On Stage

HEADLINED BY THE TONY AND GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING BEST MUSICAL DEAR EVAN HANSEN The FSCJ Artist Series Broadway in Jacksonville, sponsored by Vystar Credit Union, is proud to announce the 20/21 Broadway in Jacksonville season, filled with award-winning blockbusters and family favorites, headlined by the winner of six 2017 Tony Awards and the Grammy for Best Musical Theater album, DEAR EVAN HANSEN. The upcoming season’s Broadway lineup also includes CATS, COME FROM AWAY, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and MEAN GIRLS. All performances will be at the Times-Union Center. “I am pleased to announce our 20/21 Broadway in Jacksonville Season – our …

Reviewed by Dick Kerekes and originally published in EU JACKSONVILLE in 2002 As theatres are closed throughout the world because of the current pandemic crisis, the Dual Critics along with many others, are revisiting and republishing some of their previous work. The musical “Quilters,” was staged at Players By the Sea in 2002 and took home the trophy for best play of the year. Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek used the book “Quilters: Women and Domestic Art” (first published in 1977), as the basis for the production, which dramatized the history of the American frontier in a most unique way. …

Reviewed by Dick Kerekes and originally published in EU JACKSONVILLE in 2002  Theatres throughout the country are dark and shuttered. So what’s a reviewer to do?  Terry Teachout, a well-known New York Times reviewer, has an answer which the Dual Critics are adapting: republish older reviews and articles that will revive the past and bring back memories for theatre lovers. Our first selection, drawn from EU Jacksonville’s extensive collection, is “Side Man,” which was published in 2002. The 1999 Tony Award Winner, Warren Leight’s “Side Man” debuted last weekend at the Church of the Good Shepherd, currently the home of …

Dear friends and colleagues, As the country and world respond to coronavirus and the COVID-19 situation, our team at the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville would like to share the following information. First and foremost, the Cultural Council is invested in the health and well-being of the artists, arts organizations, and communities whom we serve. Please follow all directions and recommendations from your local and state authorities as well as entities such as the CDC and WHO. We also want to make you aware of campaigns to include artists and the nonprofit arts community in any federal relief funds that are made available. Please ask your elected …

A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW BY DICK KEREKES & LEISLA SANSOM The Dual Critics traveled to Jacksonville’s Mandarin area on March 7 to see the first recent North Florida production of “Charley’s Aunt,” which was staged at the Mandarin United Methodist Church (11270 San Jose Blvd.) by the newly formed Act II Players. The group evolved as a theatre troupe of the Fine Arts Conservatory, and is filled with energetic talented members. This farce by British author Brandon Thomas was first performed on an English stage in 1882 and made it to Broadway in 1893; long runs followed.  The play still …

Around 700,000 British expats live in the U.S., and a huge chunk of that population has chosen to reside in Florida. By the estimates of the British consulate in Orlando, approximately 400,000 British expats are in the state. But what makes Florida so attractive to the Brits? Brit-Friendly Culture A Florida retirement has become somewhat of a tradition in the UK. Much of this is because local Floridian culture offers a lot to retiring Brits. Home to the La Martina Miami Beach Polo World Cup, Miami’s version of soccer replaces the traditional green field with sand. For soccer fans, the new …

A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW BY DICK KEREKES & LEISLA SANSOM On Saturday February 23, 2020, the Bard’s Romeo and Juliet was staged at Jacksonville Beach’s Players by the Sea Theatre, and played to an appreciative almost full house. The play, first mounted in the late 1500’s, is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known and most- produced plays. The production at Players included a twist: an all-female cast.  So how did they get to Players, and why an all-female cast? Tyler Lewis’s Self-Produced Theatre initially planned to stage the play in a venue in Springfield, but regrettably lost its space. Players by …

A Romantic Comedy is part of the Historic Theatre’s 100th Season A Dual Critics Review by Dick Kerekes and Leisla Sansom Theatre Jacksonville opened “Love Quest,” the third show of its 100th Season, on February 21, and will remain through March 8, 2020. This contemporary romance, which brings new insights into today’s tactics for seeking a mate, was written by Mary Maguire and Steven McGraw; both were in the audience on opening night. Theatre Jacksonville is a city treasure founded in 1919. Afterward, Philanthropist Carl S. Swisher donated land and financing for the construction of the company’s historic San Marco …

This show is filled with comedy and razzle dazzle numbers! A Dual Critics Review by Dick Kerekes and Leisla Sansom The Alhambra Theatre opened “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” on February 20th, 2020, which remains on stage through March 22nd.  This power house production, with songs and lyrics by Frank Loesser, debuted in 1961 and garnered seven Tony awards along with the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; a film adaptation was released in 1967. Director and producer Tod Booth has done a marvelous casting job in his selection of the twenty actors who bring the frenzied world …

by Madeline DeLorie (photos by Rachel Pontarolo) The Island Theater has brought a comic and quick version of the history of America to its stage in this new comedy sure to have you laughing throughout its two hour run time.  You may even have the chance to participate in this fun show put on by the energetic cast. If you are unfamiliar with Abridged shows – you may not know what to expect. However, if you enjoy satire and take a joke – you will be entertained. The three players of the show include Liane Barkley, Cindy Baker and Tricia …