2026 –2 7 SE ASON The A r t o f Fu g u e by Circa B e s t o f Wo o d s to c k and M o nte rey ’ 67: A Back to the Garden Story Concert Broadway Boys Cowboy Junkies The Four Freshmen International Guitar Night Kings Return Mavis Staples Peking Acrobats PILOBOLUS: Tri p s Roger McGuinn S to p M ak i ng S e ns e: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads S u g ar S k u l l! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure Syncopated Ladies Voctave: I t Fe e l s Li ke C hris tm as
PLU S MA NY M O R E
DEAR FRIENDS, A plethora of research in the last several years has proven what those of us who have dedicated our lives to the arts have known for a long time—the arts are incredibly good for our mental and physical health. If you want to feel even better about your choice to prioritize the arts, check out books like Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives and Your Brain on Art. It turns out that there’s something about the collective effervescence of gathering with a group of people to enjoy a live performance that is incredibly good for us. Studies also show that nature is good for you. Lucky for all of us, the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts is located in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Arrive early and make time to check out our glorious sunsets and a wonderful meal at one of our local restaurants (check out your confirmation email for some discount offers!). Rebecca Carson and Lisa Smith Wengler at Smothers Theatre following the center's dedication in 2013. Photo credit: Keith Berson Pictured below: Graham Nash in Smothers Theatre, June 2023 Photo credit: Ron Hall Pictured on cover: Amaryn Olmeda, violin. Raitt Recital Series 2026–27. Photo credit: Marco Borggreve
We have spent many months hand-selecting the performances and exhibitions that follow. At the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University, you can select any four performances and become a subscriber, receiving several benefits (see page 17 for more details). So, what do you want more of this year? Whether you are looking for more joy, more awe, more wonder, more belly laughs, more family time, or more singing along and dancing in your seat to the music, we are sure you’ll find shows in this book that will delight you. Our friendly staff is always happy to help you discover your new favorite event. Thank you for your support of the arts. We hope to see you soon! Sincerely, Rebecca Carson Managing Director
CONTENTS FAN FAVORITES
2 An Evening with Roger McGuinn 3 Cowboy Junkies:
Celebrating 40 Years and Beyond
5 Syncopated Ladies 6 Stop Making Sense: A Film by
Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads
9 J. S. Bach's The Art of Fugue by Circa 11 Mavis Staples 12 Flying Karamazov Brothers: Artifishal Idiots
FAMILY FUN
3 Sugar Skull!
A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure
5 Simply Three 6 The Three Little Pigs and Other Tales 8 The Snowy Day and Other Stories 8 Peking Acrobats 12 Flying Karamazov Brothers: Artifishal Idiots
VIRTUOSI
4 Chaeyoung Park, piano 5 Simply Three 7 Amaryn Olmeda, violin 8 Andy McKee 9 J. S. Bach's The Art of Fugue by Circa 10 International Guitar Night 10 Radu Ratoi, accordion 11 Katarina String Quartet
3 STARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN
6 Stop Making Sense: A Film by
Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads
7 Voctave: It Feels Like Christmas 9 Jazz at Lincoln Center presents World on a String: Swinging Songs of Broadway
11 Broadway Boys 12 Flying Karamazov Brothers: Artifishal Idiots
SINGER/SONGWRITER/FOLK
2 An Evening with Roger McGuinn 4 The Four Freshmen 3 Cowboy Junkies: Celebrating
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40 Years and Beyond
5 Best of Woodstock and Monterey '67: A Back to the Garden Story Concert
11 Mavis Staples 12 Classic Albums Live Performs:
The Eagles—Their Greatest Hits
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GLOBAL JAZ Z AND BLUES
2 Kings Return 4 Okaidja Afoso 9 Jazz at Lincoln Center presents World on a String: Swinging Songs of Broadway
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MUSIC/GREATEST HITS
