by Jan Davisson
Get ready for 2019 and a grand selection of outstanding shows coming to the area. From drama to musicals to comedy, the scene is set for lots of entertainment.
MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE
After a hugely successful run of the amazing Disney Beauty and the Beast, starring Danielle Bowen as the perfect Belle with her beautiful face, lilting voice and grace on stage and the magnificent voice of Zach Nadolski as the Beast. Definitely a winning combination. A brilliant rendition of Disney Beauty and the Beast. If you missed it, better plan on getting tickets to the next show when the Maltz Jupiter Theatre brings the delightful juke box musical, Mamma Mia! (January 15-February 10). It is based upon the Swedish pop sensation, ABBA and their great hits such as “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me.” Over 60 million people have seen the show, which has grossed $2 billion worldwide since its 1999 debut.
A film adaptation starred Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and an all-star cast. It was released in 2008. If you liked the film, you’ll LOVE the play. Mamma Mia! was written by British playwright Catherine Johnson based upon the songs of ABBA composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who are former members of the band. The production is not a national tour. It’s staged at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Local staging brings a new type of energy to any productions. In fact, all their productions are staged locally with costumes, set design and all the behind-the-scene, technical skills needed for each show created right here in the area. The actors audition from New York and Chicago to South Florida, which brings some of the best talent available to be cast in every show. Tickets now on sale!
Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter. Tickets: (561) 575-2223; www.jupitertheatre.org
PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS
Living up to its motto, “theater to think about,” Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD) kicks off 2019 with an amazing opportunity to witness readings of five new plays. The introduction of this unique program gives the general public a look at plays that are still in the works. The five selected plays were selected from over 300 playwrights who entered the competition. The three-day festival starts on Friday, January 4 and runs through Sunday, January 6. It’s an all-day event, the earliest starting time is 12:30 pm on Sunday and final performances start at 7 pm. The event includes a dinner break at Leila’s Restaurant. The New Year/New Plays Festival provides playwrights the opportunity to actually hear their words performed in front of a live audience, Programs will include a discussion with professionals from organizations such as Regional Theatre and the Development of New American Plays.
The Palm Beach Dramaworks first ever New Year/New Plays Festival runs January 4-6 and features readings of five new scripts including Elizabeth Dimon as Gertrude Berg in Ordinary Americans by Joseph McDonough. Presented by Palm Beach Dramaworks at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre in West Palm Beach. Photo courtesy of Samantha Mighdoll
Tickets can be purchased for each individual reading or for all three days. The schedule and plays are January 4 at 3 p.m., Red, White, Black and Blue by Michael McKeever. The 7 p.m. evening performance is Drift by William Francis Hoffman. Saturday, January 5, a 3 p.m. is performance of With by Carter W. Lewis preceded by a Regional Theatre and the Development of New American Plays at 1 p.m. The 7 p.m evening performance is The Captives by Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich. Following lunch with the artists at Leila Restaurant ($25) on Sunday, January 6, is a performance of Ordinary Americans by Joseph McDonough. this play was commissioned by PBD for a future main-stage production. All plays are part of the Dramaworkshop programs managed by Bruce Linser.
As long as you’re calling the box office for tickets, don’t forget the next production The Spitfire Grill with book and music by James Valca and Fred Alley. It opens February 1 and runs through February 24, 2019.
Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach FL 33401 Tickets: 561–514–4042 Ext. 2; www.palmbeachdramaworks.org
KRAVIS ON BROADWAY
Time to put on your favorite salsa dancing shoes and head for the Kravis Theatre for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. The reason is the upbeat, lively musical, On Your Feet. It’s jukebox musical that played on Broadway and is based on the lives of th+at dynamic duo, Gloria and Emilio Estefan and the fantastic Miami Sound Machine. The couple won 26 Grammy Awards; five were for Best Tropical Latin Albums with such songs as Rhythm is Gonna Get You, Conga and Turn the Beat Around.
Christle Prades as Gloria Estaban stars with Mauricio Martinez as Emilio Estaban in On Your Feet, part of the Kravis on Broadway Series from January 8-13, 2019.
The best thing about Latin music is that it’s either romantic or joyous. You can bet that both types will be featured in On Your Feet. I guarantee you won’t stop tapping your feet and will definitely be on your feet for a standing ovation. The Associated Press summed it up perfectly: “If you don’t leave the theater humming a Gloria Estefan hi…”CHECK YOUR PULSE.”
Set in a backdrop of 19th century France is the epic musical drama Les Miserables at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts from February 13-17, 2019. Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy
The Kravis on Broadway Series continues with a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift idea when Cameron Mackintosh presents the new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MIS ÉRABLES from February 12-17, Direct from an acclaimed two-and-a-half-year return to Broadway, LES MISÉRABLES brings the epic drama of 19th century France to the stage with visually stunning production numbers and never to be forgotten songs such as as “I Dreamed a Dream” and “Bring Him Home.” LES MIS ÉRABLES is one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach Tickets (561) 832-7469 or 800-572-8471; www.kravis.org
South of Palm Beach County
Some interesting production are just a short jaunt away. The funny hit that made James Corden a star in America, One Man, Two Guvnors, comes to the Actor’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables. Winner of multiple Tony Award, the comedy enlists the aid of audience members plus an over the top cast of characters for both visual and verbal comedy. One Man, Two Guvnors runs from January 23-February 10, 2019.
The Actors’ Playhouse, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. Tickets: 305-444-9293
Broward Stage Door Theatre
Broward Stage Door Theatre in Lauderhill presents the hilarious Mel Brooks musical, The Producers. It runs from January 18-February 10. If you decide to go, it’s not that long of a drive but do get directions as it’s tucked away and difficult to find if you’ve never been there. Most of all be prepared to laugh until your sides hurt at Mel Brooks’ quirky story about an unsuccessful producer whose money-making scheme backfires.
Broward Stage Door Theatre, 3800 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, Fl. 333111. Tickets: (954) 344-7765.