Tag Archives: Lee Hamby

'Jekyll & Hyde' at Alhambra is a Chilling Unforgettable Tale

‘Jekyll & Hyde’ at Alhambra is a Chilling Unforgettable Tale

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 …

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Photo by Josh Andrews, Socially Relevant Drama "Sweat" Depicts American Working Life at The 5 & Dime Theatre

Socially Relevant Drama “Sweat” Depicts American Working Life at The 5 & Dime Theatre

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 …

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A Cautionary Tale: 5 & Dime A Theatre Company Presents Pulitzer Prize-Winning Drama 'Sweat', Photo by Josh Andrews, David Girard, Rashaud Sessoms, Joren

A Cautionary Tale: 5 & Dime A Theatre Company Presents Pulitzer Prize-Winning Drama ‘Sweat’

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 …

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Jason Woods Peter Pan, Theatre Jacksonville, Josh Taylor, Ron Shreve, Photo by Jonathan Scherf

Jason Woods’ Peter Pan Flies Back to Town to Theatre Jacksonville Stage

Peter Pan July 18-21 at Theatre Jacksonville  returns to Neverland once more with an encore performance of Peter Pan at . On the heels of its successful – and award-winning –three show run in February, Woods was inspired to make the journey one last time, this time for six additional performances. Woods’ staged reading of Peter Pan is presented July 18-21 at Theatre Jacksonville. The show was named Best Local Play at the 2019 Rainbow Awards. www.peterpanbyjasonwoods/eventbrite.com  “It’s fun for me. It’s engaging. Three years ago, it’s the show that got me into theatre so there’s a sacredness I think to …

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The 5 & Dime, Falsettos, Maya Adkins Photography

‘Falsettos’ on The 5 & Dime’s Intimate Stage is an Unusual Love Story, Heart-Rending Masterpiece

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 …

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Andrew Lippa's Wild Party, Players by the Sea, Photo by Bradley Akers

Truly a Wild Party and Immersive Experience at Players By The Sea, Remarkable Direction by Lee Hamby

A DUAL CRITICS PLAYERS BY THE SEA THEATRE REVIEW Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party opened on April 26th, 2019, at  opened. It runs through May 18th. The theatre is located at 106 6th Street North in . For reservations call 904-249-0289 or visit playersbythesea.org. The play, with book, music and lyrics by (who wrote music and lyrics for The Addams Family) offers a trip back to the 1920s, the days of flappers, jazz, illegal hooch, and reckless disregard for societal conventions. The original story, a book-length poem, was written in 1926 by Joseph Moncure March, who previously worked as the managing editor …

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God of Hell, 5 & Dime, Jacksonville, Florida

‘The God of Hell’ Introduces Outstanding New Talent to the 5 & Dime Stage

A Dual Critics Review The 5 & Dime, Jacksonville’s theatre company, has opened Sam Shepard’s “The God of Hell,” which remains onstage through March 10, 2019. Of note, the theatre is now celebrating a third year at its permanent location 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. The late Sam Shepard (1943 – 2017) was both an accomplished actor and acclaimed playwright. His “Buried Child” won a Pulitzer Prize. He wrote “The God of Hell” in 2004 in based on his view of the political …

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PBTS Co-Directors Suzanne Hudson Smith and Lee Hamby Meet in the Middle with ‘The Bridges of Madison County’

When Suzanne Hudson Smith first stepped into her new role as executive director of Players by the Sea, she was adamant that despite her theatre background, she had no plans to direct a show unless it was the right piece. When a last-minute calendar change added The Bridges of Madison County to the season schedule, she knew it was the opportunity she was waiting for. “Bridges of Madison County is a very intimate story that has so many little pieces to it. It’s what theatre does, in that we are able to present a story and the last piece that’s …

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A Holiday Tradition Close to Home: Behind the Scenes at ZooLights

Plus, a Sneak-Peak into the Jingle Bell Jukebox Revue “It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air,” W. T. Ellis once famously said. We may not have snow, but Christmas is absolutely in the air in Jacksonville, Florida.  There’s no shortage of holiday activities to enjoy, but with 30,000 guests in 2017, ZooLights is the largest and perhaps most spectacular. With new areas to explore and a theme-park style musical production designed by Jacksonville theater-maker Lee Hamby, the 7th annual ZooLights event at the is sure to put you in the mood to celebrate. Holiday Spirit, …

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1776 Alhambra Dinner Theatre

Behind the Scenes of the Alhambra’s ‘1776’

New York actors aspire to win a Tony, film actors want to win an Oscar. What do Jacksonville community theatre actors covet most? A role on stage at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre. An actor may perform with every theatre group in town, doing a variety of roles but when they finally land a role at the longest-producing dinner theaters in America, Jacksonville’s , you have reached the top in this area. Why? As Jacksonville’s full time professional theatre, you know you can perform with the pros. I know this question comes to mind. You thought the Alhambra is an equity …

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