David Dionne – Folio 2.0 / EU Jacksonville

LOVE, SEX AND THE I.R.S at the ALHAMBRA

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom October 13, 2020 Dual Critics, Intracoastal, On Stage, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 2,725

ALHAMBRA THEATRE AND DINING REVIEW The Alhambra Dinner Theatre is staging “Love, Sex and the IRS,” a farce that plays out at whirlwind speed. It opened on September 30, 2020 and will remain through October 18, to be followed by “Footloose” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The play, written by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, debuted in 1979, delivers non-stop laughs for two hours, and remains one of the comic greats. The setting is a large two-story apartment in New York, which at today’s prices would probably cost at least $3,000 dollars a month to rent. Two struggling musicians …

The Cat’s Outta The Hat! “Seussical – The Musical”

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom June 30, 2015 Comedy, Dual Critics, Feature, On Stage, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 176

ALHAMBRA THEATRE & DINING REVIEW “SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL” Jacksonville’s Alhambra Theatre opened its annual summer treat on June 24, 2015 with “,” a bright imaginative musical comedy based on the works of Dr. Seuss by , , and . The show will run through August 2 at 12000 Beach Boulevard. Call 904-641-1212 or visit alhambrajax.com for reservations. The production is two hours of magic, filled with one entertaining song after another as well as all those wonderful Seuss characters who come alive on the stage. The Cat in the Hat () opens the show in a delightfully daffy comic performance, …

Lots of Fun and Many Laughs: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom May 18, 2015 Comedy, Dual Critics, Feature, On Stage, Southside, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 422

ALHAMBRA THEATRE AND DINING REVIEW There is lots of fun and many laughs with “Spelling Bee,” the Alhambra’s latest musical, which was nominated for six Tony Awards in 2005 and winner of two. The hilarious story is that of a fictional spelling bee set in the also fictional Putman County somewhere in America. Six unusual spellers compete for the title that will allow them to advance to the next level and hopefully eventually to the national finals in our nation’s capitol. The musical, by and , with music and lyrics by , is of course based on the actual spelling …

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom October 28, 2014 Dual Critics, On Stage, One Spark, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 109

The Alhambra opened the funniest and most unique musical comedy of the year on October 22, 2014 with “,” winner of five Tony Awards. All this zaniness and fun will be on stage at 12000 Beach Blvd in Jacksonville, Florida until November 23rd. This show opens with “Man in Chair” sitting in a comfortable easy chair, with his phonograph and record collection at his side, in his living room to the left of the stage. We soon learn that the man, played by New York actor Joel Newsome, is a devoted musical theatre fan. He selects a recording of “The …

Man of La Mancha

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom September 15, 2014 Dual Critics, On Stage, Southside, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 81

The Tony Award Winning Musical “” has opened at the , 12000 Beach Boulevard, in Jacksonville, Florida, and will be on stage through October 12, 2014. The quest of the is to inspire you to experience ‘s classic musical, which debuted in 1965 and received five Tonys, including “Best Musical” and “Best Original Score.” The musical remained on Broadway for a run of 2,328 productions, and was followed by several successful revivals. Visit alhambrajax.com or call (904) 641-1212 for reservations. For those who have never seen the musical, you need to know a bit of the plot. The work is …

THE 39 STEPS – Alhambra Theatre review

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom August 12, 2014 Dual Critics, On Stage, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 91

The opened ‘s “” on August 6, 2014 for a limited engagement through September 7. For Information and reservations, call 904-641-1212 or visit www.alhambrajax.com. A 1915 novel by Scottish author was freely adapted by Hitchcock as the screenplay for one of his most famous films, a mystery thriller with a prolonged wild chase scene; a classic which shows up on cable from time to time and is available at the public library. Scottish actor/playwright adapted the story for the stage, closely following the dialogue in the movie. The play opened in 2005 in London, went to Broadway in 2008, was …

Alhambra’s Christmas Carole is back

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom December 8, 2013 Dual Critics, On Stage, Southside, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 472

That penny-pinching old skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge is back in residence with the Alhambra’s Christmas Carole until Christmas Eve, as the original musical of Charles Dickens’ classic by Bruce Allen Scudder and Janie Newell makes its 23rd appearance on the stage where this version was born. The Dual Critics usually write reviews to enlighten the public about what to expect in the show and hopefully to encourage them to see it. Well, that is not the case with this review, since all 51 performances are SOLD OUT! If you want to see it, you can call the theatre, give them a date, and …

Alhambra’s Crazy For You

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom March 26, 2013 Dual Critics, Food + Drink, On Stage, Southside, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 108

Music, dance, and rollicking fun await you in the Alhambra’s Crazy For You which will be onstage through May 5, at 12000 Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville. Call (904) 641-1212 for reservations. Crazy For You debuted in 1992 and won the Tony for Best Musical. The Alhambra’s production is an energetic fast-paced show that you will want to see again and again. It is filled with great Gershwin songs including “Embraceable You”, “Someone to Watch Over Me”, and “I Got Rhythm”. The show is set in the 1930s and is an adaptation of “Girl Crazy”, a musical which played on Broadway …

Ring of Fire The Music of Johnny Cash at The Alhambra by iames photography

Alhambra’s Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom January 2, 2013 Dual Critics, On Stage, Southside, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 268

The Alhambra Theatre kicked off its 2013 season on December 28th with the North Florida premier of the Richard Maltby Jr. musical Ring of Fire – The Music of Johnny Cash. The show opened on the 28th so the Alhambra could feature it for the annual New Year’s Eve event. The official gala opening is January 4th, and this is a rare opportunity to read a review and make gala reservations. (Galas are lots of fun, with free champagne and hors d’oeuvres offered by the roving wait staff before the show and some goodies after the show along with a …

Alhambra’s Wizard of Oz

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom June 11, 2012 Dual Critics, Food + Drink, On Stage, Southside, Theatre, Theatre Reviews 441

Some early results are in for the 2012 election year. The Alhambra Theatre decided to choose its summer play based on the votes of its fans and patrons, and The Wizard of Oz was the winner of the popular vote. The musical has now opened and will be playing through July 23rd. It’s not a surprise that it won; the novel by L. Frank Baum that inspired the play has had a strong following since it was first published in 1900, 112 years ago. In 1939, an Academy Award nominated film starring Judy Garland was made. The Wizard of Oz film …