“Ben Harrison in Concert” at Key West Theater celebrates Key West lore, legends and colorfully quirky history

Ben Harrison returns to the spotlight with songs, stories, and his signature irreverent humor during a limited six-show run at the Key West Theater’s Backstage Listening Room, happening twice monthly between Jan. 8 and March 25. (Photo: Rob O’Neal)

Ben Harrison will take the stage with his voice, humor, and Martin guitar at Key West Theater’s Backstage Listening Room for a limited six-show run, happening twice monthly between Jan. 8 through March 25. (Photo: Carol Tedesco)

Key West-based singer and songwriting icon Ben Harrison is set to bring his irreverent humor, original music, and 47 years of storytelling magic back to the stage in a six-show concert series at the Key West Theater’s intimate 60-seat Backstage Listening Room, 512 Eaton Street, Key West. Performances are set for January 8 and 21, February 5 and 17, and March 5 and 25.
 
Acclaimed for solo shows rich in wit, warmth, originality, and an amused cynicism honed through years of performing in Key West bars, Harrison takes the stage with just his voice and his Martin guitar. Each performance draws audiences in with consummate musical artistry, a delightful sense of humor and “mostly true” tales.
 
Harrison sailed into Key West in 1979 with his wife Helen aboard a 38-foot sailboat they built themselves in Costa Rica, an odyssey that inspired Ben’s book, “Sailing Down the Mountain: A Costa Rican Adventure.” Together they founded HARRISON GALLERY on White Street, now celebrating its 40th anniversary, where Helen exhibits her elegant contemporary sculptures and two-dimensional fine art, and where Ben can often be found manning the bar at gallery openings and events.
 
A prolific musician and wordsmith, Ben is playwright of the musicals “Key West: A Musical Tour About Town,” “Undying Love: A Key West Musical,” “El Isleño 1921: The Untold Key West Story,” and “Clouds Over the Sunshine Inn.” He’s creator of several acclaimed albums including “Duval Years,” “Air Sunshine,” “Destino,” and “Side Effects,” and author of five books, including, “Undying Love,” “The Rooster Who Loved the Violin,” “Sailing Down the Mountain,” “Official Visit: A Guide to College and Professional Baseball Recruiting,” and most recently, “Charlie Jones.”
 
Ben has been a guest on “The Howard Stern Show,” “This American Life,” “Dr. Demento,” The Dick Cavett Show,” and more.
 
“Ben Harrison in Concert” will feature some familiar fan-favorite tunes along with new material he recently finished recording in Nashville. Doors open at 6:00pm, with Harrison taking the stage at 7:00pm. Tickets are $35.00 and available at https://thekeywesttheater.com or at the door until 7:00pm subject to availability. For more information about Ben Harrison, his life and his work, visit BenHarrisonKeyWest.com