If you’re looking for a show that truly entertains the whole family, Darci Lynne's Up Close and Personal Tour delivers in every possible way.
My family attended the show at the Straz Center recently. From the moment the show began, it was clear we were in for something special.
A Show That Delivers for Kids AND Adults
I attended the Up Close and Personal tour with my 9-year-old, and to say she loved it would be an understatement. She was completely captivated from start to finish—laughing, clapping, and hanging on every word.
This wasn't just a kids' show, though. Darci’s humor is cleverly layered, with plenty of jokes that go right over kids’ heads—but land perfectly with adults. The result is a show where parents are laughing just as hard as their kids, which is honestly a rare and wonderful combination.
Interestingly, the audience leaned older than I expected—but there were still plenty of families and kids in attendance. It truly felt like a mixed-age crowd, all equally entertained.
Fan-Favorite Puppet Friends Steal the Show
One of the highlights of the night was seeing all of Darci’s beloved puppet friends take the stage. Petunia, Oscar, Edna, and Andy each made an appearance. Each character brought their own personality, humor, and charm, keeping the energy high and the audience engaged for the entire 90-minute show.
My daughter was especially thrilled—she even brought her own puppet along to the show!
More Than Ventriloquism—A True Performer
Darci Lynne isn’t just an incredibly skilled ventriloquist—she’s a full entertainer. Her ability to perform without moving her lips is impressive enough, but when you add in her beautiful singing voice, it takes the performance to a whole new level.
It’s easy to see why so many young performers look up to her.
In fact, Darci has been a huge inspiration in our home. My daughter has been practicing ventriloquism herself, learning from Darci’s videos and performances—and seeing her live only fueled that passion even more.
A Night to Remember
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her performances, Darci Lynne’s Up Close and Personal Tour is an unforgettable experience. It’s funny, heartwarming, and packed with talent that appeals across generations.
If you get the chance to see her live, don’t hesitate—it’s absolutely worth it.
More Family-Friendly Shows Coming to the Straz Center
The Straz Center is located in downtown Tampa. My daughter and I took an Uber from our hotel to the event, but it is also easily accessed by riding the free trolley system -- with a little walking necessary to get from the final trolley stop to the event center. If you're in your walking shoes, it's a nice walk on the Riverwalk to get there from the final trolley stop. We weren't in our best walking shoes, and we had toured the Riverwalk earlier in the day (to the tune of 2.5 miles of walking), so we took an Uber for our visit to the Straz because Mama didn't want to drive downtown. 😂
If your family loves live entertainment, there are several exciting upcoming performances at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Some of the family shows coming up include:
- Forever K-Pop: A Celebration Concert – April 22
- Straz Center's Patel Conservatory presents High School Musical Jr. – April 23–26
- Straz Center's Next Generation Ballet® performs Coppélia – A beautiful classical ballet perfect for introducing kids to the arts
I received two media tickets to this show from the Straz Center. This is my true and honest review of the location and the show. Learn more about the Straz Center at https://www.strazcenter.org/.