7 Voctave: It Feels Like Christmas 8 Andy McKee 10 International Guitar Night
DANCE/SPECTACLE
5 Syncopated Ladies 9 PILOBOLUS: Trips 9 J. S. Bach's The Art of Fugue by Circa
@pepperdinecfa
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art 13
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Student Productions 14
Get to Know Us 16
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12 Tickets 17
AN EVENING WITH ROGER MCGUINN Sponsored by Malibu Music
Roger McGuinn, founder and frontman of the Byrds, is a true music pioneer whose fearless experimentation helped shape modern rock. With his signature sound and iconic hits like “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Eight Miles High,” McGuinn delivers an unforgettable evening of music.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 7:30 pm $30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre
KINGS RETURN
Kings Return is a Dallas-based a cappella quartet renowned for pushing vocal boundaries with smooth harmonies. Weaving together gospel, jazz, R&B, and classical influences, King's Return brings warmth, precision, and a powerful sense of soul with every note. kingsreturnmusic.com
Sunday, September 13, 2026 5 pm $30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre
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arts.pepperdine.edu | Order now! 310.506.4522
COWBOY JUNKIES: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AND BEYOND Sponsored by Mary and Tom Hawkins
Cowboy Junkies will be performing a career-spanning show from The Trinity Session to their recent album, Such Ferocious Beauty. Formed in Toronto in 1985 with siblings Michael Timmins on guitar, Margo Timmins on vocals, Peter Timmins on drums, and Michael’s lifelong friend Alan Anton on bass, the band has sparkled over the course of 29 albums. “One of the most unique and enduring bands in alternative rock.” All Music
cowboyjunkies.com
Saturday, September 19, 2026 8 pm $43–$83 | Smothers Theatre Limited tickets available.
SUGAR SKULL! A DÍA DE MUERTOS MUSICAL ADVENTURE
Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual and bicultural musical for young audiences and families inspired by traditional regional music and dance from Mexico. When a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, 12-year-old Vita Flores finds herself on a magical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos. sugarskullontour.com
Sunday, September 27, 2026 2 pm $23–$43 | Smothers Theatre Discounts for youth 17 and younger. Photo credit: Clayton Cotterell
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OKAIDJA AFROSO
Okaidja Afroso, born into a family of musicians and storytellers in Kokrobite, Ghana, is a master multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and dancer. Drawing on his West African roots, he blends percussion, guitar, vocals, and dance to create a contemporary African oral tradition that honors ancestral heritage while embracing global influences. okaidja.com
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 7:30 pm $28–$48 | Smothers Theatre Photo credit: Clayton Cotterell
THE FOUR FRESHMEN
Sponsored by Mitch Bredefeld in loving memory of Anne Marie Bredefeld With soaring vocals, intricate harmonies, and multi-instrumental talent, the Four Freshmen deliver a handpicked collection of timeless classics while paying homage to their legendary roots with hits like “It’s a Blue World,” “Poinciana,” and “Day by Day.” The group continues to evolve with members Bob, Jake, Chris, and Tommy, delivering more than six decades of unforgettable jazz performances. fourfreshmen.com
Saturday, October 3, 2026 5 pm $30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre
CHAEYOUNG PARK, PIANO
Chaeyoung Park is a prize-winning pianist renowned for her expressive artistry and virtuosic technique. Winner of the 2022 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions and finalist at the 2023 Arthur Rubinstein International Master Piano Competition, her wideranging repertoire delivers captivating and deeply moving performances. chaeyoungparkpiano.com
Sunday, October 4, 2026 2 pm $23–$33 | Raitt Recital Hall Save 30% on the Recital Series; $92 for all four performances.
