Local Florida students present Disney’s show - ‘Newsies’

FSCJ Artist Series and the Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts are proud to present the 14th Annual High School Summer Musical Theatre Experience!  This program provides theatre opportunities to 7th-12th graders in the First Coast area and allows them to work hands-on with some of the highest recognized local and regional theatre professionals at the FSCJ Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts.  This year, participants will perform “NEWSIES” July 19-28 for six performances only!

It's time to carry the banner with Disney's NEWSIES!  Set in turn-of-the century New York City, NEWSIES is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies."  When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, NEWSIES feature a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots).  Featuring the now classic songs: “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize theDay,” and “Santa Fe,” NEWSIES is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.

  Disney’s
 “NEWSIES”
DATES: Fri., July 19, 2019 TIMES: 7:30 p.m.
    Sat., July 20       7:30 p.m.
    Sun. July 21       2 p.m.
    Fri. July 26       7:30 p.m.
    Sat., July 27       7:30 p.m.
    Sun., July 28       2 p.m.

LOCATION: Wilson Center for the Arts
      Florida State College at JAX So. Campus
      11901 Beach Blvd.
      Jacksonville, FL 32099

TICKETS: $25 for Reserved Seating; $20 for seniors (55+), Military (with valid ID), and non-FSCJ students; $15 for Florida State College at Jacksonville students and employees (with valid ID).  Limit 2 discounted tickets per valid ID.
For tickets to NEWSIES, call the Wilson Center for the Arts Box Office at (904) 646-2222 or the FSCJ Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-5000.
Tickets can also be purchased online.  Discounts are available for groups of 10+ by calling (904) 632-5050 or emailing.   Parking is always free at the Wilson Center.

Pick your seats for upcoming 2017/18 Times Union shows

Update September 7, 2017: Due to the impending hurricane, the 2017/18 Kick off event has been cancelled. Please contact the FSCJ Artist Series (904) 632-5000 if you have any questions.

The FSCJ Artist Series, sponsored by VyStar Credit Union, will kick off the 17/18 Broadway in Jacksonville season with its 20th annual Open House at the Times-Union Center.  This event will be a perfect evening for families and art lovers in Jacksonville as the Artist Series announces the entire lineup for the upcoming season.  Doors will open to the public at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2017.

The event will include: a complimentary wine tasting, live music from The Chris Thomas Band and a special sneak peek at the upcoming season with a performance by a member of the CIRQUE DREAMS cast as well as a surprise guest performer!  Local food trucks What’s the Catch and NitrogenCreamery will be onsite serving up delicious eats and treats for purchase.  Attendees will have the opportunity to register to win a trip for two to New York City, including: 2 tickets to Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, hotel and airfare.  Details will be available at the point of registration.  WJXT’s Bruce Hamilton will host the event as the FSCJ Artist Series Kicks Off the Broadway Season!

The theater will also be open to the public to allow attendees to test drive seats available for subscription for the upcoming season.  The FSCJ Artist Series will have staff on hand to answer any questions about subscribing to the shows of the season.  Attendees will also be able to purchase any available seat for subscription during the event.

The first 100 people to RSVP to artistseries2@fscj.edu today, receive a free gift courtesy of Disney’s The Lion King when they arrive at the event.  (Gift must be picked up at the event!).  Complimentary parking for the first 100 attendees of the Broadway Season Kick Off will be provided by LAZ at the Enterprise Parking Garage.  Attendees can park in the garage and stop by the FSCJ Artist Series Box Office to receive a parking ticket before leaving the Times-Union Center.  Current Broadway season subscribers will be able to pick up their season tickets, exchange their tickets, buy single tickets for family and friends, and “test drive” their seats during the event.

The FSCJ Artist Series’ 17/18 Broadway in Jacksonville Season, sponsored by VyStar Credit Union, features: Rodgers + Hammersteins THE SOUND OF MUSIC (October 31-November 5); DISNEY’S THE LION KING (January 31-February 11); BEAUTIFUL, The Carole King Musical (April 10-15); and CHICAGO (May 17-20).

About the FSCJ Artist Series:The FSCJ Artist Series is Jacksonville’s major presenter of national and international touring productions. Celebrating its 52nd season in 2017-18, the FSCJ Artist Series enhances the entertainment scene in Northeast Florida with Broadway productions, concerts, ballets, operas, dance productions, school performances, and variety shows.  Serving as a fundraising arm of Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation, Inc., (501-c3), the FSCJ Artist Series supports the performing arts projects of the Series and Foundation.  “Like” the FSCJ Artist Series Facebook page for show announcements, ticket on-sale dates, show photos, video teasers, cast interviews, and more!

Broadway in Jacksonville
  Pick your seat
Date: Wed., Sept. 13, 2017
Time: 4 p.m.

