A Dual Critics Review opened the third edition of New Voices on June 7th at their theatre in with the staging of the world premiere of two one-act plays, running through June 16, 2019. The performances were sponsored by and Troy Spurlin. is a unique educational program designed to support selected new playwrights and involves a lengthy process which provides the writers with the support of a dramaturg, a director, actors, and other theatre-related resources. The current staging is the third time we have had the pleasure of reviewing the results, which included the premier of Madame Bonaparte by , Sentences by …

A DUAL CRITICS THEATRE JACKSONVILLE REVIEW is closing its 99th season with the musical comedy Sister Act, which opened on June 7, 2019. The story was first presented in a 1992 hit film starring Woopi Goldberg. Little Shop of Horrors composer put the romp to music; the setting was changed from Reno to Philly. In October 2006, it opened at the Pasadena Playhouse and grossed over one million dollars in less than two months. The Broadway production opened in April 2011, ran for over 560 performances, and received multiple Tony nominations.   Director and Choreographer brilliant casting brought twenty-one actors to …

A DUAL CRITICS SET STUDIOS THEATRE REVIEW  Atlantic Beach’s SET Studios brought Les Misérables (school edition) to their stage in Atlantic Beach for three performances during May 14 – 26, 2019. The musical is based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel and is one of the world’s longest running musicals — a modern classic which premiered in Paris in 1980.  The story is filled with multiple characters and memorable songs. The world loved it; Americans loved it. The 1987 Broadway productions garnered seven Tonys. We have seen the musical many times – on stage, in movie theatres, and on television. And while …

A DUAL CRITICS ABET THEATER REVIEW The opened Alice in Wonderland on May 10 at 544 Atlantic Boulevard in . The show, sponsored by The Mary E. Haverty Foundation and John and Beverly Johnson, runs through May 26, 2019. Visit abettheatre.com or call 249-7177 for additional information and reservations. The book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, was written by Charles Dodson and published in 1865 under the pen name of Lewis Carroll. The book became a publishing sensation; Queen Victoria and Oscar Wilde were avid fans. It has never been out of print, has been published in over ninety languages, and continues …

A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW Self Produced Theatre, one of Jacksonville’s newest theatre groups, chose Reasons to Be Pretty by Neil LaBute for the first main stage show in their new theatre, with four performances during April 26 – May 4, 2019. The company, which was founded by Tyler Lewis, has been nomadic, staging productions in hospitable venues throughout the area. Their permanent home is now at 1840 Southside Boulevard, Unit 3B. Of note, the space includes a cafe with coffee bar; an official opening of the Black Box Cafe is planned in the near future. LaBute’s play was Tony-nominated for best …

A DUAL CRITICS PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE REVIEW Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party opened on April 26th, 2019, at  opened. It runs through May 18th. The theatre is located at 106 6th Street North in . For reservations call 904-249-0289 or visit playersbythesea.org. The play, with book, music and lyrics by (who wrote music and lyrics for The Addams Family) offers a trip back to the 1920s, the days of flappers, jazz, illegal hooch, and reckless disregard for societal conventions. The original story, a book-length poem, was written in 1926 by Joseph Moncure March, who previously worked as the managing editor …

A DUAL CRITICS 5 & DIME THEATRE REVIEW REVIEW The 5 & Dime, Jacksonville’s Downtown theatre company, opened Small Mouth Sounds on April 19th, which remains on stage through May 5th, 2019. The theatre is located at 112 East Adams Street; additional information is available on the company’s Facebook page. For reservations, call (904) 637-5100 or visit www.The5andDime.org. The theatre, founded in 2011, has staged many exceptional shows. Small Mouth Sounds is one of the most unusual in content and staging. The play was written by Bess Whol, a graduate of Harvard and the Yale School of Drama. Check out her internet …

A DUAL CRITICS THEATRE JACKSONVILLE REVIEW Theatre Jacksonville opened I Hate Hamlet on April 19th, 2019. This classic comedy by Paul Rudnick runs through Sunday, May 6th. is located at 2032 San Marco Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida. Visit theatrejax.com for additional information or call 904-396-4425 for reservations. I Hate Hamlet, which opened on Broadway in 1991, is a captivating comedy and a popular choice for community stages. The story provides a look at the struggles of contemporary thespians encountering the challenges of portraying Shakespeare’s revered works. TJ’s production has an outstanding cast of talented actors, which includes both veterans of Jacksonville …

A DUAL CRITICS FSCJ DRAMAWORKS REVIEW FSCJ Dramaworks at Wilson Center for the Arts staged the world premiere of ’s latest play Repossessions: Mass Shooting in Baymeadows during April 11 – 14, 2019. The play, a study of the aftermath of a mass shooting in Jacksonville, Florida on June 18, 1990, was widely publicized in advance by the local press, which brought full-house audiences. Playwright Gilmore wrote the play based on numerous interviews with family members, friends, and survivors of the tragedy as well as firefighers, police staff, and reporters who became involved. The play does not contain scenes of the shooting …