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arts.pepperdine.edu | Order now! 310.506.4522
SYNCOPATED LADIES
Syncopated Ladies is a dynamic female tap dance band from Los Angeles created by Emmy Award–nominated choreographer Chloe Arnold, a protégé of Debbie Allen. Blending tap with pop, hip hop, salsa, and more, the group delivers an energetic, inspiring performance filled with powerful rhythm and style. syncopatedladies.com
Thursday, October 8, 2026 7:30 pm $30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre Photo credit: James Horvath
SIMPLY THREE
Simply Three is a thrilling instrumental trio that brings strings to life like never before. Alongside their own emotionally charged originals, bassist Nicholas Villalobos, cellist Zack Clark, and violinist Tim Bria transform hits by Adele, Coldplay, Billie Eilish, and more into electrifying performances. simplythreemusic.com
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 7:30 pm $25.50–$48 | Smothers Theatre Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
BEST OF WOODSTOCK AND MONTEREY ’67: A BACK TO THE GARDEN STORY CONCERT Sponsored by Ellen and Doug Weitman
Celebrating two landmark music festivals of the ’60s: Monterey ’67 kicked off the “Summer of Love,” while in 1969 more than 400,000 people gathered in Woodstock, New York, for the legendary “Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music.” Now Back to the Garden bring their signature “story concert” treatment to these legendary moments in music history: note-for-note recreations of the music sprinkled with stories and images of the era that made the ’60s such a magical time. back-to-the-garden.net
Thursday, October 15, 2026 7:30 pm $28–$53 | Smothers Theatre 5
THE THREE LITTLE PIGS AND OTHER TALES
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s newest production, The Three Little Pigs and Other Tales, presents a fresh and engaging reimagining of three cherished children’s stories—Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Little Pigs, and the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Filled with adventure, humor, and heroism, this imaginative retelling seamlessly interweaves three classic tales into a heartwarming adventure that celebrates friendship and courage. Designed for children ages 3 and up, Mermaid Theatre’s latest production offers a captivating performance, laughter, and wonder for young audiences. mermaidtheatre.ca
Saturday, October 24, 2026 11 am and 1 pm $18–$33 | Smothers Theatre Discounts for youth 17 and younger. Photo credit: Brianna Dykeman
STOP MAKING SENSE: A FILM BY JONATHAN DEMME AND TALKING HEADS—LIVE EVENT HOSTED BY JERRY HARRISON
Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 Stop Making Sense was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme and is considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, featuring Talking Heads’ most memorable songs. The live event will feature a public screening of the re-release hosted by co-star Jerry Harrison who will deliver introductory remarks, post-screening comments and audience Q and A. jerry-harrison.com
Sunday, October 25, 2026 7 pm $30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre
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arts.pepperdine.edu | Order now! 310.506.4522
AMARYN OLMEDA, VIOLIN
Winner of first prize and the audience choice award at the 24th annual Sphinx Competition, Amaryn Olmeda is a sensational young talent captivating audiences worldwide with her bold, expressive, and electrifying performances. She has dazzled at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and David Geffen Hall, and performs on a rare 1864 J. B. Vuillaume violin, promising an unforgettable concert experience. amarynolmeda.com
Sunday, November 8, 2026 2 pm $23–$33 | Raitt Recital Hall Save 30% on the Recital Series; $92 for all four performances. Photo credit: Marco Borggreve
VOCTAVE: IT FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS
Voctave’s holiday spectacular, It Feels Like Christmas, includes a stocking full of holiday favorites from their chart-topping album and is sure to be a magical evening of music for the whole family. Jazz Weekly raves, “Voctave bring a cappella music to a new dimension.”
voctave.net
Sunday, December 13, 2026 5 pm $30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
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THE SNOWY DAY AND OTHER STORIES
Childplay's magical The Snowy Day and Other Stories lifts the curtain on the wonders of winter for the children of Southern California. Adapted for the stage by Jerome Hairston, the characters created by Ezra Jack Keats spring humorously to life through creative shadow puppetry. childsplayaz.org
Sunday, January 10, 2027 1 pm and 3 pm $18–$33 | Smothers Theatre Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
PEKING ACROBATS
For more than 30 years, the Peking Acrobats have amazed audiences with daring feats that redefine Chinese acrobatics. Accompanied by live musicians playing traditional instruments and enhanced with high-tech effects, their thrilling performances blend skill, spectacle, and the festive pageantry of a Chinese carnival into an unforgettable entertainment experience.
