On Stage

  442-2929 www.artistseriesjax.org Feb 3-8 THE BOOK OF MORMON The nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical from the creators of South Park Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater Feb10-15 THE CAPITOL STEPS The Washington DC-based comedy troupe that began as a group of Senate Staffers will present a show based on songs from their current album, “How To Succeed in Congress Without Really Lying,” a unique blend of musical and political comedy. Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts Feb 21 IN THE MOOD The Mood has a cast of 19 on stage with the hypnotic, sensational String of …

2445 San Diego Rd, 904 346-5620, www.da-arts.org Feb 4-7 THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE In this musical comedy, six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. This hilarious tale of overachievers’ angst chronicles the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling bee championship of a lifetime. Feb 28 EXTRAVAGANZA The annual show of talent from the Jacksonville’s dedicated arts school. Directed by Mr. Ace Martin. 7:30pm at the Times Union Center. Tickets …

716 Ocean Blvd., 249-7177 www.abettheatre.com ABET’s mission is to bring the excitement of live theatre to diverse audiences. There is an emphasis on new and original plays and neglected classics, and on developing new talent. We seek diversity in all aspects. Many roles are race/gender neutral. We invite everyone to get involved – volunteer, join the  Guild, buy a subscription, make a donation, audition for a play, or take a drama workshop for adults or children. March 13-29 BLOOD BROTHERS The captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate, and …

12000 Beach Blvd, 641-1212 www.alhambrajax.com Feb 18-March 22 BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE A blind man moves into his own apartment against the wishes of his overprotective mother, and befriends the freethinking young woman next door. April 1 – May 3 ON GOLDEN POND Mike Farrel of MASH stars in On Golden Pond, the Tony Award-winning play by Ernest Thompson. The play explores the often turbulent relationship of a young woman and her father, and the difficulties faced by a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage. May 13-June 14 PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE An eclectic group of teens vie …

Jacksonville Beach’s Players by the Sea and sponsors presented two showings of an evening with Gene Nordan on Friday and Saturday, January 30-31, 2015. This is an after the fact review, but the show was so unique we wanted to record it in print. The purpose of this show was as a fund raiser for , but to the full house audience and the supporting cast, it was a tribute to Nordan as a talented entertainer and an all-around really nice guy. A bit of background is in order. Beginning in 1970, Nordan was a major Beaches attraction at the …

ABET presented a three-performance run, beginning January 30, 2015, of the biographical one-woman play about Ann Landers, world famous advice columnist. , Executive Director of , called upon Fernandina Beach actress to bring this work to the stage for its Jacksonville debut after the production that was originally scheduled during this time period had to be cancelled. Ms. Nichols motto should be “has play, will travel.” She has previously performed “,” the story of , at ABET as well as throughout the United States and Ireland. She took a break from her solo shows in July, 2014 when she appeared …

Comedian Casey Whitaker and friends give you a sentimental glimpse into the glory days of the heralded improv troupe Venue: The Times-Union Center – Terry Theater Date: January 31st at 8pm Tickets: $50 Contact: www.artistseriesjax.org *********** Positioned in a city famous for hundreds of different things and having seemingly a thousand different nicknames, it is no small feat that the improv group has become a Chicago institution and landmark standard bearer of comedy greatness for the past six decades. The company has launched the careers of Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, and countless other comedy giants who …

Venue: Comedy Club of Jacksonville Date: January 29-31(8:04pm each night; 10:10pm the 30th and 31st) Tickets: $15-20 Contact: www.jacksonvillecomedy.com ************ In the world of stand-up, honestly needs no introduction. She is one of those few talented comedians who has been doing it so well for so long that her name is now simply synonymous with the craft. Performing on stage since the 70s, artistic renditions and signed publicity photos of her are fixtures at just about any chuckle hut of note throughout the country. Most importantly for me, she once sat on Dr. Jonathan Katz’s couch back in the 90s …

St. Augustine’s Limelight Theatre opened a polished revival of one of the better American plays of the past century on January 23, 2015, with “Sweet Bird of Youth,” by Tennessee Williams, which initially opened on Broadway in 1959. Chance Wayne (), after a brief period of military duty, has become a drifter and gigolo, who depends on odd jobs and friendships with older women for support. However, he is not without ambition; he wants to be a film star. He has persuaded Alexandra (), an aging and fading film star he met while working as a pool boy in California, …