2026-2027 Season Brochure

This is a text-only version of our 2025-2026 Brochure. For other formats, please visit www.carpenterarts.org/brochure

Image: Cover collage featuring portraits of featured artists and a large theatrical dancer in costume.

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Image: Welcome page with venue information, performance calendar, and a dancer from Sa Dance in a blue costume.

Purchase tickets online at carpenterarts.org!

The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center celebrates the legacy of our founding benefactors by presenting emerging and legendary artists who inspire and entertain our diverse arts community. Enjoy our lobby’s permanent Carpenters Exhibit when you attend your next performance. You’ll discover displays of many of the Carpenters’ awards and memorabilia—including iconic photographs, hit arrangements, and original instruments!

Two ways to save on our 2026-2027 shows:

BECOME A SERIES SUBSCRIBER

As a subscriber, you’ll enjoy the best seats and the lowest prices on series shows. You’ll also save on tickets to additional performances throughout the season and receive priority access to next season’s shows.

BUILD YOUR OWN SERIES

The more you see, the more you save! (Valid for season performances only. Tickets must be purchased together in a single online order. Cannot be combined with other offers. A $4.00 service fee is included in each ticket price. Build Your Own Series seats are not saved for next season. Not available for Patti LuPone VIP seating.)

  • Buy 3 Shows, Save 15%
  • Buy 4 Shows, Save 20%
  • Buy 5 Shows or More, Save 25%

Build Your Own series subscribers also enjoy $5 off single tickets purchased later in the season!

Use code BUILDYOUROWN at checkout to begin curating a collection of shows that’s uniquely you.
 

DIRECTIONS

The Carpenter Center is located on the campus of California State University, Long Beach near the 405, 605, and 22 freeways. Safe and convenient parking operated by CSULB is located directly in front of the Center in parking lot G12. For the latest parking and attendance information, visit our frequently asked questions page at carpenterarts.org/faqs.

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2026–2027 PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

September 2026

October 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

May 2027

All programs, artists, prices, and dates subject to change.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW SEASON! Thank you to our sponsor, KCRW (KCRW logo pictured).

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Image: Portrait of Patti LuPone

Patti LuPone: Songs From a Hat
THU, MAR 18, 2027 AT 8PM
Spend an evening with a true Broadway legend as three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone performs an evening of showstoppers in Songs From a Hat, where she selects her most famous and personal favorite songs from slips of paper in her top hat. Unscripted and full of hits. Experience the icon of stage and screen in this special night at the Carpenter Center benefitting our classroom educational program. VIP ticket buyers receive a pre-show champagne toast, a signed poster from the event, and premium seating! 

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Image: Portraits of Elizabeth Gilbert, Adam Kinzinger, and Jen Hatmaker.

WIT & WISDOM SERIES

An Evening with Elizabeth Gilbert
SAT, SEP 19, 2026 AT 8PM
With wisdom and radical candor, Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic, has inspired millions to live more creative, courageous lives. In this revealing evening, Gilbert talks about the surprising ways in which chasing a ‘purpose’ in life can hinder creativity and freedom.

An Evening with Adam Kinzinger
SAT, JAN 30, 2027 AT 8PM
Former U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger, author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Renegade, is a leading voice on democracy, civic responsibility, and political reform. Drawing on his years in public service, including as a member of the January 6th Committee, Kinzinger offers his fearless perspective on the state of American politics and shares his story of faith, service, and political duty.

An Evening with Jen Hatmaker
SAT, MAR 27, 2027 AT 8PM
Host of the For the Love podcast and author of five New York Times bestsellers, Jen Hatmaker explores the complexities of modern life with humor and wisdom through candid stories of resilience, intention, and the liberation of beginning again. Her latest book, the New York Times bestselling memoir Awake, is a raw account of the night her 26-year marriage ended—and the unexpected journey that followed.

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Image: Portraits of Samantha Bee, Bilal and opener Yaya Bey

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Samantha Bee
Samantha Bee Date and time to be announced.
Emmy Award-winning comedian Samantha Bee brings her razor- sharp wit to our stage for an evening of incisive and cathartic humor. Bee joined The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in 2003 and had her own weekly late-night comedy series, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. Honored as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, she currently hosts Choice Words with Samantha Bee, her weekly podcast exploring the personal choices that have shaped lives. 

Bilal
THU, SEP 24, 2026 AT 8PM
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Bilal returns for an electrifying set rooted in his deep love of soul, funk, and jazz. Fresh material and fan favorites showcase this innovative artist at the height of his powers. Queens-born Yaya Bey opens for Bilal with songs from her latest album, Fidelity.

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Images: Gretchen Parlato, Nella, David Benoit graphic, and Kate Kortum with David Marino.

