by Jan Davisson
The 2017/18 theatrical season promises to be outstanding, and, if you’re not a subscriber, now is the time to purchase individual show tickets. It’s an opportunity for those theatre patrons who can’t attend every performance to get a good selection of tickets for the upcoming season. Here’s a list to make it easier.
MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE
Andrea Bums stars as an ex-show girl in the screwball comedy, Born Yesterday now at the Maltz Theatre. Photo by Zak Bennett
Starting in the North County, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre announced that there is something big under their hat! They’re not kidding, between a season of top notch plays and the line up of individual shows such as Tommy Tunes Tonight on November 18th to a Motown Christmas, December 22 and the fantastic Celtic Tenors for the perfect show to celebrate St. Patrick. There is definitely something for everyone’s musical appetite. Already sold out is the evening performance of Arrival From Sweden ABBA’s on January 22 (early evening show tickets still available.) Lots of tributes to the musicians who make up our memories. Beach Party Boys, March 19; The Long Run, an Eagles Tribute; Britbeat, of course, a tribute to the Beatles. Tickets going fast so stop thinking about it and make your reservations!
Now for the the outstanding selection of upcoming plays and musicals. Keep in mind that these are not traveling shows. Each show is cast with auditions throughout theatre hubs such as New York; set design and costumes are all done here. In fact, every detail is produced by the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.
The Classic American Screwball Comedy, Born Yesterday, kicked off the season on October 29 and runs through November 12.
The holiday celebration show is a musical for all ages, Newsies, a true musical dance sensation.. November 28-December 17. The New Year brings the Tony Award-winning Hairspray from January 9-28, 2018. Everyone loves a good thriller and the Maltz Jupiter Theatre has it from February 4-18 when An Inspector Calls hits the stage. This stellar season ends on a high note with the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, South Pacific complete with the best score of any musical. Remember Younger Than Springtime, Bloody Mary, Some Enchanted Evening and I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair…the list goes on and on.
For ticket information: Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter, Tickets: (561) 575-2223; www.jupitertheatre.org
KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Announcing the 26th annual season of spectacular concerts, blockbuster performance and the best of Broadway hits, the Kravis Center pulled out all the stops. Entertainers like Paul Anka, The Beach Boys, Audra McDonald and Itzhak Perlman to name a few. This is a top-notch lineup.
The Kravis on Broadway Series kicks off the 2017/18 season with the Rogers and Hammerstein musical, The King and I November 7-12
When it comes to Broadway Hits, the Kravis covers the spectrum with fantastic hits. The Kravis on Broadway Series starts with The King and I, November 7-12. The nine-time Tony Award-winning musical, The Book of Mormon, from November 21-26, 2017. The charming musical Finding Neverland will start the New Year perfectly from January 2-7, 2018. From February 6-11, you can come to the Cabaret, another Tony winner. March 6-11 offers up a completely different show direct from Broadway, The Illusionists. The BodyGuard runs from April 10-15. The season ends with Something Rotten May 1-6. Visit the Renaissance era in this hilarious musical, and meet the Bottom Brothers, who are desperate to write a hit play in the shadow of “The Bard.” Other major musicals, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Forbidden Broadway and more. Don’t miss out on the excitement at the Kravis this season. Individual tickets now on sale.
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach Tickets (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471; www.kravis.org
MNM Productions Kravis Center
New to the smaller Rinker Theatre at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is MNM Productions. Just finishing a successful run of LaCage Aux Follies. Albin and George, the two lead characters were brilliantly portrayed by Michael Ursua and Larry Alexander. A real scene stealer…
Next up is Little Shop of Horrors. December 1-17. A great show for younger kids to get their first taste of live theatre.
