by Jan Davisson
Life without theater is a real drag! However, just got a new schedule from the Kravis with plans for the beginning of January 2021. This is exciting because both the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and Palm Beach Dramaworks have cancelled their 2019/20 season.
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Kravis on Broadway always has exciting productions, and their first opening from January 5-10 is a perfect start for South Florida: Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville. You don’t have to be a “parrot-head” to love Buffet’s music. Escape on this musical trip at the Kravis, and get lost in a place where people go to to get away. You’ll discover a hilarious and heartwarming adventure with some of American’s greatest storytellers and music like: “Ragtop Days”; “License to Chill”; “We Are the People Our Parents Warned Us About”; and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” which was recorded in Jupiter featuring Alan Jackson at the Square Grouper. Makes me smile just thinking about it… Tickets now on sale at www.Kravis.org.
Several of the Kravis on Broadway Series shows have been cancelled, including Wicked, My Fair Lady and Dear Evan Hansen. Still on the schedule are: Anastasia (March 30- April 4); An Officer and a Gentleman (April 21-25); and Mean Girls (May 11-16)
The wonderful, classic musical South Pacific is a one-night event on Sunday March 20,2021. Maybe we can “wash that corona virus right out of our hair.”
So far, the only game in town for New Year’s Eve is also at the Kravis, and it’s for all ages; Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock N Roll. Sadly, the 25th anniversary of Riverdance has been cancelled. I first saw it at the Kravis. Best show I ever saw.
Regretfully, many of the Regional Arts Classical Concert Series shows have been either cancelled or rescheduled. Again, check www.Kravis.org to keep up with the changes. Make a note of this…The Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis is also on set for December 31 with Forbidden Broadway, The Next Generation (December 27-31).
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach Tickets 561.832.7469 or 800.572.8471; www.kravis.org
MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE
The Maltz is taking advantage of this lull in productions to enhance the theater to become one of the nation’s top regional theaters. Artistic Producing Director Andrew Kato sent out the revised 2021/22 season… and it’s a doozy! But, we’ll have to wait for a year when Murder on the Orient Express opens October 31-November 14. The holiday musical is Sweet Charity (November 30-December 19).
The January,2022 production has not been announced but promises to be a Big Hit Broadway Musical from January 11-February 6, 2022. I Hate Hamlet promises to be a supernatural comedy and runs from February 20-March 6. The 2021/22 season ends up with the delightful musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. One of those charming shows that just make you laugh. “It’s worth the wait,” says Kato. In the meantime, check out the brilliant new way to find out what’s happening if you’re missing the Maltz Jupiter Theatre as much as I am!
There’s a new streaming web series called Reel Brief that promises to keep you informed and entertained as the Maltz Jupiter Theatre continues on the $30 million expansion. You’ll get a chance to keep informed, listen to some good actor interviews and get a preview of the Limited Engagements for next year. They include some special features like the origin of the ghost light, which is perfect for a Halloween feature, as well as how to mix up a very special cocktail called the Lemon Drop. To view each episode, just visit Maltz Jupiter Theater Reel Brief on YouTube.
Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Rd, Jupiter. Tickets: 561.575.2223; www.jupitertheatre.org
Palm Beach Dramaworks
The Palm Beach Dramaworks team has kept busy since the pandemic started. They introduced a series of events on YouTube, everything from interviews with authors and actors to script readings. It’s been a great way to get to know the talented South Florida actors who appear in so many of the Dramaworks productions.
The Contemporary Voices program just ended in October. It featured a different play each week written by the same playwright for three weeks. The series just ended in October and now PBDW is getting ready to launch its new Home for Holidays Series and New Year, New Play Festival from January 8-10, 2021. Stay tuned! More about that in December’s Curtain Up.
Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach FL 33401 Tickets: 561.514.4042 Ext. 2; www.palmbeachdramaworks.org
Cutlines: Two Virtual Livestream Concerts: Live From The West Side Women of Broadway: Laura Benanti November 14 at 8 pm and Vanessa Williams, December 5 at 8 pm. Tickets on sale now at www.Kravis.org.
Exciting new YouTube video called Reel Brief, puts you in the loop about what’s happening at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Nicely produced and fun to watch!
The Contemporary Voices series featured two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage, writer of Intimate Apparel (2003),which is scheduled for full production when PBD returns to the theatre next season. Sweat (2017) and Crumbs from the Table of Joy (1995) were the other two presentations.