Jimmy Ferraro - Page 4

Bravo, to producer Cathy Hooten for another successful, ambitious production! The Sunday performance was SOLD-OUT. Here's my advise. If you want to have a fun, memorable evening, solving a comical, musical, mystery, I encourage you to purchase your tickets immediately. You will be glad you did!

American Stage Theatre Company has once again produced a stunning, ambitious production. How fortunate we are, to reside in the Tampa Bay area, to be able to experience professional, top quality, new productions (it is still running Off-Broadway) at a professional, top quality regional theatre, at an astonishing reasonable ticket price. You will 'get all of this and more', at the American Stage Theatre Company's production of 'MY NAME IS ASHER LEV'.

Just when I thought that the productions couldn't possibly get any better, at Carrollwood Players...renowned playwright Neil Simon's, 'LOST IN YONKERS' opens and it is simply, a TRIUMPH! ~ This production exemplifies why we go to the theatre! DON'T MISS IT!

. To my delight, Carrollwood Players produced a thoroughly hilarious, "SMASHING" production of Sketch Comedy, entitled "GOOD EVENING". BAH! A FANTASTICAL EVENING!!!

What ever your sexual orientation is, or the color of your skin, or your religious beliefs....the most important thing is to know who you are and to be proud of who you are and to accept who you are. 'THE BOYS IN THE BAND' is Gay themed, but it is not just for Gay audiences. It has a lesson for all of us, with a universal message...ACCEPTANCE. And just like, 'The Hokey Pokey',...'that's what it's all about!'

'BLOWN BY THE WIND'...well, the title of this entertainment alone, set me up for what was to be a hilariously-naughty night! I was holding my sides from laughter, in hysterics. as tears rolled down my face. I could barely catch my breath.

Tampa Bay, Florida is the setting for all eight short plays, presented this past weekend, at Stageworks in Tampa. Scripts were submitted from all over central Florida; and were evaluated by a panel of judges. The participating artists received only an honorarium; donating their talents to the production. All of the plays were produced by StageWorks with minimal set pieces and props. This was an exceptional opportunity for area playwrights and 'showcase for newbies'.

If you want to have fun and laugh yourself silly... Go see the Carrollwood Players production of 'LEND ME A TENOR'! You will be glad you did!

The entire cast and musicians are multi-talented and the production values are innovative. On opening night, when the curtain went up, the cast was welcomed by screams, howls, and cheering, by a throng of teenagers...

The essence however of 'BEHIND THE GATES', is not just about Jews or the Jewish culture per say, but about family and self-discovery. We can all relate to this. You don't have to be Jewish to understand and appreciate where the heart lies in this piece, in what could appear to some, as a controversial work.

'WAR HORSE' is one of the most phenomenal, intense, visually and emotionally moving, pieces of theatre, that I have ever seen.... The high technical aspects of 'WARHORSE', are so realistically threatening, that at times I found myself gasping and closing my eyes.

Clearwater's West Coast Players' current production of 'THE RUNNER STUMBLES' is as much a love story, as it is a thriller, a mystery, a court room drama, and a who-dunnit? In fact, it is all of these things and more. It is a fascinating, compelling, theatrical piece, based on a true story beginning in rural Michigan, in 1906.

This Carrollwood Players production of 'CHAPTER TWO' is comparable to any professional regional production. BRAVO!...2 Thumbs UP!...and 5 Stars!

So, if you like farce, in one door and out another, slapstick comedy, mistaken identity, sight gags, prat falls, and a good belly laugh... 'Love, Sex, and the I.R.S. is the show for YOU!

Director Todd Olson, staged the poetic dialogue with a masterful hand. Mr. Olsen's addition of haunting, instumental melodies at the most reverent moments, further enhanced the sensationalism of the scenes. In 'WHEN THE WORLD WAS GREEN (a Chef's Fable)', Todd Olson has once again, created a work of ART.

'The Amish Project', is a showcase for the masterful skills of director Todd Olsen. Mr Olsen's vision, insight, and obvious passion for this piece, makes it spellbiniding! ~ BRAVO!

Hold on to your hat! You Ain't Seen Nothing Like This at the Straz before! The first national tour of 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert the musical', part of the Best of Broadway Tampa Bay series, exploded into Carol Morsani Hall at the Straz Center in Tampa, Tuesday night!

The 2013 national tour company of 'HAIR' is filled with a talent cast and an exceptional ensemble. It is a non-stop succession of vignettes and monologues, combined with an extraordinary amount of dance, exquisitely choreographed by Karole Armitage, with innovative scene direction by Diane Paulus.

The focus is on the men in this piece and the talents of the male actors in this company, were brought to comedic height by Director Murray Mintz. Mr. Mintz's staging, slapstick comedic bits, sight gags, and yes, choreography and recorded music too, added exactly what this play needs to be a hit!

The national touring company revival, now appearing at Carol Morsani Hall at the Straz Center, is filled with dazzling, high energy, polished, production numbers, that will have you out of your seat cheering!