by Donnie Quigley

The 2022-2023 theatre season on the Palm Beaches may be winding up, but there are many arts opportunities to enjoy in the next few months. I hope you had a chance to see some of the best theatre around and maybe a concert or ballet. There are still a few shows left to see, and this summer presents some wonderful arts camps for students to enjoy as they are introduced to dance, theatre, painting, and music. All the local theatres are now offering subscriptions for the 2023 and 2024 shows. Please consider buying a subscription so we may continue to enjoy professional theatre locally.

Maltz Jupiter Theatre

The final show of the season had the Wow factor and was so much fun! Oliver was the largest production ever performed at the Maltz theatre. The new Broadway-style stage was large enough for a wonderful set with 34 actors singing and dancing to some of the most recognizable songs of all time. The entire cast was strong and the energy filled the whole theatre! Oliver was played by Benjamin Pajak fresh from his performance on Broadway of The Music Man, where he played Winthop opposite Hugh Jackman. He was such a professional and brought the sweet vulnerability that we know as Oliver Twist. Chase Bauer played the part of the Artful Dodger with a cheeky and confident attitude. Chase is a local actor, who is currently in school at the Bak School of the Arts. We look forward to watching Chase in future shows. He sure knows how to sell a song!

The 2023-2024 season will be the 20th Anniversary of The Maltz Jupiter Theatre and they will have an exciting lineup that will please any theatre goer.

Oliver- March 14 – April 2, 2023
The final show of the season is Oliver, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. This Charles Dickens classic about an orphaned boy in the Victorian age has captured hearts for years. The cast of robbers and pickpockets that take in Oliver is delightful and menacing and heartwarming. The songs, which I promise not to sing along, are joyful, energetic and toe tapping fun. I cannot wait to meet the characters on Opening Night as I with the rest of the audience experience the journey Oliver takes from orphanage, to workhouse, to abusive apprenticeship to Artful Dodger’s innocent new pickpocket. Will sweet Oliver ever find that loving family? I saw the movie when I was 13 and learned every song. It captured my heart and has always had a special place in my musical favorites. The sweet voices of the orphans and pickpockets will make you smile and tear up a bit. The show will run from March 14- April 2. This is such a good family production, run and grab your tickets now. If you have a young person who has never seen a live production, Oliver is a wonderful introduction to the world of theatre. It moves quickly and the production numbers are so lively!

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express (October 29- November 12, 2023)

A Christmas Carol (November 28-December 12, 2023)

Beautiful-The Carole King Musical ( January 9-28, 2024)

Plaza Suite (February 11-25, 2024)

42nd Street (March 12- 31, 2024)

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre prides itself on presenting classic and new plays and musicals. As you can see, the 20th Anniversary productions fill the bill and will not disappoint.

A summer of fun awaits at the Goldner Conservatory at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre! Camps are for ages K-12 and include Junior Conservatory Camps for grades K-8 and Senior Conservatory Camps for grades 9-12. Check out the Maltz Jupiter Theatre website and let your child experience the joy of performing live theatre!

For Tickets Visit: GO.JUPITERTHEATRE.ORG

Maltz Jupiter Theatre
1001 E. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter
Tickets: 561.575.2223
www.jupitertheatre.org

Palm Beach Dramaworks

The production of August: Osage County by Tracy Letts was another triumph for PBD and director Bill Hayes. This semi-autobiographical tragicomedy features the Weston family, who do not put the “fun” in dysfunctional. When the Weston family gets together after the disappearance of the alcoholic patriarch old secrets and resentments arise in every scene. It was a solid cast with every character in perfect form for the character. The pill-popping matriarch, Jill Weston, played by Sara Morsey, was so strong and cruel, it took your breath away as she tried to roll over and intimidate her family. I can’t imagine doing two shows in a day! Margery Lowe played the youngest daughter, who has taken care of her parents, as the other two girls ran away as fast and far as they could. The audience usually sees Ms. Lowe playing a high-energetic character, but her quiet strength playing Ivy Weston eventually lets out her own secret was so nuanced that the audience just wanted her to get away and be happy. I could go on and on about each character; they were that good.

