by Jan Davisson
Summertime often means short vacations to one of Florida’s quaint locations from Miami to Sarasota. It’s also the perfect opportunity to see what other theatres are offering for the summer months.
Maltz Jupiter Theatre
COPA presents: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown starring Jakub Barski and all the Peanuts gang at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre July 26 and 27, Curtain time: 7:30 pm. Photo credit Jason Nuttle.
The Palm Beaches have some wonderful productions featuring future stars from Jupiter to Boca. There are numerous student offerings from the fantastic program presented at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre by COPA (Conservatory of the Performing Arts). The upcoming student production should be announced by a circus ringmaster and would sound like this: “Ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages, the one and only COPA presents, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.”
That’s right, the enchanting cast of characters from the Charles Schultz comic strip will be on stage at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Every one from Linus and Snoopy to everyone’s favorite busybody, Lucy. And of course, the main Peanut…Charlie Brown…played by Jakub Barski. Whatever your age, you’ll love the antics of the Peanuts gang along with some fantastic music. Two performances only: July 26 and 27.
Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter. Tickets: 561.575.2223; www.jupitertheatre.org
Actor’s Playhouse on Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
Travel to Coral Gables with the kids for Actor’s Playhouse summer production of Puss and Boots.
Feel like taking a short trip to the exquisite Coral Gables? The Actor’s Playhouse, located in the old Miracle Theatre right on Miracle Mile, is presenting the musical version of Puss in Boots July 6-27 at 11am. It’s a great introduction to the classic tale of the cat with the huge boots helping the miller’s son go from rags to riches. Who gets the princess? See for yourself at Actor’s Playhouse. While in the Gables, plan an overnight trip so you can take the kids to enjoy the most beautiful pool in Florida…Venetian Pool. You might also want to get tickets for the evening performance of Murder for Two, a musical murder mystery Murder for Two runs from July 17-August 11.
Actor’s Playhouse, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. Tickets: (305) 444-9293
Shakespeare by the Sea
The 29th annual Shakespeare by the Sea Festival presentation at Carlin Park Amphitheatre in Jupiter offers Shakespeare’s most famous tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet, which runs for two weekends starting on Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, July 21 with performances both weekends on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm with gates opening at 6:30pm. This hidden guilty pleasure is the highlight of summer. Patrons are encouraged to pack a picnic supper and blanket or folding chair and enjoy Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before. It you have middle school and high school students, it’s a great way to introduce them to Shakespeare… and they’ll love it. Kermit Christman, the founder and producer of the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival, sets the time frame, costumes and music in a different century or decade. It’s always a treat. The admission is free with a suggested donation of $5. It costs $30,000 for these productions with only a portion raised by the donations. A new 30 for 30 campaign will be kicked off this year in hopes of raising $30,000 for the 30th year production. We’re so lucky to have our very own Shakespeare in the Park outdoor theater right here in the Palm Beaches…by the sea..
Shakespeare by the Sea Festival, Carlin Park Amphitheater, Carlin Park, Jupiter, Fl. No tickets or reservations needed.
Lake Worth Playhouse
Lake Worth Playhouse celebrates their 57th season with a delightful musical for summer. Footloose runs July 11-28 on stage at the art deco style theater in Lake Worth.
The art deco style theater opened in 1924 as the Oakley Theater. Unfortunately, it had to be remodeled after the 1928 devastating hurricane. In 1953, it was purchased by a group of Lake Worth citizens. According to the Art Deco Society of Palm Beach County, it is the oldest Art Deco building in Palm Beach County Finally, in 1975, it was purchased by the Lake Worth Playhouse, which moved from their performance location on the 3rd floor of Lake Worth City Hall or at Palm Beach Junior College. The group have been putting on top notch shows for over 60 years. A couple of well-known actors who had performed with the group before they moved to the current location are Burt Reynolds and Monte Markham back in their Palm Beach Junior College days. After seeing a production, you’ll be surprised to learn that it’s not a professional group as every production is outstanding. For the summer months production, they’ve selected the musical, Footloose. It’s a story about a young high school student who moves to a small farming town and has to adjust to their strange rules, including a ban on dancing. Teenagers will appreciate this so it’s a great one to take your kids to. Footloose runs from July 11-28.
Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave, Lake Worth. Tickets (561) 586-6410
Gable Stage
Treat yourself to a staycation just by traveling south around 80 miles to the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. It’s known for the elegant Sunday Brunch ($90) and high tea ($45) plus the huge swimming pool where Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan) used to practice swimming. The special part of the Biltmore is the Gable Stage located on property. You do not have to stay at the Biltmore to purchase tickets to the theater. The summer show is Skelton Crew, a play that tackles the corrosion of the American Dream. It’s the type of production you’d find at Palm Beach Dramaworks. Skelton Crew opens on July 20 and runs through August 18.
Gable Stage, 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables Tickets (305) 445-1119
Palm Beach Dramaworks
After delivering the final production of the 2018/19 season, the Palm Beach Dramaworks closed for the season with rave reviews for “The House of Blue Leaves.” The Don and Ann Brown Theatre on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach has a Summer Series. It began in June so two have already be missed; however, if you’re a fan of Legends Radio (100.3 FM) and who isn’t, you’ll love the last Summer concert. It’s Jill and Rich Switzer, hosts of the Morning Lounge on Legends Radio. They’ll be performing smooth jazz and the best of the American Songbook. Shows are August 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and a matinee on August 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 and available at (561) 514-4042.
Cast of The Ugly Duckling presented by The Stage Production at the Don and Ann Brown Theatre in West Palm, July 13 and 14 only.
Palm Beach Dramaworks offers something for kids PreK to third grade at the Don and Ann Brown Theatre. The Stages Production presents Hans Christian Anderson childhood favorite story, The Ugly Duckling, a musical to delight young audiences. July 13 at 11am and 1pm and July 14 at 11 am. Tickets reservations at the box office (561) 514-4042.
Congratulations to set designer Michael Amico, who is adding another award to his collection. This amazing set designer has been nominated and won Carbonell Awards throughout his career. Now he has garnered another award , The Vic, given by the Florida Professional Theatre Association.
Amico has designed scenery for theaters throughout Florida including Aida, Actor’s Playhouse, Dial M for Murder and Deathtrap; Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Fully Committed; Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, As Thousands Cheer, Kravis Center in West Palm Beach and numerous shows from Vero to Miami. He is mostly known for his outstanding sets created for Palm Beach Dramaworks. Most recent was Fences at the Don and Ann Brown Theatre. His sets are the type that you can hardly wait to enter the theatre to see what he has created. He belongs on Broadway but we’re so lucky to have him here. The next show will be his fiftieth production.
Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach FL 33401 Tickets: 561.514.4042 Ext. 2; www.palmbeachdramaworks.org
The Wick Theater and Costume Museum
Enjoy a summer evening under the sea with all those memorable songs for the Broadway classics. Presented by the Wick’s very own Broadway Dames with a live Reggae Band. It’s a limited production performed only on Friday evenings July 12-July 26 at 6:30 pm. Fun for the entire family. Who doesn’t like the songs from The Little Mermaid?
The Wick Theatre, 7901 North Federal Highway Boca Raton, FL 33487 www.TheWick.org (561) 995-2333
August’s Curtain Up will feature the 2019/20 shows for Palm Beach County theaters. If you’re not a subscriber, you can pick and chose which shows you’d like to attend and purchase tickets before the snowbirds return.