JAZZ

Gretchen Parlato
FRI, OCT 2, 2026 AT 8PM
Since the early 2000s, Parlato has been celebrated as one of the most inventive and mesmerizing jazz vocalists of her generation, performing alongside legends like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Esperanza Spalding. Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed, Parlato presents music from her new album, The Wise Ones, weaving jazz, R&B, and soul with bassist Alan Hampton, drummer Mark Guiliana, and pianist Gerald Clayton. On our Cabaret Stage!

Nella
FRI, DEC 11, 2026 AT 8PM
Venezuelan-born Nella delivers a modern take on soulful songs, inspired by Venezuela’s folkloric roots and Andalusian music. From Berklee College of Music graduate to 2019 Latin Grammy Award winner for Best New Artist, Nella also received praise from NPR for her first album, Voy. The New York Times named the title track the 14th best song of 2019. On our Cabaret Stage!

David Benoit Tribute to a Charlie Brown Christmas
SAT, DEC 12, 2026 AT 8PM
Share the festive spirit with family and friends in this evening of tunes by Vince Guaraldi from the holiday classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. Starring five-time Grammy nominee jazz pianist David Benoit, this must-see show features the cherished holiday songs that have charmed generations, alongside contemporary classics.

World on a String featuring Kate Kortum and David Marino
SUN, JAN 31, 2027 AT 6PM
DownBeat award winner and Juilliard graduate Kate Kortum and The Voice finalist David Marino join the Jazz at Lincoln Center PRESENTS series for debut arrangements from Broadway’s most beloved productions. Backed by a swinging quartet, these rising stars wow with favorites from Hamilton, Wicked, South Pacific, West Side Story, and more.

 

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Image: Promotional photos for Forever Tango, Wizard of Oz on Ice, MOMIX: Botanica

WOW! SERIES

NOW ON SUNDAYS

Forever Tango
SUN, DEC 6, 2026 AT 6PM
Sensuous and sophisticated, Forever Tango brings Argentina’s most iconic dance to our stage with world-class performers and an eleven-piece orchestra. Set against the tango’s origins in 19th-century Buenos Aires, original and traditional music accompany choreography that captures the passion, drama, and culture of tango across time.

The All New Wizard of Oz on Ice
SUN, MAR 14, 2027 AT 3PM
Skate down the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion in this reimagined, all-new production filled with breathtaking choreography, vibrant costumes, and eye- popping special effects. World-champion ice skaters reimagine the classic story of wonder, friendship, and adventure in a spectacle set to original compositions by renowned Disney music producers. Enchanting for both the young and young at heart!

MOMIX: Botanica
SUN, MAY 2, 2027 AT 6PM
Botanica is a lush, surreal journey through nature’s ever-changing imagery, following the rhythms of the seasons and the passing of a day. This larger-than-life spectacle fuses world- class athleticism with an eclectic score ranging from birdsong to the elegance of Vivaldi. With gravity- defying props, cinematic projections, and whimsical puppetry, MOMIX animates nature’s beauty with an extra dose of fantasy.
 

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SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES

Images of Live from Laurel Canyon, The Doo Wop Project, Splintered Sunlight logo illustration, and Tony Kishman

Live from Laurel Canyon Presents: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
SUN, SEP 27, 2026 AT 3PM
This captivating tribute to CSNY, folk rock’s first supergroup, includes unforgettable classics including “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” “Teach Your Children,” and “Helplessly Hoping,” as well as songs from their individual catalogs alongside the stories behind the music.

The Doo Wop Project Echoes of the Street
SUN, OCT 4, 2026 AT 3PM
Joined by a smokin’ hot band, the Doo Wop Project celebrate a genre that never lost its cool. Hear classics by The Four Seasons, The Marcels, and more in this all-new show, plus doo-wopified hits by Taylor Swift and Daft Punk.

Splintered Sunlight Tribute to the Grateful Dead
SUN, JAN 24, 2027 AT 3PM
Splintered Sunlight have earned an enthusiastic following among Deadheads for their deep understanding of the band’s improvisational traditions and for their faithful covers from the Grateful Dead’s catalog—from the hits to the forgotten gems.

Live and Let Die The Music of Paul McCartney Featuring Tony Kishman
SUN, MAR 21, 2027 AT 3PM
Celebrate the music of Paul McCartney as Tony Kishman delivers an exceptionally faithful performance that spans the Beatles’ classics and McCartney’s solo hits, from “Hey Jude” to “Maybe I’m Amazed.”
 

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Image: Dancers from Sa Dance Company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana.

DANCE SERIES

Sa Dance Company: An Indian American Dance Experience
SAT, OCT 24, 2026 AT 8PM
Celebrate the power, resilience, and spirit of womanhood as you follow the journey of an Indian woman—her youthful dreams, the weight of societal expectations, the strength to overcome adversity, and the hope that emerges through faith and sisterhood. RISE pays tribute to the generations of grandmothers, aunties, and mothers whose unwavering determination and boundless generosity have paved the way for the women of today. 

