Frank Meekins

It's a dream of a musical with nightmarish sound issues.

Do you love tap dancing and/or singing? Audition for New Tampa Players Singin in the Rain! NTP Singin in the Rain is a spectacular production this summer celebrating the golden age of Hollywood featuring dazzling choreography, catchy songs, and a splash of romance. Dance auditions are April 27th, vocal auditions are Monday, April 29th. Register at bit.ly/NTPrain.

It's a hit or miss show, but the youthful cast and the new performing arts facility make it worth your while.

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 abilities did NOT disappoint. Using the magical talents of Jeremy Dorsey, Hippie Griswold, Becki Mallett, and Will Rickard, aerial artists from Shinobi School on ropes, fabric, and a lira hoop, this version of the fairytale was fresh, innovative, and never boring.

Patty Smithey is marvelous as Ariel, but the show belongs to the amazing Janelle Richardson as Ursula.

Coming to stage at University Area CDC is a lesser known musical production called Violet. Violet tells the story of a young disfigured woman who embarks on a journey by bus from her farm in Spruce Pine, North Carolina to Tulsa, Oklahoma in order to be healed.

When most people think about the musical Annie, they think of "Tomorrow" and a little girl with bright red hair. Director KariAnn Stamatoplos thinks there is so much more to the classic story. It's not just Annie, but Daddy Warbucks who gets his chance to shine in New Tampa Players production of Annie on August 3-12 at University Area CDC.

Ohmigod, you guys- the earworm that stays with you long after curtain call, that you find yourself looking for on Spotify on the drive home, but turn it off because it doesn't hold a candle to this version - is also my reaction to New Tampa Players' production of the musical Legal Blonde The Musical. This show is brilliant and Chelsie Camaro Smith proves she has star power!

LEGALLY BLONDE COMING TO STAGE AT at New Tampa Players on Saturday April 14

It doesn't matter if you're from that generation or not, when you hear the theme song and the snap-snap, these ADDAMS FAMILY characters need little introduction.

Opening on the 30th anniversary of the NAMES Project's AIDS Memorial Quilt, New Tampa Players presents QUILT: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION on October 11-14. With book by Jim Morgan, Merle Hubbard and John Schak, music by Michael Stockler and lyrics by Jim Morgan, this is the story behind the NAMES Project's AIDS Memorial Quilt and the lives of the people remembered in the panels.

Tron Montgomery as Scarecrow, Thomas Williams as Tin Man and Michael Jo'Mae as Lion help turn this into a stunningly entertaining show.

The seven time Tony winning musical, The Wiz, presents the story of The Wizard of Oz with a soulful twist. It tells the story of family, friendship, and the power of home.

New Tampa Players, in collaboration with University Area CDC, announces the cast of its summer production of The Wiz, direction by David J. Valdez, musical direction by G. Frank Meekins, and choreography by Marcus Borders. The cast features Carmi Harris (Dorothy), Tron Montgomery (Scarecrow), Thomas Williams (Tinman), Michael Jo'Mae (Lion), Latoya McCormick (Glinda), Natasha McKeller (Addaperle/Evillene), Janelle Richardson (Addaperle/Evillene), Dwuany Cannon Jr. (Uncle Henry/The Wiz), and Pavonne' Scott (Aunt Em).

The incredible, lively performances, especially among the show's leads, should not be missed.

Jesus Christ Superstar opens tomorrow night (Friday, March 31 at 8:00 PM) at the New Tampa Players' home stage at University Area CDC. We sat down with G. Frank Meekins, Director and Musical Director, and Jarrett W. Koski, Choreographer and actor playing the part of Peter, to find out what they bring to this much-beloved rock opera.

New Tampa Players is bringing Jesus Christ Superstar to their home stage at the University Area CDC March 31 through April 2 and April 7 through April 9, but first they have been taking the show on the road. Earlier this month, the cast performed a musical revue for the resident families at Metropolitan Ministries. 'Rehearsals for Superstar have been demanding, so I wasn't sure how the cast would feel about giving up a Saturday,' Director G. Frank Meekins said, 'but in the end it was a privilege to be able to share musical theater with adults and children who might not otherwise get to see a live performance like this.'

Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1970 rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started as a rock opera concept album before its Broadway debut in 1971. The musical is sung-through, with no spoken dialogue.

A well-done production that is a feast for the eyes.

East Lake High's reputation for great local theatre continues with this wonderful production, featuring a revelatory performance in the title character.