JACKSONVILLE THEATER REVIEWS

Brighton Beach Memoirs began its run at Orange Park Community Theatre on April 1st. Make no mistake, this is no April Fools prank, the cast and crew have put on a lovely performance for Orange Park and the surrounding areas....

  “Have you heard there’s a rumor in St. Petersburg? Have you heard what they’re saying on the streets?” Anastasia has made its stop in Jacksonville! The musical based on the beloved 1997 movie, follows the story of the two Russian men attempting to pass off a street sweeper as the sole sur...

It’s “nothin’ but a good time” at Alhambra Theatre and Dining in Jacksonville! Rock of Ages opened at Alhambra Theatre and Dining on March 25th and audiences went wild. The musical follows two aspiring artists making their way in Los Angeles. While we follow the two artists, a rally is going...

Cats opened at Times Union Center for the Performing Arts on February 22nd. Jacksonville audiences were ecstatic to see the 1983 Tony Award winner for Best Musical. The musical follows the story of cats deciding which cat will go to “Heaviside layer”, based on the T.S. Eliot poem “Old Possum�...

Dear Jacksonville, this week is going to be a good week. And here’s why because Dear Evan Hansen is stopping here this week! The incredibly heart-wrenching and beautiful show follows the story of Evan Hansen, a senior in high school who struggles with anxiety and can’t seem to “fit in.” Evan...

'What's happening all over? I'll tell you what's happening all over.' Or at least what's happening at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining. The 55th season has kicked off with the opening of Guys and Dolls!...

When everyone was experiencing devastation on 9/11/2001, the town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada was accepting passengers from 38 planes full of people who had been detoured from their various destinations. Come From Away tells this true story. The musical follows the five days the “Come From A...

“To us and our good fortune. Be happy, be healthy, long life! And if our good fortune never comes Here’s to whatever comes, Drink l’chaim, to life!” feels very fitting after a long 18-month hiatus due to COVID-19.  Fiddler on the Roof opened at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts...

The Alhambra Theatre and Dining is “alive with The Sound of Music.” The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical follow the von Trapp family in 1938 shortly before the second world war in Austria. A new governess, Maria Rainer comes to the von Trapp family, bringing with her music and joy that has been l...

“Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!” Spongebob the Musical opened at Players by the Sea on Friday night, and the crowd went wild. The musical follows Spongebob and the citizens of Bikini Bottom as they prepare for a natural disaster that could wipe out their town. Spo...

“It’s possible! Anything’s possible!” like being in a full house on opening night at Alhambra Theatre in Jacksonville after a year and a half of the pandemic! My heart was so full to see such happy faces in the theatre as we were entranced by the world that is Seussical the Musical. The fun ...

Stories have an amazing way of bringing to life experiences and concepts that otherwise might be too complex, too unfamiliar, or too uninteresting. And, while some might write off storytelling as something reserved only for childhood, it is, in fact, one of the most common ways we humans have passed...

Well, after almost one year, the media is back to limited shows in Jacksonville, FL! The Alhambra Theatre and Dining has done all they could to keep the arts alive during this turbulent time. Round of applause to the wait staff, directors, producers, actors, and everyone involved. I am thrilled to b...

How to Succeed at Business Without Really Trying is at the Alhambra in Jacksonville, FL. The witty musical follows the story of J. Pierrepont Finch as he works his way up in a company through distinct steps, such as staying late at the office to look like an ambitious employee. The show was incredib...

a?oeRight This Waya?? to the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts to see Bandstand. Audiences were so moved by the musical on February 18. Bandstand follows the story of veterans' home from World War II as they try to qualify for a music competition. The group becomes the Donny Nova band and i...

Everything is Rent at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts in Jacksonville, FL. Jonathan Larson's Rent takes place in New York City in the Late 80's to early 90's. The audience follows a group of characters as they discover how important it is to embrace each day they are given because the...

The 2020 season is in full swing at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining in Jacksonville. Love Letters officially opened January 10. The play follows the story of two childhood friends who write each other letters for well over 40 years. The audience experiences children grow up from silly a?oeDo you lik...

Elf the Musical is a?oeSparklejollytwinklejingley!a?? The musical, based on the 2003 movie Elf, returns to Alhambra Theatre and Dining. Not only is it back, it is sold out! Audiences have rushed to get tickets in order to follow Buddy the Elf on his quest to find his father, Walter Hobbs. Elf the Mu...

Good News! Wicked is back in Jacksonville! The prequel to The Wizard of Oz tells the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy showed up. Surprise, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West were friends! This was my fourth time seeing the spectacular show, and it is just as magical as t...

A Bronx Tale had a one-night performance in Jacksonville November 13 and audiences loved it! The musical, based on the 1993 movie of the same name, follows Calogero. Calorgero is 8 years old and sees, what can only be described as traumatic to an 8-year-old. After this traumatic experience a man nam...

Do you love musicals? Do you love true crime? Do you love insanity? Well, do I have the show for you! Jekyll and Hyde opened at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining and audiences were in awe. This is not a show where you will hear those laughing throughout the theatre, but more gasps of entertainment, ho...

Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs began performances September 18, and audiences are thoroughly enjoying it! The play follows the Jerome/Morton family living in Brighton Beach in 1937. Our narrator is Eugene Jerome (Evan Gray), who addresses the audience to fill us in on gaps we may not know. We f...

a?oeHoney, Honeya?? Mama Mia! Has begun performances at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining. The show composed of all ABBA music, follows Sophie Sheridan as she searches for her biological father. After stumbling upon her mother's diary, she discovers there are three possible men. Sophie comes up with t...

Let me lead by saying I absolutely love The Little Mermaid and Cirque Du Soleil, so going into the theatre, my expectations were extremely high for the perfect romantic story of man and mermaid at New Tampa Players. And visionary director Derek Baxter and a stellar huge cast of all ages and abilitie...

Life truly is better "Under the Sea!" Disney's The Little Mermaid has begun performances at the Alhambra Theatre in Dining in Jacksonville. Audiences will be transported to the bottom of the ocean as they follow Ariel's story to becoming human, accompanied by twists, turns, and excitement. Audience ...