Broadway shows, comedians and Grammy-winning musicians highlight UFPA schedule

University of Florida Performing Arts unveiled the lineup for its 2023-24 season on Tuesday night and there's no shortage of events sure to please everyone in the entire family.

UFPA Director Brian Jose kicked off the event at the Phillips Center with a short welcome and a quick look back at last season's highlights before diving headfirst into the upcoming schedule.

Jose talked briefly about each act before a short video was shown.

The season kicks off Sept. 14 with an upstage performance by Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride.

“He’s an absolute Jazz cat," Jose told the audience.

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Upstage performances are more intimate as both the performer and the audience are together on stage, similar to a cabaret.

“It is, in my opinion, the best night in Gainesville," Jose said of the upstage shows. "It’s like you got on a plane, went to Greenwich Village, one of the great clubs, and then you’re back home in your own bed.”

Previously announced shows in September are more geared toward adults and include "Jackass" star Steve-O on Sept. 17 and comedian Daniel Tosh on Sept. 25.

More family-friendly acts announced include urban circus group the 360 Allstars and mentalist Joshua Kane.

“I’ve seen him do this 10 times, and each time I see him I say, “How the hell did he do this," Jose said of Kane. "He stumps me.”

Touring Broadway shows coming to Gainesville include "Mean Girls" on Nov. 8, "Come From Away" on Feb. 21, "Jesus Christ Superstar" on March 13 and "On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan" on March 30.

Tickets for the general public go on sale at noon on Aug. 26. Those who make a donation to UFPA get access to tickets as early as Aug. 7, depending on the donation amount.

UF Performing Arts 2023/24 Season

Christian McBride — Sept. 14, 7 and 9 p.m.

Steve-O: The Bucket List Tour — Sept. 17, 7 p.m.

Daniel Tosh — Sept. 25, 8 p.m.

Chucho Valdes Quartet — Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m.

Kat Edmonson — Sept. 29, 7 and 9 p.m.

Joshua Kane — Sept. 30, 7 and 9 p.m,

Nobuntu — Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Balourdet Quartert — Oct. 22, 2 p.m.

Ndlovu Youth Choir — Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Bored Teachers: We Can’t Make This Stuff Up! Comedy Tour — Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Steep Canyon Rangers — Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Mean Girls — Nov. 8, 8 p.m.

Alexa Tarantino Quartet — Nov. 17, 7 and 9 p.m.

Luca Mundaca — Nov. 18, 7 and 9 p.m.

Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis — Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m.

Paula Poundstone — Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.

American Spiritual Ensemble — Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m.

Parsons Dance — Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m.

Roxy Coss — Jan. 27, 7 and 9 p.m.

Young Concert Artists on Tour — Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m.

Twisted Pine — Feb. 1, 7 and 9 p.m.

Alfredo Rodriguez Trio — Feb. 2, 7 and 9 p.m.

The String Queens — Feb. 8, 7 and 9 p.m.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra — Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m.

New York Voices — Feb. 15, 7 and 9 p.m.

Six One Five Collective — Feb. 16, 7 and 9 p.m.

Come From Away: True Story. Hit Musical. — Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Arod Quartet — Feb. 25, 2 p.m.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo — Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.

Step Afrika — March 5, 7:30 p.m.

Jesus Christ Superstar — March 13, 7:30 p.m.

Ying Li — March 17, 2 p.m.

Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy — March 19, 7:30 p.m.

Pat Metheny: Dream Box Tour — March 20, 7:30 p.m.

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with Joshua Bell — March 24, 7:30 p.m.

On Your Feet!  The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan — March 30, 7:30 p.m.

Harold Lopez-Nussa: Timba a la Americana — April 11, 7 and 9 p.m.

The Crane Wives — April 12, 7 and 9 p.m.

360 Allstars — April 14, 4 p.m.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo — April 23, 7:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: University of Florida Performing Arts announces 2023/24 schedule