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The Bella Vox Performing Arts Foundation kicks off its inaugural season with stars from Broadway and Cabaret, offering a wide variety of performances at The Palm Cabaret and Bar in Zona Romántica. The non-profit organization also announced educational workshops, and masterclasses to local performers and audiences alike.
The season includes performances by Broadway icons Karen Mason, Stephanie Pope, and Sam Harris; Broadway and film composer & conductor, David Friedman; Cabaret star Marieann Meringolo; and emerging star (and American Idol alum) Ava Nicole Frances.
For tickets visit: https://www.thepalmcabaret.com.
About Bella Vox Performing Arts Foundation
The Bella Vox Performing Arts Foundation was founded in 2024 by Puerto Vallarta resident David Sabella. It is a US nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing high quality musical productions and education in the vocal and performing arts to underserved communities throughout the US, Mexico and Canada. The foundation currently produces concerts and workshops with Broadway’s biggest stars in New York City and Chicago. This season marks the Foundation’s official debut in Puerto Vallarta.
Last year, as General Manager of Act2PV, Sabella brought a cavalcade of Broadway and Cabaret stars to that venue. This year, through the Bella Vox Foundation, Sabella is spreading the wealth in Puerto Vallarta, at the Palm Cabaret and Bar.
The Bella Vox Foundation is also committed to the training and support of emerging vocal artists, providing opportunities to younger, and/or unknown Mexican talent to perform in a cross cultural exchange between the US and Mexico, thereby creating an artistic bridge and opening up greater performance opportunities for all Mexican and US vocal artists, between
the two countries. In addition to the performances planned, the foundation will offer several masterclasses and workshops to local PV talent, on a “pay what you can” basis. No performer will be turned away. Find details below.
Season at The Palm Cabaret and Bar
Karen Mason: Broadway Baby!
Dec 29 & Jan 4 at 7 p.m. ($950 MXN)
Music director: Christopher Denny
After her sold-out shows last year, Broadway legend Karen Mason brings a celebration of her favorite music to her favorite Mexican home, Puerto Vallarta. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music, stories, laughter, and joy, and always a surprise or two! Directed by Barry Kleinbort, with music direction by Christopher Denny.
More about Karen Mason
Karen Mason has starred on Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and recording and “has few peers when it comes to ripping the roof off with her amazing voice that knows no bounds!” (TheatreScene.net) The recipient of the 2019 MAC Lifetime Achievement Award, she is a 14-time MAC Award winner and has won the MAC Award for Major Female Vocalist of the Year for six consecutive years. Her highly acclaimed recordings include her newest single, Let The Music Play. She has also won the 2006 Nightlife Award for Major Female Vocalist and has three Bistro Awards. Grammy-nominated recording, concert, cabaret artist, Karen Mason has enjoyed a multifaceted career on stage, film and television.
Stephanie Pope: All About Love!
Jan 14 & 18 at 7 p.m. ($950 MXN)
Broadway star Stephanie Pope brings Broadway magic and more to PV with her show All About Love! Featuring songs from some of Broadway’s hottest shows, including Hadestown and Kiss of The Spider Woman, to popular songs by Whitney Houston, Tina Turner and Diana Ross, plus tunes from her critically acclaimed solo CD, Now’s The Time To Fall In Love, and stories from her career, working with legendary stars like Chita Rivera, Whitney Houston and Bob Fosse. Music direction by Mark Hartman.
More about Stephanie Pope
Stephanie Pope is a Harlem, New York native and an award-winning performer who has appeared in television,film, cruise ships, cabaret rooms and most notably, eleven Broadway shows, including Chicago (Velma Kelly), Fosse (Leading Player), and Jelly’s Last Jam (The Hunnies). Stephanie has shared the stage with such luminaries as Chita Rivera, Ben Vereen, Donna McKechnie, Debbie Allen, MariLu Henner, Gregory Hines, Brian “Stokes” Mitchell and Nathan Lane, to name a few.
Ava Nicole Frances – The Dream that I See
Jan 23 at 7 p.m. ($750 MXN)
Sponsored by Frank Silletti and Sonny Vukic (Daddios Productions LLC)
Music Director: Mark Hartman
American Idol finalist, and two-time Broadway World Award winner, Ava Nicole Frances is making her Puerto Vallarta debut. Her critically acclaimed show, The Dream That I See is inspired by an array of diverse artists including, Renee Rapp, Beyonce, Linda Ronstadt, Ben Platt, and Wicked composer, Stephen Schwartz. Ava’s voice effortlessly moves from pop, and Broadway to jazz and American Songbook as her soaring vocals take flight. In this new show specifically tailored for Puerto Vallarta, Ava Nicole Frances is an emerging star not to be missed!
More about Eva Nicole Frances
Actor, singer, songwriter was born in Arizona of Native American and Mexican heritage, raised in San Francisco by her two dads, and recently moved to New York City to follow her dreams. She is a two-time Broadway World Cabaret Award winner, and a Manhattan Association of Cabaret (MAC) Award nominee for her original song, Little Did I Know. She is also the recipient of the Michael Feinstein Songbook Academy Spotlight Award and a top 5 finalist on Broadway World’s Next on Broadway competition. Ava is a proud alum of the TV reality show, American Idol (season 22) gaining a spot in the top 56 out of over 70,000 contestants. She attended NYU TISCH School of the arts, majoring in Musical Theater with a double minor in Creative Writing and Psychology, and in 2025 Ava released two albums. Her debut original album, I Can’t Play with Flowers and a concert album, The Dream That I See, Live at The Green Room 42.
