Broadway icons Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp will honor the 30th anniversary of rock musical “RENT” with a performance Sunday, Sept. 27.The Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is revealing artists for its upcoming 30th anniversary, kicking off this fall with shows through spring 2027.
First to be announced are original cast members of the Broadway smash “RENT” and icons of the stage Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp set for Sunday, Sept. 27; genre-defying virtuosic duo Black Violin on Sunday, Oct. 18; and six-time Grammy Award-winning jazz sensation Samara Joy happening Friday, March 12, 2027.
Tickets to these shows will go on sale to the public Monday, April 20. UAB staff and student discounts are available. For tickets or more information, call the ASC Box Office at 205-975-2787 or visit AlysStephens.org.
More artists will be revealed in staggered announcements over the next few weeks. For the latest updates and announcements, follow the Alys Stephens Center on Facebook and Instagram.
The Alys Stephens Center is part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for the Arts. Unlock exclusive early ticket access and secure the best seats in the house — before tickets are released to the public — by becoming a UAB Center for the Arts member today.
Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp
Celebrate a milestone moment Sunday, Sept. 27, when UAB’s Alys Stephens Center honors the 30th anniversary of rock musical “RENT” — and its own 30th anniversary — with Broadway icons Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. 7 p.m. Tickets from $25.
Written and composed by Jonathan Larson in the early 1990s, “RENT” took Broadway, and the world, by storm. Join original cast members Pascal and Rapp for an unforgettable night of music, with favorites from the show, musical theater classics and songs that inspired them along the way. Known for originating the roles of Roger and Mark, respectively, Pascal and Rapp bring their unmistakable chemistry, powerhouse vocals and behind-the-scenes stories to this unforgettable concert experience, which The New York Times called “a revelatory show.” This intimate evening of shared memories and music pays tribute to a cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Join the Alys Stephens Center before the show for Broadway karaoke in the lobby.
Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus of Grammy-nominated duo Black Violin will perform Sunday, Oct. 18.
Black Violin
Step into Black Violin’s “Full Circle” Tour on Sunday, Oct. 18, at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. The Grammy-nominated duo reimagine the possibilities of classical music, blending virtuosic violin and hip-hop, R&B and pop. With infectious beats, soaring melodies and a powerful message of creativity and inclusion, Black Violin’s music resonates with audiences of all ages. 7 p.m. Tickets from $25.
From high school orchestra classmates to groundbreaking artists, Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus have been merging string arrangements with modern beats and vocals for nearly two decades. The band recently received their second Grammy Award nomination for Best Americana Performance for the track “The Message,” in collaboration with The Blind Boys of Alabama.
In 2019, the group launched the Black Violin Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth by providing access to quality music programs in their community. Reaching more than 100,000 students each year through performances in urban communities, the group is challenging stereotypes and preconceived notions of how a classical musician should look and sound, while inspiring a new generation to dream boldly.
Six-time Grammy Award-winning jazz sensation Samara Joy is set for a performance Friday, March 12, 2027.
Samara Joy
Fresh off a meteoric rise, six-time Grammy Award-winning jazz sensation Samara Joy will return to the Alys Stephens Center for a performance Friday, March 12, 2027. When the Alys Stephens Center polled audiences on who they most wanted to see again for the 30th season celebration, Joy was at the top. 7:30 p.m. Tickets from $49.
One of today’s most captivating artists, Joy’s interpretations and rich, velvety voice breathe new life into classic jazz standards while honoring their timeless legacy. Few figures in jazz history have experienced the kind of meteoric success that Joy has, especially at such a young age. At just 25, her career is nothing short of sensational. Her performance history reads like a who’s who of the most legendary venues and events in jazz, with appearances at the Newport, Monterey and Montreal jazz festivals, and on iconic stages like the Apollo, Carnegie Hall, the Village Vanguard and Jazz at Lincoln Center. With a Best New Artist Grammy win as well as an NAACP Image Award, Joy has achieved the kind of profile typically reserved for pop celebrities. A favorite among younger music fans, she uses her social media platform to introduce timeless American music to new generations. Come early and hear students from the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music’s jazz program perform in the lobby.