'FAME the Musical' needed more than one night in JAX

“FAME! I'm gonna live forever; I'm gonna learn how to fly; I'm gonna make it to heaven; Baby, remember my name!”  It’s the tune that was made famous by Irene Cara, and was the lead-in to the TV show “FAME”.  The live show came to Jacksonville, Florida and brought a troupe of talented actors/dancers, as they reenact the original show.

“FAME the Musical” tells the story in the lives of several students who attend the High School of Performing Arts.  Among them are talented actors and dancers: fame-obsessed Carmen (Carmen Diaz); ambitious actress Serena (Marie Eife); wisecracking comedian/bad boy Joe [Jose] Vegas, (Eric Brandon Mota); quiet violinist Schlomo Metzenbum, (Joe Conceison); "talented but dyslexic" dancer Tyrone Jackson (J’royce Jata; determined actor Nick Piazza (Hunter Brown); overweight dancer Mabel Washington (Gillian Hassert); and poor dancer Iris Kelly (Kelly Longhran).

Gillian Hassert, Cast and Kris Roberts

Some of the outstanding musical numbers during the performance were: “There She Goes/Fame” sung by Carmen and the Students; “Hard Work” by The Students; “Mabel’s Prayer” by Mabel & the Girls; “In L.A.” rendered by Carmen, who gave a gut-wrenching dramatization of a junkie; and “Bring On Tomorrow” from the entire Company.

There was a wonderful five-piece band hidden in the background, that was a treat on their own accord.  Kudos to: conductor/keyboardist, Kelly Thomas; drums/percussionist, Brett Beiersdorfer; guitarist, Ray Sabatello; bass player, Ross Kratter and Trumpetist, Anthony Sisson.  Their sound was full, crisp and very entertaining.

The choreography from directress Antoinette De Pietropolo was fabulous and the high-kicks, jumps, twirls, splits and hip-hop antics gave the crowd their money’s worth plus more.  If you get the chance you might want to your holiday tickets today.  Check Here to see where and when the cast will be in an area near you.

'Fame - The Musical' will finally be in JAX next month

After reaching some sixty million people in over 30 countries, “Fame - the Musical”, based on the Academy Award winning film and Emmy Award winning TV series, will tour the United States and they’re stopping in JAX, at the Times Union Center, for only one high-impact December 3rd evening.

Conceived and developed by David De Silva, FAME was originally released as a highly acclaimed movie via MGM/United Artists in 1980. The film earned four Academy Award nominations and the network Television series of the same name followed shortly.  The TV show ran for six years in the 80's winning a number of coveted Emmy Awards and made FAME one of most highly received movie-turned television series events garnering millions of viewers each week.

"Remember My Name!"

Following these huge triumphant entertainment world successes, David De Silva once again proved the viability of the public rooting for young people to fight for and realize their dreams by recreating the underlining theme of the original, but this time while maintaining the hit title song, created a fully staged theatrical  entitled  Fame - the Musical.  The musicals book was written by Jose Fernandez with show lyrics by Jacques Levy and music by Stephen Margoshes. The title song "FAME" was written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore.

Its musical score for the film was awarded an Oscar for the song - with its unforgettable lyrics - “FAME - I'm Gonna Live Forever!  Baby Remember my Name”.  It is a universally known lyric and is the fever pitch anthem that drives these talented young people forward.  The superb music and dance numbers tell their story including their personal relationships as they strive to grow and develop their talent.  Each personality hopes to make their own big splash in the performing arts world of music, dance, and theatre.  Remember My Name: "Fame-The Musical" coming to JAX.  Now, is the tune in your head?

“Fame - The Musical”
DATE: Saturday December 3, 2016
TIME: 8 p.m.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202

TICKETS: start at $32.50, and may be purchased online at FSCJ Artist Series, sponsored by Chase (the official presenter of the Jacksonville show), or by calling (904) 442-BWAY (2929) between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.  Discounts are available for groups of 10+ by calling (904) 442-2947 or emailing groupsales@fscj.edu.

‘Fame - The Musical’ on stage at the Times-Union Center

It’s never too early to think ahead and get ready to see some exciting performances right before the holidays.  “Fame - The Musical” will tour North America this season with a stop in Jacksonville Florida, at the Times-Union Center, for only one performance!  The high octane show will have audiences dancing in their seats as the special relationships unfold for the lucky youngsters given a chance to develop their talent at the famous School for the Performing Arts in New York City.

Its musical score for the film was awarded an Oscar for the song - with its unforgettable lyrics - “FAME - I'm Gonna Live Forever!  Baby Remember my Name”.  It is a universally known lyric and is the fever pitch anthem that drives these talented young people forward.  The superb music and dance numbers tell their story including their personal relationships as they strive to grow and develop their talent.  Each personality hopes to make their own big splash in the performing arts world of music, dance, and theatre.

The title song "FAME" was written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore.  The exhilarating dance numbers created for this production by the acclaimed choreographer Antoinette DiPietropolo will have the audience on the edge of their seats.  It is a full-throttle journey which highlights the struggles, fears and dreams of young artists as they navigate their time in this "special" school that may well propel them into the world of entertainment. The production follows the four-year odyssey of triumphs and broken dreams right through graduation day, including a tragedy that they must all rise above as they go forward in cap and gown to sing the moving "Bring on Tomorrow"

After reaching some sixty million people in over 30 countries, Fame - the Musical, based on the Academy Award winning film and Emmy Award winning TV series will tour the United States again this fall and spring. It last toured here in 2003 and returns in an all new presentation produced by the veteran team of James Murtha and William Weir and under the direction of Dom Ruggiero.

“Fame - The Musical”
DATE: Saturday December 3, 2016
TIME: 8 p.m.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts
      Moran Theater
      300 West Water St.
      Jacksonville, FL 32202

TICKETS: on sale NOW and start at $32.50, and may be purchased online at FSCJ Artist Series, sponsored by Chase (the official presenter of the Jacksonville show), or by calling (904) 442-BWAY (2929) between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.  Discounts are available for groups of 10+ by calling (904) 442-2947 or emailing groupsales@fscj.edu.