Florida Spotlight: August 2008
For the tail end of the summer, Danny Hamilton and Gary Richardson have an interesting take on storytelling with The Witnesses, August 22-23, at the Plaza Theatre in Orlando. In the piece, first person tales are wrapped in a score provided by a gaggle of talented musicians on everything from an accordion to African and Irish drums. For a different kind of sonic variety, Michael Winslow will be performing his particular brand of accompaniment. If you know him from Police Academy, Space Balls, or any of a number of comedy spots around the world, enjoy a little solo time with Michael Winslow: The Man of 1,000 Voices, August 16, at the Atlantic Theater.
Further south in the Miami area, Art Metrano is pulling out all the stops with his entertaining story of a fall that almost ended his career in Jews Don’t Belong On Ladders, August 21-24, at the Broward Performing Arts Center. Also at the Center, take a trip back to Rydell High School with the Performance Project production of Grease, August 7-9. On the political side, Gable Stage will tackle the War in Iraq head on this month with Betrayed, August 16-September 14, a piece about Iraqi interpreters who jeopardized their lives on behalf of Americans in Iraq with little or no U.S. protection or security.
On the western coast of the state, Jobsite Theater will fill the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center with a lighter take on the same conflict. Their production of Embedded, August 14-31, is a comedy-drama about the invasion of Iraq set in a fictional place called, “Gomorrah.” From the mind of Oscar Award winning actor Tim Robbins, this play examines the inconvenient truth that war journalists must face regarding reality and what actually makes its way to the public. For not quite so political humor, the Manatee Players will be serving up a good dose of famed humorist and performer Will Rogers in, The Will Rogers Follies-A Life in Revue, August 21-September 7, just across Tampa Bay in Bradenton.
Further south, the Venice Little Theatre will be presenting their Summer Rep Series in the Yvonne Pinkerton Theatre in Venice. The series will include six alternating productions. Terry Johnson’s adaptation of The Graduate, August 12, tells the story of a mixed up family scandal of misplaced love that started as an award winning film. The scandals continue with Trumbo, August 13, 17, and 21, which recounts the humanity of Dalton Trumbo who stood up against the House Un-American Activities Committee and was subsequently jailed for it.
The series will continue with Douglas Carter Beane’s comedy, The Little Dog Laughed, August 14, 18, 23, the hilarious story of Mitchell Green, a rising movie star, and his agent’s trials when it comes to keeping him in the closet. Next up, the scandalous comedy will take a hop across the country to Manhattan for Regrets Only, August 15, 19, and 23, Paul Rudnick’s exploration of marriage, friendship, and squandered riches. For something fresh and yet unseen, The Venice Little Theatre will present Love Drunk, August 16, 20, and 22, Romulus Linney’s passionate tale between an older man and a much younger woman. Finally, the scandals and tangles of Venice Little Theatre’s Summer Series will take a turn toward the classic with King Lear, August 24, Shakespeare’s bitter tale of an old king and the fire between his daughters for his kingdom.
The Plaza Theatre and Gramercy will team up to entertain the little ones this month with Disney’s Aladdin Jr., August 7-18, with all the music, magic, and humor of Disney’s hit movie in Orlando.
