Wheeler 2022-23 Season
pen, CO: The Wheeler Opera House is thrilled to announce the lineup of exciting performances coming to Aspen in their 2022-23 Wheeler presents season. From familiar faces like rock legend John Oates and Saturday Night Live alum Kevin Nealon to the thrills of The Peking Acrobats featuring the Shanghai Circus and an evening of the most well-known operatic arias directed by Damien Sneed, the Wheeler brings a range of entertainment sure to delight locals and tourists alike.
New this year, the Wheeler is offering Season Subscriptions. With a subscription, the more performances you select, the more you save. A Wheeler Season Subscription 3+ saves 10% off Premium and Standard ticket prices when you select 3 or 4 performances. A Season Subscription 5+ saves 15% off Premium and Standard ticket prices when you select 5 or more performances.
Season Subscriptions go on sale Tuesday, September 13 at 12 p.m. at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office (970.920.5770/ aspenshowtix.com). The Wheeler Opera House is located at 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO. Single tickets to all Wheeler presents performances will go on sale Tuesday, October 11 at 12 p.m.
“With this lineup, we’ve renewed our commitment to outstanding audience experiences and our promise to diversify and include artists whose work will make us better,” commented Wheeler Executive Director Lisa Rigsby Peterson. “Our team can’t wait to welcome you through our doors again!”
22-23 SEASON:
Los Chicos del 512: The Selena Experience
Sunday, November 13, 2022 | 5 PM
This show is a mind-blowing experience and the closest one can get to live a Selena concert. Simply, the best Selena tribute production out there! For seven years, the members of Los Chicos del 512 have lived and played to the remarkable music of the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla. These musicians have come together and orchestrated an extraordinary show that will take you back to 1995 within seconds of their first song. Simply the best Selena tribute band out there – get ready to sing, dance and relive Selena!
Mission Mt. Mangart
Wednesday, December 14, 2022 | 7:30 PM
Follow the 10th Mountain Division’s trailblazing efforts as an experimental infantry unit made up of world-class athletes, mountain men and cowboys deployed during WWII. The 10th Mountain Division left behind an indelible legacy equally matched by their legendary heroism during wartime. Written, directed, edited, and produced by professional skier, documentary filmmaker and Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame inductee, Chris Anthony, with an original film score by composer Carlo Nicolau, this documentary delves into untold tales of the 10th Mountain Division from a unique perspective.
Mission Mt. Mangart tells the story as a flashback from the present day while jumping back in time to follow the 10th from 1939 to June 3rd, 1945, with in-depth narration as well as interviews of original 10th Mountain Division soldiers.
Becky Robinson: Heavy Pour Tour
Saturday, December 17, 2022 | 7:30 PM
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Becky Robinson is an LGBTQ+ LA-based comedian, writer, actor, and voice-over star. You may also know her for the “Entitled Housewife,” the outspoken viral golf character Becky created. Becky’s explosively unique character antics and viral videos have racked up millions of views and fans across social media. In addition to touring internationally as a stand-up comedian, Becky was named a JFL Montreal New Face of Comedy where her stand out multi-character performance landed her a sketch show development deal and a number of voiceover jobs with DreamWorks, Nickelodeon and Netflix.
Belly Up Aspen and Wheeler Opera House present An Evening with Kevin Nealon
Thursday, December 29, 2022 | 7:30 PM
Best known for his nine-year stint as a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live and his critically acclaimed work in Weeds, comedian Kevin Nealon is bringing his stand-up comedy routine to the Wheeler. In his new book, “I EXAGGERATE, My Brushes With Fame,” Nealon shares original full-color caricatures and funny, endearing personal essays about his famous friends. With his witty wisecracks and dry humor, Nealon is sure to have audiences in stitches from start to finish.
Justin Willman
Saturday, December 31, 2022 | 6 PM
Kick off your New Year’s Eve with a show at the Wheeler and, like magic, you’ll be out in time to enjoy the fireworks and celebrate Aspen style.
Justin Willman wants to melt your brain while making you laugh. He’s best known as the star and creator of the hit Netflix series Magic For Humans, but you may recognize him from one of his many television appearances on The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Ellen, Conan…the list goes on! Or maybe you’ve seen him on Baking Impossible, Cupcake Wars, Halloween Wars, Win, Lose or Draw…or maybe he’s the child magician you hired in suburban St. Louis in the ‘90s. If you don’t know Justin, he’s a magician and comedian who’s mastered the art of turning cynics into believers (or at least getting them to laugh). His live show is simultaneously mind-blowing and hilarious and will keep you up at night wondering how any of it was possible.
The Boy Band Project
Friday, January 20, 2023 | 6:30 & 9:30 PM
Featuring a group of talented men direct from Broadway, The Boy Band Project is a cover group that reimagines the sound, movement, and energy of all your favorite boy bands, including NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Hanson, One Direction, 98 Degrees, O-town, BoyzIIMen, Jonas Brothers and more! Adopting all the characters of beloved boy bands, The Sensitive One, The Edgy One, The Sporty One, The Boy Next Door, this musical thrill-fest will dazzle, delight, and entertain!
Classic Albums Live performs: Beatles: Let It Be
Saturday, January 21, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Founded in 2003 by Craig Martin, Classic Albums Live takes the greatest albums and recreates them live on stage – note for note, cut for cut, using the best musicians. This incredible group plays 100+ shows a year across North America, and now Classic Albums Live is bringing the music of The Beatles to the Wheeler. Let It Be is the 12th and final studio album by the Beatles, released on May 8, 1970, almost a month after the group’s breakup. With hits like “I’ve Got a Feeling,” “Let It Be,” “Dig a Pony,” and “The Long and Winding Road,” Classic Albums Live will play the entire album and more, a not to be missed night of music at the Wheeler.
