Stage Aurora presents ‘A Dinner With Booker T.’

Update: Jan. 29. New caterer to be announced through the Stage Aurora website.

“Dinner With Booker T.”, written and performed by Darryl Reuben Hall, will be presented February 8, 2020 6:30PM at Worsham Hall located at 1100 Stockton Street, Jacksonville, FL.  The dinner show will be presented dinner-theatre-style.

About the Show: Darryl Reuben Hall takes the audience on a journey into the life of Booker T. Washington by portraying the many friends and enemies that kept him strong in the fight for equality from a United States Officer to a General, a Coal Miner to Mrs. Ruffner, 14 characters in all.  Due to its historical nature, some may find some of the language offensive as narrative follows southern newspaper headlines as well as comments made by senators and other politicians alike.  "Dinner with Booker T." is an inside historical look into the life of one of America's greatest orators and leader of the Negro race, Mr. Booker T. Washington and based on his rise from slavery, to student, to educator, to national and worldwide leader.  This 60-minutes work is comprised of original rhetoric, research, song, dance, speeches, historical dialogue, and visual presentations.  Mr. Booker T. Washington was catapulted to national acclaim following his 1895 Atlanta Exposition Compromise Speech.

Darryl Reuben Hall has been noted for his philanthropy, theater directing, show production and acting in such theatrical shows as: “A Raisin in the Sun, Bag It, Black Arts Festival, Colored Museum, Color Purple, Crowns, Dream Girls Driving Miss Daisy, Fences, FRAT House, Friends, God’s Trombones, Harlem of the South, Little Shop of Horrors, Louis N Ella, Miss Ever's Boys, Motown, Respect, Sinner Man, Soldier’s Story, The Me Nobody Knows, Three Divas, To Kill a Mockingbird, Steel Magnolias, and The WIZ” and other notable productions too numerous to mention along with other venues in cities across the US and other countries.  Hall has appeared with several actors/actresses including: Angela Robinson, Ella Joyce, Melba Moore Ertha Kitt & Scott Whitehurst - just to name a few.

“Hall does a brilliant job at capturing the realistic nature of the dinner's backlash.” - Brooke Clariday, Theatre Reviews.  “Hall is earnest in his characterization of Washington.” - Nancy Bishop-Third Coast Review.

Get your tickets today because tomorrow may be too late.

“Dinner With Booker T.”
 Starring: Darryl Reuben Hall
DATE: Sat., Feb. 8, 2020  TIME: 6:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Good Shepherd Episcopal
      (Worsham Hall)
      1100 Stockton Street
      Jacksonville, FL. 32204

TICKETS: Admission: $45 includes dinner.  For tickets and more information, please contact Stage Aurora Theatrical Company at (904) 765-7373 or visit Brothers 2000 (904) 768-6004 located at 5238-1 Norwood Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32208.  You may also purchase tickets at Stage Aurora Box Office.

‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T’ the musical in JAX

Stage Aurora Theatrical Company will present R-E-S-P-E-C-T: A Musical Tribute to Aretha Franklin for one performance only, will feature many of “The Queen of Soul’s” R&B hits as well as Gospel songs.  Mark your calendar and get your tickets for a little R E S P E C T!

“Having worked with Aretha Franklin and after observing her televised home-going service, I was incredibly moved to show my R E S P E C T by creating this musical tribute featuring many of her classic hits that have touched millions and millions across the globe” said Darryl Reuben Hall, Director and CEO of Stage Aurora Theatrical Company.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T will showcase such hits as Respect, You Make me Feel Like a Natural Woman, You Better Think, and songs from her 1973 Grammy award-winning Amazing Grace album: Mary, Don’t You Weep, Amazing Grace, Old Landmark, among others.

The production is scheduled to feature: Kathleen Murphy Jackson (who appeared in the Broadway national tour of Smokey Joe’s Café), Vicki Farrie, Jamilia Holder, Sabrina Lampkin, Chelsea Love Hunt, Shauntel Robinson, New Life Fine Arts Ministry, Jacksonville Chapter of the Florida Mass Choir, and many more. The production is helmed by Director Darryl Reuben Hall, Vocal Director Kathleen Murphy Jackson, Project Manager Akia Uwanda, Cast Manager Jann Clark, and General Manager Dr. Dolores Hall.

