Burt Reynolds was the master of ceremonies.
Since that date 24 years ago, thousands of top-name national and international performers have graced its stage.
It wasn’t always thus. Back then, the notion of a performing arts center and a cultural corridor in downtown West Palm Beach was something of a pie-in-the-sky idea, with efforts to fundraise and put forth a city plan germinating since the mid-1970s.
In 1978, a feasibility study was commissioned, with the help of local businessman Alexander Dreyfoos, that showed solid area support for the arts. By 1986, friends of financier Raymond F. Kravis, a philanthropist and Palm Beach snowbird, had stepped up to raise $5 million to name a center after him, and by opening night, the total had topped $10 million.
The center, originally scheduled to be built on the grounds of Palm Beach Community College, changed location when 5.4 acres of prime downtown real estate was made available by developer Henry Rolfs Sr.
Now, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary season, the center is indistinguishable from the cultural life of West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County.
“A quarter-century ago, building a major performing arts center in Palm Beach County seemed an uphill challenge,” says Kravis Center CEO Judith Mitchell.
“Today, a thriving cultural complex, which acts as a gateway to downtown West Palm Beach, not only serves the community but is also gaining a worldwide reputation as a premier entertainment venue and arts education facility,” she said.
Last year, almost 500,000 people attended approximately 400 events and performances at the center and another 40,000 attended catered events in the Gimelstob Ballroom, one of five venues at the center including the Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. Concert Hall, the Gosman Outdoor Amphitheatre and the Marshall E. Rinker Sr. Playhouse.
The center boasts a strong arts education program and a community and school outreach, offering an ARTSCAMP, where school kids become introduced to stage productions, a Broadway Reach Program for Title I after-school kids, and a high school Shakespeare competition, the Alan Lebow Award for Excellence in Shakespearean Performance.
The 25th anniversary season kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 1, with a free day of events and entertainment by local performers, including the Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches, Ballet Palm Beach, Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, and the Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches.
The day is a prelude to its 25th anniversary season, which brings recent Broadway hits, including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, An American in Paris, Dirty Dancing, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, Kinky Boots, and The Sound of Music.
Founded to fill a cultural void in Palm Beach County and provide a venue for national and international artists, part of the center’s mission is to provide an economic catalyst to the county and aid in its efforts to make it an arts and culture destination.
“We believe the Kravis Center should be a community gathering space,” Mitchell says. “People can come for a date, or to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary.”
“Lee Bell’s programming reflects the need and interest of our community and occasionally, pushes the boundaries,” she said, referring to the center’s senior director of programming. “That’s a large part of our longevity. Also, our board is focused on its mission to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County and our community is not shy about telling us what they like.”
Rena Blades, CEO of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, which sponsored the original feasibility study for the Kravis Center, said the council is “so proud of the cultural development work that led to such a stunning success by every measure.”
“The center has served more than 1 million children with original and meaningful arts experiences transforming lives through the power of the arts; and it provides top-quality performing arts to thousands of residents and tourists every year,” Blades says.
The center is planning a 25th anniversary gala Feb. 11, to be hosted by Michael Feinstein. His guests will include opera singer Denyce Graves, Broadway star Patti LuPone, actor Alan Cumming, organist Cameron Carpenter and pop songwriter Neil Sedaka.
What’s ahead for the Center’s next 25 years?
“We’ll be a player and a destination, that’s for sure,” Bell said. “Artists love coming here to perform.”
“As long as we have the support of the community, in return, we promise them a stellar 25th season,” he said.
The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. For more information, please call 561-832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.