Marieann Meringolo – Shades of Love
Feb 11 at 7 p.m. and Feb 15 at 5 p.m. ($950 MXN)
Music Director: Mark Hartman
Join multi award-winning vocalist Marieann Meringolo for Shades of Love, a special LGBTQ Valentine show, with classic songs by Joni Mitchell, Janis Ian, Billy Joel, Neil Sedaka, Christina Perri, and more, reimagined as only Meringolo can. In Shades of Love, Marieann explores love in all its colors — passionate, playful, tender, and true. With her lush vocals, wit, and warmth, she invites audiences to celebrate Valentine’s week with music that stirs the heart and ignites the senses.
More about Marieann Meringolo
Sultry, soulful, and spellbinding — Marieann Meringolo is a voice you feel as much as you hear. A powerhouse vocalist with velvet tones and magnetic stage presence, she turns every song into an intimate confession, drawing audiences deep into the heart of every lyric. A celebrated interpreter of the Great American Songbook and contemporary classics alike,Marieann blends timeless sophistication with modern allure. Her performances shimmer with power, sensuality, and emotional honesty — a signature style that has earned her standing ovations and rave reviews on stages from New York City to beyond.
David Friedman – Puerto Vallarta Sings David Friedman
March 15 at 5 p.m. ($700 MXN)
David Friedman is best-known as the composer/lyricist of songs of hope and inspiration that have become especially important in these challenging times. Come and be inspired and moved by local Puerto Vallarta performers singing his songs, with David at the piano personally sharing the stories behind the songs.
More about David Friedman
Songwriter, Disney & Broadway Composer/Conductor, and Author, is a multi-platinum songwriter, internationally known for writing songs that touch our hearts and speak to our souls. He was also conductor/vocal arranger for Disney films Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as conducting 6 shows on Broadway, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Grease, and musical supervising the original Broadway production of Beauty & The Beast.
David produced all of the late/great Nancy LaMott’s 10 CD’s and 2 DVD’s, and has written some of her most iconic songs, including, Listen To My Heart, We Can Be Kind, Help Is On The Way, Just In Time For Christmas, I’ll Be Here With You, We Live On Borrowed Time and Your Love (which was also a quadruple platinum hit for Diana Ross). In addition, David wrote the comedy classic, My Simple Christmas Wish (Rich, Famous and Powerful), as well as hundreds of other songs for cabaret, theater, film and TV.
Sam Harris – Beyond the Rainbow
March 26 & 29 at 7 p.m. ($950 MXN)
Music Director: Mark Hartman
Sam Harris new show, Beyond the Rainbow, is a nod to his legendary rendition of
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which put him on the map at age twenty-two, dazzling 25 million viewers a week for the entire premiere season of Star Search, the ground breaking show that preceded American Idol and The Voice. The show launched his astounding career which spans Broadway, television, records, and concert performances. Beyond the Rainbow features Harris’ singular, definitive interpretations of Broadway, pop and standards by everyone from U2 to Sondheim, Lady Gaga to Kander & Ebb, and many more, along with his hilarious, self-effacing, and topical wit.
More about Sam Harris
Multi-platinum recording artist, Sam Harris, is listed in Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the “Top 100 Vocalists of all Time.” He is a Broadway icon, having received Tony, Outer Critic’s Circle and Drama Desk nominations for his work in Cy Coleman’s The Life, a Drama League Award and Drama Desk nomination for his role in Tommy Tune’s Grease, and in Mel Brooks’ The Producers, as well as Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hair, Pippin, The Jazz Singer, and The First Wives Club.
Education Series
Karen Mason and Christopher Denny will offer a Broadway Masterclass to all local performers January 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (location to be determined.) 10 students will be selected to perform. Auditors may watch.
This educational program is offered by the Bella Vox Performing Arts Foundation on a “pay what you can” donation basis to all local performers. No performer will be turned away, but only ten students will be selected to participate. Audience/Auditors pay $400 MXN at the door. For more information and to register for this class as a participant or auditor/audience visit www.bellavoxarts.org.
Broadway Dance Masterclass
Stephanie Pope will offer this workshop January 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (location to be determined.) This class will feature choreography from many of your favorite Broadway shows, which Ms. Pope has starred in. Open to local, intermediate and advanced dancers, no auditors. For more information and to REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS as a participant or auditor/audience visit www.bellavoxarts.org.
Metaphysics & Music
This Educational Program features acclaimed songwriter, Broadway, TV, and Film composer, conductor, and self-help author, David Friedman, in a week of intense musical and performance coaching, in both a group and private setting, from March 9 – 14, 2026. Workshop participants will perform at the end of the week, March 15, at 5 p.m. at the Palm Cabaret Theater.
Ticket price for the show is $700 mxn. For more information and to register for this workshop, as a participant or auditor/audience visit www.bellavoxarts.org
David Sabella wil also offer weekly group classes in both vocal technique & performance, and acting & scene study, January – March. (Day and location to be determined.) For more information please visit www.BellaVoxArts.org.
As a US nonprofit organization, the Bella Vox Foundation relies on the generous contributions of its donors. If you would like to contribute to the organization, in support of its mission and vision, and/or to sponsor an emerging Mexican singer, please visit the Bella Vox Performing Arts website at www.bellavoxarts.org.
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