ASU Kerr

Piano Heist
2026-03-06 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Phoenix)
In 2022, lifelong friends Nico Rhodes and Patrick Courtin were taken aback by the stark realization that the piano had fallen out of favour. Determined to restore its luster and reclaim its title as the ultimate instrument, they embarked on an exhilarating journey. Drawing inspiration from the masterpieces of legendary composers, songwriters, and performers over the last three centuries, they crafted a mesmerizing show that spans the spectrum from classical piano masterpieces to vibrant boogie-woogie, romantic ballads, and epic 80s synth battles in Piano Heist: Keys are the Champions! This enchanting experience unfolds as a delightful blend of theatrical magic, humour, audience engagement, touching narratives, a sprinkle of history, and an explosion of musical creativity. Tours have taken them across Canada and the Western U.S., captivating audiences with over 140 performances in both quaint towns and bustling cities. Looking ahead, they are excited to unveil a brand-new Christmas production in 2025: A Very Merry Heistmas!

Website (https://pianoheist.com/)

Winston Churchill - Solo Theatre by Randy Otto
2026-03-08 16:00 - 17:30
WINSTON CHURCHILL – LIVE | A PORTRAIT OF RESILIENCE AND LEADERSHIP

Randy Otto’s portrayal of Winston Churchill is a testament to the power of performance in exploring history. Whether delivering Churchill’s iconic speeches or engaging in on-on-one dialogs during “Ask Winston,” Otto conveys the essence of quick Churchillian wit, fierce tenacity and that never give in resolve, which inspired not only the British people but brought the rest of the free world together, defending liberty and freedom.

Through his dedication, research and passion for storytelling, Otto brings to life the complexities of a remarkable leader, reminding us of the enduring relevance of Churchill’s legacy and the lessons it imparts for future generations.

Dina Preston Band
2026-04-17 19:30 - 21:00
Join the Dina Preston Band as they launch their 2026 “We’ve Been Everywhere” Tour on April 17 at ASU Kerr!

Hailing from Arizona and having performed in 44 countries, the Dina Preston Band brings a fresh, powerful fusion of Americana, blending country, rock, blues, and soul to the Kerr stage. More than just a band, they are storytellers who transform life’s journeys into unforgettable songs, merging global influences with boots-on-the-ground authenticity.

Led by the powerhouse vocals of Dina Preston and the skilled guitar and leadership of her husband Don Ortiz, the band shines with Michael Ghormley’s deep bass grooves, Kenny Skaggs’ multi-instrumental talents and rich vocals, and Henry Lara’s dynamic drumming. Their chemistry and passion create live shows packed with energy, emotion, and connection.

Don’t miss the exclusive VIP experience, only 24 tickets available! VIPs will enjoy:

Premier front-section seating (rows 1 and 2)

A meet & greet with the band and Andre House staff

A signed copy of the We’ve Been Everywhere album or CD

This special night also supports a vital cause: a portion of ticket proceeds will benefit Andre House of Hospitality, a Phoenix nonprofit serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Andre House will also be present at the concert to share more about their mission and impact.

Learn more about Andre House of Hospitality at andrehouse.org

Expect an evening of original songs, crowd-favorite covers, and stories inspired by life on the road and real human experience, all in support of music with a mission.

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Emma & James – Formal Concert & Filmed Showcase
2026-05-15 19:30 - 21:15
Join Emma & James Music at ASU Kerr on Friday, May 15, for a special formal filmed showcase — an intimate, elevated evening of original live music where the audience becomes part of a professionally captured performance experience.

Doors and bar open for pre-party at 6 p.m. with light bites, door prize drawings and more! Gary Beckert performs an opening set at 7 p.m. Emma and James take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Arrive early for the fun!

Emma & James Music is a husband-and-wife duo known for soulful, smoky vocals, blues- and rock-influenced alternative originals and songs that range from intimate and haunting to deep and emotionally powerful. Joined by additional musicians for this event, they will bring a fuller live sound to a night designed to feel visually memorable, immersive and special.

Guests are invited to dress up and enjoy more than a typical concert. Set in the unique atmosphere of ASU Kerr, this one-night event is created for music lovers, date nights and anyone who wants to be part of something that feels both meaningful and memorable. Guests are also encouraged to arrive early, settle in and enjoy the venue’s pre-show atmosphere, with the bar open before the performance and through intermission.