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

Great seats - great shows - great 2017/2018 Times Union Theatre season

The FSCJ Artist Series, sponsored by Vystar Credit Union, is thrilled to announce the 2017-18 Broadway in Jacksonville season, filled with award-winning blockbusters and family favorites. Next season’s lineup will feature Broadway in Jacksonville’s debut of Tony and Grammy Award®-winning BEAUTIFUL– The Carole King Musical along with the Tony Award®-winning audience favorites Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Disney’s THE LION KING, and CHICAGO. All performances will be at the Times-Union Center.

“I am pleased to announce our 2017-18 Broadway in Jacksonville Season – our 52nd year of presenting outstanding entertainment on the First Coast,” said Dr. Milt Russos, executive director of the FSCJ Artist Series. “It will be a season of Tony Award®-winning blockbusters with three productions currently on Broadway.”

He further stated, “Disney’s The Lion King is an amazing and stunning show that the entire family will enjoy.  I am very enthusiastic about Beautiful, The Carol King Musical. It is well written and provides so much insight into one of America’s songwriting icons. The Sound of Music is breaking records on its national tour and Chicago, continues to entertain audiences worldwide.”

Four-Show Broadway Subscription:
The Sound Of Music      October 31-November 5, 2017
Disney’s THE LION KING    January 31- February 11, 2018
BEAUTIFUL–The Carole King Musical   April 10-15, 2018
CHICAGO                May 17-20, 2018

The Sound of Music - The beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss” and the title song, “The Sound of Music.”

Disney’s THE LION KING - More than 90 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING, and now you can, too. Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway.  Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals.  THE LION KING also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.  There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING.

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’ s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.

Chicago is the longest running American musical and shows no sign of ever slowing down! Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.  The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the “celebrity criminal.” Chicago is produced by the Tony Award producing team Barry and Fran Weissler with a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.

Season tickets to the FSCJ Artist Series’ 2017-18 Broadway in Jacksonville Season, sponsored by Vystar Credit Union, are on sale now with four-show package prices starting at just $152. Season ticket prices vary depending on the show time, day of the week and seating location.  A renewal brochure and invoice has been mailed to current FSCJ Artist Series subscribers and should arrive within the week.

Current subscribers can renew online with no seat changes at www.fscjartistseries.org, or by calling (904) 442-2929 or (888) 860-BWAY, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Current subscribers may also mail their invoices to the FSCJ Artist Series Box Office, 501 W. State Street, #109, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Upon renewing, current subscribers have the opportunity to request changes to their seating location. In addition, current subscribers who renew before May 8, 2017 will be rewarded for their loyalty and continued support with an additional savings of $10 off per season ticket subscription they renew.

New subscribers can order their season tickets to reserve their seat now for all four shows long before single tickets are available to the public. New subscriptions may be ordered online at fscjartistseries.org, or over the phone by calling (904) 442-2929 or (888) 860-BWAY, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Subscriber benefits include: guaranteed package pricing, access to the best seats in the house, priority access to purchase additional tickets for friends and family, seat locations, exchange privileges, free lost ticket replacement, access to other FSCJ Artist Series events- many at a discount.

VIP Seating is available to contributors to the FSCJ Artist Series at five levels: Angel, Producer, Benefactor, Patron and Donor.  Donor contributions start for as little as $150. Call (904) 442-2929 or visit fscjartistseries.org to learn more about the additional benefits available through the VIP Theater Club.

Groups of 10 or more are eligible to a discount on tickets to most shows.  To receive the best pricing, reserve your group tickets before June 7, 2017.  Groups may begin placing reservation requests at this time by calling (904) 442-2947 or emailing groupsales@fscjartistseries.org.

Performances for the FSCJ Artist Series’ 2017-18 Broadway in Jacksonville Season are Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. CHICAGO will have an alternate performance schedule beginning Thursday through Sunday for six performances. Tuesday and Wednesday evening subscribers will be given the opportunity to choose to attend any performance of CHICAGO at no additional cost.  Although we will make every effort to secure comparable seating for these subscribers, seating will be subject to availability and comparable seating cannot be guaranteed.

Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' makes a BIG splash in JAX

“In a magical kingdom fathoms below, we meet Ariel, the little mermaid, who is tired of flipping her fins and longs to be part of the fascinating world on dry land. Joining her are Sebastian, Ariel’s crabby sidekick; Ursula, the evil sea witch; Triton, King of the Sea and the handsome and human Prince Eric.”  This is only a little part of the story, and the beginning of what’s in store for you during the presentation of “The Little Mermaid” at the Times Union Moran Theatre from now until this Sunday.

So many little girls came in their Little Mermaid costumes; while some mothers, and attendees adorned in blue and green hair promenaded the halls for the annual ‘Family Night on Broadway’.  There was excitement everywhere!