Sunday, January 17, 2027 2 pm $25.50–$53 | Smothers Theatre Discounts for youth 17 and younger. Photo credit: Tom Meinhold Photography
ANDY MCKEE
Andy McKee, a virtuoso guitarist from Kansas, became an internet sensation when his original composition “Drifting” went viral, capturing millions of views worldwide. Praised as “arguably the most influential player of the era” by Guitar Player, McKee continues to release acclaimed music, and thrills audiences both online and on stage. andymckee.com
Thursday, January 21, 2027 8 pm $23–$43 | Smothers Theatre
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arts.pepperdine.edu | Order now! 310.506.4522
PILOBOLUS: TRIPS
Blast off into the Pilobolus multiverse with Trips, a journey through gravity-defying feats and emotional landscapes where each piece flows seamlessly into the next. Featuring explosive athleticism, physical poetry, and sly humor, this unforgettable performance transports audiences through infinite realities, from the skies to the soul to galaxies beyond. pilobolus.org
Tuesday, January 26, 2027 7:30 pm $28–$58 | Smothers Theatre Photo credit: Emily Denaro
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS WORLD ON A STRING: SWINGING SONGS OF BROADWAY
Blending the magic of Broadway with the vibrant energy of jazz, this exciting concert from Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents features guest vocalists Kate Kortum and David Marino performing fresh arrangements of beloved songs from hit shows, including Hamilton, Wicked, South Pacific, and West Side Story in an unforgettable night of music. katekorum.com | davidmarinomusic.ca
Saturday, January 30, 2027 8 pm $28–$53 | Smothers Theatre Photo credit: Nadia Zheng (David Marino) and Margherita Andreani (Kate Kortum)
J. S. BACH’S THE ART OF FUGUE BY CIRCA
Experience the extraordinary when Circa brings together the genius of Bach’s The Art of Fugue and the breathtaking physicality of contemporary acrobatics. Pianist Vitaly Starikov’s masterful performance meets Circa’s amazing ensemble, led by Yaron Lifschitz, in a mesmerizing display of mind and body in perfect harmony. circa.org.au
Tuesday, February 9, 2027 7:30 pm $40.50–$78 | Smothers Theatre Photo credit: Laura Manariti Created by Yaron Lifschitz with the Circa Ensemble based on the original production created with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and its artistic director, Paul Dyer. Commissioned by the Moss Arts Center, Virginia Tech, and the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center.
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INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT Sponsored by the Flamminio family
International Guitar Night, North America’s longest-running guitar show, is celebrating its 27th anniversary with the debut of Roxane Elfasci, the award-winning classical virtuoso from France, and three all-time International Guitar Night favorites— acoustic rock dynamo Luca Stricagnoli from Italy, mellow Slack Key master Jim Kimo West from Hawaii, and the irrepressible blues slide guitar powerhouse Minnie Marks from Australia.
Friday, February 12, 2027 8 pm $28–$53 | Smothers Theatre Photo credit: Jean Baptiste Millot (Roxane Elfasci)
Jim Kimo West
Luca Stricagnoli
Minnie Marks
Roxane Elfasci
RADU RATOI, ACCORDION
Winner of the Léonie Sonning Talent Prize, Radu Ratoi travels worldwide, attracting the public with his musicality, technique, and charisma. With his transcriptions of J. S. Bach, D. Scarlatti, J. P. Rameau, F. Liszt and many more, he has reinvented and improved the accordion repertoire, describing the accordion as “an instrument with almost unlimited possibilities.” raduratoi.com
Sunday, February 21, 2027 2 pm $23–$33 | Raitt Recital Hall Save 30% on the Recital Series; $92 for all four performances. Photo credit: Efremoff Studio
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arts.pepperdine.edu | Order now! 310.506.4522
MAVIS STAPLES
Sponsored by Alison and Dan Hodgkiss and Hodgkiss Insurance Brokers Five-time Grammy Award winner, Kennedy center honoree, and blues, rock, and gospel halls of fame inductee Mavis Staples is one of the most enduring voices in American music. Her latest album, Sad and Beautiful World, showcases her unmatched power, fearless voice, and timeless artistry—an unforgettable experience you have to see live. mavisstaples.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2027 7:30 pm $50.50–$98 | Smothers Theatre Photo credit: Elizabeth De La Piedra
