by Donnie Quigley
It is finally here! The 2023-2024 theatre season has begun, and there are so many wonderful shows to be seen. Whether you want something brand new, an old classic or one of those shows that you must see every time it is presented, this year has it all! You can get your holiday shopping early with the gift of an experience. Every theatre took a hit during Covid and has struggled to get the attendance that they had before the pandemic hit. We are so fortunate to have several wonderful theatres in our area that have supporters who have stuck with them. Theatres cannot operate without the most important element: the audience. Live performances bring joy and quality to life. So, please support your local theatres by attending performances that are entertaining and thought-provoking.
Maltz Jupiter Theatre
All Aboard! The Maltz Jupiter Theatre opens their season with Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. The exotic and suspenseful tale of a murder on the elegant Orient Express train. Who done it? There are motives and suspects galore! This quick paced murder mystery with all its glamour and wit will keep you at the edge of your seat, as you try to figure out the murderer or could it be, murderess? The performance dates are October 29 through November 12. There are still good seats available.
The magical Charles Dickens masterpiece, A Christmas Carol, will come to life on the stage just in time for the Christmas season! Original music and arrangements by Fitz Patton and conceived and developed by the talented Andrew Kato. It promises to be a spectacle filled with special effects, strolling musicians and carolers. The true spirit of the holidays finds the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, when he is confronted with the past, present and future. A play for the whole family and a beautiful and thoughtful gift for the holidays. It is not too early to plan before those hectic but wonderful days are upon us and the time gets away. Make this season extra special with a performance of A Christmas Carol!
If you want a memorable way to bring in the New Year, AbbaMania is returning to The Maltz Jupiter Theatre on New Years Eve at 5PM and 7PM. The talented group performs every Abba song exactly as the original recording. You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life, as you bring in the New Year!
Maltz Master Classes focuses on different aspects of producing a play. Each week will focus on a different process from casting to opening night. It includes panelists who will share their expertise and experience on creating a show at the Maltz. The first one was held on October 14 and was titled “What We Did On Our Summer “Vacation”. Class Four, November 4 at 11 am, will be “Creating Colorful Characters”. It will include the actors from Murder on the Orient Express, and what it takes to develop their character. The classes are free and are held in the Auditorium or the Green Room on Saturdays. There is limited seating, so you need to register. jupitertheatre.org/master-class-registration. I will keep you updated on future Master Classes.
Maltz Jupiter Theatre
1001 E. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter
Tickets: 561.575.2223
www.jupitertheatre.org
Palm Beach Dramaworks
Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan opened on October 13 and I had the pleasure of seeing a performance last evening. Dramaworks always delivers with a strong cast, on point direction and beautiful sets. This production was no different, each character was perfectly cast and gave deep and moving performances. Director J. Barry Lewis always knows how to bring out the strength and believability of the characters, so the audience is fully invested as the story unfolds. The story takes place in a New York residential lobby and involves four characters who become involved in a murder investigation because of their relationships to each other. A young security guard, Jeff, has been hired by William and, although they seem to clash, as William opens up about his brother who has been convicted of a heinous crime and insists he wasn’t involved, the audience can see their connection flourish. We learn that Jeff was kicked out of the Navy and can relate to Williams’ dilemma to give an alibi to his brother, who has made mistakes in the past. Bill, a macho officer, who spends time during his shift with a lady friend, tells William he will back up his story.
The rookie cop under his wing, Dawn has a crush on her boss, Bill, and becomes disenchanted when she learns what he is doing during his shift. Each character’s motives are revealed, as does their true character. Jeff, at first glance, seems like a shallow person, raised by a strict military father. Britt Michael Gordon, as Jeff, does a terrific job of peeling away the onion until we see a thoughtful young man, who is just now starting to really reflect on his life and relationship with his father.
William is the older reliable brother, who wants to believe his brother, and is afraid the justice system will just throw him away because of his race and past mistakes. Javon Jacobs, as William, continues to amaze me with his ability to portray characters with depth, integrity and nuance that crosses the stage into the darkness and envelops the audience. Tim Altmeyer, as Bill the cop, seems like the typical brash New York cop we see on television and the movies. He doesn’t seem to have a ton of integrity and yet, his empathy toward William, as misplaced as it is, seems genuine. Elisabeth Yancey, who plays Dawn the rookie cop, allows us to see her tough side and vulnerability as a woman in a predominantly male field. She seems to be holding onto her dream of helping citizens, for dear life. Mixing comedic moments amid the issues of racism, sexism, corruption and class issues allows the audience to think about how they would handle issues that may not have a clear answer. Or do they?