With a polished live presence shaped by years of performance experience, Emma & James aim to create an evening that feels both personal and cinematic — a special night out where the audience helps create the energy, atmosphere and captured experience of the show itself.

YouTube: @EmmaAndJames (https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaAndJames)

Facebook: @emmaandjames (https://www.facebook.com/emmaandjames/)

Love Letters, co-presented with Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company
2026-05-23 19:00 - 20:30
Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company Presents…“LOVE LETTERS” By A.R. Gurneyfor a Special Engagement with Two Performances Only,at ASU Kerr in Scottsdale.

Pulitzer Prize Nominated “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney“You cannot stage a play more simply than this, and yet it’s about everything in life. First love, loss of opportunities, loss of life, loss of love…It’s a beautiful play, and all you do is speak it.”

A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama (1985), this classic American serio-comedy has been performed and loved around the world. In its simplest form, it is a story of friendship and love that spans fifty yearsall told through love letters exchanged between the two character, Andrew and Melissa. The play explores the lives and relationship two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. As the actors read the letters aloud, what is created is an evocative, touching, frequently funny but always telling pair of character studies in which what is implied is as revealing and meaningful as what is actually written down. This funny and touching work is a unique and imaginative theatre piece which, in the words of the author, “needs no theatre, no lengthy rehearsal, no special set, no memorization of lines and no commitment from its two actors beyond the night of performance.”

Director Mike Arseneault says “this beautiful piece of theatre has been a passion of his for a lifetime across four cities and two countries”. This will be the fifth production of “Love Letters” that he has produced in the United States and Canada. Audiences fall in love with the characters, the relationship and the situations. It’s storytelling at its finest. “The audience will laugh out loud and be moved to tears as the stories and incredible friendship unfolds.” says director Mike Arseneault.

A perfect way to celebrate love! Get ready for some belt laughs and bring a tissue or two. Thanks to the enduing power of “Love Letters”, it has attracted many international actors and famous couple to play the roles of Andrew and Melissa. They include Holland Taylor and A.R. Gurney (original cast), Joanna Gleason and John Rubinstein, Kathleen Turner and John Rubinstein, Colleen Dewhurst and Jason Robards, Mia Farrow and Brian Dennehy, Carol Burnett and Brian Dennehy, Alan Alda and Candice Bergen, Martin Sheen and Anjelica Huston, Stacy Keach and Diana Rigg, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows, Gerald McRaney and Delta Burke, Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti, Brooke Shields and John Slattery. Other famous film and TV performers Hollywood Legends: Elizabeth Taylor, James Earl Jones, Charlton Heston, Julie Harris, Christopher Walken, Sigourney Weaver, Sissy Spacek, Laura Linney and Steven Weber (who starred in the 1999 television adaptation), Jeff Daniels, William Hurt, Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, Whoopi Goldberg, Timothy Dalton and Keir Dullea.

This production presents the script as originally written, which includes outdated cultural depictions, strong language, and mature themes. Recommended for audiences Ages 16+.

This volunteer production is directed by Mike Arseneault, artistic director and executive producer of Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company and presented in collaboration with ASU Kerr.

Love Letters is produced with special licensing permission from Concord Theatricals, 250 West 57th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10107-0102.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:WHEN (TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY):Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 7:00 pm evening performanceSunday, May 24, 2026 – 2:00 pm matinee performance

WHERE (VENUE):ASU Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253

TICKETS:Tickets are $27 (general admission) or $34 (reserved) excluding ticket fees. Tickets are available to purchase in advance online through Ticketmaster or by telephone by calling the ASU KERR Box Office during Box Office hours (Wednesday – Friday, 10am-5pm) at 480-596-2660. Ticket fee includes parking.

LINK TO TICKETS: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1900646DFB83EEE9

CAST BIOGRAPHIES:To Be AnnouncedThe cast for this production features Amy Sperry as Melissa Gardner and Mike Arseneault as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Biographies will follow and be shared on social media.

ABOUT: SCOTTSDALE OLD TOWN THEATRE COMPANYScottsdale Old Town Theatre Company. (OTTC) is a new volunteer community theatre group produced by RecreateNow LLC that creates FRESH THEATRE. We are honored to perform at the historic ASU KerrCultural Center and share Louise Kerr’s passion for trailblazing as well and building a vital home and community for theatre arts.