The Choreography is top notch and the cabled flights will remind you of scenes from Peter Pan, but you are right there to witness the thrills of the evening.  Do you remember ‘sneakers with wheels’?  Well, you’ll see some crazy birds glide across the stage (see photo) during this spectacular show.  The live orchestra did not get their just recognition in the playbill, but they did a magnificent job under the direction of Colin R. Freeman.  The music and singing were top-notch and worthy of the Disney name.

It’s amazing how Ariel and the other underwater creatures flex their bodies back-and-forth to represent swimming, nonetheless, they accomplish these moves while saying lines, singing, and flying through the deep-blue ocean air.  Costumes are very vibrant in so many pastel colors.  The scene “Under The Sea” is like viewing a Louisiana Mardi Gras or dancers on the Vegas strip, but you are viewing it on the Times Union stage.

Crazy birds on skates (top) Ariel (bottom)

Because of all the changes in characters from the Marquee playbill, this writer cannot give total credit to the proper actors, but I will try to do my best.  On one of the many papers flying around the auditorium (you should stay until the end and see who is going to clean up all the clutter), kudos go out to Dennis O’Bannion whose name was omitted.  Let it be known that all but one of Ariel’s Mersisters also doubled as the Maids; well done ladies.

Ariel (Diana Huey) has a stunning operatic-soprano voice that doesn’t allow a body harness to hamper her acting or vocals.  Sebastian (Melvin Abston) stole the show with his lobster-like moves and precise diction.  Besides having a wonderful octopus (minus a couple of tentacles) costume, Ursula (Jennifer Allen) gave a stellar performance with her mean antagonistic self.  All the actors, stage coordinators, manager, director and every assistant that “The Little Mermaid” show uses in putting on this musical, deserve to be recognized.  You don’t want to miss this show.  By far it has to be the most stunning show of the year and maybe of 2016 too.

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”

DATES:         TIMES:

Wed., Mar. 22      7:30 p.m.

Thurs., Mar. 23     7:30 p.m.

Fri., Mar. 24       8 p.m.

Sat., Mar. 25      2 & 8 p.m.

Sun., Mar. 26      1:30 & 7p.m.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts

      Moran Theater

      300 West Water St.

      Jacksonville, FL 32202

REGULAR SHOW TICKETS: start at $38.50, and may be purchased online at FSCJ Artist Series (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.

'Disney's The Little Mermaid' offers a Family Night on Broadway

Join the Times-Union Center on Opening Night of Disney’s The Little Mermaid for the 15th. Annual Family Night on Broadway.  The FSCJ Artist Series is partnering with Jax4Kids, PRI Productions, Savor…Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Public Library, and many others, to create special pre-show activities on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. and during intermission.  All Family Night activities, including children’s games, face painting, photo ops, coloring stations, crafts, a special guest appearance and more, are free with paid show admission tickets.  Kid-friendly-foods will be available for purchase from Savor…Jacksonville, the Times-Union Center’s official caterer.

Based on the Disney animated film and hit Broadway musical, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is making its Jacksonville debut.  The show features all of the favorite songs like: “Under The Sea” and “Part of Your World” as well as new songs written by Oscar-winning Disney composer Alan Menken, the mastermind behind productions such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Pocahontas.  Lyrics are by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and book by Doug Wright.

Proclaimed by the Houston Chronicle as “colorful entertainment, wrapped up in an attractive production,” Disney’s The Little Mermaid is sure to charm audiences of all ages!  In a magical kingdom fathoms below, we meet Ariel, the little mermaid, who is tired of flipping her fins and longs to be part of the fascinating world on dry land. Joining her are Sebastian, Ariel’s crabby sidekick; Ursula, the evil sea witch; Triton, King of the Sea and the handsome and human Prince Eric.

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”

DATES:         TIMES:

Tues., Mar. 21, 2017    7:30 p.m.

   “Family Night on Broadway”!

Wed., Mar. 22      7:30 p.m.

Thurs., Mar. 23     7:30 p.m.

Fri., Mar. 24       8 p.m.

Sat., Mar. 25      2 & 8 p.m.

Sun., Mar. 26      1:30 & 7p.m.

LOCATION: Times Union Center Performing Arts

      Moran Theater

      300 West Water St.

      Jacksonville, FL 32202

FAMILY NIGHT TICKETS: 50 percent off purchase of two tickets (one adult and one child under 12) plus facility fee and service charge; facility fee and service charge not discounted. Valid for March 21 performance only. Subject to availability. *Restrictions apply* - not valid on previously purchased tickets, and cannot be combined with any other offer.  Promo code MERMAID at fscjartistseries.org  *Offer expires at 3 p.m. on March 21 or may be withdrawn at any time*

REGULAR SHOW TICKETS: start at $38.50, and may be purchased online at FSCJ Artist Series (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.