Glazer Hall’s first season of performances is spectacular for Palm Beach

When the new Glazer Hall cultural arts center presents aerial acrobatics and juggling by the Amazing Acrobats of Shanghai Circus on Jan. 22, it will begin a much-anticipated era of renewed performances in the Royal Poinciana Playhouse site.

Glaer Hall’s inaugural season adds a revived venue for live performances in Palm Beach, something that for years had been in doubt.

But that doubt was removed when Glazer Hall recently announced the first eight acts of its inaugural season and began selling tickets to members. Public sales start Oct. 13.

That’s great news for Palm Beach.

Glazer Hall at The Royal Poinciana Plaza on Aug. 12.

Glazer Hall, which is under construction at the landmarked Royal Poinciana Playhouse site at 70 Royal Poinciana Plaza, is the island’s first new nonprofit arts organization in more than 60 years.

Its performance lineup also includes R&B singer and Grammy Award winner Corinne Bailey Rae, the American Ballet Theatre and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. On March, 3, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Judy Collins will perform.

“We have curated a wide variety of programs that will appeal to all ages and demographics,” Glazer Hall Executive Director Allison Stockel recently told the Daily News. “Much like Palm Beach residents, our shows are for those who are curious and passionate about culture.”

Several decades ago, the lakeside playhouse was among the island’s big social attractions and a community gathering point in the shopping plaza it anchored.

The venue was the place to be in the 1960s and ’70s, with Broadway plays, ballets and musical performances. The nearby Celebrity Room hosted nightly dinners and dancing.

When the playhouse closed in 2004, it brought a sad end to the venue’s storied history. The spot that once attracted Jackie Gleason, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and other stars would sit vacant for years.

Up Markets, a division of WS Development, which has controlled the playhouse since 2014, announced its redevelopment plans for the playhouse in early 2022 and later won approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The developers spent years searching for an operator before choosing Palm Beach residents Jill and Avie Glazer, who have invested millions and delivered on their promise to restore arts programming in sparkling fashion.

In bringing world-class performances to the island, Glazer Hall will be catering to long-time supporters of the arts and drawing a whole new crowd of patrons.

All involved should be proud. Cue the applause.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Glazer Hall’s first season is spectacular for Palm Beach | EDITORIAL

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