Scottsdale OTTC’s inaugural production was the acclaimed original musical revue Songs From Film, which ran for four performances, January 15-18, 2026, at the historic ASU Kerr Cultural Center inScottsdale, Arizona.

The purpose of Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company is to entertain, provoke, educate, inspire and move our audiences with our creative interpretations and storytelling.

Scottsdale OTTC Artistic Director Mike Arseneault was previously founder and artistic director for IOCO Players Theatre in Port Moody located in greater Vancouver, British Columbia. He has been active as a performer, director, and producer on theatre Boards for forty years in Toronto, Portland Oregon, Vancouver, B.C. and Scottsdale, Arizona.

To get involved or become a show sponsor of Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company, contact them by email at scottsdaleottc@gmail.com.

Find out and follow Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company online at:Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/scottsdaleoldtowntheatrecompanyInstagram: www.instagram.com/scottsdaleoldtowntheatreco

Love Letters, co-presented with Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company
2026-05-24 14:00 - 15:30
Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company Presents…“LOVE LETTERS” By A.R. Gurneyfor a Special Engagement with Two Performances Only,at ASU Kerr in Scottsdale.

Pulitzer Prize Nominated “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney“You cannot stage a play more simply than this, and yet it’s about everything in life. First love, loss of opportunities, loss of life, loss of love…It’s a beautiful play, and all you do is speak it.”

A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama (1985), this classic American serio-comedy has been performed and loved around the world. In its simplest form, it is a story of friendship and love that spans fifty years all told through love letters exchanged between the two character, Andrew and Melissa. The play explores the lives and relationship two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. As the actors read the letters aloud, what is created is an evocative, touching, frequently funny but always telling pair of character studies in which what is implied is as revealing and meaningful as what is actually written down. This funny and touching work is a unique and imaginative theatre piece which, in the words of the author, “needs no theatre, no lengthy rehearsal, no special set, no memorization of lines and no commitment from its two actors beyond the night of performance.”

Director Mike Arseneault says, “This beautiful piece of theatre has been a passion of his for a lifetime across four cities and two countries”. This will be the fifth production of “Love Letters” that he has produced in the United States and Canada. Audiences fall in love with the characters, the relationship and the situations. It’s storytelling at its finest. “The audience will laugh out loud and be moved to tears as the stories and incredible friendship unfolds” says director Mike Arseneault.

A perfect way to celebrate love! Get ready for some belt laughs and bring a tissue or two. Thanks to the enduing power of “Love Letters”, it has attracted many international actors and famous couple to play the roles of Andrew and Melissa. They include Holland Taylor and A.R. Gurney (original cast), Joanna Gleason and John Rubinstein, Kathleen Turner and John Rubinstein, Colleen Dewhurst and Jason Robards, Mia Farrow and Brian Dennehy, Carol Burnett and Brian Dennehy, Alan Alda and Candice Bergen, Martin Sheen and Anjelica Huston, Stacy Keach and Diana Rigg, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows, Gerald McRaney and Delta Burke, Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti, Brooke Shields and John Slattery. Other famous film and TV performers Hollywood Legends: Elizabeth Taylor, James Earl Jones, Charlton Heston, Julie Harris, Christopher Walken, Sigourney Weaver, Sissy Spacek, Laura Linney and Steven Weber (who starred in the 1999 television adaptation), Jeff Daniels, William Hurt, Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, Whoopi Goldberg, Timothy Dalton and Keir Dullea.

This production presents the script as originally written, which includes outdated cultural depictions, strong language, and mature themes. Recommended for audiences Ages 16+.

This volunteer production is directed by Mike Arseneault, artistic director and executive producer of Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company and presented in collaboration with ASU Kerr.

Love Letters is produced with special licensing permission from Concord Theatricals, 250 West 57th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10107-0102.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:WHEN (TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY):Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 7:00 pm evening performanceSunday, May 24, 2026 – 2:00 pm matinee performance

WHERE (VENUE):ASU Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253

TICKETS:Tickets are $27 (general admission) or $34 (reserved) excluding ticket fees. Tickets are available to purchase in advance online through Ticketmaster or by telephone by calling the ASU KERR Box Office during Box Office hours (Wednesday – Friday, 10am-5pm) at 480-596-2660. Ticket fee includes parking.

