by Jan Davisson
Maltz Jupiter Theatre
It seems like the theater season just started and already it’s finished! The big news is the unveiling of the newly redesigned Maltz Jupiter Theatre. After a long wait, the final production of the 2022 season took to the huge new stage. The fantastic set design by Dan Kuchar was like bringing back a Ziegfeld Follies show. The size of the stage allows the ability to drop sets all over the place, making for an exciting production.
The fast-paced musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, is the only show of the 2022 season to perform at the Maltz. A true musical/comedy with the emphasis on comedy. The antics of six hilarious character actors supplied numerous belly laughs to the audience. Handsome David Engel portrays Lawrence Jamison, a grifter who is assisted by John Scherer as Andre, a charming Frenchman. Their scams center around Jamison pretending that he is a prince who will lose his kingdom if he doesn’t get some financial assistance, which he does by charming rich ladies. Along comes an uncouth clod Lukas Poost as Freddy, who also scams the ladies but not in a genteel manner. He wants Jamison to be his mentor: a kind of My Fair Lad story line. When one of the rich targets Jolene, a gal from Oklahoma, demands Jamison to marry her, things get completely out of hand. Jamison uses Freddy to assist him getting out of this predicament.
The ensuing scene steals the show with Jen Coy (Jolene) a pint size actress with a big voice and manner is introduced to Jamison’s brother, Ruprecht,( Freddy in disguise). Ruprecht has social issues and quickly dispels Jolene’s desire to be one of the family. Her high energy production number, “Oklahoma,” is a high point in the show.
Other standouts are Julie Kavanagh as Christine, who provides a totally unexpected twist to the story, and Kirsten Wyatt as Muriel, another high-energy performer. Both ladies have wonderful voices as well as being great comedians.
The excitement keeps going at the Maltz with the announcement of the 2022/23 season that opens October 25, 2022 with Jersey Boys. This show had been part of last season and due to staging difficulties at the Roger Dean Stadium, it was cancelled. Theatergoers are so happy Andrew Kato decided not only to bring back Jersey Boys but also Sweet Charity (January 10-29, 2023). Two well known classic musicals are also included in the season: A Funny Things Happened on the Way to the Forum (November 29-December 18) and Oliver (March 14-April 2, 2023). Based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, it features a number of classic songs including “Food, Glorious Food” and “Where Is Love?” No Maltz season would be complete without a mystery or drama. Good People, a dramatic comedy, will run from February 12-26.
Still under construction is a 199-seat flexible theatre space. It provides a venue for plays and new works that are more suited to a small, intimate space. The conservatory is being doubled in size, and a 40-seat dining experience that will include a catered tasting menu and bar is also on the drawing board. It’s the next ACT of this amazing transformation at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.
Maltz Jupiter Theatre
1001 E. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter
Tickets: 561.575.2223
www.jupitertheatre.org
Palm Beach Dramaworks
A world premiere of The Duration, a play by playwright Bruce Graham was held during February at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre, presented by Palm Beach Dramaworks. Although a drama about a heavy subject, the death of a loved one, the subject was handled beautifully. Graham gently unveiled the who, what, when and where with touching scenes and clever one-liners to lighten the drama. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the play was directed by J. Barry Lewis who handles his actors with care. The show also included three strong actors including a newcomer to Palm Beach Dramaworks, Caitlin Duffy (Emma Batten). John Leonard Thompson (Douglas Kelly) handled his scene with his usual strong acting skills. However, the highlight for me was the performance by Elizabeth Dimon, who tries to handle the loss of her son by her inner strength to the dismay of her friend, Douglas, and her daughter, Emma. I’ve seen Elizabeth in so many different roles, and she stands out in every performance. Congratulations to artistic director William Hayes for having the vision to bring such an outstanding play to the area. The Duration was one of the plays presented by Dramaworkshop new play readings.
The fourth production of the season was Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel, which graced the Palm Beach Dramaworks stage through April. It was set at the turn of the century with amazing costumes, set design and a look at an entire new world. The story line is about Esther, a 35-year-old African American seamstress portrayed by the amazing Rita Cole. Esther is a spinster who just wants someone to love. She starts a correspondence with George (Jovon Jacobs), who is working on the Panama Canal. He was so good as a cad. I don’t know if I’d even be able to like him in real life. Eventually, George shows up with evil as his motives for marrying Esther. Although both of the leads were strong characters, they were ably supported by several other great actors: Gabrielle Lee as Mrs. Dickson, a supportive landlady who sees through George; Gracie Winchester as Mrs Van Buren, a white patron who writes letters to George for the illiterate Esther; Jordan Sobel as Mr. Marks, a Jewish merchant who sees the talent and good in Esther; and Krystal Mosley as Mayme, a woman of loose morals who destroys Esther’s marriage. The play was over two and a half hours long, but playwright Nottage kept the audience fascinated the entire time. It is one of the most extraordinary shows I’ve ever seen.
The season ends with The Belle of Amherst, the one woman show of the life of Emily Dickinson. Read the Behind the Scene article that features an interview with Margery Lowe, who tackles this wonderful piece of poetry by William Luce. The production runs from May 20-June 5, 2022 at the Don and Ann Brown Theatre in West Palm Beach. Tickets are now on sale.
Palm Beach Dramaworks
201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach
Tickets: 561.514.4042 Ext. 2
www.palmbeachdramaworks.org
Kravis Theatre for the Performing Arts
Kravis on Broadway still has a couple of productions in May. One is based upon the Oscar-winning film that starred Richard Gere, An Officer and a Gentleman. It’s a new musical and features some of the iconic songs from the movie such as Up Where We Belong. It’s loaded with favorite hits from the ‘80s including Higher Love, Lost in Your Eyes, Venus and Invincible to name just a few. An Officer and A Gentleman runs from May 3-8. 2022.
Summer The Donna Summer Musical tells the story of a girl from Boston with a voice from heaven. Summer started out singing in the gospel choir and went on to become a dance floor diva. The musical features more than 20 of her classic hits including Love to Love You Baby, Bad Girls and Hot Stuff. This electric experience is a moving tribute to the voice of a generation and runs May 20-26.
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
Tickets 561.832.7469 or 800.572.8471
www.kravis.org
The Wick Theatre
The Wick Theatre enjoyed a full season and ends it with a great musical that will bring back lots of great memories: Breaking Up is Hard to Do (April 21- May 15, 2022) featuring eighteen of the fantastic Neil Sedaka hits from the sixties. Who doesn’t remember, Where The Boys Are, Stupid Cupid or Breaking Up is Hard to Do. The show is billed as a love letter to romance with a 1960s beat. It’s the story of two girls vacationing in the Catskills and ending up in Heartbreak Hotel…I feel a romantic story coming on with all those great Sedaka hits! The show runs April 21-May 15.
The Wick Theatre
7901 North Federal Highway Boca Raton
Tickets 561-995-2333
www.TheWick.org