Step into a world of diverse artistic expressions at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, where February and March 2026 come alive with a remarkable lineup of events. From the invigorating harmonies of 'The Choir of Man' to the charming narratives of 'Click Clack Moo' and the symphonic brilliance in 'Joyfully Free The Stars of Tomorrow', there's something for everyone. Join us in celebrating creativity, community, and the transformative power of the arts. Get ready to immerse yourself in these unforgettable experiences while the performances unfold.

Unforgettable Performances at Mattie Kelly Arts Center: A Melodic Journey

Get ready to indulge in a diverse array of events at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center bringing joy, negotiation skills, young talent, nostalgia, and children's literature to life. From 'The Choir of Man's heartwarming melodies to the comical 'Click Clack Moo', the vibrant youth performances in 'Joyfully Free The Stars of Tomorrow', to iconic 'Dirty Dancing' and the quirky 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical', these events promise unforgettable experiences for all ages and interests.

A Celebration of Arts: Music, Drama, and Community at Mattie Kelly Arts Center

“Join us for Dirty Dancing in Concert, the classic ﬁlm’s ﬁrst live ﬁlm-to-concert experience. Enjoy the digitally remastered hit ﬁlm like never before on a full-size cinema screen, with a live band and singers performing the ﬁlm’s iconic songs. With a soundtrack that marked a generation, Dirty Dancing in Concert promises to bring a thrilling new and unique experience to the 80s classic.

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Dirty Dancing In Concert

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Our annual spotlight on extraordinary young talent returns as the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is joined by the winners of the John Leatherwood Concerto Competition, showcasing some of the most promising young soloists in our region.The program continues with Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral, a luminous and meditative work that reﬂects on life, loss, and transcendence. The evening also features Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, a masterwork of emotional depth and lyrical beauty—his most personal symphony, full of introspection and noble spirit. Concluding the concert is a special side-by-side performance with the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. This inspiring collaboration highlights the NFSO’s ongoing commitment to music education and artistic mentorship.

Joyfully Free The Stars of Tomorrow

No more milk and eggs… the cows and hens are on strike! Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals’ demands? Find out in a hilariously moo-ving musical about negotiation and compromise. Recommended for ages 4 to 9.

Click Clack Moo

Known across the globe as “the ultimate-feel good show,” THE CHOIR OF MAN offers up one hour of indisputable joy for all ages! It’s a party. It’s a concert. It’s the best pub “lock-in” you’ve ever been to. Featuring pop, classic rock, folk, Broadway and pub tunes, THE CHOIR OF MAN has something for everyone. A multi-talented cast of nine handsome guys combines hair-raising harmonies, foot- stomping singalongs, world-class tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community in this riotously enjoyable homage to that gathering place we all know— the local pub. With a real working bar on stage, come ready to drink in the action. The ﬁrst round’s on us. Cheers!

The Choir of Man

Join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and powerhouse vocals in Stand in the Light, featuring vocalist Jordan Smith, winner of “The Voice.” Known for his extraordinary range and heartfelt delivery, Smith will perform selections from his latest gospel album, The People’s Hymnal, alongside other soul-stirring favorites. This uplifting concert celebrates hope, faith, and the enduring power of music to bring people together.

Stand in the Light Featuring Jordan Smith

The hit holiday spectacular for the whole family! Dance to the Holidays! – the Holiday dance sensation that has swept the country and now Dance to the Holidays! has a special gift for its many fans.

Dance to the Holidays

“The hit holiday spectacular for the whole family! Dance to the Holidays! – the Holiday dance sensation that has swept the country and now Dance to the Holidays! has a special gift for its many fans.”

A Celtic Christmas

Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog have started an epic club to teach 21 rambunctious baby frogs how to make their own comics! Their fishy father Flippy is overjoyed that his kids will learn to unleash their creativity, but when the frogs’ constant bickering and outrageous imaginations send their comics comically off the rails, Flippy flips out! Will the club survive? Will the frogs ever get along? And will creativity finally save the day? All will be answered in this madcap musical based on Dav Pilkey’s irreverently hilarious book series. Recommended for ages 5+

Cat Kid Comic Club The Musical

The program begins with Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout, a vibrant tribute to frontline heroes of the pandemic. Ravel’s dazzling Piano Concerto in G follows, featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Zhang Zuo. The evening culminates in Beethoven’s groundbreaking Eroica Symphony, a bold and revolutionary portrait of heroism in all its complexity.