KATARINA STRING QUARTET
The Katarina String Quartet is redefining the string quartet experience. Violinists Jeanel Liang and Jérôme Chiasson, violist Celia Morin, and cellist Maya Enstad bring every note to life, from contemporary masterpieces to timeless folk tunes, while captivating and connecting audiences to the thrilling power of chamber music. katarinastringquartet.com
Sunday, March 21, 2027 2 pm $23–$33 | Raitt Recital Hall Save 30% on the Recital Series; $92 for all four performances. Photo credit: Lou Anne Gouin Plourde
BROADWAY BOYS
The Broadway Boys bring the thrill of New York’s stages to life with a dynamic ensemble of male vocalists from hits like Hamilton, Wicked, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, and The Book of Mormon. Featuring six singers and a four-piece band, the Broadway Boys deliver a high-energy, unforgettable night of music and entertainment. thebroadwayboys.com
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 7:30 pm $30.50–$68 | Smothers Theatre 11
CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE PERFORMS: THE EAGLES—THEIR GREATEST HITS Sponsored by Alison and Dan Hodgkiss and Hodgkiss Insurance Brokers
Classic Albums Live brings some of the most iconic albums in music history to the stage, performing live note-for-note exactly as they were originally recorded with no impersonations or backing tracks. This iteration presents The Eagles—Their Greatest Hits, one of the top 10 best-selling albums of all time. classicalbumslive.com
Sunday, April 18, 2027 7 pm $30.50–$63 | Smothers Theatre Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS: ARTIFISHAL IDIOTS
Expect the unexpected with the Flying Karamazov Brothers in Artifishal Idiots, a high-energy, laugh-out-loud adventure. In this imaginative show, the self-proclaimed “eccentric lunatics” become AI bots on a quest to discover what it means to be human, blending music, dance, cutting-edge technology, and daring feats into a playful and unforgettable theatrical experience. fkb.com
Saturday, April 24, 2027 5 pm $28–$53 | Smothers Theatre Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
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arts.pepperdine.edu | Order now! 310.506.4522
VISIT THE
FREDERICK R. WEISMAN MUSEUM OF ART Open when exhibitions are on view Tuesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm, and on most Smothers Theatre performance days until showtime.
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University is a leading venue for modern and contemporary art in Southern California, with a particular emphasis on California-based artists and cultural themes. Since its founding in 1992, the museum has combined scholarly programming with accessible, rotating exhibitions that engage both academic and public audiences. Recent exhibitions illustrate its curatorial range and contemporary focus. In the fall of 2026, the museum presented A Modern Look: Selections from the Permanent Collection, which showcased key works from the museum’s extensive holdings, tracing developments in 20th-century modernism through diverse media and styles. This was followed by an exhibition of stunning works by Ruth Pastine. The upcoming multiyear Passages project, exploring religious identity through art, demonstrates the museum’s commitment to timely, interdisciplinary inquiry.
Through free admission, public programs, and evolving exhibitions, the Weisman Museum functions as a cultural hub within Malibu and the broader Los Angeles art community. Major exhibitions are held in the Gregg G. Juarez Gallery and Ron Wilson-Designer Gallery in the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. The museum is always free and open to the public. For current hours or more information about exhibitions, programs, and accessibility, call 310.506.4851, visit arts.pepperdine.edu/museum, or follow the Weisman Museum on Facebook and Instagram @weismanmuseumofart @weismanmuseumofart
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STUDENT PRODUCTIONS
The Pepperdine University Fine Arts Division presents the Mary Pickford-Stotsenberg performances.
