Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
May 14, 2019
Dual Critics, Feature, On Stage, Southside, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
A DUAL CRITICS ALHAMBRA THEATRE & DINING REVIEW ONE NEVER KNOWS, DO ONE? That was the favorite expression of American songwriter Fats Waller, and one frequently heard in Ain’t Misbehavin’, which received a Tony in 1978 for best musical and ran for almost four years on Broadway. The show opened at Jacksonville’s on May 8 and runs through June 9, 2019. And one just never knows what’s going to turn up on that stage to entertain North Floridians and visitors. Last month, it was the , next month, it will be Disney’s The Little Mermaid (June 12 – July 28). The …
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Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
February 25, 2019
Dual Critics, Feature, On Stage, Southside, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW Jacksonville’s Alhambra Theatre opened its second show of 2019 with the Jacksonville premier of “Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical” on February 20th, which remains onstage through March 24th. The theatre is located at 12000 Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida. Visit alhambrajax.com or call 904-641-1212 for reservations. This is a musical revue and is quite different than many of the musicals seen on this stage. It offers a humorous look at the slings and arrows – the inevitable midlife complaints and maladies — that men and women encounter as they reach their forties and fifties. The show, written …
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Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
January 29, 2019
Dual Critics, Feature, Neptune Beach, On Stage, The Beaches, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW The All Beaches Experimental Theatre (ABET) opened “The Robber Bridegroom” on January 25th, 2019. This high-spirited musical is sponsored by John Johnson and runs through February 10th. The production by is the North Florida premier. The story is based on a 1942 novella by Eudora Welty adapted from a story the Grimm brothers included in their book of European fairy tales (published 1812); she changed the setting from Germany to Mississippi. The story was rewritten as a musical in the early 1970s, with book and lyrics by Alfred Uhry and music by Robert Waldman. This version …
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Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
September 18, 2018
Dual Critics, Feature, On Stage, Southside, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW Jacksonville’s Alhambra Theatre revives one of the most popular shows it has ever done with the staging of “” This musical about eight Catholic school students in the 1950’s debuted in 1979 and is based on an earlier novel by John Powers; he subsequently wrote the book for the play, while James Quinn and Alaric Jans added music and lyrics. The Alhambra’s production opened on September 12 and runs through October 11, 2018. At times, we are asked if those of other faiths can enjoy this show: our response is “Yes!” and is based on the …
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Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
July 26, 2018
Dual Critics, Feature, Jacksonville Beach, On Stage, Ortega, The Beaches, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
Over the years, Jacksonville Beach’s Players by the Sea community theatre has presented a number of outstanding summer musicals. This year’s selection, staged during July 20 – August 12, 2018 is noteworthy in many ways. In 2008, “” was nominated for 13 Tony awards and won 4, including Best Musical and Best Original Score; in 2009, it was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize Award for drama. The play presents a slice of life story in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. The community is ethnically diverse, with Hispanics being the largest group. The music and lyrics were …
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Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
August 1, 2017
Dual Critics, Feature, Jacksonville Beach, On Stage, The Beaches, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE REVIEW Jacksonville Beach’s Players by the Sea and The Lazzarra Family Foundation presented the final show of the 2016 – 2017 season with the punk rock musical “American Idiot.” The production will remain on stage through August 12, 2017. Call 249-0289 or visit playersbythesea.org for additional information and reservations. Players is celebrating its 50th year anniversary. The theatre has staged many cutting-edge musicals during past seasons, and done them well. Many readers will remember “Pippin,” “Sweeny Todd,” “Memphis,” “La Cage Aux Folles,” and “Chicago.” With “American Idiot” this community theatre continues to live up to …
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Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
December 7, 2015
Dual Critics, Feature, Jacksonville Beach, On Stage, The Beaches, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
GODSPELL PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE REVIEW by DICK KEREKES & LEISLA SANSOM [email protected] Players by the Sea opened its Christmas present to North Florida with ”,” a true theatre classic. The opening was on December 6, and it will run through December 20, 2015. Players is located at 106 Sixth Street North in Jacksonville Beach. Call 904-249-0289 or visit playersbythesea.org for additional information and reservations. “Godspell,” which debuted in the early 70s, was conceived by , with music by a young . The musical ran for five years and has remained popular. In 2011, for its 40th anniversary, …
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Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
December 15, 2014
Dual Critics, Feature, Holidays, On Stage, St. Augustine, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
St. Augustine’s Limelight Theatre presents a Christmas musical, “” on the Matuza Main Stage. While most Christmas shows close by December 24, this one, which opened on December 5, will play until January 5, 2015. If you have visitors in town for the holidays, it will be a good time to take a trip to St. Augustine, see the city’s famous display of downtown lighting, and see Limelight’s show. Call 904 825-1164 or visit limelight-theatre.org for reservations. The movie version of “34th Street” has been around since 1947 and can be seen on TV screens annually during December. The musical, …
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