If you missed the production of the Broadway hit show “Legally Blonde the Musical” at the Thrasher-Horne Center in
Orange Park - you really missed a treat.
It might have been inconvenient for a Tuesday night out on the town, but
the unwieldiness of the date did not affect the entertainment for that
evening. The show was fabulous! If the performance comes to a location near you, make sure
you get your tickets today.
Kudos go out to Sound Design engineer Steve Rogers, for finding and correcting
the audio mishap at the beginning of the second act. Instead of trying to troubleshoot the problem
while the audience sat in the dark, the staff tastefully made an announcement,
turned the lights up and made the corrections very quickly.
The stunning Live Music was Conducted by Andrew Smithson and Associate Director
and Keyboardist - Eddie Carney. The magnificent
sounds were enhanced also by: Reeds - Henry Hernandez, Trumpet - Melinda Ho,
Trombone - Eric Spencer, Bass - Tim O’Hara, Drums - Brad Bailey and Guitar by
Meghan Doyle. The live music gave depth
to the visuals and assistance to the magnificent vocals and dance numbers.
The Set designed, by Randel Wright, moved across the stage with the ease of so
many cast members (some of whom play multiple roles). The gorgeous Video Design of Jon Infante,
that changed continually in the background, was a real treat for the eyes and an
addendum to the storyline. If you like bling-bling
and sparkles, then you’ll appreciate the work done by Costume Designed - Derek
Lockwood. Elle Woods and her sorority
sisters really stood out in both song and dance. Bravo to the two dogs in the cast: Bruiser
and Rufus - they almost stole it.
The 2019 National Tour of Legally
Blonde is produced by Daniel Sher of Big League
Productions, Inc. The musical is
directed by Jeff Moss, with choreography by Bob Richard and it is a “must see”.
“It's clear, funny, naturalistic. It's
also opaque, terrifying, surrealistic. If that sounds contradictory, you're on to one
aspect of Shepard's winning genius; the ability to make you think you're
watching one thing while at the same time he's presenting another,” so says
the San Francisco Chronicle about “True West”, the play that’s up
next at Players by the Sea Theatre in Jacksonville Beach.
Sons of a desert-dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer have chosen
extremely different lives. Their sibling
rivalry violently erupts as they compete for the attention of a Hollywood
producer, each trying to sell him a story for a new motion picture. “True West” is unsettling and intense. This American-Classic tackles identity, family
and self-doubt.
Director Brian Niece says “The theatre
should be a safe place to do the dangerous work of facing ourselves - what's
true and what's real about ourselves - and this play, in particular, gives us
an opportunity to do that.” Niece’s
process of working with the powerhouse four-actor cast revolves around
uncovering that truth and pushing further into the words of Sam Shepard.
“With
all material, what’s most important to me is the honesty of what you’re doing.
I think as an audience member, that’s what is most important as well -- is
really believing what’s happening in front of you and the fact that it’s
happening for the first time in front of you. For me, being honest through the
choices of the character and the given circumstances of the play -- that’s
paramount to a spectacular performance, not just a mediocre one,” says Josh Andrews, playing Austin.
All four actors are making their Players by the
Sea debuts in True West! The cast is Josh Andrews, Tyler Hammond, Tyrone
Thornhill and Brooklyn Murphy. Each actor brings a diverse set of rich
theatrical and film experience to the production. True West is directed
by Brian Niece in his Players by the Sea debut, with stage management by
Kristin Livingston.
The process of bringing this story to life
further exemplifies Players by the Sea’s mission of enriching the community
through excellence in theatre. The
Jacksonville Beach community theatre hopes to create and spark discussion and
profound thought. Suzanne Hudson-Smith, Executive Director, says that “Let’s have a conversation! Though the play written in the late 1970s,
the conversation for generations has been about the mixed messages our culture
sends to men, and the way these continue to shape male identity. Sam Shepard is
a master in exposing relationships of rawness.”
“True West”
DATES: TIMES:
Fri., March 15, 2019 8 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 16 8 p.m.
Thurs. Mar. 21 8 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 22 8 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 23 8 p.m.