OPERA
DANCE
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Dance in Flight
The Flora L. Thornton Opera Program presents Otto Nicolai, Composer Salomon Hermann Mosenthal, Librettist Keith Colclough, Director With the Pepperdine Orchestra conducted by Beau Benson performed in English The Jolly Knight Sir John Falstaff hopes to refill his coffers and slake other immense appetites by wooing two married women in Windsor. These merry wives quickly see through the rotund rogue’s plan. They devise a series of misadventures for the corpulent cavalier, whereby they curb his mischievous ways. Through the ensuing hijinks, a jealous husband is chastened and a pair of young lovers unite, despite their parents’ wishes. Nicolai’s setting of this lighthearted Shakespearean tale promises merriment for all who attend. Thursday, February 25, 2027, 7:30 pm Saturday, February 27, 2027, 7:30 pm
$23
Pepperdine Student Activities presents Dance in Flight embodies the diversity and essence of Seaver College and the liberal arts tradition. For more than 30 years, Dance in Flight has provided a safe environment for emerging student dancers and choreographers to cultivate creativity, physical expression, and teamwork in a professional performing atmosphere. The company members come from a variety of dance backgrounds, interests, and fields of study. United by their passion for the art of movement, they are dedicated to presenting an impressive showcase of student artistry. Thursday, March 18, 2027, 8 pm Friday, March 19, 2027, 8 pm Saturday, March 20, 2027, 2 pm and 8 pm
$23
$13 for Pepperdine students $19 for Pepperdine faculty and staff
$13 for Pepperdine students $19 for Pepperdine faculty and staff
Smothers Theatre
Smothers Theatre
MUSIC Free tickets to choir and orchestra concerts are available for Pepperdine students, faculty, and staff with ID. Parkening Master Class
Parkening Master Class
Christopher Parkening, Director
Christopher Parkening, Director
Free | Raitt Recital Hall
Free | Raitt Recital Hall
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 2 pm
Saturday, February 20, 2027, 2 pm
Pepperdine Choir Masterworks Concert Ryan Board, Director
Tuesday, April 15, 2027, 7:30 pm $13 | Smothers Theatre
Pepperdine Orchestra
Pepperdine Jazz and Wind Ensembles
Beau Benson, Director
Saturday, October 10, 2026, 7:30 pm Free | Smothers Theatre
Vincent Trombetta and Théo Schmitt, Directors
Tuesday, March 23, 2027, 7:30 pm Free | Smothers Theatre
Pepperdine Jazz and Wind Ensembles
Pickford Ensemble
Vincent Trombetta and Théo Schmitt, Directors
N. Lincoln Hanks, Director
Free | Smothers Theatre
Free | Lindhurst Theatre
Pepperdine Orchestra Masterworks Concert Beau Benson, Director
Thursday, April 22, 2027, 7:30 pm $13 | Smothers Theatre
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 7:30 pm
Pepperdine Choir and Orchestra Christmas Concert
Tuesday, April 13, 2027, 7:30 pm
Please visit us online for more great student productions.
Ryan Board and Beau Benson, Directors
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 7:30 pm
@pepperdinemusic
$13 | Smothers Theatre
Prices include ticketing fees. Ticketing fees waived for in-person orders.
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arts.pepperdine.edu | Order now! 310.506.4522
THEATRE DEPARTMENT SERIES Subscribe to four events for $48
Everybody By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Nanci Carol Ruby, Director In the play Everybody, Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright, Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, explores the age-old question, “What is the meaning of life?” This work is a modern-day adaptation of the 15th-century morality play, Everyman. The character of “Everyman” is now “Everybody” and which actor will play that role is chosen at random during each performance, demonstrating how uncertain our lives can be. Everybody is a theatrical experience that brings the audience into the story and invites us all to examine our choices and ponder what is possible in this world as we face our own mortality. The theme is not a light one, but in the deft hands of Jacob-Jenkins this story is hilarious, poignant, and unexpected.
The cast of Pepperdine's production of The Light in the Piazza.
Boeing Boeing By Marc Camoletti, translated by Beverly Cross and Francis Evans Bradley Griffin, Director
Recommended for 16+ for profanity and theme of impending death.
Fasten your seatbelts and stow your electronic devices! This fast-paced comedy set in 1960s Paris finds Bernard juggling relationships with not one, not two, but three flight attendants—“air hostesses”—who work for rival airlines. His system of romantic deception works perfectly until all three women end up in his apartment on the same night. Buckle up!
Tuesday, September 22–Friday, September 25, 2026, 7:30 pm Saturday, September 26, 2026, 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Warning: this is a French farce, so kissing abounds. Recommended for ages 13 and up, or basically anyone who has seen reruns of Friends.
$18
Tuesday, January 26–Friday, January 29, 2027, 7 pm Saturday, January 30, 2027, 2 pm and 7 pm
$13 for Pepperdine students $15 for Pepperdine faculty and staff Lindhurst Theatre No late seating allowed. Join a talkback with the actors and director after the Wednesday, September 23 performance.