The last play of the season for PBD is Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks. This is a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about brothers who support and deprecate each other. The brothers were abandoned by their mother and had to spend years fending for themselves. Dramaworks describes it as a darkly comic trash-talking tale of sibling rivalry as they look back at the past and look ahead to a future so uncertain. The play runs from May 26 – June 11, 2023.

The 2023-2024 season at Palm Beach Dramaworks will start in October.

Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan (October 13-29, 2023)

The Messenger by Jenny Conell Davis (December 8-24,2023)

The Cancellation of Lauren Fein by Christopher Demos-Brown (February 2-18, 2024)

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (March 29-April 14, 2024)

Crumbs from the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage (May 24-June 9, 2024)

Palm Beach Dramaworks
201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach
Tickets: 561.514.4042 Ext. 2
www.palmbeachdramaworks.org

Kravis Theatre for the Performing Arts

If you missed the performance of Wicked at the Kravis Center, you missed a fun, energetic and audience loved musical. Everyone in the theater was so happy to be there, and there were a number of first-time theatre goers who left as lifelong lovers of the play. I last saw Wicked in Chicago about 17 years ago with my youngest daughter, who was turning 21. Of course, we already knew all the music and had seats in the nosebleed section, but it didn’t take away from the show at all. We could see the whole stage for every number. It was a magical production, and I am happy to say so was this Broadway Series production. I can’t imagine how many trucks it takes to move the sets and costumes from city to city. Every character had a wonderful voice and presence. We were so thrilled as we watched the story unfold. When a musical is well acted and produced, it doesn’t matter how many times it is seen. There were audience members around us who had seen productions of Wicked well in the double digits.

The Kravis Center still has many performances in May and June.

MNM Theatre Company presents Disenchanted
Rinker Playhouse on May 12-27. (Check the website for the various times)

Miami City Ballet presents Afternoon of a Faun
Dreyfoos Hall on May 12-14.

Hiccup
Persson Hall -Family Fare-Sensory Friendly
May 13 at 10am

Palm Beach Symphony presents Maria Joao Pires, Hailstorck, and Franck
Dreyfoos Hall on Monday at 7:30PM

Legally Blonde: The Musical
Dreyfoos Hall May 16-21

Madagascar The Musical
Dreyfoos Hall June 28 – June 29
Wednesday at 6:30 PM
Thursday at 11AM

The Kravis Center for the Arts has announced next year’s Broadway Series Plays. Subscriptions are available for the season, so don’t wait too long, it’s a great lineup of shows.

Chicago
November 7-12

Mean Girls
December 5-10

Beetlejuice
December 19-24

To Kill a Mockingbird
January 2-7

Jagged Little PIll
February 20-25

Tina-The Tina Turner Musical
March 12-17

Six
March 26-31

Hamilton
April 10-21

The Kravis Center also had performing Arts Camps this summer including:

ArtsCamp
June 5-23

Broadway Artists Intensive Junior
June 26-30

Broadway Artists Intensive
July 10-29

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
Tickets 561.832.7469 or 800.572.8471
www.kravis.org

Riverside Theatre

The charming Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach has an upcoming production of 42nd Street that I can’t wait to see. There is so much tapping and singing and joy in this play. It is running now and through April 30. This is one of Broadway’s longest running shows. The story of Peggy Stark who goes from chorus girl to star. Of course, she saves the show when the star breaks her ankle, and Peggy has to go on. Filled with fantastic dances and songs, this play is always a joy! Be sure to check out their website for music and comedy shows this summer. A Cobb salad at Waldos on the Beach and a fun show! What more can you ask?

Riverside Theatre
3250 Riverside Park Dr, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Phone: (772) 231-6990
https://www.riversidetheatre.com/

This summer I will do some pieces about some other theatres only a short distance away. Florida has so much to offer for every taste in music, dance, theatre, and comedy. Until next time. Exit! Stage Right!