Phoenix.

See Man of La Mancha in Phoenix October 23–25

Man of La Mancha will be presented for four performances only at the Herberger Theater Center, located at 222 E. Monroe St. in downtown Phoenix:

Friday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 24 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m.

Join us for an unforgettable theatrical exploration of courage, hope, imagination and the power of pursuing an impossible dream.

MAN OF LA MANCHA is a co-production of Arizona Musicfest and the Herberger Theater Center.

Written by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Leigh | Lyrics by Joe Darion
Original Production Directed by Albert Marre

MAN OF LA MANCHA is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.

PHOENIX, AZ – June 30, 2026 – The Herberger Theater Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Kim as Chair of its Board of Directors. Kim is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Signature Wealth Concepts. Additionally, Jessica Kokal has been appointed as Vice Chair of the Herberger Theater Center Board of Directors. Kokal is a Partner at Broening Oberg Woods & Wilson, P.C. Kim and Kokal will serve alongside the 2026-2027 slate of officers: Alan Augenstein (treasurer), Dawn Hart (secretary), and Victoria Williams (immediate past chair).

Five new board members were also elected: Bradley A. Cosman, Perkins Coie LLP; Whitney James, MD, MHS, Altara Advisory; Armando Nava, Nava Law Firm, PLLC; Debbie Pontikas, Pontikas Team; and Scott Richter, RichStar Consulting.

“These new Board members bring valuable expertise and diverse perspectives that will strengthen our organization at an exciting time for the Herberger Theater Center,” said Mark Mettes, President & CEO. “I look forward to working alongside our entire Board, including these new members and our Board leadership, as we continue expanding our impact, strengthening community connections, and providing diverse arts experiences that are welcoming and accessible to all.”

Bradley A. Cosman currently serves as the firmwide chair of the Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practice at Perkins Coie. He holds a J.D. from Arizona State University, where he was the Senior Articles Editor for the Arizona State Law Journal. Cosman previously served as chair of the Bankruptcy Section of the State Bar of Arizona, as well as a Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative for the District of Arizona. He is a 2019 ABI “40 Under 40” honoree, and he has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law from 2020-23, as an Arizona Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2014-19, and as a Southwest Super Lawyer from 2021-23.

Whitney James, MD, MHS, is a retired neurosurgeon, healthcare strategist, and Founder of Altara Advisory, a strategic advisory practice at the intersection of healthcare, philanthropy, business, and real estate. Raised in Northern Arizona by musician parents and educated in the performing arts, James developed a lifelong devotion to music, dance, theater, and cultural stewardship. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Yale University and a Master of Health Science in International Health Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

Armando Nava runs Nava Law Firm and practices in the areas of criminal defense, DUI defense, and Federal litigation. He grew up in El Paso, TX, where he performed in high school theater. He received his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University and then moved to Arizona in 2007 to attend law school at Arizona State University. He is currently a Board member for Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice and previously sat on the Board for the Arizona Justice Project. In his free time, he enjoys reading, working out, trying new restaurants, and attending the theater.

Debbie Pontikas is an Associate Broker and the founder of the Pontikas Team — Forbes Global Properties. She holds an MBA from Rice University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. Over the past decade, she has built her business across the Valley, closing more than $150 million in transactions and earning recognition among Phoenix’s Top 50 Realtors and a Top Producer for six consecutive years. In addition to her real estate career, Pontikas serves as CMO and Partner at ITI Corporate Services, a global commercial brokerage firm based in Dubai.

Scott Richter is the Principal of RichStar Consulting, a Phoenix-based consulting firm focused on Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Prior to founding RichStar Consulting, Richter served as Chief Credit Officer at Raza Development Fund, a federally-certified national CDFI based in Phoenix and held senior roles at GE Capital Bank, where he managed a $4 billion portfolio. Scott holds a B.A. in Finance from Wofford College and was among the top 1% of managers selected globally at GE’S Crotonville Leadership Institute. He currently serves as Board Member and Finance Committee Chair at Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health and as a New Markets Credit Advisory Committee Member at Prestamos CDFI.

About Herberger Theater Center:
The Herberger Theater Center is Arizona’s center stage, engaging the community through diverse arts experiences that ignite emotion, stimulate conversation, and inspire connections with the arts. Built in 1989 to foster the growth of performing arts and revitalize downtown Phoenix, the Herberger Theater has celebrated the diverse, multicultural heritage of the Phoenix community with accessible performing arts experiences year after year. The Herberger Theater is home to three resident performing arts companies: Arizona Opera, Childsplay Theatre, and Order Chaos Theater Company. The Herberger Theater also sustains several arts education and outreach programs that provide children and adults with a chance to experience the beauty and magic of live performing arts. Learn more at HerbergerTheater.org.

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