The Luciana and Daniel Forge Fall Musical
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Music by Richard Rodgers Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Based on the Play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs Original Dances by Agnes De Mille Kelly Todd, Director and Choreographer Natalie Buickians, Music Director Experience the classic love triangle and spirited energy of Oklahoma!, a musical that captures the American frontier. Audiences are transported to a world of wide-open plains, lively barn dances, and characters whose dreams and desires feel timeless. With its iconic songs, including “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” and “People Will Say We’re in Love,” the show fills the theatre with warmth and joy. The story blends humor, Americana, and a touch of drama, creating an emotional journey that resonates with all ages. Friday–Saturday, November 13–14, 2026, 7:30 pm Sunday, November 15, 2026, 2 pm Thursday–Friday, November 19–20, 2026, 7:30 pm Saturday, November 21, 2026, 2 pm
$18 $13 for Pepperdine students $15 for Pepperdine faculty and staff Lindhurst Theatre Latecomers will be seated during an appropriate break in the action. Join a talk back with the actors and director after the Wednesday, January 27 performance.
The Cherry Orchard By Anton Chekhov Translated by Tom Stoppard Hollace Starr, Director It’s early 20th-century Russia, and a new economic and social order has everyone in the Ranevskaya clan turned upside down. When self-made millionaire Lopakhin reveals his plan to save the beloved family estate, Lyubov must decide what she values more: the estate itself, or her own delusions. Pepperdine’s Theatre Program presents The Cherry Orchard, the final masterpiece of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, in a crackling translation by English playwright Tom Stoppard. This production will include the brief use of a stage prop firearm. Recommended for 13+
Wednesday, April 7–Friday, April 9, 2027, 7:30 pm Saturday, April 10, 2027, 2 pm
$18
$23
$13 for Pepperdine students $15 for Pepperdine faculty and staff
$13 for Pepperdine students $19 for Pepperdine faculty and staff
Smothers Theatre A talkback will follow the Wednesday, April 7 performance.
Smothers Theatre @pepperdinetheatre
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SUPPORT AND Pepperdine students receive feedback from Broadway stars Terron Brooks and Jacob Haren during a master class.
Become a GUILD MEMBER with an ANNUAL GIFT OF $100 or more to provide critical program support. You’ll also receive: Advance notification of new performances and exclusive presales No ticket order or exchange fees Invitations to special events and receptions
Family Art Day participants create tie-dyed bandanas in partnership with artist Anne-Marie Judd.
Recognition on theatre programs Preferred parking ($150 membership level and above), plus additional benefits depending on membership level
Guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas greets Chancellor's Circle member Ellen Weitman.
At the Pepperdine Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts, members make the difference. The Center for the Arts Guild and Chancellor’s Circle supply critical funding for all of our programming, including the popular ARTSReach program for schools, which provides free performances to schoolchildren, as well as master classes and workshops for Pepperdine students. Ticket prices cover only a fraction of the costs of operating the Center for the Arts—your membership helps us to continue to bring you performances and exhibitions from around the country and around the world. Members enjoy a variety of unique benefits, including preferred parking, behind-thescenes tours, and meet and greets with guest artists.
Call 310.506.4594 or visit our website at arts.pepperdine.edu/support for more information. Pepperdine student leads an ARTSReach school group on a tour of A Modern Look: Selections from the Permanent Collection.
WITH GRATITUDE TO THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS CHANCELLOR’S CIRCLE Chancellor's Circle members help us achieve our mission of presenting an innovative, unique, entertaining, and diverse program of exceptional performances and museum exhibitions.