The Messenger by Jenny Connell Davis opens with previews on December 6 and 7 and opening night December 8 and running through December 24. The play is directed by William Hayes, the producing artistic director of the Dramaworks company. The play is inspired by the life of Hungarian Holocaust survivor Georgia Gabor. It is an exploration of Holocaust denialism, free speech in schools, and racial discrimination in present-day America. A relevant play for the times we live in, this play interweaves the story of Gabor and a young American woman facing racial discrimination in 2020.
Georgia Gabor was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1930 and was the only survivor from her family, who were annihilated, except for one cousin. She kept a notebook of her experiences and the horror that was going on around her during World War II. In her oral history, available from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Gabor explains how she went from living as a prominent family to living in rubble and eating out of garbage cans. She also talks about the Jewish experiences happening at this time, such as how Jewish men were used as mine sweepers, as well as the frequent torture and beatings of Hungarian Jews. She authored a book about her life during this time titled, My Destiny, and how writing the book was so difficult and painful she had a hard time sleeping and took Valium to get through the process. Her interview is such an incredible insight into the horrendous atrocities going on in Budapest to the Jewish population.
Following the matinees on Wednesday and Thursday, there is a Talkback with the actors, director and author, where you can ask questions and find out more about the whys and hows of the play. It is enriching and always interesting. For more information go to their website, palmbeachdramaworks.org.
201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach
Tickets: 561.514.4042 Ext. 2
www.palmbeachdramaworks.org
Kravis Theatre for the Performing Arts
The Kravis Center’s first Broadway Series show is Chicago, always a fan favorite! Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and the book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. A satire on criminal justice during the jazz age in Chicago. It is the second longest running show on Broadway and won six Tony Awards. The musical numbers such as All That Jazz and Cell Block Tango are just a few of the memorable songs and dances in the show. The energy and Bob Fosse choreography is such a treat to watch. I have seen the show a number of times and I am always excited to see a new production! The show runs from Tuesday, November 2 through Sunday, November 12. Call the box office at 561-832-7469 or go online to kravis.org to get tickets.
Mean Girls- The Musical, will run from Tuesday, December 5 through Sunday, December 10. Music by Jeff Richmond, lyrics by Nell Benjamin and a book by Tina Fey. It is the story of fitting in and finding one’s true self and real friendships while navigating high school. It is a comedy with dark undertones that underline how trying too hard to fit in can change someone into becoming what they dislike the most. The original movie and this play are based partially on the book, Queen Bees and Wannabes, by Rosalind Wiseman.
Beetlejuice- The Musical, will run from December 19 through December 24. Based on Tim Burton’s film of the same name. It tells the story of Lydia, who is a little different and how her life changes when she meets a deceased couple and their demon, Beetlejuice. It is fun and irreverent with lots of energy and a surprisingly touching story about family, love and making the most of your life every day!
Other Holiday offerings include:
New World Symphony
December 11
Itzhak Perlman
December 17
Miami City Ballet- The Nutcracker
December 28 – December 30
There are various other performances in November and December, just check their website at kravis.org for the information.
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 and Costume Museum
This is Season 10 for the Wick Theatre and they are performing classics all season long. The first performance, beginning October 19 and running through November 12 is, I Love a Piano, a musical tribute to Irving Berlin. Stories that connect us all and pay tribute to the American spirit will fill the stage with such Berlin classics as, Putting on the Ritz, There is No Business Like Show Business,, Anything You Can Do and God Bless America. It promises to be an evening filled with joy and beautiful music, written by an American treasure.
Bye, Bye, Birdie which runs from November 30 through December 24, won four Tony awards when it ran on Broadway. The story of the ever-present generation gap and family values. The idea for the musical came with the drafting of Elvis Presley into the Army and the media circus that surrounded him. Conrad Birdie is the rock star in the play and has promised one last kiss to some lucky girl on the Ed Sullivan Show before he takes off for duty. The musical is charming and was created to appeal to teenagers in 1960. Songs like Kids, I’ve Got A Lot of Living to Do and Put on a Happy Face will have you smiling and tapping your toes. It’s a delightful play for the whole family and even though it may seem dated the themes are still relevant.
Wicks Costume Museum has a new immersive experience titled Dancing Feet, The Experience. 42nd Street: Celebrating the Art of Dance. A 360-degree video presentation showcases the dazzling dance numbers from Broadway’s greatest musicals. There is an emphasis on the hit 42nd Street, using commentary from the original star, Lee Roy Reams. Throughout the costume museum will be displays from the original 1980 production and the 2000 revival. The grand opening will be on November 18 and the luncheon event will also include a performance by Reams! For tickets call the box office at (561) 995-2333 or go to the website at thewick.org
The Wick Theatre and Costume Museum
7901 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Phone: (561) 995-2333
https://thewick.org/
]I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and know you will enjoy any theatre performance you may attend. Until the New Year! Exit! Stage Right.