Theatre (35)
Ruth Eckerd Hall Phedre Performance Starring Helen Mirren at Capitol Theatre July 10 and 11
Written by Heidi Lux
The Capitol Theatre, recently purchased by Ruth Eckerd Hall and the City of Clearwater, is set to hold another show. Instead of a concert as in the previous two performances, however, this one will be a play. Or perhaps a movie, depending on how you want to look at it.
NT Live, a new initiative from the United Kingdom’s National Theatre, will broadcast live performances of plays onto movie screens around the world, and one of those screens will be at the Capitol Theatre. They are beginning this experiment with a performance of Phèdre by French playwright Jean Racine (this version of the play by Ted Hughes), directed by the National Theatre’s Nicholas Hynter. The play will be performed live, and the premier will be broadcast to The Capitol Theatre. The play stars Helen Mirren as Phèdre, as well as Dominic Cooper and Margaret Tyzak.
Phèdre is based on Greek mythology. It is the tale of a queen, Phèdre, who declares her love for Hippolyte, her husband Theseus’s son from a previous marriage, when her husband is rumored to be dead after disappearing during an expedition. On Theseus’ unexpected return, Phaedra accuses Hippolyte of trying to seduce her, and a nightmare of tragedy ensues.
Performances will be presented on Friday July 10th at 8pm, and Saturday, July 11th at 2pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 19th at noon at the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office. The Capitol Theatre is located at 405 Cleveland Street, Clearwater. For more information, visit http://www.rutheckerdhall.com/, or call the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office at 727-791-7400
Mamma Mia Tour Comes to Ruth Eckerd Hall August 11 2009
Written by Ruth Eckerd Hall
Clearwater, FL - A mother, a daughter, three possible dads and a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! MAMMA MIA! returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall beginning August 11 for 8 performances! Tickets are on sale now! More than 30 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! “…one of the most successful musicals of all time!” according to the Chicago Tribune.
Sunscreen Film Festival Presents Songs from the Stage and Screen
Written by Joanie Sigal
June 20, 2009 - CLEARWATER, FL - Singer/Actor Paul Wilson has been added as a special guest performer at the upcoming Sunscreen Film Festival concert/fundraiser on June 20th at the Ft. Harrison Hotel. The event features the concert “Hit Songs From Stage and Screen” and will be accompanied by the screening of two entertaining and uplifting short films, as well as great desserts and libations. Paul will join the fabulous “Broadway & Beyond” group, featuring Joanie Sigal and Tom Godfrey, the nimble fingers of Jim Nelson backed by the mellow tones of the Fort Harrison Band.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - NOVA 535 unique event space and modern art lounge will present Opening Night of Supernova Sundays starting Sunday, June 7th at 6pm.
The recurring Sunday night party will feature local talent, national celebrity acts and fantastic music. The format will evolve and change each week in order to remain fresh. It all begins June 7th with The Big Bang Show: Think Johnny Carson, Drew Carey and the Whose Line Is It Anyway? guys hijacking American Idol and squeezing it into The Gong Show...only you’re in the audience with dinner and a drink. The Big Bang Show is hosted by Tampa's own Got Jokes? improv troupe and judged by local celebrity Sterling Powell, hilarious comedienne Christine O’Leary and Torrie & Amanda the adorable dynamic duo behind CBS Radio’s "Girls Gone Sport.” (NOVA 535 is still accepting local talent acts for consideration. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)
TAMPA, FL - If laughter is truly the best medicine, these guys should require a prescription. Got Jokes? is a rising star in the comedic sky, and one of the Tampa area's premiere improv comedy troupes. If you're looking for a side-splitting good time, they deliver!
A Got Jokes? show is high-energy, in-your-face improv comedy driven by crowd participation. The audience is involved with everything from scene suggestions to direct interaction in the show, with fans getting on stage and exchanging quips and lines with the cast while they react and mold their show around whatever they are given. The cast of Got Jokes? is a mix of stand-up comics, spoken word artists, trained improv comedians and actors that have come together to create a unique comedic expression. They obviously have fun on stage, which adds to the show’s energy and vibe.