LINK TO TICKETS: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1900646DFC65F00D

CAST BIOGRAPHIES:To Be AnnouncedThe cast for this production features Amy Sperry as Melissa Gardner and Mike Arseneault as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Biographies will follow and be shared on social media.

ABOUT: SCOTTSDALE OLD TOWN THEATRE COMPANYScottsdale Old Town Theatre Company. (OTTC) is a new volunteer community theatre group produced by RecreateNow LLC that creates FRESH THEATRE. We are honored to perform at the historic ASU KerrCultural Center and share Louise Kerr’s passion for trailblazing as well and building a vital home and community for theatre arts.

Scottsdale OTTC’s inaugural production was the acclaimed original musical revue Songs From Film, which ran for four performances, January 15-18, 2026, at the historic ASU Kerr Cultural Center inScottsdale, Arizona.

The purpose of Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company is to entertain, provoke, educate, inspire and move our audiences with our creative interpretations and storytelling.

Scottsdale OTTC Artistic Director Mike Arseneault was previously founder and artistic director for IOCO Players Theatre in Port Moody located in greater Vancouver, British Columbia. He has been active as a performer, director, and producer on theatre Boards for forty years in Toronto, Portland Oregon, Vancouver, B.C. and Scottsdale, Arizona.

To get involved or become a show sponsor of Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company, contact them by email at scottsdaleottc@gmail.com.

Find out and follow Scottsdale Old Town Theatre Company online at:Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/scottsdaleoldtowntheatrecompanyInstagram: www.instagram.com/scottsdaleoldtowntheatreco

Comedy @ Kerr
2026-05-27 19:30 - 21:00
Get ready to laugh at our bimonthly comedy series, Comedy @ Kerr!

We collect donations for Vista del Camino Food Bank. Hygiene items are especially needed but non-perishable food items are great, too!

This event is every other month on the last Wednesday.

THIS EVENT IS 18+, bar for 21+ with ID

Leigh CummingsLeigh Cummings has been delighting audiences with her high-energy stand-up comedy for over a decade. She was born and raised in Tucson, AZ, but now calls the bright lights of Phoenix home. She was a semi-finalist in Arizona’s Funniest Comedian contest and was selected for the Four Corners Comedy Festival. She enjoys performing for a variety of audiences as her comedy is versatile and includes clean comedy sets and performances for women’s groups. Leigh shares the humor in life along with the joys and pains of singledom and womanhood.

Nicole RiesgoA former English teacher, security guard, and 2nd place winner in a toddler beauty pageant, Nicole is an Arizona-based comedian praying she doesn’t miss the light. Described as “oblivious, but in a good way” by friends, as a “detriment to the workplace” by her employer, and as “alert and well-nourished” by her physicians, Nicole has yet to meet a situation she can’t make awkward. When she isn’t third-wheeling her parents at local casinos and Mexican restaurants, she’s spending her evenings tipping bartenders to be her friends, trading traumas with strangers, and reminiscing about her flip-phone-owning days. Find her on Instagram as duchessofsouthtucson, where she enjoys curating stories for former coworkers, loyal bots, and brand-new comedy show friends.

Chase HarterChase Harter is from Phoenix, Arizona his comedy is best known for the erratic levels of ADHD sparking his many interests (which include but are not limited to: Muay Thai Fighting, Oil Painting, niche ways to exercise, dogs, thrifting, archery, etc.) Mixing feel-good sarcasm with a smile while easily navigating being openly gay in a red state, but not making it his full personality, his clever delivery and quick wittedness is unmatched. Chase was recently awarded Best Of Fest at Big Pine Comedy Festival in Chandler.

Peter JordanPeter Jordan is a comedian.

Sari BeliakSari Beliak is a writer and comedian from Phoenix, AZ. She is a former senior contributing writer for The Onion and regular contributor to sites like The Hard Times, Reductress, and McSweeney’s. Her comedy album ‘Dead Dog Mom’ (released on Burn This Records) debuted at #1 on iTunes in May of 2025. She was a guest writer on your favorite NPR news quiz show, ‘Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me.’ She hosts and curates a comedy show at the historic ASU Kerr Cultural Center in Old Town Scottsdale. Sari has performed at Bird City Comedy Festival, Altercation Comedy Fest, Big Pine Comedy Festival, Treefort, and Laugh Riot Grrrl Fest. In 2020, she was a finalist for NBC’s Late Night Writers Workshop, which was an otherwise totally normal and chill year.

