Tag Archives: Swisher Theatre

DUAL CRITICS REVIEW “Mrs. Warren’s Profession,” a social-issues play by George Bernard Shaw, opened on the Swisher Theatre Stage at Jacksonville University on February 15th, with additional shows scheduled February 22 and 24, at 7:30 PM.  The Irish playwright was a Nobel Prize winner, who wrote more than sixty plays during his lifetime. His best known works include “Man and Superman,” “Saint Joan,” “Major Barbara,” “Caesar and Cleopatra,” and “Pygmalion,” the basis for the ever- popular musical “My Fair Lady.” He died at age ninety-four, while in the process of writing still another play. “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” was written in …

Jacksonville University’s College of Fine Arts Performing Arts Series opened the pop-musical “Aida” at on their Arlington campus on February 16, 2018; additional performances are scheduled on February 17, 23 and 25. The musical is based on ’s opera of the same name, with music by and lyrics by . “Aida debuted in 2000 on Broadway and was not a favorite of New York critics. But the public loved it and it ran for 1,800 performances. “Every Story is a Love Story,” the opening song, informs us that “Aida” is a story of love that flourished in a time of …

A  JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE FINE ARTS REVIEW Jacksonville University opened a four-performance run of “” during October 26 – 29, 2017, staged in the school’s at 2800 University Boulevard North. With ticket prices of $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, military, students, and children, the large theatre was almost filled to capacity on opening night. This musical comedy opened on Broadway in 2001 and ran for almost a thousand performances. It was nominated for ten Tony Awards and won three, for Best Book, Best Original Score, and Best Direction of a Musical. The Dual Critics saw the …

A JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS REVIEW DICK KEREKES & LEISLA SANSOM [email protected] opened the enchanting family musical “” on March 3, 2016, with additional performances scheduled through March 13 in the on the campus of JU on North University Boulevard. JU’s production is exuberant theatre that leaves the audience in high spirits; an entertaining piece that is both enlightening and uplifting. “Eden” has been around since 1990. The musical is more likely to be offered by school and community theatres, rather than by professional theatres, as a large cast is required. And while it lacks hit songs, the …

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS presented the North Florida premier of the musical “Weird Romance” during a three-day run from November 6 – 8, 2015 at the on the school’s Arlington campus. “” certainly has an appropriate title and is described as two one-act musicals of speculative fiction. The music was written by Academy Award winning Alan Menken, composer of “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” The first act entitled “The Girl Who Was Plugged In” is about a company producing subliminal advertising. Isham (), the company president, persuades P. Burke (), …

           The drama department of presented the Florida Premier of ’s “” for a four day run Feb 19-22 2015 in the on the Arlington Campus of JU.           “Arts or Crafts” might seem like an unusual name for a play but this is not a traditional play but a collection of monologues and skits exploring in a unique and often humorous way, the concept that crafts are functional or are arts are decorative? ?           This was a very special even for JU as the playwright himself came to Jacksonville to direct this play together with Producer/JU Artist Director …

The  presented “,” a musical comedy, on stage at the  during October 24-26, 2014. This innovative musical has remained popular since it was nominated for six Tony Awards in 2005 and garnered two, for Best Book of a Musical and Best Actor. No doubt it will be a show with a long life, as spelling bee competitions remain so popular that they are featured on ESPN, the sports network. The story is that of a small town spelling bee, featuring a cast of eccentric characters. The setting and story are pure fiction and lots of fun. If you are not …