2018 - 2019 happenings ‘Around Town with Ms. V’

So that you will be able to purchase those Christmas Stocking Stuffer tickets, Ms. “V” will post some future events NOW!  Please check back often to see what in coming to Jacksonville, Florida; Orange Park, Florida and the surrounding areas.  All venues and shows coming to town may not be listed, but some of the ones that she receives information on - will be posted on her Blog.  Because of time restraints and travel, some events will not have a Review.  Come to JAX for fine arts and great entertainment.  Around Town with Ms. “V”

A storm is coming to ‘Players by the Sea’ for Oct/Nov

This Halloween season will include a psychological thriller at Players by the Sea.  “Pontypool” is set to open on the Jacksonville Beach community theatre’s Studio Stage from October 26 and runs until November 3rd., for eight impactful shows.

A massive storm sends reports of people developing strange speech patterns and committing horrendous acts of violence in small-town Pontypool. Radio D.J. Grant Mazzy and the small staff at CLSY, trapped inside the radio station, desperately try to warn listeners about the virus and its unlikely mode of transmission.

Director Stephanie Natale Frus says that Pontypool “…is about the human condition — putting people in extreme circumstances and seeing how they are going to react.  I like to look at it as a snowball play — it’s the time of thing where once that actions start, it just rolls and rolls until ‘bam!’ it just stops.”  She continues to explain that Pontypool explores communication.  “The show specifically looks at communication through public broadcasting, public radio, media — which is really appropriate for our society right now.  The question is ‘why are we communicating this way so heavily?”

Pontypool looks at the psychological concept of flight vs. fright.  This play is an adaptation of Pontypool Changes Everything, a book and film by Tony Burgess.  His stage play is now being edited for this production to include local Jacksonville factors by Kelby Siddons.  The production in the Studio Theatre aims to be a truly immersive event — the production team is partnering up with folks from Sally Corporation to create an experience that draws from dark ride concepts.

“Pontypool”
DATES:      TIMES:
Fri., Oct. 26, 2018  8 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 27      8 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 29    8 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 30    8 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 31    8 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 1    8 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 2     8 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 3     8 p.m.

TICKETS: Regular tickets are $28, with a discounted price of $25 for Senior/Student/Military.  Showtimes are 8 p.m. from Thursday - Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.  The Thursday night performance is a Student Night, wherein students can receive half price tickets with a valid student I.D.  Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged.  Tickets are available on line, 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 Color Purple’ sold out two nights in a row

“Players by the Sea” opened its 53rd continual season of programming with the inspirational and uplifting musical, “The Color Purple”.  The show will be on the main stage for four consecutive weekends.  The first two shows (September 21 & 22) have been “sold out”.  “Around Town With Ms. “V” would like to welcome Players to her venue of things happening in Jacksonville, Florida and the surrounding area.

About the Show:
If you think that you’ve already seen adaptations of this play/musical, or you’ve seen it in the movies, then you haven’t seen this presentation.  Some of the lines are the same and so is the music, nonetheless, the choreography and singing cannot be compared.  Talk about harmonizing, all of these individuals can S-I-N-G!  Pay special attention to the “Church Ladies” and the “Ensemble”.  The cast is comprised of more than 20 diverse local volunteer actors, singers and dancers and reading their bios in the program is a real treat.

The Set is moved around with ease and precision.  Lighting is ‘spot-on’, and the costumes are colorful and well made.  Kudos go out to the six-member Band, who played behind stage during the entire performance and sometimes without the assistance of a track.

Even if you’ve never seen the show before, you will be thoroughly entertained with this production.  There are a few colorful-metaphors, yet there are not a lot and it’s not vulgar.  It is a show that the entire family can watch together.  Besides a little hiccup in timing a couple times, the entire show rates five stars.  Bravo and Brava to all!

The Color Purple is directed by Jereme Raickett (also seen on stage in other presentations around town), with music direction by Meachum Clarke and choreography by Sherrod Brown.

More about Players By The Sea: The theater is quaint, comfortable and seats 150 people.  The restrooms are very clean and modern.  Entrance to the theatre is well-lite and parking is sufficient and close to the building.  The reception area has tall tables and is decorated with local art work.  On Gala night (the opening night for each show) Players offers their patrons some finger foods (927 Catering & Events) and a complimentary taste of champagne.  For your pleasure there is a bar that offers beer, wine, soda and water for purchase.  All the volunteer staff members are very friendly and courteous.

Stay tuned for more events from Players By The Sea and get your tickets early, so you are not standing out in the heat.

“The Color Purple”
DATES:      TIMES:
Fri., Sept. 21, 2018  8 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 22     8 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 28     8 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 29     8 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 30    2 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 4    8 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 5     8 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 6     8 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 7     2 p.m.
Thurs., Oct.11    8 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 12     8 p.m.
Sat., Oct 13     8 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 14     2 p.m.

TICKETS: Regular tickets are $28, with a discounted price of $25 for Senior/Student/Military.  The theatre offers half price tickets to students on Thursday nights.  Showtimes are 8 p.m. from Thursday - Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.  Advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged.  Tickets are available at playersbythesea.org 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