On Stage

PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE REVIEW A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW BY DICK KEREKES AND LEISLA SANSOM [email protected] Jacksonville Beach’s opened its 50th season with the musical “.” After opening on Broadway in 1987, the play won Tony Awards for Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress. And it probably would have won the award for best musical as well, if “Phantom of the Opera” hadn’t been a competitor. made “Woods” into a film in 2014, starring Meryl Streep, Tracy Ullman, and Johnny Depp. The film grossed over two hundred million dollars, and ignited a renewed interest in the musical by …

THEATRE JACKSONVILLE REVIEW A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW BY DICK KEREKES & LEISLA SANSOM [email protected] This week opened its annual Summer Classic in San Marco on September 16, 2016 with “.” The production will be on stage through October 2, 2016. Visit theatrejax.com or call (904) 396-4425 for additional information and reservations. You can take a late summer vacation at Theatre Jacksonville and briefly and delightfully enter the world of and experience the challenges and triumphs the characters she created faced during everyday life in England during the Regency period. Austin’s famous and beloved novel, which was first published in 1813, …

It was the Senate office Christmas party in 1981 when and her fellow staffers first lampooned their political contemporaries in song. Performing a parody of your workplace in front of the boss who also happens to hold a public office is a bold move. Newport waited for the fallout that never came. “We worked up a few songs and we really thought we’d do it once and be told to stop, get fired or both,” she says. “And we were sort of surprised when someone said ‘hey,we have our party next week. Will you do our party, too?’ No one …

ORANGE PARK COMMUNITY THEATRE REVIEW A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW BY DICK KEREKES & LEISLA SANSOM [email protected] The opened , the 2006 Tony Award winning musical, on September 9, 2016, which will run through October 2, 2016. The theatre is located at 2900 Moody Avenue in Orange Park, Florida. Tickets are selling fast. Call 904-276-2599 or visit www.opct.info for additional information. Mary Poppins is based on the popular 1964 Disney film of the same name, which was adapted from an earlier series of children’s books by author P. L. Travers, and is a spectacular and family-friendly musical. Under the direction of …

ABET THEATRE REVIEW DUAL CRITICS REVIEW BY DICK KEREKES & LEISLA SANSOM [email protected] The opened the Florida premier of the musical “” on September 9, 2016. The production will be onstage through September 26. The musical, which debuted on Broadway in 1981, is based on a 1934 play by and . It hasn’t been staged frequently, probably because it is so challenging for the actors, musicians, and directors. But as far as we know, director embraces challenging works, and this play was no exception. He was ably assisted by actor/director . The book is by , while the music and …

10 Questions courtesy of our friends at the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville: According to the League of American Orchestras, fewer than two percent (2%) of professional classical musicians in the United States are African-American.  The 2010 Census, which is the most recent Census survey, showed that individuals who identify as African-American represent roughly thirteen percent (13%) of the US population. The disheartening statistic related to the number of African-Americans professionally involved in classical music is one of the motivators that led to the founding of the Ritz Chamber Players. Founded in 2002 by , the stopped charging admission to their concerts …

“But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Unoriginal yet unique, Jon Jory’s enchanting new adaption of Jane Austen’s 1813 novel brings humor and romance to the stage of . “We channeled a minimalist approach for this set design, using simple props and natural shifts for the backdrops. We believe this will accentuate the caliber of acting within this cast,” says the play’s stage manager Ashley Jones. Pride and Prejudice, directed by , runs September 16th through October 2nd at Theatre Jacksonville in . Florida’s longest …

With the 50th season underway, has recently named as new artistic director. Akers says he hopes to strengthen community relations and extend the reach of the theatre’s educational programming to incorporate theatre for the young. Players by the Sea will also unveil an artistic statement that connects patrons, artists, and community groups with the work they do. “As a community theatre, it’s our duty to reflect what’s happening in the community and tell the best stories by the best storytellers.” “As a community theatre, it’s our duty to reflect what’s happening in the community and tell the best stories by …