Stage Aurora Theatrical Company is Jacksonville’s longest-running producing theatre of the African-American experience.  Local, Statewide, and National recognition is seen through a variety of awards: Best Boss Award for Performing Arts Group, FL Division of Cultural Affairs Diversity and Inclusion Award, 2018 Community Action Motivator Award' at the ALCAM Awards, just to name a few.


“R-E-S-P-E-C-T the musical”
DATE:       TIME:
Fri., Nov. 30, 2018.  7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Stage Aurora Theatrical Company
       8040 Lone Star Rd.
       Jacksonville, Florida 32211

TICKETS: General Admission Advance Tickets are: $30.  At the Door tickets are: $35.  Tickets may be purchased online at Ticketleap.com or at Brothers 2000 in Gateway Town Center, 5238 Norwood Avenue (Fees apply 904-768-6004).  For more information, please contact Stage Aurora General Manager, Dr. Dolores Hall at (904) 765-7373 or visit stageaurora.org.

‘Kiss Me-Kate’ has familiar cast

Photos Courtesy: Jamie Iames

The music of Cole Porter is a little bit too old and dated for this Bogger, yet Christopher Sanders* (Fred Graham & Petruchio) brought appreciation for the evening with his sultry baritone voice.  If you’re a regular attender of the Alhambra Theatre & Dining, you may remember him from famed shows such as: “Man of La Mancha,” “South Pacific,” & “Annie Get Your Gun.”  You might also have purchased one of his CD’s from a prior show.

Another actor who brought the musical “Kiss Me, Kate” to life was Darryl Reuben Hall* (Paul) who brought his high kicks, unmistakable singing (“Too Darn HOT”) and dancing flare to the stage.  You may also recall recently seeing Darryl in “Five Guys Named Moe,” & “The WIZ.”  

Two actors who added comedy to the performance were the First and Second Gangsters, Joshua McKinney and Joey Swift.  These guys were hilarious.
* Denotes Actors Equity Association Member

About My Menu Choices:
First Course Chilled cucumber bisque with shrimp & dill; Caprese salad with diced tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, pesto, balsamic glaze.  Both ar very delicious and very appetizing.
Second Course: Southern Style Pepper Steak with rice, gravy, and vegetables. The steak was tender and only needed a little addition of condiments.  House made rolls with slightly salted butter is always a favorite.
Third Course: Key Lime Pie.

We will be looking forward to the fall showing of “Do Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?”  Order your tickets today and we’ll see you on Gala Night .

“Kiss Me, Kate”
DATES: August 1 — September 9, 2018

SUMMER SHOW TIMES: Evening shows Tuesday through Sunday start at 7:50 p.m.  Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner is served until 7:30 p.m.  Saturday Matinees begin at 1:15 p.m.  Doors open at 11 a.m. and the brunch served until 12:50 p.m.  Sunday Matinees are at 1:50 p.m.  Doors open at 12 p.m. and the meal is server until 1:30 p.m.

DRESS: “Business Casual” or “Sunday Best”.

TICKETS: Prices range from $38 – $64.  Ticket prices include: a plated dinner served to your table, a Broadway-style performance and prime parking.  Group sales of 20 + are available upon request.
    **Price does NOT include gratuity, professional photos, or orders from the bar**

LOCATION: Alhambra Theater & Dining
       12000 Beach Blvd.
       Jacksonville, Florida 32246
       (904) 641-1212

'Fences' from Stage Aurora Theater then and now in theaters

Original post: January 2013    Updated: December 28, 2016

Not since “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf” has Stage Aurora Theatrical Company put on such an impacting drama production, yet “Fences” has the dynamics of true theater.  Fences impacts the audience to interpret the feelings of each character, and to interact with every emotion that pours from the stage.

If nothing else (but there is much more) Stage Aurora started ‘Fences’ promptly at 7 p.m. for those who gathered together for this Tony Award Winning presentation.  Thanks to Darryl Reuben Hall for bringing this production to JAX, FL, in 2013.  “Why do people build fences?” was a question that was answered as: “To keep people out or sometimes; To keep them in.”