CONTENT WARNING: This show is 18+. There may be strong language and adult situations.

Spiritual Thing: Sound Healing
2026-05-30 19:00 - 21:00
Immerse yourself in this intentional, exhilarating and safe container of sonic bliss! Hear and feel why these artists have sold out every ASU Kerr show, and be welcomed into the positive community connecting through Spiritual Thing.

Back for a fourth round of heart-opening joy, Spiritual Thing brings sound healing to a new level, offering you a one-of-a-kind hypnotic, analog-meets-digital experience crafted to realign mind, body and spirit.

Their sessions feature the vibrations of an amazing menagerie of sacred global instruments including crystal singing bowls, native flutes, resonant gongs, chimes and more.

Spiritual Thing merges layers of lush synthesizers, harmonizing mantras and soothing vocals with the analog warmth of vintage electric piano and the venue’s unique 1899 Steinway grand piano, then lifts them higher with heavenly effects.

Encourage balance for yourself and others as you feel these frequencies and dive deeply into the waves of their meditative soundscapes. This is space music in more ways than one.

IMPORTANT DETAILS: For this event, guests can choose between three ticketing levels:

-Traditional seating is available in the pews.

-For a more meditative experience, you’re invited to bring your own mat for a pit-level floor or upper level space. Most patrons in these sections lie down for the majority of the event. You are welcome to quietly stretch or sit in your space.

Each mat space is about 3’x6′ per person on the venue’s tiled floor; keep this in mind when selecting your mat as capacity is extremely limited. If your mat is bigger you may not be accommodated. Please note that mat spaces in the GA Upper Level are also on the floor, not in a seat.

For those purchasing mat space tickets, we encourage comfortable clothing and recommend bringing these items as you will be on the venue’s tiled floor:

-yoga or camping mat

-blanket

-eye covering

-pillow

These items will not be provided by the venue. The recommended supplies will help you relax more completely and ease into the restorative sound healing practice.

Each section is general admission, with no reserved spaces.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Arriving by this time is encouraged to get the best selection of space or seating.

$78 for mat space in the pit (GA FLOOR)$68 for mat space on the upper tier (GA UPPER LEVEL)$48 for a pew seat (GA PEWS)

Livestream ticket also available for $36! Watch from the comfort of your own space, no in-person attendance for this ticket type. You must email boxoffice@asukerr.com after purchase to provide the name on the ticket order and the email address associated with your YouTube account. You must be signed into the same YouTube/Google account to view the livestream.

buy livestream ticket

Let's Rock: From Shakespeare to Tupac
2026-06-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-06-28 14:00 - 16:00
Conceived by Rod Ambrose | Directed by James E. Garcia

Visionary Phoenix cultural leader Rod Ambrose invites you to experience the transformative power of spoken word theatricalized in Let’s Rock: From Shakespeare to Tupac. This vibrant “Word Music” showcase features the likes of renowned jazz trumpeter Gabriel Bey, Culture-Hub PHX founder and poet Chris “Truth-B-Told” Owens, artist, poet and choreographer, Therosia Reynolds and spoken word artist and poet Rashaad Thomas. Under the charged direction of James E. Garcia, the cast creates a tapestry of voices, bridging the eloquence of William Shakespeare to the raw, urban poetry of Tupac Amaru Shakur. The show is infused by themes—love, justice, struggle and the enduring activism of hope—that have echoed across generations. Let’s Rock… is more than a performance, it’s a tribute to language as a force for change, a testament to the lasting impact of storytelling and the celebration of artistry and activism.

Frank Ferrante's GROUCHO
2026-11-22 15:00 - 17:30
Don’t miss this Groucho Marx tribute show! Dubbed “nothing short of masterful” by the Chicago Tribune, award-winning actor Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed stage portrayal of the legendary comedian in this fast-paced, 90 minutes of hilarity.

The two-act comedy consists of the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes and songs including “Hooray for Captain Spalding,” and “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady.” The audience literally becomes part of the show as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in grand Groucho style.

Accompanied by his onstage pianist, Ferrante portrays the young Groucho of stage and film and reacquaints us with the likes of brothers Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields and dignified Marx foil, Margaret Dumont. A show perfect for all ages!