The Hero Within Featuring Guest Pianist Zhang Zu

A Father’s Powerful Mission to Prevent Bullying & Teen Suicide Why Ryan’s Story?

Ryan’s Story Presentation

The Ultimate Phil Collins & Genesis Experience

The Boy Band Project

Free Fallin

Substantial Music Presents – The Piano Man

The season reaches its breathtaking conclusion with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”, a work that demands—and rewards—an extraordinary gathering of musical forces. This monumental symphony explores themes of life, death, and spiritual renewal, unfolding in a dramatic arc that moves from darkness and struggle to radiant transcendence. With its sweeping scope and emotional intensity, The Resurrection Symphony is one of the most powerful statements in all of symphonic literature.

MAHLER Symphony No. 2 Resurrection

Ode to Joy

Almost ABBA

We invite all MKAC Friends and Family to enjoy a fun night of song and dance featuring the college’s premiere performing groups, Voices of Northwest Florida and Raider Rhythms. This is a non-ticketed event with entry by donation. All proceeds go to support the NWFSC Performing Arts Trip to France in 2026!

Friends & Family Showcase

A Fantastic NEW Show “Good Rockin Tonight” Direct from NY Staring The NY Rockets. With superlative vocals and musicianship, dynamic enthusiasm, and a genuine love of the music they perform, The Rockets have been wowing audiences from coast to coast. From the roots of rockabilly where it all started to the greatest Rock & Roll hits of the 50’s, 60’s & beyond” You’ll be talking about This Theatrical production long after the lights go down. Secure your spot for an unforgettable musical journey! Prepare for 120 minutes of pure 50’s and 60’s magic that you won’t want to miss!

Direct from NY The NY Rockets presents “Good Rockin Tonight”

Come out to the Tyler Recital Hall to support our music students in the Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts Division at NWFSC. Students perform a variety of music selections from Classical repertoire, Musical Theatre selections, to Jazz and Pop songs. Entry is free, and tickets are not required.

Spring Division Recital

Northwest Florida State College

Roaring 20s

The Ultimate Elvis in Vegas

Get ready for an unforgettable evening as The Ultimate Elvis in Vegas comes to Niceville, Florida! Join us at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center for a spectacular tribute to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.

Ultimate Elvis in Vegas

For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So, the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out.

Pete the Cat

A comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, THE ADDAMS FAMILY is the magnificently macabre hit musical featuring everyone’s favorite creepy, kooky characters. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family—a man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother.

The Adams Family A New Musical Comedy

All aboard, sisters! The hysterical sequel to the smashhit Menopause The Musical® is finally here! Five years after their chance encounter in a department store, we set sail with our beloved ladies for more high jinks on the high seas. Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’® is a hilarious and heartfelt look at the joys of menopause and friendship — plus hot flashes, mood swings, and memory lapses! Join us on a trip of self-discovery, backed by a new soundtrack of toe-tapping parodied hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. 

Menopause 2 The Musical

Holiday Pops

The Honors Recital is a formal evening to celebrate the special achievements by select music students in the Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts Division. Selected students will perform their top pieces voted upon by students and faculty from the previous division recitals of the semester. Entry is free, and tickets are not required.

Honors Recital

This November, let’s make history together with a musical journey like no other as Danny Gokey and Mac Powell hit the road for the United We Worship tour! Plus, special guests Tasha Layton and Seph Schlueter take the stage, adding to an already amazing lineup. One night, four artists, United We Worship. Tickets will sell fast, so don’t wait to get yours!

United We Worship tour!

