Theatre Reviews

A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW  The has joined in partnership with Actors Collective, one of Jacksonville’s newest theatre groups, to present a unique theatre experience during June 29 – July 7, 2019. The full name of the production is One by Tenn Plus Eight: Short Stories for the Stage, and brings multiple theatrical stories to life. Actors Collective (www.ActorsCollective.com) was founded by , who directed the show. Of note, she spent over twenty years immersed in New York’s theatre scene in roles that included producer, director, and actor. She returned to Jacksonville several years ago and has directed a number of …

A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW The Vintage Players is one of North Florida’s most unique theatre groups. The actors are all volunteers with varied theatre experience, and they are all fifty years old – or older. Sometimes much older. Interestingly, acting experience is not a requirement to become a member of the group, and participants are not required to appear on stage until ready to do so. Weekly acting classes are offered to members every Friday morning at 10:00 am at Jacksonville’s Church of the Redeemer. Instruction is provided by Gary Baker, the group’s Artistic Director. He is a graduate, and …

A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW Downtown Jacksonville’s has opened Falsettos, an award-winning musical. The production opened June 14, and will remain on stage through June 30, 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. Falsettos opened on Broadway in 1992, was nominated for seven Tonys, and won Best Book and Best Original Score; a 2016 revival was nominated for five Tonys. The play toured throughout the county during February 2018 -June 2019. The book is by James Lapine, with music, lyrics, and book …

Her father rules an enchanting undersea kingdom. Her beautiful singing voice is the finest around.  Everything she could possibly require exists under the sea, yet Ariel knows deep in her soul that something’s missing. The teen wants what is impossible, and following her heart will upend her entire world. Fans of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, rejoice! brings this classic tale to life like you’ve never seen it before. With Broadway-worthy vocals, stunning costumes, and fabulous choreography, this show is perfect for the whole family. Or leave the kids or grandkids at home and reminisce your own childhood. Ariel and her …

The last show of ’s season is The Music Man. This classic musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, was not only based on Willson’s boyhood in Mason City, Iowa, but the role of Marian was based on a real person, Marian Seeley of Provo, UT, a medical records librarian whom Willson met in WWII. There were over 40 drafts and 20 cut songs before the show finally made it to Broadway in 1957, where it has been so successful, it garnered five Tony awards (over West Side Story) in its first year, spawned TV and Film adaptations, …

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 …

Prepare to be charmed and delighted as you experience a timeless coming-of-age story that will delight audiences young and not-so-young alike.  Fleming Island’s brings Little Women- A Broadway Musical to life in a sweet and homey way. Feel like a child again as you relive this classic tale, or discover it for the first time. You’ll instantly fall in love with sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March as they explore themes such as family, friendship, purpose, and fulfillment during the Civil War years. Written by Louisa May Alcott in 1868, the show debuted on Broadway in 2005 with a …