THE 5 & DIME THEATRE COMPANY REVIEW Jacksonville’s opened “Clybourne Park,” written by , on July 31, 2015 at . The play, which received the 2011 for Drama and a 2012 Tony for Best Play, will continue for three more performances during August 7 – 9. If you plan on going, we recommend ordering tickets at www.The5andDime.org, since the first weekend sold out. The website also offers tickets for a brunch/dinner option at the Cummer Café before the show. If the title sounds familiar, you may recall ’s Tony-nominated play “A Raisin in the Sun,” in which a widowed African-American …

FSCJ HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER MUSICAL REVIEW The 10th Annual FSCJ High School Musical opened on stage at the at 11901 Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida on July 24, 2015. This year’s selection, which will run through August 2, is “.” You have probably seen one or more versions of what has become one of America’s most popular family musicals, enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. When wrote “The Wonderful World of Oz,” a children’s novel which was first published in 1900, he could not possibly have envisioned its future success as an enduring classic, capturing both the imagination …

NORTHEAST FLORIDA CONSERVATORY REVIEW Jacksonville’s presented a six-performance run of ’s Tony Award Winning musical “” during July 16-19, 2015. The Conservatory, established in 2010, has presented three previous musical theater classics at their facility in Mandarin, which included “,” “,” and “.” Lionel Bart, born in 1930, was a British composer, who, after achieving modest success as a pop song-writer during the fifties, wrote a couple of little-known musicals, followed in 1960 by “Oliver!” his only notable success, but a real blockbuster. The play had long runs in London and New York, with many successful revivals and tours, and …

NORTHEAST FLORIDA CONSERVATORY REVIEW Jacksonville’s presented a six-performance run of ’s Tony Award Winning musical “” during July 16-19, 2015. The Conservatory, established in 2010, has presented three previous musical theater classics at their facility in Mandarin, which included “,” “,” and “.” Lionel Bart, born in 1930, was a British composer, who, after achieving modest success as a pop song-writer during the fifties, wrote a couple of little-known musicals, followed in 1960 by “Oliver!” his only notable success, but a real blockbuster. The play had long runs in London and New York, with many successful revivals and tours, and …

PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE REVIEW Jacksonville Beach’s and present and ’s AIDA, on stage during July 17 – August 8, 2015. , hoping to attain the success they had with “,” produced this musical which is based ’s opera of the same name. Featuring the music of Elton John and Tim Rice, two of the most popular names in show business, it ran on Broadway for over 1,800 performances. Elton John’s fame no doubt was the reason for its success; the critics were often lukewarm. Even if you have never been to one of Elton John’s many concerts , …

THE FIVE & DIME THEATRE COMPANY MAKES CHANGE WITH SECOND SUNDAY The all-volunteer group is now three years old and in that time this unique group of theatre advocates has produced over a dozen plays at various venues in and around downtown Jacksonville. Several months ago, they launched the Second Sunday program. This event, which is offered on the second Sunday of each month is free and open to the public, provides an opportunity for local actors, authors, poets, and storytellers to get on a stage and present their works in progress to a diverse audience. Afterward, the members of …

ALHAMBRA THEATRE & DINING REVIEW “SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL” Jacksonville’s Alhambra Theatre opened its annual summer treat on June 24, 2015 with “,” a bright imaginative musical comedy based on the works of Dr. Seuss by , , and . The show will run through August 2 at 12000 Beach Boulevard. Call 904-641-1212 or visit alhambrajax.com for reservations. The production is two hours of magic, filled with one entertaining song after another as well as all those wonderful Seuss characters who come alive on the stage. The Cat in the Hat () opens the show in a delightfully daffy comic performance, …

TURNING POINT OF DANCE REVIEW Turning Point of Dance held its annual showcase on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Parker Auditorium on the campus of Middle School. , initially founded by in 1984, has been active in Jacksonville for over twenty years. After Nelson’s death in 2011, , who had just recently moved to Jacksonville and just happened to have some thirty-five years of experience as a musical theatre performer, director, and dance instructor, stepped in to take over teaching, and has remained ever since, continuing the tradition as Artistic Director. Turning Point of Dance is located at , 3674 …