November Division Recital

The winner of 6 Tony Awards®, the Grammy® Award and the Olivier Award for Best Musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. DEAR EVAN HANSEN has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere. The New York Times calls it “a breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And “NBC Nightly News” declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.”

Dear Evan Hansen

October Division Recital

Halloween Spooktacular

Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production!** With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), TheaterWorksUSA’s *Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!* is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party!

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive The Bus

September Division Recital

Building on the success of the sold-out global shows of the first Oscar®-winning Spider-Man™ animated Spider-Verse film, comes the highly anticipated sequel: SPIDER-MAN™: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, set to captivate audiences in concert venues worldwide.

Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse

There’s never been a better time to experience CHICAGO, Broadway’s razzledazzle smash. This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of 6 Tony Awards®, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, and thousands of standing ovations. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary — you’ve got to come see why the name on everyone’s lips is still… CHICAGO.

Chicago

Emerald Coast & Walton County Community Bands

Founded by Emmy-nominated Choreographer, Chloé Arnold, SYNCOPATED LADIES is the most viewed Female Tap dance band in history. Known for their viral self-produced content, they were recognized by Beyoncé, who not only shared their work saying “They Killed It”, she then transformed the homepage of Beyonce.com to feature Syncopated Ladies, and invited them to perform live internationally.

Chloe Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies

Multi-platinum selling Grammy winners Casting Crowns will be coming to Niceville, FL for an Evening with Casting Crowns. Featuring hit songs from the band’s current chart-topping Healer album (“Scars In Heaven,” “Crazy People”), concert goers will also experience a night of worship like no other with some of the group’s most beloved songs like “Only Jesus,” “Nobody,” “Praise You In This Storm,” “East To West” and many more. With more than 12 million albums sold and multiple Grammy, Dove and American Music Awards to their name, Casting Crowns might be best known for their fan-favorite live concert events – and this night promises to be no different.

An Evening with Casting Crowns

Voices of Northwest Florida and Raider Rhythms would like to invite all of their supporters to a FREE showcase of what they have been working on this semester at NWFSC. No ticket is required for entry.

Friends and Family Showcase

A first-ever co-production with the Northwest Florida Ballet featuring original choreography by Artistic Director, Todd Eric Allen and Gregory Schramel, Artistic Director of New Orleans Ballet Theatre.

Carmina Burana

Division Recitals Spring 2024

Superstars come and go. Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture – breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. THE CHER SHOW is the Tony Award®-winning musical of her story, and it’s packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play her: the kid starting out, the glam pop star, and the icon.

The Cher Show

Mardi Gras Food and Wine Festival

Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman. She will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig but also ensures his place on the farm forever.

Charlotte’s Web

The first half features the outstanding junior, high school and
collegiate winners of our John Leatherwood Concerto Competition.
Experience the powerful ballet music from the great Russian composer
Sergei Prokofiev in his musical depiction of the story of Romeo and Juliet.

Stars of Tomorrow

For Taylor Hicks, w in n i n g “American Idol’s” blockbuster fifth season was just the beginning. Hailed as “part Stax, part Motown and part honky-tonk” by The New York Times, Hicks’ intoxicating blend of soul, blues, country, and rock ‘n’ roll quickly rendered him a household name as he progressed to the show’s record-breaking finale in 2006, a historic television event which drew an audience of more than 200 million viewers. 

Taylor Hicks

Based on the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. Poor
Jack. He’s got to use his wits to save himself from the
terrible Giant, but a host of familiar fairytale characters
keep messing up his plans—and then there’s that annoying
Stinky Cheese Man! The Stinky Cheese Man and Other
Fairly Stupid Tales deconstructs the tradition of the fairy
tale. Characters slide in and out of tales; Cinderella rebuffs
Rumpelstiltskin, and Goldilocks meets the Three Elephants.
Nothing is quite the same and you remember it.

Stinky Cheese Man!

Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), TheaterWorksUSA‘s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party!

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Apr 10, 2026

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical

Mar 10, 2026

Dirty Dancing In Concert

Feb 21, 2026

Joyfully Free The Stars of Tomorrow

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Mattie Kelly Arts Center