South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
‘A new era for downtown Boca’
Mizner Park Cultural Center changes its name, vibe
The Studio at Mizner Park is rebranding and reaching for new heights.
The performance space in downtown Boca Raton — known in the past few years as the Mizner Park Cultural Center — is making a bid to be a buzzier venue with more elevated service when it relaunches on Dec. 16 with an open house. Also, Potions in Motion has signed on as the on-site caterer and will produce the bar program.
“This long-awaited and much-anticipated opening is poised to usher in a new era for downtown Boca,” says Peg Anderson, president of the Cultural Arts Association Board, the organization responsible for managing the space.
“The Studio at Mizner Park will bring a yearround calendar of fresh and diverse programming to the area.”
Stephanie Siegel is the newly name executive director charged with booking acts for a roster being billed as “multidimensional, multigenerational” — that means that there will be something for the diverse audiences here in South Florida, she says, but with an emphasis on trendier fare for everyone from parents looking to entertain children to adults wanting leading-edge experiences.
“So when you think about the programming, I think it’s going to be a little more edgy. It’ll be cosmopolitan, more energetic, right? Something that will activate — like people can have dinner here and then come to your show. Who doesn’t love that? That’s so fun.”
So far, the December calendar has:
Saturday, Dec. 17, noon-3 p.m. — “Holiday Extravaganza at The Studio” with holiday baking crafts and sing-alongs with Jeff Kaye and Krescendo. Cost: $15 for adults; $10 for kids.
Saturday, Dec. 17, 8 p.m. — “Ring in the Holiday with Celebrity Housewives” featuring reality TV stars from the “Real Housewives” Bravo-TV franchise including Ramona Singer, Margaret Josephs and Marysol Patton in a panel discussion and VIP cocktail reception. Cost: $69 a person; $99 for VIP cocktail reception.
Sunday, Dec, 18, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. —
“Sean Green Dance Factory” with the choreographer of the Miami Heat dancers who is also a judge for the Miami Dolphins cheerleader auditions and founder of Out of the Box dance intensives in West Palm Beach. At 10:30, there will be a “Tik Tok Hip Hop Dance Party for Kids” age 5-12 for $55 per person (snacks and drinks included). At 1 p.m., there will be “Girls Night Out” for $75 per person (champagne and small bites included).
Dec. 24-Jan. 1, various times — “Sarge the Comedian” brings his standup act back to Boca Raton, where he is a longtime favorite. Known not only for his comedy but also his vocals and self-taught virtuoso piano skills, Sarge grew up the adopted black son of a Jewish couple in Brooklyn. Cost: $49-$78.
Jan. 22, Feb. 12 and March 19, 2023 —
“Rock and Roll Playhouse” is for the whole family with a performance of iconic rock music — Grateful Dead on Jan. 22; Stevie Wonder on Feb. 12; Bob Marley on March 19 — as well as games, movement, stories and music playing for children age 1-7. Cost: $17.50 in advance; $20 at the door.
The Studio is also upping its game with the food and drink being offered through Potions in Motion, according to Siegel. It means “we’re gonna have a really elevated kind of food and beverage service that I don’t think is offered anywhere else. It’s not just concessions, like hot dog stands, pretzels and [inexpensive] chardonnay. I think we’re gonna have more of a selection, which would also be a draw for
people.”
Some South Floridians may remember when the building was the The International Museum of Cartoon Art, which opened in 1996 and never attracted much attention, closing in
2001 with the burden of a
$2 million debt.
After years of sitting in the dark unused, there were further construction delays before the space was reborn as the Mizner
Park Cultural Arts Center in 2010. On and off for a few years between 2012 and 2014, regional theater talent staged readings, plays and musicals there, often calling the performance space The Studio at Mizner Park
“The Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center was actually called ‘The Studio’ for a moment in time,” recalls board president Anderson, an active civic
and community leader for more than 20 years. “We have come full circle, embracing the history of the venue as we look forward to an exciting, inviting future.”
IF YOU GO
What: The Studio at Mizner Park
Where: 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton