Miami Performing Arts Guide October 20–27: Best Theater, Plays, Dance & Live Shows
Miami Living’s picks for performing arts from October 20–27, featuring live performances including comedy, music, musicals and more across the Miami metro area.
Grammy-winning violinist Jennifer Koh performs Glass' Violin Concerto No. 1, alongside works conducted by Daníel Bjarnason, Oct 24-25th.
Broadway Shows
Slow Burn Theatre Company: Come From Away — October 20–25
The regional production of the Broadway musical tells the remarkable true story of a Newfoundland community that welcomed thousands of airline passengers stranded after the September 11 attacks. With an ensemble-driven story about generosity, resilience and unexpected connections, Come From Away offers an emotionally rich theatrical experience.
Plays
La Botánica: An Interactive Ghost Story — October 23–24
Rooted in Cuban folklore, this supernatural play follows a mother whose rejection of her son sets off a haunting sequence of events inside a spiritual shop. Audience members influence which scenes unfold and how the story ends, creating an interactive experience that blends cultural storytelling with horror. Recommended for ages 16 and older, the production includes strobe lighting, smoke, loud noises and graphic imagery.
The Vampire Circus — October 23
Combining circus cabaret with theatrical storytelling, The Vampire Circus takes audiences into a dark, imaginative world of vampires and traveling performers. Acrobatics, contortion, juggling, comedy and audience interaction come together in a Halloween-season production that blurs the line between circus and theater.
Ride the Cyclone — October 25
This darkly comic musical follows six teenage choir members who find themselves in limbo after a fatal roller coaster accident. As they compete for a chance to return to life, the production explores identity, mortality and second chances through an unusual combination of humor and music.
Comedy
Caitlin Peluffo — October 22–24
New York-based stand-up comedian Caitlin Peluffo brings her energetic, unpredictable delivery to South Florida. Her television appearances include The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and After Midnight.
Carlos Mencia: Keep Me Out of Jail Tour — October 23–24
Known for his unfiltered stand-up style and topical observations, Carlos Mencia brings his latest material to South Florida. The intimate comedy-club setting provides a close-up experience with the veteran performer.
Jessica Kirson — October 24
Jessica Kirson is known for her expressive characters, candid storytelling and relatable observations. Her performance brings a character-driven approach to stand-up, supported by years of club appearances and television work.
Adrián Uribe: 50 y Pico Tour — October 24
Mexican actor and comedian Adrián Uribe brings character comedy, improvisation and new material to the stage in this career-spanning tour. His performance offers Spanish-language humor for audiences looking for a lively night out in Miami Beach.
Dance
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida: Dracula — October 22
Roberto Forleo's full-length ballet brings Bram Stoker's legendary vampire to the stage through dramatic choreography, theatrical imagery and an evocative score. Blending classical ballet with contemporary expression, the production explores love, temptation and the struggle between darkness and light.
Miami City Ballet: American Rhythms (Fall Mix) — October 24–25
Miami City Ballet opens its 2026–27 season with a program combining classical precision, contemporary creativity and jazz influences. The lineup features George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante, Jerome Robbins' N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz and a world premiere choreographed by Patricia Delgado with original music by Emily Estefan.
La Velada: An Alchemy of Past and Present — October 24–25
Flamenco artist Marta Gálvez explores the relationship between inherited tradition and contemporary movement in this expressive production. Drawing on the history of flamenco while developing a distinctly personal style, La Velada brings Spanish dance into conversation with memory, identity and artistic reinvention.
Family
Mister C Vol. 3: When Science Goes Viral — October 21
Designed primarily for students in grades two through five, this interactive science performance combines humor with experiments, chemical reactions and demonstrations. Mister C encourages young audience members to explore scientific ideas while learning that curiosity, creativity and even failure are part of discovery.
Musicals
The Mystery of Edwin Drood — October 23–24
North Broward Preparatory School presents Rupert Holmes' Tony Award-winning musical mystery, inspired by Charles Dickens' unfinished final novel. The production adds an interactive twist: audiences vote to determine the identity of the murderer and decide how the story concludes, making each performance a slightly different experience.
Speaking Tours
Katt Williams on Book Tour — October 25
Emmy-winning comedian Katt Williams takes the stage for a conversation inspired by his memoir, Nine Lives, No Wives, and 69 Concubines. The event combines reflections on his journey through Hollywood with humor, personal stories and a live audience Q&A. This is a book-tour appearance rather than a conventional stand-up show.
David Sedaris — October 27
Author and social satirist David Sedaris returns to South Florida with a live reading featuring new, unpublished stories and commentary. Known for his sharp observations and understated humor, Sedaris also includes a book-signing opportunity before and after the performance.
Classical Music & Live Performances
Reich, Stravinsky & Glass — October 24–25
New World Symphony explores major works from the late 20th-century orchestral repertoire, featuring music by Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Igor Stravinsky. Grammy-winning violinist Jennifer Koh performs Glass' Violin Concerto No. 1, alongside works conducted by Daníel Bjarnason.
Yissy García & Bandancha — October 24
Drummer and composer Yissy García brings a genre-blending set to the Arsht's outdoor Live on the Plaza series. Jazz, electronica, funk, R&B and Afro-Cuban rhythms shape a performance that connects Cuban musical traditions with contemporary sounds.
Jazz at The Betsy: Leonard Reina — October 24
Pianist, composer and producer Leonard Reina brings a blend of jazz improvisation and classical influences to The Betsy's live music program. The intimate piano-bar setting offers a relaxed alternative to the area's larger concert halls for listeners interested in live instrumental performance.