The stage-set is modestly created; nonetheless, it well resembles the time and area of Southern living around the 1950’s (yet the movie takes place in Pennsylvania).  The dialogue and story-line takes the audience way back to a time when Blacks could reminisce of ‘so-called’ hard times which could also reflect on some modern day occurrences.  And yes, this writer remembers the corner A&P grocery store.

Eugene Lindsey (Troy Maxson) recited his many lines like it was an actual conversation from moments in the actor’s own life.  Troy is a character who you could easily “love to hate”.  He may remind you of an Uncle that wasn’t the most popular guy at the family bar-b-que.  [2016-Director/Actor, Denzel Washington, could also be a contender for an academy.]

Shauntel Robinson (Rose-Troy’s wife) exuded real tears in her compelling speech to Mister Troy in Act Two.  Her tears were so emotional that the audience could feel all the pain that she pours out from her soul.  The crowd was clearly on her side and the “bat” might have been swung right at Troy’s head, if it were a black woman in today’s society.  Many of the people in the audience wanted to “whup-up” on Troy during this portion in the play.  [In the 2016 movie, Viola Davis should win an academy award for her outstanding role.  The woman had snot flying.]

The script is very extensive and NONE of the actors missed their lines.  A couple of quotes from the show are: “You got to learn how to take the crooked with the straight” and “You either have to grow into it or you gotta cut it down to fit ya.”  See if you are able to spot where these lines come in during the program.

‘Fences’ lets the audience know how times use to be and also shows how some parent/child relationships may get misunderstood in today’s society.  The relationship between Troy and his son Lyons (Joiakin Joe Foster) may be interpreted as, “I’m not your Friend – I’m your Father” role.  Where should the compromise be in this type of relationship?

This drama should be seen by all (some language may have to be explained to children beforehand, but the words have become second nature in the world today.)  'Fences' is now showing in a theater near you and is a must-see.  {Video clip: Broadwaycom FENCES Broadway production clip featuring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in 2011.}

Stage Aurora receives PNC financial Arts Alive Grant

Access to dance performances, the musical power of hip hop, Shakespeare theater, a traveling art mural project, and art labs are among the highlights of five Jacksonville arts organizations which will receive funds this year from the PNC Foundation’s Arts Alive program.  The grants are part of a three-year program to bring PNC Arts Alive to the Jacksonville, Florida community and Stage Aurora Theatrical Company is proud to be part of the mix.  The non-profit winners represent a wide range of disciplines, audiences and participatory experiences from arts groups’ large and small, city and suburban.  Throughout 2016, PNC has diligently worked with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville to develop the Arts Alive opportunity locally and bring the initiative to its thriving community.

“The PNC Foundation has been a wonderful partner and we are thrilled they decided to bring PNC Arts Alive to our region’s arts and culture community,” said Antonio Allegretti, executive director, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. “I’m confident these grant recipients will inject Jacksonville with innovative and exciting new programs for the entire family. Most importantly, these new resources will have profound effects on our sector and will improve the quality of life through access to art.”  The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville reports that its creative economy has a $2.4 billion impact on the region.

Through the PNC Arts Alive program, Jacksonville Dance Theatre’s Bridge Project, will commission a newly choreographed work by dancer and choreographer James Boyd, an African American dance artist with a national and renowned reputation in the field of professional dance.  The work will be presented to underserved audiences throughout Jacksonville documented by filmmaker Alexa Velez.  To learn more about James Boyd, visit his website.

Stage Aurora – Ritz Theatre is an innovative program designed to introduce professional African-American theatre to underserved audiences in Jacksonville, Florida.  For the 2016-17, the centerpiece of the project is four to five fully subsidized performances for families, seniors, middle and high school students of low-income status for a total of 2,000 tickets to attend The Ritz Theatre and Museum.  The proposed main stage season includes: Dreamgirls, Porgy and Bess, Lion King, Jr., Ain’t Misbehavin’, Drawn From The Water and/or To Kill a Mockingbird.  One performance of each production is subsidized at 400 seats for low-income patrons.

Congratulations to Darryl Reuben Hall and the Stage Aurora Theatrical Company, on their conquest to bring more culture to the city of Jacksonville and the surrounding area.