Broward Performing Arts Foundation’s Annual Reception and Brunch Kicks Off Broward Center’s 2025–2026 Performance Season

Dev Motwani, Dr. Robert Watson, Polly Sutton, Ty Sutton, Lisa Kitei (Credit — Downtown Photo)

The Broward Performing Arts Foundation Annual Reception and Brunch kicked off the new season for donors and benefactors with a look back at history and a preview of the programming to come at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The event, generously underwritten by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., had a decidedly French theme with guests arriving to have their photos taken before a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower.

Highlighting the Annual Reception was a presentation by award-winning author, historian, master storyteller, and distinguished professor of American History at Lynn University Dr. Robert Watson, who brought to life the history behind the show that revolutionized Broadway musicals, the Tony Award-winning Les Misérables, coming to the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center December 16–28.

Dr. Robert Watson, Rick Thill (JPMorgan Chase), Ty Sutton, Carole Bowen (Credit — Downtown Photo)

Broward Performing Arts Foundation President Lisa Kitei welcomed guests, introduced the board and announced two upcoming fundraisers for the Broward Center: Winter Wonderland A “Frozen” Family Celebration on December 14, and the Foundation’s 2026 Annual Celebration with Darius Rucker on March 7. Tables for the Annual Celebration pre-show dinner are sold out; however, VIP tickets for lower orchestra seating and the post-show tailgate party are still available.

Foundation Board Chair Dev Motwani spoke about his connection to the Broward Center starting at an early age. “My high school graduation was one of the first held here. I had the good fortune of speaking as valedictorian at the ceremony, so to be here speaking before you now as board chair, I have come full circle.” Motwani, who was reintroduced to the Broward Center when he served as chair of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Economic Development Advisory Board, said, “It was then when I started to understand the Broward Center’s true economic impact. What your support does here for the community helps fund the largest free arts education program in the United States benefiting more than 100,000 students from 150 Broward schools annually through more than 50 education programs.”

Ann M. Burris and Jon Hines (Credit — Downtown Photo)

Broward Center President and CEO Ty Sutton previewed highlights of the upcoming season, including the Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale series and the MD Now® Slow Burn Theatre Company series. “At a time where we see arts groups throughout the United States, especially some of the largest performing arts centers, reducing programs, we keep expanding and growing and that is thanks to all of you,” Sutton said. “I am excited for this upcoming season.”

Charlie Ladd, Valerie Peru, Brooke Lochrie, Robert Lochrie (Credit — Downtown Photo)

For nearly 40 years, the Broward Performing Arts Foundation has been instrumental in providing support for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Foundation was established in 1985 to deliver the required private funding to build the Center and create an endowment to sustain its operations. Over the years, the Foundation has successfully raised funds to support the Broward Center’s innovative and diverse programming, arts-in-education initiatives, community engagement activities and capital projects. In 2021, the Foundation completed a $30 million capital campaign to renovate and restore the iconic Parker Playhouse. Prior to this, it raised $60 million to complete the Encore! capital campaign to renovate, renew and revitalize the Broward Center.

For more information about the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, call 954–468–3284 or email Foundation@BrowardCenter.org.

Sonia Gleit, Michael Gleit, Suzanne Scharf, Bernard Scharf (Credit — Downtown Photo)

Sharon Florescue, Carole Nugent, Dr. Robert Watson, Bonnie Barnett, Carol Kalagher, Ladan Patel, Sophia Mylona (Credit — Downtown Photo)

Soneet Kapila and Dr. Prabodh Kapila (Credit — Downtown Photo)

Linda Von Allmen and Douglas Von Allmen (Credit — Downtown Photo)

Todd Lard and Brian Huseman (Credit — Downtown Photo)

Wayne Weiner, and Lucretia Weiner (Credit — Downtown Photo)