MNM Productions at The Rinker Theatre at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts kicked off their season with La Cage Aux Folles in October It starred Michael Ursua and Larry Alexander and Michael Ursua as Zaza, the over the top maid/butler. Photo credit: Matthew Bueno
Rinker Theatre at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach Tickets (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471; www.kravis.org
PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS
Producing Artistic Director William Hayes and his talented crew have their work cut out for them trying to top last season plus the fantastic summer production of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. However, I say that every year, and they’ve yet to let me down.
The 2017-18 season opened with a brilliant classic by Lillian Hellman set at the turn of the century in the Deep South. The Little Foxes runs from October 20-November 12. It is an unbelievable production. As you enter the intimate theatre and see the amazing set created by scenic designer, Michael Amcio, you will want to live there! The stage comes alive with the talented cast: Kathy McCafferty as Regina Giddens: Dennis Creaghan, who appeared with Elizabeth Taylor in the London production, portrays Regina’s unscrupulous brother. His experience and talent are evident from his long list of leading roles on Broadway. His performance is so classy and understated; the other money grubbing brother is James Andreassi as Oscar Hubbard and his mentally abused wife, Denise Cormier as Birdie. Again, the talent shines through as the polar opposite couple get involved in a scheme against Regina’s husband, Horace Giddens. One of my favorite actors from last season’s Tru, about Truman Capote, again displays his talents as the victim of the scheme; Taylor Anthony Miller as Lee Hubbard is as sleazy as you can get as the slightly off kilter son of Oscar and Birdie; the delightful Caitlin Cohn completes the family as Regina’s daughter, Alexandra Giddens. She was last seen in the Palm Beach Dramaworks production of Arcadia. Cohn and her father, Horace, bring a breathe of fresh air to this dysfunctional southern family. In fact, they’re the only members of the family that you can like!
Frank Converse returns to PBD as William Marshall, a Chicago business man offering a business proposal to the greedy trio, little aware of their scheming nature. The house staff include Avery Sommers, as Addie. Forget thinking about Sommers as a powerful singer. She has serious acting ability. And, rounding out this stellar cast is Patric Robinson, the gentle butler/houseman who has difficulties trying to figure out what’s happening.
Between the stunning costumes created by resident designer Brian O’Keefe; the exquisitely talented cast and the magnificent set design, Director J. Barry Lewis had a great deal of his work already done. However, Lewis always manages to bring out the best from his cast who have wonderful interaction. This he created throughout the blocking to create magic.
Next Up is a World Premier of a new play by Terry Teachout entitled Billy and Me opens on December 8 and runs through December 31. The storyline is a turbulent friend ship between Tennessee Williams and William Inge, two great American playwrights. Another classic is set for February 2-February 25, the Ernest Thompson play On Golden Pond. A world premiere is slated to introduce a new play by Joseph McDonough titled Edgar & Emily. It puts together a comic fantasia about what happens when poet Emily Dickinson is unexpectedly visited by Edgar Allan Poe. Talk about two opposites! Edgar & Emily will run from March 31-April 22.
Sadly, the season ends but goes out with a bang with the Broadway drama Equus by Peter Shaffer. It will open on May 18 and run through June 3.
The Don & Ann Brown Theatre is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach at 201 Clematis Street. For ticket information, contact the box office at (561) 514-4042 or visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.
The Wick Theatre and Costume Museum
Heading on down to Boca Raton and the Wick Theatre and Costume Museum, which has been busy all summer long. Getting ready to open the 2017/18 season by bringing the long running Broadway hit, The Drowsy Chaperone, a delightful romp of an old style musical comedy. It plays from October 19 through November 12, 2017. The ultimate holiday show, A Wonderful Life, which will be directed and choreographed by Norb Joerder and run from November 24-December 24. It must be “let’s honor everyone’s favorite dancer, Gene Kelly,” with the next two shows. Singin’ in the Rain runs Jan. 11-Feb. 18 followed by the charming musical set in Scotland, Brigadoon, which runs March 8-April 8. The season ends with Jerry’s Girls on stage from April 19-May 13).
The Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton. Box Office (561) 995-2333 or www.wick.org