Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
August 9, 2019
Downtown, Dual Critics, Feature, On Stage, The Elbow, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
A DUAL CRITICS THEATRE REVIEW The 5 & Dime, Jacksonville’s theatre company, , which will remain on stage through August 18, 2019. The production was made possible by the financial support of . The play, written by Lynn Nottage, debuted at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2015, was awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and opened on Broadway in 2017, where it received three Tony nominations, which included Best Play. The story is that of factory workers facing unforeseen and unimaginable changes in what Nottage has described as the American de-industrial revolution. The script is based on two years …
Read More »
Liza Mitchell
August 2, 2019
Downtown, Feature, Neighborhoods, On Stage, The Elbow, Theatre
5 & Dime A Theatre Company is taking a step away from the “living room” plays into the dingy pall of a blue-collar Pennsylvania bar with Sweat, the 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Lynn Nottage. Sweat explores the complex ecosystem of a factory town collapsing under its own weight. Poverty isn’t entertaining but it makes for compelling theatre when it’s dissected down to the bone. , a founding member of 5 & Dime, is thrilled to present this stark portrayal in its Northeast Florida premiere. “It is definitely a very serious, important story. It will definitely make people think. It’s …
Read More »
Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
March 19, 2019
Dual Critics, Feature, Neptune Beach, On Stage, The Beaches, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
A DUAL CRITICS REVIEW The All Beaches Experimental Theatre is staging a play (March 17 – 31, 2019) with an unusual name which was written by Lee Blessing in 1985. “Eleemosynary” means “of or relating to charity” and is of special importance to the narrative, as that’s the word that Echo, the youngest of the characters, spells correctly to win the National Spelling Bee Competition. This thought-provoking script explores the vicissitudes of mother-daughter bonds among three generations of women. It is an intriguing study of the ties that bind mothers despite their strong personality differences. The action takes place on …
Read More »
Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
September 24, 2015
Comedy, Dual Critics, Feature, Jacksonville Beach, On Stage, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE REVIEW Jacksonville Beach’s opened its 50th season on September 18, 2015 with a revival of the 1984 winner of six Tony Awards, “,” which will run through October 10. Reservations are highly recommended; call 904-249-0289 or visit theatrejax.org. When this play first hit Broadway in 1983, it was considered controversial as it is about a committed gay couple facing a family crisis when their son decides to marry. As far as we know, this production is only the second in North Florida; we recall it being staged at the some years ago. In view of …
Read More »
Bradley Akers
September 6, 2015
Feature, On Screen, On Stage, Theatre, TV
BY BRADLEY AKERS, Associate Director at Players by the Sea ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ by plays. A man wearing glasses, a spotted dog suit, and a warm smile appears on the television screen to welcome people to his “weekly growl.” That man, dubbed the Amazing (but humble) , set out in 1980 to promote the exciting theatre here in Jacksonville to the community through public access television waves. Thirty-five years and thousands upon thousands of shows and reviews later, we celebrate the work of in harmonious howling. “Dick’s knowledge and love of theatre is simply unsurpassed,” says , longtime …
Read More »
Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
August 17, 2015
Comedy, Dance, Dual Critics, Jacksonville Beach, On Stage, The Beaches, Theatre
wrapped up its 49th season on August 15, 2015 at their playhouse in Jacksonville Beach, with their annual volunteer celebration and awards ceremony. The have attended a number of the celebrations, but this year’s full house audience seemed particularly lively and excited. The exuberance no doubt reflected Players very successful past season, and the anticipation of the big 50th Season opening in September. and were the Masters of Ceremony, with various actors tapped to present individual awards. A new feature was The Gold Brown Bag Awards, by long-time Players supporter and jack of all trades involving theatre, . She sketched …
Read More »
Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
July 21, 2015
Dual Critics, Feature, Jacksonville Beach, On Stage, The Beaches, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE REVIEW Jacksonville Beach’s and present and ’s AIDA, on stage during July 17 – August 8, 2015. , hoping to attain the success they had with “,” produced this musical which is based ’s opera of the same name. Featuring the music of Elton John and Tim Rice, two of the most popular names in show business, it ran on Broadway for over 1,800 performances. Elton John’s fame no doubt was the reason for its success; the critics were often lukewarm. Even if you have never been to one of Elton John’s many concerts , …
Read More »
Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
June 10, 2015
Dual Critics, Feature, Jacksonville Beach, On Stage, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
in Jacksonville Beach opened “,” on June 5, 2015, for a three-weekend run through June 20. The play, which had over 600 Broadway performances, has received wide critical acclaim and garnered multiple Tony Awards, while playwright Tracy Letts was awarded the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for drama. is no stranger to North Florida audiences. Players has staged two of his plays, “” and “,” in past seasons; both were excellent and well-received by audiences. Like many playwrights, Letts uses personal experiences for his work. If you read the Dramaturg notes in the program, you will learn, that yes, Mr. Letts had …
Read More »
Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
May 13, 2015
Dual Critics, Feature, Jacksonville Beach, On Stage, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
Players by the Sea’s motto for the last few seasons has been “Expect the Unexpected.” Players’ current production of “,” which opened May 8, 2015 and will run through May 23, certainly delivers on that promise. A dark musical comedy, it is challenging to the talented cast and director as well as to local theatergoers. The play, written by , with music composed by , debuted at the in Washington D.C. in 2012, where it played for almost three months. It moved to the Playwrights Horizons stage in New York City the following year for a brief run. This year, …
Read More »
Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
April 16, 2015
Dual Critics, Feature, Jacksonville Beach, On Stage, Theatre, Theatre Reviews
PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE REVIEW Do you want to see the hottest play in America these days? Then plan a trip to Jacksonville Beach to during the run of “” to see a comedy filled with laughs that is sure to please. It opened on April 10, 2015 and will be on stage at 106 North Sixth Street through April 25. Call 249-0289 for reservations or visit playersbythesea.org. Why is this play so popular? It was written by , known for off-kilter comedy since his college days, who shows that at age sixty-six his wit and play-writing skills remain …
Read More »