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Performance Sponsors The Office of the Chancellor of Pepperdine University Anne Marie* and Mitch Bredefeld Asia Fernandez Melanie and Richard Flamminio Mary and Tom Hawkins Alison and Dan Hodgkiss
David Huenergardt* Malibu Music Diane Reilly Lisa Smith Wengler Billie Milam Weisman Ellen and Doug Weitman
arts.pepperdine.edu | Order now! 310.506.4522
SUBSCRIBE
Smothers Theatre
Buy tickets to FOUR or more SHOWS and SAVE 10 PERCENT on the best seats in the theatre. You’ll also receive: First access to tickets with exclusive presales
Ticket exchanges with no fees throughout the season
The best seats at the best price and first priority if new seats are added
TICKET INFORMATION
Please Note: The use of stairs is required to access most seats. Accessible seats may be purchased through all sales channels. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of theatre staff. Every patron requires a ticket, regardless of age.
Raitt Recital Hall
Box Office Hours Tuesday–Friday, Noon–5 pm
and two hours prior to most performances
Order now by visiting arts.pepperdine.edu or by calling 310.506.4522.
Supporting Sponsors
Contributing Sponsors
Kathy and Lou* Colombano Lisa and Brad Freer Jill and Michael Hainkel Gail and James* Wilburn
Shelley and Rick Bayer
Carly Pippin
G. Beverly Bergmann
Sherwood Financial Partners
Sara and Sam Jackson
V's Restaurant Malibu
CA2603451
Times, dates, performers, venues, and prices are subject to change. For select shows, discounts are available for groups, Military, Wave Associates, and Pepperdine faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Call for more information. Prices include ticketing fees. Ticketing fees waived for in-person orders.
Emily and Sheldon Lodmer Amy and Sonny Miller Callie E. and R. Rick Moos
*in memoriam
17
SMOTHERS THEATRE LINDHURST THEATRE RAITT RECITAL HALL FREDERICK R. WEISMAN MUSEUM OF ART
24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, California 90263
2026–27 SEASON SEPTEMBER 2026 9 An Evening with Roger McGuinn 13 Kings Return 19 Parkening Master Class 19 Cowboy Junkies: Celebrating 40 Years and Beyond 22–26 Pepperdine Theatre: Everybody 27 Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure 30 Okaidja Afroso
OCTOBER 2026 3 The Four Freshmen 4 Chaeyoung Park, piano 8 Syncopated Ladies 10 Pepperdine Orchestra 14 Simply Three 15 Best of Woodstock and Monterey ’67: A Back to the Garden Story Concert 24 The Three Little Pigs and Other Tales by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
CALL NOW! 310.506.4522 | ARTS.PEPPERDINE.EDU Become a subscriber by purchasing tickets to any four shows!
25 Stop Making Sense: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads
NOVEMBER 2026 8 Amaryn Olmeda, violin 13–21 Pepperdine Musical Theatre: Oklahoma!
DECEMBER 2026 1 Pepperdine Jazz and Wind Ensembles 3 Pepperdine Choir and Orchestra Christmas Concert 13 Voctave: It Feels Like Christmas
JANUARY 2027 10 The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Childsplay
26–30 Pepperdine Theatre: Boeing Boeing 30 Jazz at Lincoln Center presents World on a String: Swinging Songs of Broadway
FEBRUARY 2027 9 J. S. Bach’s The Art of Fugue by Circa 12 International Guitar Night 20 Parkening Master Class 21 Radu Ratoi, accordion 25, 27 Pepperdine Opera: The Merry Wives of Windsor
MARCH 2027 3 Mavis Staples 18–20 Dance in Flight 21 Katarina String Quartet
17 Peking Acrobats
23 Pepperdine Jazz and Wind Ensembles
21 Andy McKee
24 Broadway Boys
26 PILOBOLUS: Trips
@pepperdinecfa
APRIL 2027 7–10 Pepperdine Theatre: The Cherry Orchard 13 Pickford Ensemble 15 Pepperdine Choir Masterworks Concert 18 Classic Albums Live Performs: The Eagles— Their Greatest Hits 22 Pepperdine Orchestra Masterworks Concert 24 Flying Karamazov Brothers: Artifishal Idiots
WE’RE HERE TO HELP! Do you have special needs? Please let us know in advance how we might help, and we’ll provide reasonable accommodations to those needing special assistance. For accessible seating, please advise the Box Office when purchasing tickets. Assisted listening devices are available at the Box Office. Times, dates, performers, venues, and prices are subject to change.