Our Song, Our Story: The New Generation of Black Voices with Musical
Direction by Damien Sneed
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 7:30 PM
An evening of music highlighting some of the world’s most well-known operatic arias, art songs and spirituals. Created and directed by composer, conductor and multi-genre musician Damien Sneed, Our Song, Our Story brings together two of today’s most exciting operatic voices Justin Austin and Janinah Burnett, accompanied by a string quartet and Damien Sneed on piano. Each singer brings their colorful artistry to the table with solo performances as well as duets. Join us for this memorable evening as they pay homage to Marian Anderson and Jessye Norman, who have paved the way for them and other African American opera singers.
The Peking Acrobats featuring The Shanghai Circus
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 | 7:30 PM
“Incredible,” “Breathtaking” and “Quite unbelievable,” to quote a few of the critics of this performance. As a special treat for fans of THE PEKING ACROBATS, this all-new production now features performers from THE SHANGHAI CIRCUS to create a very special Chinese Acrobatic extravaganza unlike any other.
Performing daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs and displaying their technical prowess at such arts as trick-cycling, juggling, and gymnastics, they push the limits of human ability, defying gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control. Most of these acts clearly demonstrate the achievement of perfection through finding harmony between mind and body – an ancient concept in the Orient. The art form has been transformed from its simple “folk art” roots to the spectacular entertainment event we see today, by centuries of tradition.
International Guitar Night
Sunday, February 12, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Whether you’re a fan of jazz, Latin music, or contemporary classical guitar, International Guitar Night, in its 23rd year of touring, has something for everyone, with these four amazing talents.
Jocelyn Gould, Canadian jazz guitarist and vocalist, and recipient of the 2021 Juno (Canadian Grammy) for Jazz Album of The Year, Gould is passionate about the tradition of jazz guitar, she cites Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass as primary influences of the instrument. Jesus Guerrero, Flamenco master from Spain, started playing guitar at the age of eleven years under the tutelage of master teacher José Luis Balao. His natural virtuosity with the instrument and his musical creativity have led him to be one of the most sought-after figures of the current flamenco scene. Stephanie Jones, currently based in Germany, is an active soloist and chamber musician. She is passionate about sharing her music with others and is recognized as an innovative and deeply musical artist. Olli Soikkeli, from Finland, started playing guitar at age of twelve. After a few years of playing Olli was introduced to the music of the great Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz has been Olli’s main focus ever since.
Aspen Laugh Festival
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 – Saturday, February 25, 2023
We’re tickled to be presenting the 2023 Aspen Laugh Festival this season! After a two-year hiatus due to, well, life not being a barrel of laughs, we’re bringing funny back to the Wheeler. With five days of the best and brightest comics on the mainstage, you can enjoy side-splitting, belly aching laughs from your seat in our beautiful, historic opera house.
While the Wheeler team works around the clock on the festival line-up, you can buy an Aspen Laugh Festival Knock Knock Pass at a deep discount. Supplies will be limited. What’s a Knock Knock Pass you ask? Knock, Knock? Who’s there? As soon as we know, we promise, you’ll be laughing in the aisles. More to come on full line-up, single ticket and festival pass sales.
Knock Knock Passes will be available to Wheeler Season Subscribers September 13, and on sale October 11, while supplies last.
An Evening of Songs and Stories with John Oates featuring Guthrie Trapp
Friday, March 10, 2023 | 7:30 PM
John Oates is one-half of the best-selling duo of all time, Hall & Oates, as well as an accomplished solo artist. Soaking up the sounds of the 60’s, John has recorded seven solo albums, a memoir and a DVD docu-concert called Another Good Road. Oates curated and produced the 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival which was held at the Wheeler from 2010 to 2012 and featured an impressive list of performers such as: Allen Toussaint, Keb Mo, Kenny Loggins, Sam Bush, Shawn Colvin, Matt Nathanson, Bob Schneider and many more.
Guthrie Trapp is one of Nashville’s preeminent guitar talents who is a brilliant mix of musical influences, exploring country, blues, Latin, reggae, jazz, rock, and experimental music. Trapp is a versatile musician who crosses many genres with ease, taste and authenticity and has supported the world’s most talented and best-selling artists including Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Tim O’Brien, Delbert McClinton, Randy Travis, George Jones, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Rosanne Cash, and many others.
DanceAspen: Winter Edition
Friday, March 17 & Saturday, March 18, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Join DanceAspen for a thrilling evening of dance with innovative choreography, unmatched athleticism, and emotional artistry. DanceAspen quickly established as a fresh voice and champion for new choreography in the dance world. This performance features a new creation set on the DanceAspen artists by world renowned choreographer, Yin Yue.
Wheeler Opera House presents Bone Hill – The Concert
Friday, April 21, 2023 | 7:30 PM
Bone Hill is a new musical work for theater created and developed by librettist/composers Martha Redbone and Aaron Whitby at Joe’s Pub and the Public Theater. In its current Song Cycle iteration, Redbone becomes the characters from four generations of a family in the hills of coal-mining Appalachia, and the musicians are the townsfolk. In telling their stories the audience is taken on an epic, unexpected American exploration of family, history, and cultural identity.