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
SAT, FEB 6, 2027 AT 8PM
”A company that brings its audiences pure joy.” —The Seattle Times The internationally beloved all-male comic ballet company is back with more breathtaking pointe work and hilarious parodies of classical ballet favorites. Whether you’re a ballet aficionado or don’t know a plié from a jeté, the prima ballerinas of the Trocks deliver hilarity and awe. It’s the most fun you’ll ever have at the ballet!

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Quinto Elemento
SAT, MAR 20, 2027 AT 8PM
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana ventures beyond flamenco’s bounds to explore the elusive fifth element—ether, the essence that makes up the space around us—in this new evening-length work by acclaimed choreographer Patricia Guerrero, featuring an original score by Francis Gómez performed live.

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Image: Promotional photos for Arts for Life performers including Mumu Fresh, Pacífico Dance Company, Tien Hsieh.

ARTS FOR LIFE

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS EVENTS
To donate to our Arts for Life program scan the QR code or visit www.carpenterarts.org/donate.

Mumu Fresh
FRI, OCT 16, 2026 AT 8PM
Maimouna Youssef (aka Mumu Fresh) is a Grammy-nominated singer, MC, songwriter, activist, and acclaimed hip hop artist who has been called a “quadruple threat” by the Roots’ Black Thought and “groundbreaking” by Oscar-winning artist, Common. Mumu Fresh draws from her expansive musical background in gospel, jazz, soul, hip hop, and more in this uplifting program.

Pacífico Dance Company
Mujeres de Mexico: Stories in Motion
FRI, DEC 4, 2026 AT 8PM
Experience the vibrant traditions of Mexican folklórico dance with spectacular costumes, dynamic footwork, and storytelling through movement as the company highlights regional dances from across Mexico.

Tien Hsieh
FRI, MAR 26, 2027 AT 8PM
Join us for a moving evening featuring the artistry and virtuosity of classical pianist Tien Hsieh. A prizewinner of competitions including the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition and Pacific Piano Competition, Hsieh is also a recipient of the prestigious Roy M. Rubinstein Award from the Manhattan School of Music.

Support Arts for Life
These events are possible thanks to the support of sponsors and donors like you. Gifts in any amount are gratefully accepted at any time. All gifts are tax deductible and gifts over $100 are acknowledged in our Carpenter Center program. Thank you for helping us share the arts throughout Southern California!

Logos: Port of Long Beach The Green Port, City of Long Beach, Arts Council of Long Beach

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Images: Tierney Sutton, Stella Cole, Bria Skonberg, and Ann Hampton Callaway with Niki Haris.

CABARET SERIES

Every seat is on the stage and less than 40 feet from the artist!

ADD-ON DINNER SERVICE 6-6:45PM
PERFORMANCE 7PM

Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman
WED/THU, SEP 30-OCT 1, 2026 AT 7PM Grammy-nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton and virtuosic pianist Tamir Hendelman lend new warmth to songs by George Gershwin, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee, Paul Simon, and more.

Dreaming with Stella Cole
WED/THU, DEC 9-10, 2026 AT 7PM Stella Cole brings her signature jazz- infused vocals to beloved holiday favorites in this festive evening of song that includes the Carpenters’ classic “Merry Christmas, Darling” and selections from Cole’s album Snow!

Bria Skonberg Quintet
WED/THU, MAR 10-11, 2027 AT 7PM Acclaimed for her vibrant take on jazz traditions, Bria Skonberg blends fiery trumpet, smoky vocals, and imaginative storytelling rooted in classic swing and New Orleans influences.

Ann Hampton Callaway and Niki Haris
WED/THU, MAY 5-6, 2027 AT 7PM Tony-nominated singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway joins forces with Niki Haris—famed singer, dancer, actress—for the premiere of “Broad Appeal!” Blending pop, jazz, Broadway, blues, and gospel, the pair share the music, stories, and heart behind their extraordinary lives. Christmas 
 

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Pages 13–14 contain pricing tables for subscriptions and single tickets, as well as seating charts.

For help with ordering tickets, please contact the Carpenter Center Ticket Office directly at  1-562-985-7000, M-Th, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. or email cpac@csulb.edu.

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Page 15, back cover:

The Thrill of Live Performance!

2026–2027 Season

Images of Niki Haris, Elizabeth Gilbert, Bilal, Sa Dance Company, Bria Skonberg, Samantha Bee, Patti LuPone, Live and Let Die, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Splintered Sunlight (logo), MOMIX, and Live from Laurel Canoyon.

End of text-only version of the season brochure.