”AN EVENING YOU WILL FORGET FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WITH THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS & JEFF BABKO”
St. Petersburg, Fla. – (October 24, 2017)- The Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater, in conjunction with WUSF Public Media, are proud to announce a special performance by Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life with The Steep Canyon Rangers and Jeff Babko. Expect an evening of nonstop laughs when the stars take the stage for one night only in the Tampa Bay Area at The Mahaffey on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm. Martin and Short have famously shared the spotlight in films like “Three Amigos” and “Father of the Bride” and are now on the road together, sharing their latest collaboration with fans around the country.
The Steep Canyon Rangers are the Grammy®-winning American bluegrass band musicians from Brevard, North Carolina. They have been receiving rave reviews for their collaboration with the actor/banjoist Steve Martin since 2009. They recently released their newest collaboration “The Long-Awaited Album.” Renowned jazz pianist and Jimmy Kimmel Live band member Jeff Babko has been the touring musical director and accompanist for Martin Short since 2002. He’s performed with top musicians from James Taylor to Sheryl Crow.
Steve Martin is one of the most diversified performers and acclaimed artists of his generation. He’s an actor, comedian, author, playwright, screenwriter, producer and musician. Martin has been successful as a writer of and performer in some of the most popular movies of recent film history—appearing in more than 50 films over the course of his career. Martin’s work has earned him an Academy Award®, five Grammy® awards, an Emmy®, the Mark Twain Award, an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honors. He has also hosted the Academy Awards® three times.
As one of the most celebrated comedians, he also is a Grammy® Award winning musician who found his love for the banjo at the age of 17. He co-wrote two of the CD’s songs with the Grammy®-winning bluegrass band, Steep Canyon Rangers and won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award.. As an author, his latest play, Meteor Shower will premiere on Broadway this fall. Previews begin November 1 at Broadway’s Booth Theatre with opening night set for November 29.
Martin Short, a celebrated comedian and actor, has won fans and accolades in television, film and theater since his breakout season on “Saturday Night Live” over 30 years ago. Now he’s on a national tour with his good friend Steve Martin in their comedy show. His popularity and exposure on “SNL” led Short to cross over quickly into feature films. An accomplished stage actor, Short won a Tony, Theatre World Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his role in the revival of “Little Me.” He was also nominated for a Tony and took home an Outer Critics Circle Award for the musical version of Neil Simon’s “The Goodbye Girl.” He most recently appeared on Broadway in Terrence McNally’s “It’s Only a Play.” Short’s New York Times bestselling memoir, “I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend,” was published in 2014. This year, he received a Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award from the Governor-general of Canada.
Tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, November 10, 2017 at 10 am. Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts members may purchase tickets starting Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 9 am. Tickets may be purchased online at TheMahaffey.com, charged by phone at 727.893.7832, or in person at the Mahaffey Theater Box Office.
In addition to the show, fans will be able to upgrade their experience with a one-of-a-kind pre-show and post-show VIP add-on, the “Icons of Comedy Encore” package. Featuring dinner and an appearance from Steve Martin and Martin Short, proceeds will benefit the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts and the Class Acts program, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Class Acts Education Performance Arts series supports arts education in the St. Petersburg area, with ten highly anticipated performances for the 2017-2018 season.
The Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater
The Mahaffey Theater, under the management of Big3 Entertainment, is one of Tampa Bay’s top-rated performing arts venues. Home to the Florida Orchestra, The Mahaffey hosts top-quality national and international artists and performances – Broadway, pop, rock, comedy, dance, classical and interactive engagements and exhibitions.
Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, the 2,031-seat cultural jewel boasts spectacular waterfront views and is located only minutes away from white sandy beaches and world-renowned museums. Additionally, the theater supports the highly successful Class Acts program, which enables school children to experience the performing arts through in-theater performances as well as in-school outreach and extension programs.
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts
Founded as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2009, the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts is dedicated to the success and future of The Mahaffey Theater and to the notion that through diverse programing and patron membership support, performing arts should be enjoyed by all of St. Petersburg’s citizens. It’s your theater!
The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts is committed to supporting and presenting all genres of the performing arts at The Mahaffey Theater, funding arts education for school children through the Class Acts performance series and providing its member patrons with unequaled services, entertainment and cultural experiences.