Sun., Mar. 24 2 p.m.
Thurs., Mar. 28 8 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 29 8 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 30 8 p.m.
Sun., Mar. 31 2 p.m.
TICKETS:
Regular tickets are $28, with a discounted price of $25 for
Senior/Student/Military. Thursday night
performances are special Student Nights, wherein students can receive half
price tickets with a valid student I.D.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. from Thursday – Saturday; and at 2 p.m. on
Sundays. Advance ticket purchases are
strongly encouraged. Tickets are
available online,
or by calling the Box Office at 904.249.0289.
LOCATION:
Players By The Sea Theatre
106 6th Street North
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
(904) 249-0289
The Art Guild of Orange Park presents “Fin, Feather &
Fur” an exhibit of work by member-artists who represent a variety of
ideas, images and interpretations through Fine Art. The creators of these works reflect unique
work; a collaboration of interests, techniques, media applications, and
experiences. The juried show will
contain the finest examples of photography, pottery, drawings, paintings,
collage, or mixed media - 2 D and 3 D works: Art at its Best.
The Art Guild of Orange Park was established in 1973 to celebrate the fine arts
and to promote the creation of art by the many talented artists living in the
Clay County area. The Guild is a strong
supporter of its members encouraging artists to express their own
individuality, talents, and skills. Throughout
the years, both professional and non-professional members have stated that the
Art Guild of Orange Park was a crucial stepping stone to the betterment of both
careers and interests.
Also, celebrate art in Clay County on Thursday, March 14th
from 5:30 – 8 p.m. This is a free event offering a fun-filled
evening of artistic exploration, including question and answer sessions with
The Art Guild of Orange Park, multiple creative vendors in the lobby, food,
music and giveaways!
“Fin, Feather &
Fur”
DATES: Fri.,
Mar. 1, 2019 – Sat., June 15, 2019
Thurs., Mar. 14th
from 5:30 – 8 p.m.
LOCATION: The Thasher-Horne Ctr.
St. Johns River State College
283 College Drive
Orange Park, FL 32065
The Thrasher-Horne Center is a not-for profit performing arts venue and
conference center owned and operated by St. Johns River State College. The Thrasher-Horne Center is located on the Orange
Park campus.
In partnership with Avant Arts, join the Cummer
Museum of Art and Gardens for a concert with “Hear In Now”, featuring: Mazz Swift, Tomeka Reid, and
Silvia Bolognesi. This world-class
collective is a string trio that composes and improvises fluidly among free
jazz and contemporary classical, folk music, and avant-garde. Be prepared to be engaged by their signature
weaving of song, melody, and improvisation in a rich, unique, and diverse
musical experience that speaks directly to your soul. Expect to be transported.
The Garden Concert series takes place in the beautiful and historic Cummer
Gardens overlooking the St. Johns River. Guests are invited to bring chairs, picnics,
and beverages to enjoy an evening of music under the stars. Reservations are required. See below for further information.
General
Admission: Guests may bring blankets, chairs, food and alcoholic
beverages. Cummer Café can prepare your meal; to pre-order call (904).899-6022
or email by
3 p.m. Friday, March 8. Your meal will
be ready for you to pick up in the Loggia when you arrive at the concert. Beer, wine, sodas, and light snacks will also
be available for purchase that evening.
Reserved
Tables: Includes concert reservation and seating for 10 only. The purchase of a table must be made by one
person or group for the entire table via one payment by check or credit card. The museum is unable to accept checks or
credit cards for individual seats at tables. There are a limited number of tables
available.
The Cummer Museum is a non-smoking facility and do not permit candles or live
flames to be used at the Cummer Museum. Battery-operated candles are
permissible. *In the case of inclement weather, this concert will be moved indoors.
Garden Concert
“Hear In Now”
Date: Sat., Mar 9, 2019
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m.
Concert from 7 to 9 p.m.
Tickets: Members $20, Non-Members $25, Reserved table
with seating for 10 $400
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
829
Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
(904) 356-6857
Hours
of Operation & Admission