AN IRISH FAIRY TALE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
On Friday, June 19th at 4:30 and 7:00 PM, Delphi Academy of Florida presents the comedy “Blather, Blarney and Balderdash”, by Patrick Rainville Dorn, at the Francis Wilson Playhouse. Set in Ireland, the play follows the adventures of Fin, who must learn the essential art of storytelling in order to win the hand of fair Pegeen. With the help of three leprechauns—Blather, Blarney and Balderdash—Fin learns how to weave a good yarn as the characters take on a life of their own. The hilarious cast includes a chronic sneezer, a boatman who can’t leave his boat, and a fiddle-playing cricket. And of course, there will be plenty of Irish music and dancing.
The Delphi drama department will be calling upon professionals to help students develop acting and dancing skills. Cathy Vangieri, a local drama coach, and Megan Brazil, a professional dancer and choreographer from New York will be directly involved in the play’s creation.
Elaine Oller, Delphi’s drama teacher, is enthused about this year’s play. “I’m especially excited about the Francis Wilson Playhouse,” she exclaims. “It’s a cozy, unique setting and really perfect for us. I’m also delighted with the music—it’s going to be very lively and fun.” She thinks this will be one of Delphi’s best performances.
The Francis Wilson Playhouse is located at 302 Seminole Street in Clearwater. It is on the bay front, one block west of Fort Harrison Avenue. Tickets go on sale June 1st. Adults $15; Children and Senior Citizens $10. Order a package of three or more tickets and get them for $10 each. To order tickets, call Delphi at (727) 447-6385. Advance ticket sales recommended. Tickets will be sold at the door. No assigned seating. For special needs seating, please notify the school for special arrangements.
Delphi Academy of Florida is an independent coeducational and non-sectarian day school offering regular school year and summer programs for preschool through ninth grade. Delphi has been providing educational services for over 12 years.
For more information about our school, visit our website at www.delphifl.org. For more information about Delphi, contact: Beth Voss, Delphi Academy of Florida, 1831 Drew St. Clearwater, FL 33765. 727-447-6385 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Belleview Biltmore Hotel - A Ghostly Love Affair Featured
Written by BonSue Brandvik
Belleair, FL
Uh-oh, an employee of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel is coming to chase me out of the underground tunnels… again. I know I’m not supposed to go down into the underbelly of the hotel unless escorted by authorized personnel, but I can’t help myself. My imagination runs wild when I’m down here, and the temptation to experience this aspect of the fantastic hotel is so great that I’m drawn through the forbidden door every time I visit. And I visit often.
Clearwater, FL (April 2, 2009) - Clearwater Academy International, the only private school located in the downtown Clearwater area, held their Annual Festival of Arts the first weekend in April. With the Grand Opening on Thursday, April 2nd, attendees were treated to a fine display of student artwork and photography. The large exhibition displayed pieces using many different mediums from students of all ages.
Clearwater Academy is very active in expanding the school’s Arts Program to cover all aspects of the arts. For more information please visit the school website at http://www.clearwateracademy.org/ .
Legally Blonde the Musical Broadway Performance at Ruth Eckerd Hall
Written by Heidi Lux |
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Legally Blonde Preformance at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Photo by Wayne Cathel.
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Clearwater, FL (April 8, 2009) - Legally Blonde, the musical, manages to capture the feel of Legally Blonde, the movie. It is a silly, carefree piece of theatre that manages to leave you fulfilled, satisfied and quite entertained at the end of it, while including a positive message that is delivered through silly means.
The musical includes all of the familiar and important moments of the movie, such as Elle's videotape to get into Harvard, the scene where she's tricked into dressing like a Playboy bunny and arrives at a classy party and the hunky UPS guy. However, it still manages to stand on its own as its own piece. It's enjoyable if you've seen the movie and still enjoyable if you haven't.