Theatre Reviews

A Dual Critics Review St. Augustine’s Limelight Theatre is staging the wildly entertaining “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)” during November 22 – December 22, 2019 in the Koger-Gamache Black Box Theatre. The play, written by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez, was initially staged in New Jersey in 2003 and has become a popular holiday choice for venues throughout the country.  Limelight’s version is directed by , and features , Cameron Hodges, and , who portray three actors planning a Christmas show. Craig is well known at Limelight for past roles which have included “Heathers: …

I went to see The Harvest this weekend at the in . Its the first time I’ve seen an actual performance at the theatre’s permanent home in the past three years. They’ve always been a great, intellectually satisfying performance group, with lots of satellite shows at locations other than the theatre. I know I used to really enjoy their works in the early years of their existence and this one was absolutely wonderful. Even a level above their early wonderful programs. The theatre is neat, comfortable, completely modern, with marvelously simple elegant technical infrastructure. LED lighting systems that are silent …

Jacksonville University’s Theatre Program presented “Romeo and Juliet,” William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, during October 1 – November 3, 2019. The tragedy of the star-crossed lovers was staged in the Swisher Theatre and directed by Deborah Jordon. Scholars think The Bard wrote the play around 1594; a printed edition was released in 1597. And while we don’t know the date or location of the play’s debut, we do know that Renaissance plays were longer than those of today; productions could easily extend to three or four hours. From the director’s perspective, some editing was needed. She shortened the stage time to two …

A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW  Florida State College of Jacksonville staged the North Florida premiere of American La Ronde, by noted playwright , during October 31 – November 3, 2019. The script is based on Reigen a much older play by Vienna writer Arthur Schnitzler (1862 – 1931).  The play, written in German in 1890, portrays sexuality in a social context. It was first staged in 1920, and was not well-received by the public. A storm of criticism led to a court case. And although the charge of immorality was dismissed, Schnitzler no longer allowed productions in German-speaking countries. However, the work …

A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW: Something Rotten at Theatre Jacksonville Theatre Jacksonville officially opened on November 1, 2019 with the North Florida premier of what you will find is the funniest musical ever seen on this historic stage, “Something Rotten.” At least that was our reaction which, judging from the laughter and thunderous applause we heard, was also shared by the full-house audience on opening night.  “Something Rotten” remains on stage through November 17th. The book is by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell with music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick. The musical officially opened on Broadway in April, …

Alhambra Theatre & Dining Dual Critics Review  The Alhambra Theatre, Jacksonville’s only dinner theatre, opened “Jekyll & Hyde” on October 23, 2019, which runs through November 24, 2019. The theatre is located at 12000 Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida. Visit alhambrajax.com or call 904-641-1212 for reservations. The musical is based on a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson first published in 1886. Book and lyrics are by Leslie Bricusse, with music by . This mesmerizing production of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ is directed by Alhambra’s , who directed the same show on this stage eighteen years ago. Dr. Henry Jekyll is a …

Jacksonville Beach’s Players by the Sea opened the cult classic “The Toxic Avenger” on October 25, 2019, which runs through November 10, 2019. The theatre is located at 106 6th Street North in . For reservations call 904-249-0289 or visit playersbythesea.org. This classic has its beginnings in a non-musical film released in 1984. Three sequels followed; none were hits. However, the story found a receptive audience as a musical, which made it to New York in 2009, and received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Off-Broadway Musical. The work was crafted by (lyrics) and David Bryan (music). The …

Fairy-tale lovers, delight! Into the Woods at The Island Theater in Fleming Island is the perfect family-friendly live theater experience to share with your children this Fall. Quirky, delightful, and entertaining from beginning to end, you’ll enjoy the show just as much as the kids as you revisit fairytale favorites with a fresh twist.   The woods are a pretty crowded place these days and everyone has their own competing interests and desires, each intertwined in a complicated plot line complete with fabulous musical numbers and choreography. Meet Cinderella, who desires a reprieve from domestic drudgery to attend the King’s Festival. …

For the second show of its 50th Anniversary season, (OPCT) took on the 1950 classic, Bell, Book and Candle. In a bewitchingly fun version, the audience, to paraphrase Aunt Queenie, was giggling and giggling (and laughing) pretty consistently throughout. Considering this script is almost 70 years old and has spawned two well-known movies (its namesake and Spellbound) and a TV series (Bewitched), there is a large shadow from which they have admirably stepped. It is unusual to critique two consecutive shows by the same director. has cast this impeccably, each character bringing their own distinct personality to the stage. This …